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Her Sentence as a Pony: Book One | Part II: Chapter Twenty-Six | Three bodies had been found decapitated last night in an abandoned warehouse--according to the morning newspaper. Shade stares at the desktop screen which displays the Canterlot Police Department ongoing investigations of a Detective Shinning Armor. His report confirms three bodies had been recovered and also two basketball sized human meat balls. Shade clicks on one of the pictures attached to the report. The picture shows "FiNAL WARNiNG" which had been written with body parts and blood. The human meat balls dot the i's in the message.
Her blood freezes in her veins. Not from the blood. Not from the viscera. From the memories. The memories of her: the one who had given birth to Shade. Shade shakes her head, clearing out the memories and allowing logic to retake control of her brain. Both her parents had a taste of the Godsbane Blade which erases all entities from existence. Which means: she should not be here.
Flashes of fire play in Shade's mind. She falls to the wooden floorboards, clenching her head with her nails digging into her scalp. Her back arches back as she balls herself. Flames lick her body and she howls. She thrashes on the ground to put out the flames. She knocks her chair down and kicks the desk which sends the computer to the floor.
Laughter echoes in her ears. Molting faces fill her vision. Their visage laughing at her.
She tries to scream. Smoke fills her lungs. Sulphur fills her mouth. She writhes on the ground a moment longer before he world blasts into white light.
"Another failure." A harsh, feminine voice says. Her voice echoes all around.
"I keep telling you not to rush." Another feminine voice speaks, this one carries a tone of someone with a calm demeanor.
"You act like you know everything," the harsh voice snaps.
"I do know everything. I am Destiny," the other voice cooly states.
"And I am Fate!"
The ringing in the ears starts to dissipate. Two voices replace the din. A groan escapes Shade's mouth as she begins to move her sore body. Bright light makes her wince as she tries to open her eyes. As her eyes adjust to the light, the two silhouettes turn into two individuals. Two infamous individuals. Two infamous towering individuals. Two infamous towering individuals that share the same ebony face, rainbow eyes, body, and residence.
Shade's pale yellow eyes look up to focus on the woman to her right that stands over thirty meters tall. The woman wears the purest and whitest gown of silk and a small smile. "Destiny," she greets the woman with a slight nod.
Destiny returns the gesture.
Before Shade can react, the woman in gleaming gold armor stabs an equally golden spear into Shade's back, evoking a gasp of pain.
"You do not get to speak, worm!"
Shade tries to retort but finds herself being thrust into the mouth of Fate. Shade tries to push herself off the tip of the spear as darkness envelops her.
"Fuck," the last thing Shade says and the two goddesses hear as Fate eats Shade.
Destiny shakes her head at the display. She points her left hand at the black doors at the far side of the room. The doors open to another woman. She stands there with her fist in the air in the middle of knocking. she straightens herself and strides into the room.
A black crown, made to resemble two skeletal hands touching thumbs and little fingers together as the other six finger point to the sky, rests on the woman's short, snow white hair. Familiar eyes stare up at them as she draws near, the only difference being their coloring; the left eye golden yellow and right eye crimson. Her pale face and eyes show the same determination as Fate's latest meal. The woman's white armor shows signs of battle, smoke and flames start are beginning to blacken the white metal. A thick, purple cape billows behind her. The woman stops at the smear of fresh blood and crack in the floor.
She looks up to the two goddesses and gives a curtsy.
"What brings you to bask in my glorious presence, runt," Fate says.
"As the Ruler of Hell, I am here to investigate the disappearance of souls from Hell," the woman says, her voice hollow and void of emotion. "Depending on my satisfaction of your answer will determine the severity of your punishment."
Fate snorts. She waves her hand in a dismissive way. "As if a mere child like you can do anything to ME!"
"You do not want me bringing this matter to the attention of Darqlon," the pale woman replies swiftly.
Fate crosses her arms across her breastplate. She shrinks down to two meters which still towers over the young woman. A smile spreads across her face. "I can assure you what I am doing to these souls is a Hell of it's own. Follow me."
A pale light at the end of the dark tunnel fills him with hope. With vigor renew, he continues to run down the path. He steps over countless corpses. Long acclimate to the smell of dead bodies, the smoke, and sulfur of the place he trudges ever forward. He approaches the portal that glows with a faint white light and billows like a cloud.
He reaches to touch the surface when a feminine voice stops him. "I wouldn't do that."
He quickly turns around wielding his makeshift spear in his hands. His wild, bloodshot eyes switch from fury to confusion as he watches four small equines step out of the shadows. Two more female humans follow the equines. "Wh-wh-wh-what are you?"
The six other figures that share the same colors speak with the same voice at once, "We are what awaits you past the portal."
"What do you mean?" the man asks. Confusion contorts his face.
"You just got out of Hell, right?" one of the women question.
"Yeah, I"
"Wrong." One of the equines closest speaks.
"This is just another layer of Hell." Another equine says.
"And that portal just leads to more Hell."
He sees the six of them nod their heads in unison. He shakes his head and grips his spear with white knuckles. "I WILL get out of here! Nothing will stop me!"
"Go for it," one of the woman says. The six all start to walk back to the shadows.
A crunching sound makes him jerk around. He sees one of the women kneeling on the ground just at the edge of the portal as if she had just stepped out. She stands up. Looks around with her pale yellow eyes barely stopping to look at him. She sees the portal and walks into the clouds. She pops out again, this time further away. She turns around and jumps back into the portal. She lands closer to him which makes him jump back.
"Give it up," one of the equines says.
The woman looks at the equine. "What the fuck?"
"Yeah, yeah. You two come over here."
The newest clone looks over to the man and shrugs her shoulders before following the equine.
The man with his curiosity outweighing his will to escape follows.
As he steps out of the darkness he sees a metal fort rise in front of him. More equines and women of similar color all look at the newcomers. |
Her Sentence as a Pony: Book One | Part II: Chapter Twenty-Seven | "Fate sent you here?" A Shade with cornrow braids asks the newest Shade.
The newest Shade nods.
The other Shade's in the room groan. A pony Shade grins as the other Shade's throw weapons, books, and other tiny knickknacks at her hooves.
"I really thought Death was the mastermind behind this," a Shade with an eyepatch laments as she removes a hook for her hand and places it on the growing treasure the pegasus Shade is amassing.
The newest Shade turns to the only man in the room. "You can not be a male version of me."
"I don't think so." The man says as he takes a drink of water. "My name is Clemens."
"He escaped Hell like the rest of us." Cornrow Shade says. "I have been here the longest. I only know we escaped Hell and who I was before because I escaped with my party of comrades. I chose to venture through the portal while the others stayed behind. I came back looking like Shade and with her memories when I had died in that new life past the portal. My friends had said I was gone for a few minutes." Cornrow Shade heaves a sigh. "This was close to a thousand years ago. My party has long since died.
Anyways, once you go through the portal your memory is wiped and you get the memories of Shade and sometimes some of her powers. No idea why some of us are ponies."
"Probably to make it seem like what's happening is one of Death's pranks." Pegasus Shade inputs. She sports a new red scarf and a big leather sack on her back.
A grumble of agreement passes from the mouths of the Shades.
"From what I have heard so far, going through the portal doesn't seem like such a bad idea." Celemens says.
"You want to lose your memories, your whole identity?" Pegasus Shade flaps her wings and lands in front of Celemens. "You go through that portal and you just become cheap entertainment to Fate!"
"So? I can get awesome powers! Live a new life! Be out of this Hell hole!"
"Or," a Shade with long white hair sits on Clemens' lap she wraps her arms around his neck and stares into his eyes with wanting, "We can make you king and you can have your way with all of us."
Before Celemens can say anything, Cornrow Shade pulls off the long haired Shade and throws her across the room. She returns to her seat next to the newest Shade. "Horny Shade doesn't speak for all of us. I do."
Clemens looks over to see Horny Shade stand to her feet. She dusts herself off and looks over to him. She gives him a wink and blows a kiss. He returns his attention to the new Shade as she talks.
"I tried going through the portal and nothing happened," the newest Shade says.
"Yeah, as far as we can tell Shade's can't go through the portal. We all have these markers on our soul that keep us 'here'." A Shade with black hair and heterochromic eyes (left eye purple and right eye golden yellow) says. The new Shade stares and studies the black haired Shade for a moment. "Valkyrie had me when she was a Demon and Grey was a mortal. I'm Cambion Shade, the magical expert."
"I see." New Shade says.
"Anyways," Cornrow Shade says and gets to her feet, "Clemens you have to go through the portal. The more Shade's we have the more likely we will be able to leave this place."
Clemens jumps to his feet and claps his hands. "Hell yeah!"
"As you saw, I keep the souls locked up in cells, properly punish them and you tested the strength of the barriers yourself," Fate explains to the Ruler of Hell as they step out of a red doorway.
"Acceptable." The Ruler of Hell nods her head. "However," she stares into the rainbow eyes of Fate, "you will not be taking any more souls."
Fate smiles. "Of course. Wouldn't dream of earning the wrath of the newest goddess whelp."
The Ruler of Hell blinks. She turns to Destiny, who had also shrank, to give her a nod before leaving.
Destiny waits for the black doors to close before asking Fate, "Do you know why she came here?"
"Obviously, she is looking for Shade and Grey."
"Stupid kid. They're both gone from existence."Destiny smiles and quickly turns to go to her room. Fate catches the faintest glimpse of the smile. "Hey!" Destiny stops in her tracks. "They are both never coming back, right?"
"You saw for yourself their souls blink out of existence."
"You know something," Fate throws an accusation at Destiny's back.
"I know all." Destiny says before stepping through a dark blue doorway and disappearing.
The Shades wait at the portal.
Cornrow Shade glances at her watch and sees the second hand ticking by. "Three, two, one..." She counts down.
The portal flashes with a white light causing the Shades to close their eyes.
Crunch.
The Shades open their eyes expecting to see a humanoid Shade. Their eyes fall lower to see if a pony Shade had come through. Their eyes continue towards the ground not seeing a pony.
"That's new."
"Interesting."
"Dammit!"
"Ha Ha! Yeah!" Pegasus Shade interjects and flies up to hover in the air as she pumps a hoof in victory. "Pay up, bitches!"
"How! Just how!" Horny Shade exasperates.
On the floor, looking up at them with pale yellow eyes, rests an albino alligator. |
A Battleground of Kindness | pre | The not-assassin is a bringer of pain.
In retrospect, the Master thinking of her as her friend makes a little bit of sense. She's messed up like that, and given how durable she is, she probably really likes it when that skeleton-powdering backstabber kicks.
Did I mention the Master is insane?
Yheah. It's kind of like that. Makes more and more sense the longer I'm here.
So, after I dug myself out of the mountain of murdered tree corpses, I found a very strange sight. The Master was crying, which, according to the mental checklist:
* Wake the Master.
* Make tea.
* Prepare the next plot to destroy the Master.
* Realize that the plot is doomed to fail.
* Shelve books until the Master has more need of me.
* Avoid the infernal spawn of Genocidal Tendencies and the Infinite Dragon Flight that is her slave/butler/pet.
* Keep the Master happy at all costs.
violates rule number 7, and indirectly, number 5!
Nononononononononono! The Master will be unhappy! Thinkthinkthinkthinkthink! The Master is upset, the Master MUST be happy at all costs, The smelly-interloper is being 'corrected' - ergo the smelly-interloper has brought about the condition that has caused the Master to be unhappy.
The Master CANNOT be unhappy.... therefore the smelly-interloper must be removed. It is foul and vile and has caused the MASTER TO BE UNHAPPY.
It must be destroyed.
Yheah.... in hindsight, it wasn't my best reasoning, but with all due consideration, I was under a bit of stress, very confused, concerned that the Master was vulnerable while a very real threat (if my condition was any indicator) was standing only feet away, and I may have been suffering from severe cranial trauma from the high speed impact of a set of titanically muscled and absurdly hard hooves.... to say nothing of the rather abrupt application of my body to the bookcase.
Don't worry, it wasn't so bad. My face broke my fall.
So, yheah.... I took the most obvious answer and ran with it. The Master was being mind controlled and the assassin was playing it up so she could get in enough damage to take the Master out before the Master could come to her senses.
Firebolt.
More accurately: Firebolts.
Lots and lots of firebolts.
Have I mentioned how fast that orange one is? By the time the Master figured out what was going on and put a stop to us, well, quite a few more books were knocked down.
On the upside, we did manage to find almost all of my teeth in the following hour.
Should have figured it out when the Master was talking to it earlier... this Applejack is another minion.
She's got the Spawn-of-Doom fetching spell components and this orange Fel-Cannon fetching groceries.
Whatever happened to the simple application of terror and senseless violence as a means of subjugation?
"So, lemme see if I got this right..." Applejack began, eying the imp shelving books as it kept nervously glancing back at her friend. "You 'found' a book.... which given that it's you I actually kinda doubt, but movin' on... thought Spike might like the day off, and just 'happened' to notice that yer book 'happened' to be 'bout summonin'?"
Applejack gave a deadpan look as Twilight offered up a weak smile.
"Something like that?"
"Sugarcube, yer a lota things but a good liar taint onev'um."
Twilight fidgeted for a moment before throwing her front hooves in the air and groaning in frustration. "Fine! I borrowed a book from the archives and might, possibly, have sent Spike out to fetch some rather difficult to obtain gems as a pretense to safely try out a few new spells." Twilight smiled uncertainly, "But that's beside the point! I think I might have done something very, very bad."
"Like summonin' up a little monster 'et wants to burn down the town as soon as say 'hi?'"
"It's not like that! He's an imp! He's a ... well... I'm not exactly certain, but he's an obscure arcane species capable of magic and independent thought that has an inborn need to serve others!" Twilight hopped to her hooves and gestured quickly towards the imp currently shelving books. "He LIKES doing work! He's MADE for it! His entire species is!"
"That ain't what I mean an' you know it!" Applejack snapped before biting back another shout as she saw Twilight flinch. Taking a moment to calm down, she rubbed her face with a hoof before looking up. "Look Twi, I know you didn't mean anything by it, but that little thing's a monster... and a dangerous one at that. An' even if he weren't, what yer doin' pretty much amounts to slavery! I can't believe you'd do that.... this... " she gestured towards the imp herself who was now... apparently building a pile of debris from their earlier scuffle.
Shaking her head, Applejack looked back over to her friend who was likewise watching the imp curiously. "Look Twilight, I get that you're curious an' all, I do... I really, really do... but this just ain't right on so many levels. What would Fluttershy thinka' this? Heck, what would Celestia think of this?"
Twilight's eyes widened as her pupils began to shrink in fear, but before she could truly start to panic, Applejack touched her shoulder, illiciting a startled squawk.
"All I'm sayin' is that yer not thinking things through again Sugar. You, of all ponies, know yah have to step back every once in a while and make sure yah ain't getting too caught up in new stuff to realize what you oughtten'ta do."
Twilight blinked a few times before taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out. When she looked up again, she seemed a bit more composed as she took a moment to light her horn, lifting the majority of the remaining books up into the air. Tumbling in her magical field, the imp grasped a nearby tome and clung to it as he watched the two talking.
"You're right Applejack.... like usual," she sighed. "I got excited about learning something new and maaaay have taken a few shortcuts to try it out."
"A few?"
"Yes! Only a few. It's not like I didn't read the entire book four times, notate all the relevant sections, cross reference all the sources, update and modify spell components for modern equivalents and lexicographical similarities before attempting the spell itself! What do you think I do on my days off?"
"That's not what I meant. I know you like your magic an' all, but I meant you didn't think to warn anypony, let your friends know, contact us when something went wrong, and I think we can both say that HE is not what you were expecting so don't you try to argue that nothing went wrong, or send for help when things got weird. Girl, haven't we had enough adventures to know when to ask for help by now?"
Twilight immediately jumped back in, "But it's not an adventure and it's not weird and nothing went wrong!" She flinched as the imp squealed as he was inadvertently shelved with the book he had been clutching. Glancing over, she floated the book out, the imp taking a moment to scuttle down the bookcase and peer over a nearby cushion. "I have everything completely under control and he's learning to behave better every day!"
The soft *pomft* of a cushion detonating into a cloud of feathers and velvet caused both mares to glance at where the imp had been. He was presently jumping up and down, apparently trying to collect the feathers as they floated down, but instantly froze when he noticed their gazes.
"And I'm positive there's a very good reason why he just destroyed one of my pillows." Twilight's attention sped back to Applejack. "He's not evil. He's just very, very, twitchy and easily startled. Heck, " she threw a glance upwards, "he's caused less damage than Rainbow Dash when she crashes into the library... and she does that at least 3 times a week!"
Applejack frowned for a moment, glancing down. Twilight had a point, their pegasus friend did have a propensity for property damage, but those were just accidents... this.... 'imp' didn't seem like the accident type. He seemed like an accident waiting to happen... the kind of accident that involved one of Pinkie's waxed mustaches, a black cape and a top hat.
"Now, I know you think I'm being too hard on him Twilight, but you gotta see that throwing fireballs, making explosions, and trying to kill a pony ain't the same as crashing into the library. If it were, most'a Ponyville'd be behind bars by now. Heck.... YOU'D likely as not be in jail somewhere." She took her Stetson off and used it to point at where the imp had been.... which was now distressingly vacant... before continuing. "It ain't the same thing on account of them being accidents while he's trying to hurt ponies and cause trouble and where did that little monster get off to?"
The two mares paused to glance around, finally getting to their hooves as they started quickly searching the room.
While Applejack started checking behind desks, Twilight instead scrutinized the bookcases, peering between volumes and in the gaps for the remarkably flexible little imp.
"But it's not his fault Applejack!" She called back. "Wherever he's from, he's lived a hard, violent life, and it's all he knows. You heard him; Stitchface was his master before I summoned him, and she ended up with a sword in her head! It doesn't sound like that was even uncommon to him. He was upset because he couldn't HEAL her before I-" she faltered, letting her head hang, "-before I summoned him away and killed her."
Applejack paused, taking a moment to really think about what Twilight had said. She didn't know what kind of place he came from, and she certainly didn't know what kind of life he'd led, but she couldn't even imagine what she'd be feeling like if something happened to Granny or Mac or little Applebloom. To even imagine one of them being hurt took a lot out of her, but to think about having a sword in one of them.... and being suddenly whisked away with no way to help... she suddenly couldn't really be angry at him.
Applejack sat down and ran a hoof over her face as she glared at the insides of her eyelids. She couldn't imagine what it would be like for the little guy, she wouldn't imagine what it would be like, but she still had to look out for her friend who happened to be one of the most brilliant, and yet gullible, mares she'd ever met.
"Look, Twi, I ain't gonna' say what you did was right, or safe, or even smart, but what's done is done. If you're determined to keep that little mons... him... we gotta do somethin' about making him more civil. He simply ain't safe to have around like he is. Can you imagine somepony else in here? What about the Crusaders?" Rising to her hooves, she paced over to Twilight, where she sat, head against a bookcase, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "'Tain't your fault, what happened to Stitchface... she took that sword before anything you did... but that don't mean you get ta baby him just because he's hurtin' and scared. He's dangerous, but we can't do much to help him if he keeps lashin' out at everypony."
The two stayed there for a few moments, until a slight movement brought Twilight's head up. Not far away, ears down and clearly nervous, Gakham rocked on his little feet, a steaming cup of tea balanced on a (slightly overstuffed and singed) pillow, clutched before him.
Forcing a smile, Twilight lifted the cushion and floated it over, noting that the imp watched with a mix of emotions on his face. Applejack, likewise, watched while Twilight carefully took a sip, apparently confused.
"Twi it's no-"
"It's fine Applejack. He'd trying to apologize for waking me up. He's got a list he doesn't think I know about, and he's afraid that I'm unhappy with him since 'wake the Master' is number one and 'keep the Master happy at all costs' tends to be broken when I wake up cranky... he's just trying to start again with number two: "make tea" and hoping that I brush this all under the rug." Twilight's smile became a bit less forced yet, somehow, tinged with a bit of sadness. "In his own way, he is trying his very best to be good..... he just doesn't know how."
Applejack looked between her friend and the little flaming creature that shifted uncertainly a number of feet away. Somewhere there was a whole world of them... somewhere there was a place where everything he'd done was not wrong.... somewhere... he fit in like a normal everyday critter. She didn't want to find where that somewhere was.
Straightening up, Applejack flipped her hat firmly back on her head before placing a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. She turned to look straight at the imp, who suddenly dropped into a half crouch as she smiled. "Yet." |
A Battleground of Kindness | Food Buffs | Finally. FINALLY something makes sense.
All this time the Master has been slowly trying to break me... to deceive me. The Master has been trying to convince me that everything will be fine. I knew it couldn't be that simple... no warlock of her caliber could stand to not torture something, it just doesn't work that way. But now, NOW I see what she has been doing.
She has been quietly biding her time, manipulating the mind of this 'Applejack', for surely no one would willingly do the Master's will with such conviction if not for blackmail or the threat of imminent doom. No... certainly not this Applejack. The orange mutant is not a rogue or warrior at all, but instead a monk or paladin of some sort. She never goes without her helm for more than a few minutes, but she is stronger than any monk I've ever seen. She wears no other armor, and her weapon of choice is certainly non-standard, but all that pales in comparison to her idea of 'training' me.
Apparently, she is of the opinion that physical labor is the best method of influencing behavior.
I have been tasked with picking apples. Of all the imbecilic things to try and break me with, my trainer thinks I will submit to her will by being forced to pick fruit? Hah... she'll be begging for mercy within the hour, wailing about how she ran out of apples before she could break me. Through the window, I've seen the town... and there are exactly 3 apple trees. I only have to listen to Applejack until I've run out of apples... then it's time to kill her.
Oh, this is going to be fun.
The Master is evil.
Today was, perhaps, one of the worst experiences of my time here.
Applejack is apparently a very hearty farmer... not even a combatant in the traditional sense. Her 'garden' consists of acre upon acre of towering trees, laden with enough fruit to bury Stormwind City. She arrived early this morning, woke up the death lizard, and escorted me to her farm. Only the Master's direct and explicit warning about following the rules (of which there was a 34 page list) kept me from lighting Applejack on fire.
Our arrival was met with no fanfare... instead she ordered me to a large barn of questionable construction, loaded with flammable materials, and directed me to carry a lump of wood which vaguely resembled a bucket. While I struggled under its great weight, she must have felt the need to assert her dominance, for she went to a nearby pile and, with a single kick, flipped no fewer than 8 atop her back before loading them into a cart.
I knew it was a beast of burden, I can't imagine the Master would keep the smelly thing around without a purpose, but after loading the eight, she proceeded to load the cart with another few trips. I'm not sure how many she managed to cram into that thing but, by the time we were ready to leave the barn, she had stacked enough to dwarf an ogre.
By that point, my one wooden 'bucket' had left me sore and tired but she seemed almost still asleep. I followed her out, quietly flipping through my list of 'do not do this or I will be very unhappy with you's and tried to think of a way to dispose of the rancid pile of horse meat.
Unfortunately, the Master is exceptionally thorough.
By the time I looked up again, it was almost too late to avoid a very unpleasant collision with her rear end... which, thanks to the wooden frame of the cart, I was spared.
After getting back up, I received my first look at the task ahead of us... and there is a very slight possibility that I might have made a few very undemonlike sounds as I surveyed what appeared to be an unending ocean of dark green trees with enough apples to choke Yogg'Saron.
The 'farm' is larger than I thought.
The 'farm' has hills that make Outland's floating islands seem like low-flying birds.
I have very few things in my memory that will ever compare to the torture of this day.
Not only does this 'Applejack' seem to have boundless stamina, but she seems to be capable of surviving entirely off the use of apples, apple based products, and nonsensical incantations that include the word 'apple' in them. I am sure of it now, she is some form of bastardized paladin that has, somehow, found a twisted holy power that stems from fruit trees.
I would have assumed she were a shaman or druid but for one thing: she is far, FAR too strong to be something that blindly stupid. She doesn't seem to shapeshift, and she, most certainly, doesn't have any totems.... unless this orchard is nothing more than the universe's very own totem farm.
That, in and of itself, is a horrifying thought.
How she draws power from them is something that I would have looked into if not for one simple thing... ... ... ...
I may just kill myself if I ever have to touch an apple again.
I have no idea how long we were 'bucking' apples, and in all honesty, I don't want to. What I do know is that when she told me it was time for a break, I was all too happy to oblige.
I ran as fast as I could, Rule 214 clearly stated that I "must follow any, and all, instruction 'Applejack' (or her family) gave." Following Rule 214, I did the best that I could to make a break for it.
I hurled a few bolts of fire, phased, tried to singe magic, ANYTHING, to get away.
It didn't work.
She dodged the bolts, batted away the cauterization, and didn't even flinch when I tried to singe her magic. She even caught up to me, on foot....hoof....whatever when I was phased!
There is no way that she isn't some kind of well-trained, secretly held, private elite creature that the Master is holding for her eventual takeover.
I was so intent on getting away and avoiding her wrath (she apparently was not pleased with the fire igniting a few of her trees) that I wasn't looking when I ran straight into something large, and hard, enough to lay me flat out.
The next few moments are still a bit of a blur in my mind. I remember blinking as I looked up, seeing the nauseatingly blue sky, only to suddenly smell the rancid barn-stink of my tormentor. Next, there was some screaming, though I'm not sure if it was her or me, followed by pain as whatever I'd run into finally caught up with me.
My head was throbbing, my body already sore to the point of weakness, and the screaming wasn't helping in the least.
And then.... that's when I realized that the thing I had run into wasn't another accursed apple tree.
The thing moved. This enormous, red, wall frakking moved!
I was so startled that I barely even heard the cesspool of sweatstink say "Big Mac, Don't let 'im get away!"
And then the wall landed on my chest and pinned me with all the finality of the Black Temple falling onto an orphanage full of crippled kittens.
I was returned to the Master some time later.
I don't want to talk about it.
The Master is Evil. The Orange thing is Evil. The Red Thing is... I don't know. If the Legion had a few of them, we wouldn't have needed the orcs.
When the Master saw me, she smiled a bit. I didn't know whether I should run to her and hide or hide from them both. The Master has defended me before, and she claims she just wants to know things about me, but I still haven't found the dungeon or the hidden cache of torture devices she must have somewhere... but I know what smiling means for warlocks.
Ultimately, I started whining until she flinched and told me to "Stop That!" like she does sometimes.
I was almost home free!
And then the Applejack 'paid' the Master for my 'services'.
I've been staring at that payment for the last two hours since the Master fell asleep. It's sitting there, on the table. Mocking me. Reminding me. Making silent promises to me about what happens if I misbehave.
The basket of apples is a warning.
The Master has a general who specializes in psychological warfare. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Changing Specs | The Master's little hoptoad of death, apparently, has yet another weapon in his arsenal. In addition to scales capable of deflecting every item of potential harm in this school of doom, in addition to claws and teeth capable of rending the very fabric of life, in addition to breathing flames capable of burning diamonds as soon as making 'toast'... the little vessel of Armageddon is able to teleport things at will.
I saw it this morning while I was polishing the Master's collection of weapons grade solvents and reheating her tea. One moment I was scouring out the last vestiges of bacterial life from the fragile glass walls of a bottle labled "H2 SO 4"(funny name for what Stitchface used to call 'facemelt'), and the next, there's this completely unrelated, entirely coincidental, smoking hole on the table.
Aaaaand..... the rest of the bottles may have fallen when the table gave out.
And there was "Spike," suddenly armed with a rolled up piece of parchment with a coin or some other nonsense glued to it, happily running up the stairs to find the Master... leaving the nostalgic scent of brimstone and burning.
If I had known he could do that, I'm fairly certain our earlier interactions would have gone much more smoothly.
The dragon can breathe fel flames.
And aside from the glass and blisters from the broken jars and beakers, I couldn't be happier: I might have an ally after all.
I don't know all the particulars about the Master's plan, but she is apparently going to be away for the day to 'meet' with the royalty of the land. Finally, some indication of her ultimate goal of conquest comes to light!
Finding out that she is, not only, planning to meet with this 'princess', but to 'visit' her castle and 'discuss recent events over tea' just makes my little heart burneth-up with joyful malice. Finally, FINALLY, there will be some sensible social interaction here.
The Master will go on her little visit. The 'princess' will confront her with evidence of her treachery. The Master will deny it and attempt to flee (hiding one's true ability is paramount to proper villainous accomplishment after all) only for this 'princess' to call for her guards. Having no choice but to defend herself against a 'wrongful' accusation, the Master will unleash destruction, the likes of which this ignorant bitch has never imagined.
The 'visit' will be brief. The guards, doubtless lackwits with sunny dispositions and the combat readiness of a bowl of oatmeal, will be dispatched with only a delay for the inevitable monologue to reveal the Master's true plans.
There will be a scream, somewhere, the gates will come slamming down, and then finally, the real threat will be revealed in all its marvelous majesty.
My Master will climb upon their lifeless bodies, standing proudly upon her throne of corpses, and look down upon this 'princess' with a sneer and a dark chuckle.
And just when everything is going so right, some idiot 'hero' will leap in, magic flying and weapons blazing in righteous glory to try and stop her. The real fight will begin and then she'll call out for her minions. The 'hero' will stand firm, calling her bluff, before the very walls will tremble at their approach.
She'll pull herself up, and with a snort of contempt, fling the 'hero' up against the pitiful throne of the 'princess', forcing the idiots to behold her terrible power as the windows explode and the throne room door crumbles under the relentless assault of her minion horde.
Demons and devils will pour through! Felhunters and Succubi, Infernals, maybe even a voidwalker or two (just for show... she clearly doesn't need damage mitigation). Terrorguards, Doomguards, Abyssals and Shivarra. Voidlords, Observers, Wrathguards and at least a few Fel Imps. The swarm of wild imps will be just like that party a few months back and I'll finally get to peel some idiot's face off their skull!
And through it all, she'll be cackling and throwing death and darkness out across the land, forcing the 'princess' to watch as her realm comes to naught but ruin and woe!
Oh, the wonderful tastes of home! ...
I realize I might have gotten a bit carried away with my daydreaming when the Master calls me back to the here and now.
I assure her that the cackling was just evidence of my pleasure at her enjoying her morning tea. ...
The Master has left.
The Master has left 'Spike' in charge of the lair.
The Master has left me behind... to 'assist' 'Spike'.
I won't get to see her overthrow of the realm.
I should have seen this coming.
The Master is evil.
We have been shelving books for the past 4 hours.
Correction: my genocidally inspired warden has been shelving books for the past 4 hours while I have been re-shelving books for the past 3 hours and 52 minutes.
There may have been a slight disagreement as to if I was allowed to follow the Master. The, possible (but unconfirmed), disagreement may have been the result of a set of unclear rules and expectations that maaaay have slightly conflicted with existing expectations. Such a potential, and by no means recorded or reported, disagreement would most certainly not have resulted in a number of small explosions, falling bookcases, or any assortment of weighted objects being released at high velocity due to an unfortunate stumble down a flight of steps.
Such a thing would simply be unconfirmed and vulgar rumor... because I have been following every rule laid out for me by my Master; one of which is explicitly stated as that I am "not to be naughty."
The Harbinger of Doom can back me up here.
It's been nearly forty minutes since we finished 'cleaning' the lair of the Master. 'Spike' has gone off to 'make some dinner' and left me to 'tidy up the lab'... a task which reminded me of this morning's discovery.
Funny thing about 'facemelt,' when you don't mop it up or neutralize the acid, it apparently can dry up into an acidic powder which becomes even stronger when exposed to moisture. As a side note, after hopping across a freshly mopped floor, the surfaces of my feet apparently count as moisture.
After taking care of the discomfort (fire seems to clear that right up), I realized that the table and the Master's collection of chemicals were just the thing to occupy my time. After all, I had been present when the death lizard had demonstrated his summoning abilities, and I was, therefore, at least partially responsible for the destruction of the Master's table. Marginally responsible. Fairly unrelated.
I did nothing wrong, it was the contents of the beaker.
So, with a tentative plan formed, I darted up the stairs to the main level, scouted the main chamber for intruders or captives (still haven't found the Master's collection of Soul Shards), and sought out 'Spike.'
He was sitting on a pillow, one claw hooked around a scoop he'd likely used to gut and clean countless victims, the other clawed hand grasping a small colorful box that shed white smoke with the same subtlety of fel taint, and reading from a tiny tome of colorful depictions of wonton violence.
I KNEW IT!
I FRAKKING KNEW IT!
Finally, we're getting somewhere. I could almost hear the boys cheering back in Embershole, could almost smell the sulfur pits and the crisp tang of blood boiling over brimstone. Finally, a taste of something I actually could wrap my head around.
He was studying methods of combat.
I approached slowly, because one does not want to startle a dragon... any dragon... but especially the enthralled infinite dragonflight butler of a powerful warlock whose insanity branches far enough to include 'food safety' in a checklist for her demons when absent.
He seemed calm, other than the bladed end of his tail that twitched back and forth occasionally.
Tails: GREAT indicators of the mind.
Terrorguards have them. Felhunters have them. Succubi have them. Dragons have them. The Master has one.
Tails are great indicators of the state of the mind. 'Spike' appeared outwardly calm, but the tiny twitches of his tail told a different story. He was sitting there, but his mind was hunting. His thoughts were leaping over barriers and weaving between defenses. His mind was dodging attacks and gifting merciless agony upon victims of his own choosing. This tail was responding to those thoughts.
He might not be moving much, but his brain was still whispering that he needed to counter balance that jump or compensate for eating that victim.
I backed away and crouched into a bookcase for the time being. It was not wise to disturb the infinite dragon flight... even if they were relaxing with a tub of ice cream.
While waiting for the mental massacre to resolve itself, I began glancing over the books we had reorganized. They were a bizarre mix, ranging from simple spelling books (both of the written word and application of magic) to advanced something-or-other for use in that-thing-that-nobody-cares-about. Why the Master had them all, I do not know.
The best I can guess is that she had collected them over the years, either as trophies of her conquests or as methods of applying her cruel tortures to future victims.
After seeing her responses to attempted murder, explosions, fire, and personal injury, both options were equally likely in my mind.
That being said, my plan required a very particular type of book... one that I should probably procure before addressing the minion of slaughter that was continuing to stuff his face with food stolen from the young, sweetened, and frozen for his pleasure.
So, with a quick check to make sure he hadn't decided to end me while I had been musing, I darted out and scuttled around to one of the lesser used portions of the Master's Lair.... the 'DIY' section. I'm pretty certain that's a typo she simply hasn't gotten around to fixing. "DIE" is clearly misspelled.
Regardless, I began to search titles on the carefully prepared tomes.
"Painting?" No.
"Gardening?" Pretty sure yard work is supposed to involve graves, so the book is clearly outdated.
"Sewing?" Only if Stitchface needed to reattach something.
"Chemistry?" Potentially, though the Master was already fairly well versed.
"Cooking?" Not unless the ingredients are screaming.
"Cleaning?" Some facemelt ~would~ take care of those stains around the drai... getting sidetracked. AH!
"Home Improvement!" Perfect! If I can convince the bloody maw of wrath who's "in charge" of me that we can impress the Master, he might give me the leeway I need to get something worthwhile done. And all I'll have to do is disguise my plan in a neatly packaged little ploy to distract him away from the obvious.
With a careful glance back to his position, I snatched the weighty book from the shelf and darted into the kitchen to set things in motion.
It is done.
I've selected an enticing array of shiny objects, clustered them together and piled them into a vessel to tempt my warden. I've collected the silverware (which I had to unbend and polish after last week's attempt on the Master's life), and set out a sensible selection alongside the vessel. Procuring the ewer of fermented apple juice was almost too much, but I know that my task is worth any personal hardship.
I'll likely cry myself to sleep tonight, but it had to be done.
The kitchen window has been covered and the stove has been partially disassembled to let me get back at the pilot light that the Master secured after the bathroom incident. I've taken the liberty of lashing flower stems together to make a crude bit of piping and poked holes in strategic locations to create the effect I'm looking for.
The book is secure in the back of the breadbox and the kitchen table has been moved to the wall, optimizing the availability of the vessel.
Everything is ready... now I must simply tempt my warden, convince him of my plan, sway him to my side, and proceed with care until it all comes to fruition.
Wringing my hands, I take a moment for one final check before slinking to the door, peeking back into the main room of the lair, and sneaking out.
He is right where I left him, though a number of the small instructional tomes he's been studying have shifted from the 'unread' to 'mastered and only used for good memories or things to try next time' pile.
I cough softly.
What? I'm half a room away and I still don't trust him not to simply rend my face with those diamond crushing fangs.
I cough a bit more loudly.... still to no effect.
Finally, I gather the nerve to poke him in an effort to get his attention.
It works.
His head whips around with the speed of a ballista and glares at where I've poked him.
I am doubly grateful that I foresaw such a reaction since his look of anger slips to one of confusion. As his eyes track the broken quill stitched to the pencil, lashed to the duster, glued to the mop, nailed to the chair-leg, tied to the broken plank of wood from the door to the upstairs bathroom, his confusion finally shifts to an expression of incredulity.
SUCCESS!
I've garnered his attention and escaped death at the same time.
Once he spots me, on the other end of my makeshift dragon-attention-getter, he raises an eyeridge and simply asks, "Really?"
It was better than I could have hoped.
After a brief bout of panic, I remembered the reason I had disturbed him, and dash over to the kitchen doorway, pausing only to wave him over.
My joy at seeing the little monster blink a few times before starting to toddle over was just enough to offset the terror of realization that I was about to lock us both in a small room which may, or may not, shortly become a fuel-air bomb.
"So, let me see if I got this right," Spike said as he looked over the ring of flames sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor. "You wanted my help in fixing Twilight's desk in the basement and you thought I'd need a sacrifice and bribe to agree?"
The imp, hopping nervously a few paces away, flinched briefly before nodding.
"And you thought it was a good idea to steal coins, some broken glass, a bunch of gems, three spoons, and.... I'm not really sure what that one is..."
"felblood gem"
"... um... right... and a felblood gem to convince me not to kill you while Twilight was away?"
Again a slight nod.
Spike stared at the strange little creature Twilight had been playing host to for the past two weeks for a moment, before resolutely pinching the bridge of his nose and inhaling deeply.
"Okay. Let's get a few things straight here," Spike started as he looked up, "No one's gonna kill you. No one's gonna hurt you. And no one's gonna be just angry with you unless you do something that makes them angry in the first place! Ponyville's a NICE PLACE. Twilight's a GREAT MARE. And other than you stealing things and overreacting, the past two weeks have been remarkably calm for once."
Spike gestured slightly at the ring of flower stems that had somehow been turned into a gas-jet from the oven... which looked like some kind of precursor to an cult ritual or arson... depending on what caught on fire next.
"But stuff like this? This isn't helping you out here little guy."
There were a few moments of silence as the two watched each other, only broken by the soft hissing and crackle of the stems drying out further.
"So.... can we ~please~ stop trying to maim people and blow stuff up?"
A few more moments passed before the ring of flower stems finally ignited in earnest, sending a gout of flame towards the ceiling as the gas from the oven caught without the stems to act as a burner.
Spike looked up, watching the pillar of fire for a few seconds before looking down at the imp.
"You really do have some bad timing don't you?"
"So, when I hold up the table, you wedge the leg back under it and then I'll set the table down. You grab the hammer and I'll get it nailed into place and then we can have Inlay send over some thin panels to cover up the damage. Shouldn't be too hard."
The two looked over the pile of oddly shaped wood that used to be one of Twilight's lab tables, wondering how exactly they had both found themselves in this position.
The day had progressed rather smoothly after the fire in the kitchen, neither one of them wanting to upset Twilight when she made her inevitable return home. The clean up had gone remarkably well between the two of them.
While Spike had crimped the tubing for the pilot light, Gakham had scrambled around collecting smoldering bits and pieces. Between Spike's normal cleanliness and Gakham's particular brand of terror over upsetting the Master, the kitchen looked almost perfect.
Minus the scorch marks on the ceiling, but there really was very little either of them could do about that.
After the cleanup, Gakham had, once again, attempted to sway Spike to his 'plot to appease the Master,' to which Spike reminded the imp that Twilight didn't need to be appeased, so much as he needed to settle down and try to make her proud.
The resulting argument had been short.
Turns out that making the Master "proud" could be taken in more ways than Spike had originally believed.
Ultimately though, Spike managed to drag out what Gakham's original 'plot' had entailed... and he had been pleasantly surprised.
Three hours later and the broken and burned lab table wasn't quite back together, but it looked like all the major parts were there at least. All the chemicals and beakers had been carefully labeled and set aside, protected behind a filing cabinet, and all the equipment had been safely stored so they would have room. All that remained was to actually replace the damaged parts and reassemble the piece of furniture.
"So... did you happen to take notes on where each part went?" Spike asked with a half-embarrassed smile.
*****
We finally got that table back together. Wasn't easy... those blacksmiths back on Azeroth make this kinda thing look like cake: Pile up a bunch of crap, shove it onto a red hot anvil, hit it with a sledgehammer for a few seconds and BAM! Perfectly repaired whatever.
Turns out, I'm not a blacksmith.
Also turns out that Azeroth's apparently got some pretty special magic going on since Spike damn near blew a fuse when I attempted to light the table on fire and started swinging.
A few minutes of screaming and dodging and we called it a lesson learned... on both our parts. He apparently figured out that I wasn't just being a jerk.... more of a jerk... and trying to make his life difficult. I learned that even though he's stronger than anything should be, tougher than anything has any right to be, and more dangerous than a roaming fel reaver, he's actually pretty slow on those stubby little legs.
All things considered, it was a ... less horrible time than I expected.
Aaaaaaaand, once we got the flames put out, we found that if I spun the timber, his claws make for a passable lathe.
Never thought I'd pick up woodworking... probably from the whole fire thing.... you know... me being on fire and all, but we make a pretty good team.
The boys are never gonna believe that I tamed one of the infinite dragon flight. Heh... Damn I'm good.
Evil.
Whatever.
So, anyway, after the little death lizard conked out, I drug him over to a box of sand near the stairs and figured this would be my one and only chance to get rid of the threat, so, I lit him up.
No joke! It worked this time!
Fel flames all over, stuck to him like molten lava and got hot enough to melt the sand I'd left him on. Ended up with a nifty little puddle of glass and a very content little dragon.
Yep, I'm pretty sure we're good now.
Buddies... pals... non-hostile neutral parties at least.
Well, while he was busy rolling over and getting a nice cozy coating, I hopped back over to the table, intent on giving my Master a congratulatory prize for her subjugation of the realm. You know... that ego stroking thing I mentioned? Yep... that's me, making sure that if the Master's finally decided to make her move, she can come home to a prize worthy of a domineering, megalomanaical, tyrant.
I carved the basic spellwork to cast firebolts into the tabletop, then threw some little coin things that were just laying around in a glass box, into the box with Spike.
A few minutes later and I scooped them out with one of those fancy spoon things she had in the wooden case labeled "antiquities"... pretty sure that's a fancy word for "poorly made, flammable, spoon thing." Anyway, poured the metal into the carvings on the table, panicked a bit when it caught fire again, but managed to put it out with some of the left over sand from a box I found under a pile of rags, and my gift was done.
Took a few minutes to clean up the mess... can't let her come home to a messy lair after all, and it was just about time to call it quits.
So, I went over to Spike, dug under the box of glass, and carried the whole thing upstairs. Killed the lamps along the way, shoved him in the oven to keep warm, and pulled out a book to pass the time.
Hmm.... Cooking in the Gryphon Empire: A Beginner's Guide to Using What You Kill. Hey! Stitchface would've loved this!
It was far later than she would have liked when Princess Twilight Sparkle returned to her home. The visit with Princess Celestia and, unexpectedly, Princess Luna had spanned the entire day, bleeding from lunch into a series of discussions and eventually dinner before the trio had reluctantly broken for the night. All of this was something that Twilight understood. The Princesses weren't able to 'get out' much and, while they did make many public appearances, their ability to simply be themselves had been greatly reduced over the centuries.
On the upside, it meant that a private visit and tea could be a very enjoyable experience if one were relaxed enough to see the diarchs as anything other than near-dietic royals with the magic capacity to crush continents and paint at the same time.
That being said, after a long day of company, it was still a wonderful feeling to simply be home again, in Ponyville, with all its marvelously mundane little quirks.
As she bid the chariot pegassi goodnight, she smiled a tired, though content, smile and approached her library.
The stars were out, the moon shining down from among its glorious masterpiece that was the night sky, the streets were softly lit with lamplight, and the quiet little town of Ponyville seemed to be breathing a soft sigh of peace as she took the final steps up to her door, pushed gently, and entered.
The first sign that something was wrong hit her when she blinked back the utter darkness of the library, broken only by the soft light from the windows and an odd green glow coming from the kitchen.
The second sign came a moment later when her tired mind realized that Spike hadn't poked his head out or called down at hearing the door open.
The third sign was the smell of burnt wood and the faint crackling coming from the kitchen itself.
Swallowing nervously, Twilight cast a weak light spell and stepped towards the odd glow.
Faintly, she heard the sound of paper shuffling as she passed the decorative bust near the center of the main room. Ears perked, she searched the darkness for any other sound before continuing on.
Passing the door to her basement lab, the sharp smell of alchemical agents and the heavy scent of sulfurous brimstone assaulted her, causing her to almost stagger from the strength of the odor. A sense of foreboding set in as she desperately tried to force down a feeling of rising panic.
Slowly, she approached the source of the strange green glow.
Stopping just a hoof or two from the door, she swallowed again as the soft crackling coming from within was, once more, interrupted by the sound of pages rustling.
Stealing herself, she set her eye to the edge of the door, peeking into the room beyond and stifling a shriek at the scene before her.
Sitting on a small pile of gemstones and silverware, Gakham was paging through a gryphon cookbook while Spike lay unmoving in the oven, bathed in vicious green flames that roiled and spat like a thing alive.
The Master is Evil. ...
Heh... but at least she's starting to act like a proper warlock. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Talent Points | I'll admit it, I was not terribly comfortable in the room the Master had given me to rethink my actions. That was likely because said room consisted of a glowing pink ball that continued to shrink smaller and smaller until 'Spike' rolled over with a snort and the Master realized he was only napping.
In retrospect, the oven may not have been the best location for keeping him warm. The fireplace would have been much better since I could have added more logs.
But, all things considered, the week wound up fairly well.
'Spike' and I have a kind of understanding going. We're both the Master's 'helpers'... as Spike puts it... and we're both a bit too resilient to kill each other outright, so we're at a kind of mutually non-violent alliance for the time being.
Which works out for me since the little engine of calamity is a pretty good cook and if all else fails, he knows the Master wants me alive.
That being said, the Master has decided that the orange sweat-stink's assessment was correct... so she's attempting to punish me into being a better minion. Her 'lessons' involve long periods of sitting still, not burning things, and pretending that her make-believe 'guests' aren't all plotting her imminent death.
Spike keeps smiling and brought us little chalices for offerings, but when I threw felfire into the cup, he yelled and put it out.
He put out felfire. Not even going to attempt to figure that one out. Stuff burns like a nun at a candlelight vigil after 'sampling' 30 bottles of communion wine, and he just snuffed it out.
But then he went and taunted me with this little speech about being 'good company.' The Master nodded the whole time.
He's better at sucking up than I am.
Anyway, the Master calls it "etiquette."
I'm supposed to sit still and 'be good'... listen to mindless whining and act interested about whatever her imaginary 'guest' is talking about. I'm supposed to offer them..... tea.... and ask if they want any 'sugar' and pull out their seats for them and answer the door and....well, it's not as bad as Marfritz got with polishing his master's belt sander with his face, but it's pretty bad.
The Master keeps 'correcting' me, giving me these little glances when she sees me reaching for the knives, sniffing softly when she saw me trying to heat the tea with molten lead, even going so far as to clearing her throat when she saw me idly cutting little notches into the chair legs to make them break.
She says I have a ways to go, but she's not giving up on me.
Oh, she calls them 'etiquette' and despite the horrible nature of the lessons, I'm starting to wonder if she's testing me again.
Well, obviously she's testing me. She's crazy and she loves tests. But it happened while I was idly practicing my 'interested face' while Spike was lecturing me on table manners... the moment where I understood so very clearly what she had been trying to beat into my head with the doily-clad mace of 'polite conversation.'
I was wondering just what she hoped to gain by getting me to be 'polite' and 'helpful' and 'friendly' with potential threats that happen to waltz into her sanctum.
And there it was, right in front of me the whole time! The Master is brilliant. The Master is devious. The Master is evil beyond Gul'dan and his little uprising or even Mal'ganis and his vicious magics. Oh yes... the Master is truly wicked... and when I figured it out, everything became so much easier.
I pulled out the chair and smiled up at her.
I hopped off into the kitchen and brought out the teapot while keeping it warm in my fiery grip.
I sat at the table and listened for hours as she related her, simply riveting, trip to the market for a bag of carrots, all while seated atop my tiny tower of etiquette books.
Oh yes, I even helped Spike do the dishes... though that worked less well, given that my methods of drying them seem poorly suited to wooden tableware.
But at the end of the day, the Master was positively beaming at me and told me that it had been a rough start, but that I was making great progress.
And then she went to bed and left me to prepare for guests tomorrow.
I had smiled. After all, I had figured it out.
The Master needs me to lull them into a state of comfort. I'll open doors, help them get seated, engage in polite banter and conversation, stroking their egos and lowering their defenses. They'll ease into a lazy stagnation and I'll offer them tea and cookies, offering to take their hats and coats. Oh yes, I'll laugh at their jokes and fetch them small trinkets to appease their appetites.
I will be, for all intents and purposes, a good little butler.
And they'll never see it coming when the poison hits from the tea. They'll never realize as I lock their weapons and armor away. They'll sputter and choke as the cookies turn to bitter ash in their mouths, silencing their spellcasting. They'll writhe as the Master descends from above, a grim specter of wrath, only to spare them all a wicked smile and instruct me to bring them to the holding cells before lighting the sacrificial fires.
Oh yes. I see where the Master's lessons go. She's preparing me to enslave more minions.
And Spike probably never figured it out, so she's training me.
My Master is evil, and I love it.
Today is a wonderful, terrible, gloriously agonizing day.
Today, the Master is having 'guests' over.
We started the day with a three hour refresher on etiquette and manners, good behavior, and the difference between helping someone and springing traps meant to maim and kill. I'll admit I don't recall the last one from any of the books, but the Master assures me it was in some of the earlier editions and was simply assumed in the ones we had gone over.
I'm pretty sure she's just seeing if I'll argue with her since I was required to copy down the tables of contents in triplicate for all 26 volumes of the guides we had gone over.
Regardless, the table has been set, the meal prepared, the lair, ~parlor~, swept, and all the incriminating evidence disposed of or hidden behind false panels in the lower bookcase shelves. So far, I've only found the one, but I'm sure there are more hidden around the place.
I was even reminded of my contractual obligation to "not be naughty" as the Master decided to give me a 'bath' in the upstairs washroom.
... A full basin of sudsy water, not even boiling, and I was alternately scrubbed and drowned for nearly half an hour until the Master was confident that I was no longer a flight risk. She called it "filthy," but I think we all know what she meant. The look she gave me only confirmed it as I floated in that little pink glow of hers: a smile.
I got the message. Today was a preliminary assessment of the new help. I was to follow the plan, to the letter, and let her or Spike handle any situations that came up.
And if I didn't... she'd likely not even heat the water next time, or worse yet, line my 'bed' with fluffy pillows or give me a pastel blanket or something equally threatening.
Don't think that's a threat? Have you ever seen a dragonhide boot be mistaken for a washrag or a spring loaded bear trap attacked by wild wolves? Of course not! No one is blind enough to try cleaning up flesh-eating fungal spores with a boot and no predator is ever going to mistake a bear trap for a delicately swaddled morsel of a one night stand.
Oh no, I know how warlocks think. Nothing is safe or soft or comfortable unless its a deception of the most agonizing kind. Stitchface gave a little orphaned gnome a stuffed teddy once... never even asked why before hugging it tight and crying into its felt for comfort. Heh.... little thing started really crying a few seconds later - shrieking really - when the fire ants started swarming.
So no, I'm not planning anything at all for today. Just a simple little bit of recon. I tiny bit of observation. A teensey little pinch of brown nosing.
And a staggering pile of contingencies for when it all inevitably goes up in flames. ...
The Master's gonna love it! |
A Battleground of Kindness | Talent Tree | The table is set with all the simple cups and dishes in the cabinets. The silverware is out... the good stuff made of metal I haven't bent or burnt. The whole thing is sitting on a thin, delicate, 'spring-flower' yellow tablecloth... I've been told 'bile' is not a polite color... and I'm just about ready to puke from the scent of the cider that she insisted we pull out for today.
Spike has been busily slaving away in the kitchen making snacks. I've been going over the Master's incantations and dark rites... it doesn't matter that she calls them 'notecards,' I know they're meant to call upon dark powers even if I haven't seen them work yet. And all this after spending the first seven hours of the day meticulously cleaning the lair again.
But, ~BUT~, that's all in the past now, and I'm ready to do my part.
The Master's given us a list of what to expect, no doubt information obtained by the sacrifice of a disposable, though capable, minion. The two that the Master is hoping to ensnare are named "Rarity" and "Rainbow Dash" ... and if their names are any indication, they'll likely be just as disposable as the next victim.
I mean, really? Who names their spawn "Rainbow Dash?" Sounds like some kind of artistic seasoning.
'I say! Rainbow Dash, could you please fetch the Dire Warmaul of Cretanicus the Wrathful? Wait, on second thought, maybe we should send Dominus the Impaler to fetch it from the Boundless Pit of Eternal Suffering. Getting the Soggy Milksop of Mildly Unpleasant Dampness sounds more your speed.'
No. Definitely disposable.
Regardless! The Master wants them and Spike and I will collect them for her!
Mostly Spike. Almost completely Spike.
Spike will be doing the hard work, he's a dragon, they're built to do tough things!
The Master came down from her sanctum a few minutes ago to let us know it was almost time. Her 'list' of preparations was floating beside her as she strode around, examining and ticking things off as she went.
When she stopped to examine the silverware again, I began to sweat. With all the pikes and swords, little daggers and organ scoops she has, I can't keep straight which ones are 'dessert forks' and which are 'salad forks,' to say nothing of the other, less recognizable, weapons.
I may have just started putting them out by size.
When her horn started to glow, I knew I had failed her. When one of the blades rose in the air, turning slowly as her lips turned down in a frown, I could almost taste the blood that was about to erupt from me as she 'showed' me which was the 'butter knife' and which was the 'paring knife'... which I must have put out of order.
One must have an ordered method of torture. All things must have order, if my Master is to be believed.
But when she started smiling again, I couldn't help myself. I leapt forward and grabbed the blade, begging for another chance.
She blinked and pulled me off before setting us both down.
Then she continued on, complimenting me on the polish of the 'hollow handle butter spreader.'
HA! Take that etiquette!
And after a few more minutes, she declared our preparations satisfactory.
I was overjoyed! She'd checked everything over, from the placements of cushions to the measures for her guests drinks. She'd approved of our cleaning and even complimented me on my polish!
So, when there was a light, though measured, rapping at the door, I knew it was time to put the plan into action.
While Spike scampered off to indulge the curiosity of our minion applicant, I raced off to start the tea.
The Master has given me the responsibility of making the tea.
Spike is somewhat upset about this. I assume it is because it means he will have fewer corpses to consume if I claim the bodies first.
But Spike will not disobey the Master... so he is answering the door and I am making tea.
The Master assures me that tea is all I need to brew, having found I had 'mistaken' a distillate of alchemical toxins as ground tea leaves earlier. As such, I am forced to use dried, whole, leaves to simplify the process. Of course, upon looking over the leaves, it would have been far too obvious to simply poison them... the Master is clever in her methods.
We have two guests coming. Since only the one is here, if the other were to arrive as the first was choking to death, the plan might fall apart.
Tea can be served throughout the evening, and once they are assured it is safe, they may lower their guard, allowing us to take them at the opportune moment.
With a huff, I threw the leaves in, boiled the water, and clutched the little metal handle the Master had added to the teapots to help withstand the flames. Still not sure why she did that... shrapnel works wonders for close quarters fighting.
And after a moment, the smell of deception and wickedness started to rise. ...
I'm told 'rose infused pekoe' is remarkably akin to the scent of deception and wickedness.
She was another magic user, vain and perhaps highborn. A coat the color of bleached bone and a spray of hair that coiled like the tentacles of some forgotten god, all the color of deathbloom blossoms. This 'Rarity' carried herself with the sure steps of one who is used to giving orders and expecting them to be followed. Her face bore a smile, like the Master's, and only served to confirm my fears: The Master was being hunted.
But, the Master had clearly expressed that I was to leave such things to Spike, especially with this 'Rarity' creature. And as she strode through the 'parlor,' I could see why. Unlike any of the others I'd seen through the window, save Applejack and the 'Big Mac', 'Rarity' wore a full set of armor.
From the tip of her horn to the glittering glow that shimmered over her hooves, 'Rarity' was adorned with splendorous gear. A helm, of cream colored cloth with more gems than I've ever seen slotted before, rested upon her head. A vestement of blue silks with intricate silver thread, clearly spellthread since no smith could hope to make such fine work, slid across her body. Her legs were gilded in a fine, shimmering, something I can only assume is a glamour of some kind. And her tail... even her TAIL... was wrapped in a skin of some gossamer fine threadwork with a lattice of glistening violet facets.
And as I stood there, hoping against hope that the Master was prepared to face this cutthroat, she lit her horn in a clear display of power.
Within seconds, her armor was peeled away, flitting off in a cool cyan glow as she disrobed in front of us, casually casting away what must have taken months, or perhaps years, of bloodthirsty raids to acquire.
She was that sure of her skill that she desired to challenge the Master with nothing but her wits and skin.
Not gonna lie... that was pretty hardcore. I may have accidentally lit something on fire last week.... but after the Master's 'lessons' I kept things in check.
Mostly.
And all the Master did was smile and welcome her, as if this were a normal occurrence!
This 'Rarity,' appears to have been of the same mind, since she too smiled and the pair hugged, before retiring to the table for what would, no doubt, be a test of wills for the ages.
About that time, Spike stepped in front of me and growled out something about not staring at his mare.
I have no desire to treat with that thing... he can face her when the Master requires. I'll wait for this 'Rainbow Dash.'
The two of them have been 'chatting' for the better part of an hour now. I've tried to follow along with the conversation, but no matter how I skew it, I can't figure out who's winning. Every few minutes 'Rarity' will erupt with a tiny little laugh, something akin to the taunting call of a felboar, while the Master will roll her eyes or chuckle along. Then, the Master will go along with a lecture about something or other and 'Rarity' will get a glazed look in her eyes, but before the Master can delicately slip a dagger between her ribs or peel her face off with a spell, 'Rarity' will snap back to clarity and return the mental fire.
I... actually have no idea how they're fighting, but if the Master is this jovial, she must be thoroughly enjoying the combat.
I keep having to fight the urge to simply leap on 'Rarity' and blind her with my claws. She's right there, taunting my Master with her offhand dismissals and subtle displays of power. Oh sure, she's about as 'subtle' with her self-importance as a worgen is covered in fleas, but somehow she's still alive..... which I suppose means the Master is actually considering her for employment.
Minion status.
Better be below me.
Whatever the case, I've noticed that she's somehow rested control of 'Spike' from the Master... something that is both unsettling and entirely too dangerous for my liking.
And even though I keep trying to get the Master's attention, keep trying to warn her of the traitorous bitch's impending backstabbing, the Master keeps just brushing me off.
I mean, I'm trying to be polite here.... the Master's lessons were clearly outlined... but I'm still fairly certain that no amount of polite discourse or etiquette will defend against the infinite dragon flight's wrath.... mind controlled or otherwise.
Heck, I even asked the Master if she wanted me to stab the Rarity when she wasn't looking... in case the Master simply hadn't noticed her treachery.... and the Master actually stopped her conversation long enough to summon her list, highlight bullet two-hundred and seventeen, and instruct me to fetch more tea.
And when I brought it back, she even cleansed it of the felblossom sap I'd snuck in to immobilize this 'Rarity!'
I'm trying to help here!
Something is clearly wrong with this situation... it's clear that the Master is somehow losing this battle against the Rarity.
Spike is unpredictable. He is fiendishly loyal to the Master, but no amount of loyalty can withstand mind control for too long. Nevermind that the Rarity is somehow using what is traditionally a priest spell. I'm starting to get concerned that she has some form of trinket or artifact that we missed and is simply wearing the Master down.
I want to help.
I NEED to help.
But the list is much more strict than the Master's original contract.
And then it stuck me, literally in this case, as a bolt out of the blue!
A feathered blue bolt, with a madness inducing spray of color, out of the sky, through a window, and directly into my face with the force of a fekking Fel Reaver.
As I'd find out later.... that was to be our second 'guest' of the day: one Rainbow Dash. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Off-Spec | Wasn't the first time I've had my face used as a doorstop. Wasn't the first time I've found out that blunt impacts can leave open wounds. WAS the first time I've discovered that flying horse beasts can propel themselves at near ballista speeds and maintain the aerial maneuverability to aim at a tiny window and strike from a quarter mile away.
Spike may have just fallen a bit on my list of 'potentially more dangerous than the Master believes' list.
My list is a list and I just absorbed the momentum of a small equine traveling at near-teleport speeds. I'm allowed to say list twice.
Either way, my course was clear... it was time to ignore the rules and defend the Master!
Fireballs!
Well, it would have been fireballs but, like I said, I was a little bit out of it. So, instead of a heart stopping battlecry and the roar of fel fire screaming through the air to impact the blue invader, there was quite a bit more stumbling involved and an overturned tea kettle.
-~oOo~-
Once the soothing caress of boiling tea and overheated metal had sobered me up from my stupor, I came to the realization that the Master had been wholly unprotected for however long my loss of senses had been. I scrambled to my feet, tripped over the oven mitts that had been placed for the teapot, nearly fell down the stairs to my Master's lab, and barely managed to grab the leg of the blue assassin.
I say "barely" because, as I've said before, my fingers are like daggers.
There was blood.
There was screaming.
There was a kick of the type that was becoming increasingly familiar as being reminiscent of the smelly, orange, 'farmer'... but was, in this case, actually from a smelly, blue, aerial warrior.
I would like to say that I held on doggedly; that I bore its violent thrashings as a demon in the most glorious sense. I would like to be able to state that when that beast planted its hooves into the ground and kicked, that I bore the impact with a stoicism reserved for fel reavers and other monstrous creations that habitually shrug off siege weapons.
I would be lying.... which the Master continues to claim is "dishonest" and therefor "naughty."
I was launched like a stormbolt, shrieking, through the door to the Master's lab. Bounced off the ceiling to the stairwell, and promptly pinballed down the steps into a crate of broken Erlenmeyer flasks (yes.... the Master has endeavored to teach me their proper names) and onwards into a similarly compromised sack of Calcium Carbide.
Calcium Carbide? It's a fancy chemical that alchemists use to light ice on fire. Little pinch of the stuff and pretty much any heat source and the flames can cut metal.
As a side note, I was unaware, exactly, what I had fallen into, which should explain exactly why I was confused why my own fire suddenly felt hot.
Real hot. Really, REALLY hot.
Suffice it to say that my screams of pain and fleeing at high speeds towards the nearest source of water (the kitchen sink), may have been misinterpreted as a sign of aggression.
Also, I stand by my assessment of this "Rainbow Dash." It is most definitely the most ready combatant the Master has attempted to subjugate yet.
When I came bolting up the stairs, leaving a trail of searing flames, screaming bloody murder (which, in my defense, is a relatively mundane thing back home), the Rainbow Dash spun around fast enough that I didn't even notice it. There was a thumping sound, which I ignored due to the pain of being bodily immolated, followed by the world seeming to abruptly change.
One moment, I was fleeing the (chemically speaking) fires of hell, and the next? The next moment I found my face embedded in the porcelain basin of the sink.
Oh... and before you think that was the end of my suffering, let me emphasize that "Spike" had been put in charge of doing the dishes... and had left the sink full of soapy water in anticipation of the end of "tea."
Remember what I said about Calcium Carbide? Turns out that soapy water will ignite as well.... but even better! The stuff was all over me, so when I found myself stuck in the basin, my body fell into the water... the scalding-powder-of-inferal-suffering started to bubble from where it touched, and the bubbles started to froth over the sink.
Combine highly flammable gasses with bubbles, add one partially incinerated imp, and you get a spreading field of flames capable of cutting metal and igniting wood at four paces.
... with me in the middle of it.
And, at about that moment, I had an epiphany.
... what? I live with a mentally advanced crackpot with the magical reserves of a greater legion of warlocks. I learn fancy words from time to time.
I remembered I could phase.
The resulting combat was brief... though not of my choice. By the time I had leapt upon its face and started biting, the Master had regained her senses and pulled us apart.
This "Rainbow Dash".... it is a worthy minion for my master.
... even if 'she' keeps shooting me death glares when the Master isn't looking.
-~oOo~-
"Tea" resumed with the decorum of one of the Dreadlords of Ruin. That is to say after a brief (though impressive) display of overwhelming force, all parties retired to the 'lounge,' whereafter the Master apologized to the Rainbow Dash and Rarity for the misunderstanding.
Oddly, or perhaps to my good fortune, the Master spoke just as harshly to the Rainbow Dash as she did to me.
Apparently, I was "not to blame" for the Rainbow Dash's ballistic fire (which it waved off as a *supposed* "crash landing"). There were heated 'words' exchanged between the Rarity and the Rainbow Dash over 'proper etiquette' and the inappropriate use of the lounge as a landing site.
HAH! The Master planned ahead! I knew it! "Etiquette" must be some form of corrupted arcane spellform to muddle the senses and induce paranoid delusions. I'm actually rather surprised that the Master went this far. For all her power, she keeps almost convincing me that she is, in reality, just a wildly powerful, though naive, warlock. But- BUT then she goes and manages something like this!
It was glorious!
The Rainbow Dash had just started shouting about how I 'attacked her'... waving around her bloody legs as proof, when the Master glared, a glow surrounded its mouth, and the Master simply pointed out that it had crashed directly into me, and probably scared the 'living daylights' (whatever those are) out of me.
The Rainbow Dash's ears began to flatten, but the Master continued. She pointed out that I had probably thought she was under attack, and that I was "very-VERY protective" of her. Then she pointed out that the Rainbow Dash and I were quite similar in that respect... which I highly doubt, but that's besides the point.
I couldn't see the magic. I couldn't even sense the magic, but there it was.... working right in front of me! The Rainbow Dash began to almost wilt when the Master pointed out that I was "basically helpless" when she'd kicked me THROUGH the door, down a set of stairs and then into the Calcium Carbide (which she simply called the "fire powder" for the Rainbow Dash since it seems rather stupid), caught me on fire, then proceeded to make it even worse when I was only trying to put the fires out.
There is no possible way that the Master wasn't using magic. This "etiquette" is some powerful stuff..... it reduced the Rainbow Dash to a 'polite', though clearly reluctant, participant in the "tea"... And I got off without any actual punishment.
Oh? You were wondering how I was talked to harshly when I wasn't punished? Well... it went something like this.
"Gakham!" said the Master, "Don't grab our guests. You wouldn't mean it, but your fingers are sharp and they could get hurt."
And there it was. The Master turned her dark powers directly upon me. I had been grinning right up until the moment I realized that she was probably using high level etiquette upon me as well.
Then.... well.... then........ I started to panic.
It turns out that when I panic and don't phase, my fires get warmer... and, on a marginally related note, we're short another teapot. But on the upside, the Master has clearly claimed another minion.
I couldn't be more proud.... unless that's her doing as well, but... well.... she IS the Master. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Save Versus... | Life is good.
And by good, I mean wicked, because that is what the Master, most assuredly, is.
After yesterday's 'tea' with the Rarity and the Rainbow Dash, the Doom Lizard and I set about cleaning up the lair with the knowledge that our Master had secured not one, but TWO new minions.
Yes, there were some stumbles. Yes, the door to the Master's lab will need to be replaced. Yes, the sink spilled over and the frothing mass of metal melting fire did manage to scorch the floor, walls, ceiling, and table.... but on the upside? Well, on the upside, I will not have to polish that particular teapot ever again.
Incidentally, when Spike walked into the kitchen and saw flames everywhere, I rather expected at least a bit of surprise.
Unexpectedly, ~I~ was the one who ended up surprised when the little Cataclysm in Waiting set his jaw in a frown, slid his claws up his arms.... not sure why, he doesn't have a shirt so there were no sleeves to roll up... and simply marched into the inferno.
I saw him about an hour later with a mop and bucket, calmly swabbing out the lounge. Curious, I snuck by and peeked into the kitchen.
Spotless.
AB SO LUTELY SPOTLESS.
Must have some bronze dragonflight blood in him somewhere since I'm pretty sure no warlock knows how to turn back time. Oh... and when I asked him, he offhandedly mentioned that yes, the Master does INDEED know how to go back in time but that all the kitchen needed was a bit of elbow grease.
I glared at him but he only kept on mopping.
Stitchface used to have a bucket of elbow grease. She collected it from the kitchens in the Undercity. Pure, undiluted grease made by rendering the fat collected from the elbows of gnomish orphans.
What? She was a twisted little ball of spite and madness. Can't really blame her though, what with being undead and all. Probably had a touch of brainrot in there somewhere.
Anyway, after the cleanup, the Master mentioned that she was going to be going out for some 'supplies' and that she trusted the two of us to behave while she was out.
Spike saluted and smiled, flinging mop water all over the floor of the lair.
I cackled a bit and earned a raised eyebrow from the Master.
My cackling may have shriveled up and and died a slow, pitiful, death at seeing her momentary disapproval.
So, after I was given a "list for good imps to remember so that they don't need to be reminded of what bad imps have to worry about," the Master set out and left the lair to Spike and I.
Spike resumed cleaning while humming some little incantation about packaging the winter season... truly terrifying what must go through his head. And I.... I began sorting through the books on arcane theory to see what I could do with a few drops of blood that had been flung around from the Rainbow Dash.
And just about that time, there was a firm pounding at the door of the Master's Lair.
-~oOo~-
RAIDERS! MERCENARIES! ASSASSINS! Door to door Salespeople! HARLOTS and CHARLATANS! THOSE OF QUESTIONABLE BREEDING!
I was halfway through breaking the legs of a chair into an improvised stake when Spike pulled the furniture from my hands.
There was a bit of shrieking involved, but ultimately, the whelpling just sauntered over and OPENED THE DOOR for our invaders. ...
Upon seeing a pink horse-beast on the other side, buck naked, with a smile large enough to make me question the anatomy that would allow such a horrifying rictus, I prepared for the worst.
The Master smiles... when the Master smiles, it is a statement of her overwhelming power. It is a threat and a warning that crossing her is both unwise and a directly willful sacrifice of ones health and sanity.
Warlocks smiling... is akin to an open declaration of assisted suicide.
That being said, seeing a random invader smile is nearly as dangerous. It implies that they're either very capable, very sure of themselves, or vapidly incapable of grasping even the ~notion~ of their own mortality. None of these things are good unless the lair has been adequately trapped in the absence of the Master.
And since the Master has both forbidden me from making (or even placing traps) AND is currently out, I maaaaaaay have overacted slightly.
If the Doom Lizard is too stupid to see the threat this thing represents, I shall have to protect the Master's domain myself.
Fire.
Don't roll your eyes at me. Remember, I know things! I can tell you're just rolling your eyes at me!
Look... imps are conniving, vicious, determined, and dedicated.... even if we're not all that economical from the destructive standpoint. We're not big or scary. We don't puke lightning or feast on the souls of the unborn.... though scrambled eggs are pretty good. And we don't really have the massive magical reserves to act like a tank when the walls come crashing down. But... what we lack in physical prowess, we make up for in durability and cunning.
Fire isn't just something that burns. It's alive. It spreads. It consumes and grows and moves on its own! It's a crippling beast that can attack and defend with no extra instruction. It's not like a sword that can be dropped. It's not like a cannon that needs to be reloaded. It's not a beast to be trained or armor that needs to be repaired. Fire is a monster all on its own.
Oh! ... and it makes a passable bandage in a pinch!
And imps make it, hurl it, understand it, and for the most part are completely immune to it. So.... yheah.... sue me for my limited reflexive death-inducing-choices.
-~oOo~-
Anyway, the door was open. The Lair was exposed. The Master was gone. The Doom-lizard slash Butler was an idiot. The traps, didn't. All in all, it was a pretty much impossible scenario.
Well, impossible for a normal guardian at least.
But, as we've discussed, I am an imp!
I started hurling fireballs while screaming bloody murder. Spike, apparently shaken from his traitorous brain fog by my scream, dove for cover with a yelp. And the pink thing? It went up in flames.
I'd seen enough of this world to know it couldn't be that easy.
If something had managed to enter (and by association, find) the Master's lair, it was not something to be dismissed quickly. Oh no.... after the Applejack, the Big Mac, the Rarity, and the Rainbow Dash, I had learned my lesson.
So, while I couldn't inflict etiquette upon the pink invader, I ~could~ pile on enough fel fire to melt the souls of any head of church this side of Whitemane.
I..... just realized that "Whitemane" is a Cardinal who preaches to a corrupt and evil organization of religious fanatics out of a blood-soaked villa known as the Scarlet Monastery. She's a human....and with a name like that, I'd actually rather think she'd fit in better here.
But that's besides the point!
I had dumped fireball upon fireball into the doorway the pink invader had been in, all the while dodging Spike as he attempted to thwart my defense of the lair.
When I finally deemed it safe, I let Spike grab ahold of me as I panted, staring at the searing column of fire that towered over the both of us.
I had done it! I had protected the Master's lair! I had thrown fire at something that didn't just result in a sputtering flicker of flame before going out! I had avoided Spike long enough to kill something that threatened the Master!
Finally! FINALLY! Maybe she'll see that all this 'polite' and 'etiquette' nonsense is inferior and we can get on with the corruption and domination of the masses..... you know.... something that I know the rules for?
Spike was gaping. His little head whipping back and forth between me and the fire that continued to sizzle and hiss in the doorway, his eyes nearly the size of dinner plates.
"Wh....what have you done?" he whispered.
I, of course, cackled as I explained in delicious detail how I had saved the Master, single-handedly repulsed the assassin, and secured our continued existance when the Master returned. I believe my exact words were "I Killed it! I killed it with ~F~I~R~E~!"
And then, I found myself being shaken violently.... and there was that sound of coins in a tin can again....hmmm... have to get that looked at.
"You IDIOT! THAT WAS PINKIE PIE! THAT WAS OUR FRIEND!"
Friend? Warlocks don't have friends. They have Minio........ oh..... oh my.
I think I just killed one of the Master's favorite minions.
I was just starting to panic when a stick with a marshmallow on it propped itself over my shoulder.
I turned to look, and promptly screamed as I saw the Pink Thing behind me, STILL SMILING.
I may have screamed..... just a little.
Oh... you noticed I already screamed? Fine! Fine! I'll say it. I screamed a whole freaking lot!
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | The Element of (S)laughter | Now, in situations like this, where a possible threat has just circumvented the best conceived response to lair invasion available, there are only a few potential outcomes.
1) The threat is neutralized and just doesn't know it yet. This usually happens when the Master is unexpectedly home and has laid a series of terrible wasting curses upon the invader and is simply sitting back to watch the hapless fool die. Glancing around, I failed to see the Master, so I mentally checked that option off.
2) The threat is unexpectedly powerful and is taking the time to gloat... leaving an opportunity to strike! Seeing as how the Pink one had a stick with a marshmallow on it, toasting said confection in the blaze of fel fire behind me, I slashed at its throat. When the stick snapped upright, deflecting my blow as the invader nibbled, unphased, upon its treat, I hissed and continued my contemplation.
3) The threat is accident prone and has been simply stumbling from one point of good luck to the next. Watching it chew happily upon the marshmallow, I mentally burned that option. Smiles... indicators of wickedness and impending doom and all.
4) RETREAT! Well... normally such situations where the invader has overcome the lairs defenses would allow one to flee and take up a better position with stronger defenses. Notedly, however, the Master had forbidden me from placing traps.... or modifying non-traps into defensive measures. DAMN.
5) Ah... the fifth outcome. Defeat.
I frowned. The Master was not home. The lair had been breached. The idiot, Spike, had let it in. It had overcome my defenses by avoiding them completely, and was currently mocking me while eating a squishy ball of unlit confectionery napalm.
Eating treats while in front of an enemy is considered gloating, right?
I took another experimental slash at the Pink thing, only to find a cardboard cutout painted to look like it where it had been a moment before. Definitely gloating, then.
With a howl, I sprinted from the doorway to find the Pink thing's current whereabouts. It could NOT be allowed to roam, unchecked, through the Master's lair! What would the boys back home think? What would the Legion think?
I swallowed.
What would the Master think?
And about that time, I heard a sound that made my immortal ears try to implode in a vain attempt at protecting my hearing. I stumbled to a stop, clutching my head as the noise grew in pitch until I was certain blood would be spraying from my ears at any moment, only to wheeze as I felt my body being crushed into a horrifyingly squishy doom.
"I didn't know Twilight got a new pet!" the Pink thing bellowed.
Then there were explosions as pastel paper rained down around us.
Oh.... right.... it was, supposedly, the Master's minion.
How was I supposed to have known?
-~oOo~-
Let me be absolutely clear on this: imps are almost completely fireproof.
Yes, we can get burns. Sure, we can get hurt by a fireball. And, of course, there's the ever present threat of immolation from upsetting our masters, but when it comes to natural fire.... meh, it's pretty much just a nice, warm, relaxing, dust bath.
That being said, with the amount of flammable objects that the Pink mage summoned out of thin air, I was pretty sure I could have suffocated if a fire had started.
And, yes, I said it was a mage. An engineer mage at that. She summoned a "party CANNON" out of nowhere and teleported on a whim.
Don't give me that confused look. Actions speak for themselves and she did it. Also, I know it's pretty much the most backwards combination possible, magic and science, but there it was.
Magic and technology.... something's inherently wrong with that combination.
Usually when you mix those two, something explodes. What's that? You need a source of heat for this engine but don't have the room for a boiler? Well sure! Why not use a crucible of eternal fire in place of a water cooling system?
Boom.
And let's not forget about the other end of it. Need to dump some extra magic from a spell matrix that might overflow? Why not use a latent arcane flow to bleed some power off?
Sizzle and then boom.
Oh, and that's ignoring when you try to mix them together. Flammable gassified fuel and a shield spell combined with a perpetual spark worked into a kinetic sculpture with greased pivots and a luminescence effect?
Sizzle, Pop, and then Boom.
Very big, moving, river of Boom, to be precise.
Rather explains why the Legion loves infusing fel magic into siege weapons, actually. Love those engineers on the front lines. If the cannons don't work, then we send the engineers to 'work' on the walls. Booms either way! Everydemon wins!
But then, there's the Pink mage.... and the Master.
Who, I might mention, arrived right about the time I had been chasing the Pink one around while she was giggling about how I was playing freeze tag wrong.
I ended up in a bubble of the Master's magic.... again.
And you know what? Despite having to teach the Master how to put out the column of fel fire in the doorway, despite being told to write out lines on the chalkboard, despite helping Spike to clean up the lair..... AGAIN.... I actually kind of, almost, nearly, and just barely, think I like the Pink mage.
I mean, after all, who else around here hasn't been angry at me for trying to kill them with fire, conjures artillery, and blows things up on a whim? ...
And she gave me a cupcake, which has absolutely nothing to do with it.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | Spell Locked | Apparently the pink mage is named Pinkie Pie.
This, in and of itself, is a bit neurotic. I mean... she's pink... VERY pink... but how does that become a name? And PIE? Well.... the Master did say she was a baker.
I reiterate. Messed. Up. World.
The Master is a 'librarian'. The Orange sweat stain and the Big Mac are both 'farmers'. The Rarity is a 'dressmaker' and the Rainbow Dash is some kind of bloody athlete. And let's not forget about the infant form of the coming draconic apocalypse.... Spike... is a butler or pet or something.
And the pink battle mage, capable of teleportation, merging science and magic, and apparently seeing the future if the Master wasn't just mocking me.... apparently, she's an apprentice baker.
That's right.... not even a full on cook... but a trainee.
This world is messed up, something fierce.
But, whatever the case, I've been told that once Pinkie meets someone new, there's no avoiding what grand doom awaits in their future.
So, following the Master's instructions, I am preparing myself for my "Welcome to Ponyville-slash-Twilight's got a new pet-slash-guest-slash-demonic entity bent on world domination - but not really".... party.
I've seen the banner. No, I'm not making it up.
I always knew mages were strange, but THAT mage? That one takes the cake. Pie. Whatever.
Of course, all this will be ultimately meaningless, once the Master takes over. Regardless, I've been told to be on my best behavior since I'll be meeting the 'rest' of the 'town'... which I assume means the Master's collection of disposable rank and file.
My 'party' is apparently a gathering that Pinkie is planning, and with her bizarre selection of skills and talents, I have no doubt that the Master's recruiting of the chattel will be successful.
After all, she did meet with the royals of the land already, so it's quite clear that she's already cut off the head of whatever joke this land calls an army. I still wish she'd have taken me to help out.... or at least to watch.
Hmmm....
Come to think of it, she came back completely unharmed, and while I know from experience that my Master is quite durable, it is rather strange that I couldn't find any battle damage.
Oh, I looked. I checked over the Master while she slept. I picked through her hair for scorch marks. I groomed her fur for blood stains. I even picked her teeth in case she'd decided to bring the pain in a very personal manner. And, despite my best efforts, I couldn't even find evidence of a little death and dismemberment.
I know she's a stickler for cleanliness, but no one is that good.
Unless she just decided on a nice round of artillery annihilation or... wait! Did she decide to use my fel-fire spellform from the table downstairs? Was it all just a ruse to try a new spell for assassination?
Oh... she's good. No.
No, wait.
She was at the meeting when I carved that in.
So, no... artillery doom or magical disintegration is much more likely.
Unless... hmmm... Spike did say she dabbles in time travel.... so, I suppose she could have gone to the meeting, disliked the outcome, returned to the lair, got cleaned up, seen the spell, then travelled back in time to kill off the royals, thus preventing her having to return and get cleaned up... I mean, if I could time travel, I'd probably just give myself the stink eye, kill whatever was bothering me and then take my own place.
Or would that make a world destroying paradox?
You know what? I don't care. I'm immortal. I'd be perfectly fine with blowing up the world if it meant a little more destruction.
Except on Tuesdays. Tuesdays are the day the Master reorganizes the library. She would be very cross with me if I blew up the world on a Tuesday.
Oh fel.... she's getting to me.
-~oOo~-
Tomorrow is the day: My party.
I should point out that the boys back home are probably bursting out in fits of laughter with no clue as to why... right this very moment.
I mean, seriously. Me? A Party? And there's no fire or maimed children? How can they even call it a party without fire and maimed children?
Whatever. I was told, by the Master, that I must be on my best behavior for the party... and when I asked if I should try etiquette, the Master gave me an uncertain look before nodding.
I'm not sure if that means she's debating my grasp of the terrible form of magic or if I accidentally suggested invoking its wickedness without proper torture first, but whatever the case, I have thusly prepared myself.
Woe unto all those who would do the Master harm, for I have donned my jerkin of ultimate destruction (which the Rarity simply called 'adorable') and my battlestave of suffering (likewise referred to as a 'very dapper cane'). I have made sure the lair is secure, sealing all the doors with nails and glue, epoxying the windows, and binding all the cutlery so as not to prove a temptation for our 'guests'.
I've prepared multiple plates of 'treats' to lure them into a false sense of security and even provided bowls of 'punch'... completely free of any kind of poison!
Oh yes, I studied the 'Dread Grimoire of Proper Etiquette' at length. I've plumbed it's depths for the secrets of its unparalleled madness and found myself confused, though more than capable of invoking its cruel spells.
Soon.... soon I will make the Master proud.
Anyway. The doors are sealed, the windows are sealed, the basement is sealed, the kitchen was sealed until Spike explained that we needed to get in there, and the various cabinets, drawers, and closets have all been rendered inaccessible.
All of the Master's spell components are hidden away and all of her books are on proud display to discourage rebellion.
I am to 'enjoy myself' and 'have a good time'... while remaining on my best behavior.
Apparently the look I gave the Master was confusing since she felt the need to give me a list of all the fun things I wasn't allowed to do.
And really, how is 'not setting the guests on fire' supposed to make me feel happy? Whatever... this time tomorrow, the Master will finally have her legion at the ready and we can march on ... um... wherever it is that has defied her rule.
Come to think of it, the Master doesn't seem to ~have~ any enemies. Most warlocks have their sleep interrupted three or four times a night with would-be assassins. Hmmm.... wonder why that is?
Oh... that's right... she's terrifying.
-~oOo~-
It was just past noon when the first 'guests' started to arrive. Horsebeast after horsebeast, normal, winged, and horny; all of them baring the same brilliant smiles until they saw me answering the door. Then those smiles turned uncertain.
HAH! My grasp of etiquette must be more advanced than I thought. Already they are losing confidence at my mere presence. Regardless, one and all, they entered and proceeded to mill around, sampling drinks and treats alike.
Most came naked, though the Rarity brought another of her battle garments complete with a helm of some distinction.
And to think, just a few days ago, I had never heard of this branch of magic.
The Master truly is a fiendishly smart tyrant to have somehow seen the worth of this forgotten family of spells.
Who could ever imagine the act of offering a drink to be some kind of clandestined mind warping thaumic attack? My Master, that's who.
Anyway, I was happily wandering around, offering drinks and avoiding being stepped on by the local livestock when the Rainbow Dash suddenly stormed up to me and glared.
Well, I assume it was a glare... kind of hard to tell with how enormously large their eyes are. In all honesty, even if they're squinting to only a hairs breadth of having their eyes closed, there's more surface area than the average family of giant spiders.... and those beasts have 8 eyes each.
But, I was fairly certain she was glaring, what with the raised lip and half growl she displayed until the Master called her name.
Then? Bang! All smiles and "Hey Twilight!"s. Deceptive little rogue.
Of course, the Master saw none of it. Or, more likely, if she did, she didn't deem it worth a response. She is a busy tyrant after all and addressing every slight against her reign personally would chip away at her leisure time.
So, after the Rainbow Dash was suitably distracted, I added some "not poison, I swear!" to her cup and waited for her to turn around.
No, really. That's what the Pink one labeled it as.
As fate would have it, Rainbow Dash did turn back around a moment later, swiped the cup from my tray, and stormed off the moment the Master wasn't looking.
Hmmm.... suppose that was better than our first meeting at least.
Yep... all my fingers and toes are unbroken and I haven't been doused with ice water... so all in all? Not bad.
Or course the 'party' itself was a bit of an oddity to me. There were crude anatomical designs hung upon the walls with hollow forms and severed tails. There were buckets of water with the accursed apples to taunt the hungry or foolish. There was even a homonculus hung in effigy awaiting passerby to practice their combat skills.
Truly, I was not expecting this level of depravity from the Master... she normally seems so proper and........ peaceful.
Then again, she would. She is the Master. She has likely honed this mask for years simply to deflect the curious. It really should come as no surprise that she has such twisted 'party games' in her repertoire.
Still don't understand why I can't set the guests on fire, but if that's the worst of the day, then I suppose I can live with it. ...
Hmmm... actually, come to think of it, I just realized that with all of them wandering around, I almost didn't notice the yellow winged one that remained eerily silent until the Rainbow Dash sat down next to it and started whispering. Oh.
Oh, I see now.
Cower before the Master but secretly hire an assassin to wait in the shadows? Silently watching and plotting for me to lower my guard?
You are even more dangerous than I originally thought, Rainbow Dash.
Fine then.... if you're plotting our downfall, then I suppose I can plot yours.
....
And after checking my list of fun activities I'm not allowed to do, I can confirm that 'plotting the downfall of a treasonous minion' is patently NOT listed.
Very clever Master.... very clever indeed.
-~oOo~-
Well now, it seems that "Pinkie Pie" is more dangerous than even I thought.
No sooner had I set my course for the kitchen to start plotting the downfall of the traitorous Rainbow Dash then she decided to down her cup to steel her nerves against my oncoming storm!
That or she was thirsty.... but I'll choose to think she was appropriately fearful after seeing me catch her plotting. Regardless, it was no more than three seconds and her eyes became pinpricks and she suddenly started bellowing great plumes of flame.
No kidding, actual fire.
I did NOT see that coming.
Now, before you go and start getting all silly about this, think of it from my perspective. Not only is this the single most violent horsebeast that I've met so far, but she is also the only one, other than the Master, who has caused me any realistic injury.
The orange sweatstink doesn't count. Mental suffering and a COMPLETELY reasonable aversion to apples aren't injuries... those are the results of torture.
But the Rainbow Dash HAS hurt me. She was able to spear me from more than half a mile away, plunge me into the surrounding architecture, cause me to end up covered in broken glass, powdered with dehydrated fire, beat me fast and hard enough to break the sink, and then dose me with water that effectively dehydrated the powdered fire that had been ground into my injuries.
I may also be remembering that a little off, but give me some slack! I was on fire... and not MY fire.
So finding out she can breathe the stuff is more than a little worrying.
Then again, hearing her scratchy voice yowling in pain made everything more clear.
She wasn't making the fire at all. Pinkie's 'not poison, I swear!' must have caught up with her.
HAH! Pinkie is officially the least hated of the Master's minions for the next two minutes.
And then.... oh... the next part was priceless. Remember how I said I had secured all the doors and windows? Well, get this, the filthy little traitor jumped up, flew across the room and up to the second level while trailing a cloud of her vile intentions, and smashed face first into the bathroom door!
She started pounding on it before flipping over and flying directly into the reinforced windows and falling right back down to the main level. Pinkie just started laughing while the Master just shook her head with a smile.
I had to blink. The Master had known! Somehow she had known what Pinkie was doing.
Well.... of course she had known. She's the Master.
I found myself chuckling until I glanced around and saw other 'guests' were likewise laughing or smiling.... then I just got a bad taste in my mouth. If ~they~ were all laughing, it didn't bode well. Either the Master intended to make a public display of her displeasure over the traitor's behavior or they were ALL being affected by something.
While the Master is potentially the most dangerous creature I've ever seen... diminutive and misleading as she may be... even I know that no one is immune to every attack. Everyone was laughing or smiling, some quaking with suppressed guffaws while others simply dropped to the floor in humor.
I hadn't sensed any magic used. I hadn't felt any sharp stings or seen any bright flashing lights. I hadn't heard any hypnotic voices or whispered words of power. No.... this had to be mundane. A POISON!
I quickly looked around for anyone not laughing or smiling. An attack could come from any angle, any side! Everyone was 'jolly' or 'having a good time'... STUPID PARTY!
But.... a brilliant way to hide an assassin's poison.
I could almost feel the grinding of bones in my neck as I looked back to where I'd seen her last... the yellow winged one who had bee hiding along the wall.... the one the Traitor had been whispering to.
She wasn't there.
And then, I heard a voice that was like fluffy bunnies on a soft pink baby's quilt, whispering through the room, as if from everywhere at once.
"Rainbow Dash! Are you alright?"
I swallowed hard and looked up.
Directly above me, floating in the air with the slowest wingbeats I've ever seen, was the yellow one with the pink hair.
Pink hair, which was so long, that I abruptly lost sight of everything as it floofed down around me.
ASSASSIN! She was trying to suffocate me before I could warn the Master!
I shrieked, leapt free, landed in the punch bowl (which hurt like hell since it was so freaking cold), and ended up sending the snack table flying.
Cupcakes were launched, drinks were spilled, the Traitor was rolling on the ground spitting flames, the assassin squeaked.... no, seriously, she squeaked like a dog toy, and everything erupted into a blur of magenta light as the Master, apparently, had had enough.
-~oOo~-
Being held in the Master's magic is something that I'm still not quite used to.
On the other hand, being flung through the air at high speeds, used as a blunt force weapon, or even sacrificed to power a warlock's dark rituals.... those are things I get. But just floating there while everything else gets put back in place and cleaned up? That's still something that just feels off to me.
Oddly, the guests did not seem even remotely concerned that an assassin was in their midst. Granted, they are likely only disposable rabble, and thus probably only in possession of the most meager hint of intellect, but we are talking about an ASSASSIN here.
Of course, the Master was well aware of this, I assume, since she prevented a panic that would have likely ended the pitiful lives of a good number of her perspective fodder before she had. Then again, watching her simply sort everything, clean up, and offer the Rainbow Dash a glass of milk all at the same time, I couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking.
I had been right about to voice my concern when the traitor, Rainbow Dash, leapt up from the floor and lunged at me.
Point of note: the Master was still levitating things when Rainbow Dash attempted this maneuver.
Point of note, number two: Rainbow Dash is apparently an idiot as the Master was still levitating things when she attempted this maneuver.
The resulting moment of awkwardness as Rainbow Dash stuck firmly in the air continued trying to strangle me from two feet away prompted the Master to roll her eyes.
Ah HAH! She's not smiling! the Master always smiles! She must be about to destroy the Rainbow Dash and shackle the lot of these 'guests' into immortal servitude! I knew she was just biding her time!
And then, the Master frowned at the traitor, floated her over to the other side of the room, and politely excused us from the guests.
Within moments, I found myself being pulled into the kitchen and the door closed. The Master put a hoof to her head and sighed before turning to me and asking what that had all been about.
I was overjoyed! Finally I can tell the Master that I discovered a plot within her own ranks! I can help her to enslave the masses. We can go out there, outside of the lair, and openly challenge one and all who would seek to oppose us. We can DESTROY the orange sweat stink and burn those accursed apples to the ground.
I was positively giddy as I prepared my carefully thought out argument.
"The Yellow one was hired by the blue traitor to kill you!" I shrieked. "I heard it talking to the rogue in the corner and then the yellow one hid while she poisoned all your minions!"
The Master's eyes looked almost tired... but given the fact that she had likely been poisoned, it only stood to reason that her superior endurance had prevented the worst of the toxin's effects.
Without speaking, she rolled a hoof for me to continue.
"The Pinkie put 'not poison, I swear' in the traitor's drink and the yellow one used it as a distraction to get close to you! Then, before I could warn you, she tried to kill me by smothering! She planned my escape and made sure I landed in the bowl of frigid agony! You saw the blue one trying to silence me! The Pink one is all alone!"
The Master blinked.
"Gakham.... just.... no."
And, just like that, I suddenly had no idea what was happening.
"Those are my friends. We've been over this. No one is trying to kill me. No one is trying to hurt you. Those are not my 'minions' or 'slaves' or anything!" she nearly shouted.
I, in turn, blinked in confusion.
"But the traitor--" I started, before she cut me off with a snort.
"Rainbow Dash is NOT a traitor. She's the element of LOYALTY. Even if she wasn't, she's still my friend!"
The world didn't make much sense at that moment.... so I did the only thing I could think of.
I lit the Master on fire.
... Which... in retrospect, may have been better done with an explanation before attempting to burn away mind-controlling magic.
Of course, the Rainbow Dash chose that exact moment to push open the kitchen door and try to apologize... until she saw the Master on fire.
Then, well, I found out what it feels like to be smashed through the kitchen window at roughly the speed of sound.
Which, given I phased as soon as I was out of the Master's immediate vicinity, wouldn't have been quite so bad if you ignored things like broken bones... except for the manner of my removal leaving me some few hundred feet above the ground.
By the time the Rainbow Dash realized I was no longer in her grip, I had hit the ground, and was already on my way back to save the Master.
-~oOo~-
Racing across the battleground of Arathi basin has always been a favorite pastime of mine. There's nothing quite like darting between those little 'important' objectives, dodging attacks and stuffing a ball of fel fire down some idiot's armor. Every now and then, I'd get really lucky and Stitchface would start cackling madly while up on the cliff and I'd get to laugh as whatever numbskull was fighting her would simply leap off to their death. Oh yes, Arathi was simply adorable.
At least it had been until that ham-for-hands dwarf and the panda rug kicked me out of that realm entirely.
Since then, it's been more a game of trying not to anger the Master... well... my ~new~ Master.
Admittedly, there've been some bumps along the way; the fires, the glass, the sharp pointy objects embedded in my flesh, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF HER "FRIENDS"... but I'm not bitter. No, no, no. I, after all, am an imp, and what imps do best is adapt to the situation.
So, when the Master pulled me out of the "welcome party" to explain that I was not being hunted, that no one was trying to hurt or kill me, and that her minions were not minions, but "friends," I, understandably, took all these bits of information into account and concluded that the Master was being mind controlled.
Perfectly reasonable given my background. ...
Also, a really long sentence when you stop to think about it.
But that's beside the point. Being a dutiful and loyal imp, I attempted to singe the invasive magic out of the Master, freeing her from its (no-doubt) terribly inconvenient grasp!
That singeing magic causes the target to erupt in flames (momentarily!), was witnessed by one of the Master's "friends", and that said "friend" then proceeded to launch herself at me, spearing the both of us through the kitchen window, and up into the freaking SKY before I could phase.... well.... also inconvenient.
Breaking a bunch of bones in the process before falling back to the ground, breaking more, and then attempting to save the Master.... inconvenient again.
So, in summary, my current situation is "inconvenient" -- with a multiplier no less.
The good news? I'm an imp! And, as I've said before, imps are very VERY durable.
By the time I was on the ground, I was already springing to my feet and cutting a little flaming trail across the town.
Oh! Did I mention that?
Yes, the Master's lair is smack dab in the middle of a little hamlet; some little wood and thatch thing with a smattering of stonework and stucco. Whoever came up with this fever dream of architecture and urban planning should really be sent to an institution... or the Master's secret dungeons, whichever is nearer.
That being said, I was racing down the empty streets, skipping corners and diving under carts and around flower planters when I suddenly found myself plowed into the ground again by the Rainbow Dash.
All ~kinds~ of fun cracking and popping sounds from that impact! Buuuuuuut, I digress.
She was howling about something and her eyes were little pinpricks of fury as she hauled back to punch me with hoof after hoof.
I say "hauled back to punch me" because I saw it coming.
Phasing.... great skill.
Being pinned while phasing, not such a great thing.
End result? A LOT of glancing blows.
Oh yheah, this little blue traitor was a fighter, which makes my response completely understandable in retrospect. ...
Don't roll your eyes as me. We all know she'll be fine once the surprise wears off.
I lit her on fire.
There was a scream of surprise, followed by an INCREDIBLE crush of force as she leap up and streaked off with a trail of smoke, and I was back on my feet.
... in a furrow plowed half a foot deep in the cobbled stone of the street. Holy Fel, she hits hard. BUT the Master was in danger so I was instantly off racing again!
And then I found myself smashed into the wall of a house with a steaming, soaking wet, Rainbow Dash snarling at my face.
Fire.
Off and running again!
And falling from the sky as a Rainbow Dash proceeded to pile drive me through a cloud for some reason. Not sure what the point was.... clouds.... you know, not very durable, but the impact with the ground hurt.
And running again!
And....smashed into a cafe table by the Rainbow Dash.... and stomped on... and pummeled... aaaaaannnnd FIRE! ...
Now... let me make myself ~ABSOLUTELY~ clear on this point. Imps are durable, very durable, very very durable, and yet there does come a point where you just have to take off the kiddie gloves. Buuuuuuuuuut, the Master CLEARLY stated I was not to hurt her minio- er... I mean... her 'friends.'
So, tough or not, I wasn't really fighting back, and there's only so much even ~I~ can ignore.
I finally just couldn't take it anymore and curled up in a little burning ball and let her beat me.
Oh... that was going to sting in a few minutes. Hooves are NOT soft, well, at least not Rainbow Dash's hooves, and being stomped, punched, bucked into the local architecture, and pile-driven repeatedly into cobblestone streets is not my idea of a relaxing afternoon.
That the Rainbow Dash seems to know wrestling moves of some sort only vaguely registered.
That she finally let up enough for me to think it was over, only to unleash FRAKKING LIGHTNING BOLTS from the sky to strike me REPEATEDLY... well, that was unexpected.
But what was the real shocker of the afternoon? That would have to be the Master finding us and saving ME from the Rainbow Dash by jumping in FRONT of the lightning when she saw it.
One moment, I'm thrashing on the ground in a kajillion volts of brain melting sky explosions, and the next I'm just hearing the explosions and smelling burnt hair.
And then I looked up and saw the Master glaring up at a very angry and confused sky horse... smoke billowing from her twitching purple coat and a glowing dome of magenta separating us from the traitor. Never saw that one coming in a million years. ...
Since when do Warlocks care about their demons?
-~oOo~-
So, there I was, curled up in a little flaming ball of shock and pain, watching as the Master stood over me, shielding us both, while simultaneously keeping the Traitor at bay.
To say that I was surprised would have been an understatement. I mean, yheah, warlocks and demons go hand in hand...er... hand in hoof in this case, but it's always, ALWAYS, the demon who gets the short end of the stick in combat.
We're tough. We're mean. We're dangerous in ways that most things have trouble thinking about. But, at the end of the day, for a warlock at least, we're expendable. Hells, we're SACRIFICIAL. Literally.... like, I know it doesn't happen on a minute to minute basis, but no summoned demon of any self-respecting warlock ~hasn't~ been sacrificed a few hundred times to save their master's skin.
My Master, excluded.
But a warlock ~actually~ protecting a demon? Now, that's unheard of.
I knew the Master was nuts before, but... I mean.... WHAT?
Anyway, next thing I know, the other horsebeasts all come charging up the road, looking like their tails're on fire. The Orange sweatstain was pounding along like she was ready for war. The Rarity came along at juuuust shy of a prance before stopping ~just so~ to keep the dust cloud from touching her immaculate war-robes. The Pinkie Pie was jumping along like some kind of monk-mage-rogue-hunter-priest with levitation -- still think she's cheating somehow, but she has artillery hidden all over so I'm not going to question her to her face.
And then there was the assassin, gliding along on silent butter yellow wings, with her pink fluffy garrote of mane, drifting in the non-existent breeze as she fixed the world with 'shy and fearful' eyes.
I know that look.
It's the look of a master actor; one who is so preternaturally good at playing her role that she can get lost in it when interrogated. One who can slip into a name or occupation with the comfort of well oiled leathers and a warm meal. One who can kill in cold blood before taking a leisurely stroll home, wave at the neighbors, and enjoy eating a meal with a cluelessly devoted family and a good book before bed.
In short, I'm pretty sure she's a fel-corrupted hunter infused with black magic, a priest's mind control, and the acting abilities of a succubus.
Actually, she's got wings... she's probably a succubus with hunter training. I heard she keeps animals.
So, there we were on the street. The Master keeping us from her minions while they ran up with looks of concern and confusion.
Except the Traitor... she still looked like she wanted blood.
Words were exchanged... I'm not sure which words because at that point I found out that all that lightning had apparently burst my eardrums, but within about a minute, the Master lowered her magic shield on all but the Traitor -- who, consequentially, was looking a bit more abashed and nervous than before.
The Master lowered her to the ground then drug her over in a pinkish ball of magic, before pointing at her and then swinging her hoof back to point at me.
The Traitor had the dignity to act even more embarrassed, pointedly looking everywhere but at me and scratching behind her head before mouthing something quickly and turning to dart off.
Only for her to stop violently as her tail jerked her back, locked in the glow of the Master's magic.
Over the course of the next few minutes, the Master gestured repeatedly to each one of her minions before snapping her hoof back at me. Each time, their faces flicked through a few expressions before settling on some form of embarrassment.
Well... except for Pinkie and the Rarity. Both of them seemed pleased with the outcome.
The Assassin only retreated further under her mane even though the Master was clearly suckered into her facade. I swear, even if I could have heard her, I didn't see the Master even gesture angrily towards that one. I think the Master might have even been trying to comfort her.
That's a scary thought though too.... what if the Master KNEW she was an assassin and that the Rainbow Dash would hire her and decided to hire her first instead, thus setting off this specific chain of events that would result in a clear statement of superiority and dominance unrivaled in the land?
No... no one was that clever. No one was that capable. No one thought of that many contingencies and acted to place just the right actors to carve out exactly the right future without revealing themselves.
That kind of mind, that kind of madness.... no one could function in a world with that kind of genius being held back by every second they were forced to interact with the common vulgar existence of the populace. It would drive them insane. They would be reduced to mumbling fools, so exasperated with the mindless crush of everyday activities that they would be forced to remind themselves of their brilliance. Slowly, over the course of years, they would delve deep into the abstract, following the torturous woes of life until mundane activities, too, became naught but a chore -- and a chore that required specific actions lest their slowly slipping sanity sequentially submerge sublimely.
Alliteration. ...
Checklists.
The Master has checklists for everything. ...
She knew.
And before I could decide how to handle this revelation, I found myself being picked up and held to the smoky coat of the Master as she hugged me.
And, one by one, the others joined in -- the Trai...the Rainbow Dash looking supremely uncomfortable and stalling for nearly a minute before I felt the Master's chest vibrate and the blue devil reluctantly closed in on the group ........ hug. ...
If it had been anything other than the Master, I would have thought they were attempting to smother me.
The Master, as I have asserted from the first day, is insane............ but, it's a not-bad kind of insane.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | Polymor- er... Apotheosis | So...
It's been a few days and the Master has been doing a good job on making sure no one found out about the open rebellion of her minions.
And by that I mean she's been in the lair, taking care of cleanup and destroying all the evidence of my efforts to idiot-proof the lair from the idiots.
I mean 'guests'.
Idiots... guests... really, it doesn't seem like much of a difference to me, but she insists that they're 'good ponies' at heart despite their extreme cowardice and willful disobedience.
Anyway, so we were all just sitting down to feast upon the flesh of the local ... (sigh) you know what? I can't even attempt to make eating a daisy sandwich sound evil. It's.... just no.
Fine... we were just sitting down to breakfast when this skull-shattering ringing started up. Spike and the Master immediately leapt up and ran out the door, leaving me to dodge cutlery and plates. I had just considered cleaning them up when my world turned pinkish and I found myself being carried through the air in one of the Master's little magic bubbles.
We traveled all the way to the Sweatstain's vile demesne, Sweet Apple Acres.
And since I'm pretty sure you all don't know that word, it's pronounced 'Di-main'.... it's the older, magical, and proper word for DOMAIN... region... personal holdings of import.
I swear, if not for the corrupting influence of etiquette, this worlds educational systems are simply without redemption.
Apparently, some little monsters had infested her trees. "Vampire fruit bats," she called them... I kid you not. Looked like crotchety doilies with wings if you ask me, but somehow this was a bad thing and she wanted 'help' in clearing them out.
My first impulse was to burn the trees, one and all, and deprive the little vermin of their livelihood. Buuuuut, the Master said that doing that would be bad, that it would hurt Applejack.
I remained silent... I never said anything about bats. Aaaaand, from the dirty looks I got from the Traitor and Applejack, I think they probably guessed as much.
Things went around for a bit, but the only one who even tried saying anything that made sense was the assassin.
THE ASSASSIN had an idea on how to get rid of the problem... and nobody wanted to listen.
Now, don't get me wrong, she and I have had a bit of a challenge in our past: that being she tried to suffocate me when no one was looking! Buuuuuuuuut, be that as it may, when you want to 'get rid of' something, and an assassin suggests an idea, generally they're the ones with the experience to go by.
So, it came as a complete surprise that they all turned against her.
Musical number... no joke. Actually had a musical number with intimidating marching and magic clouds that blocked out the sun for a bit.
Gotta remember that... the Master DOES have a bit of a vindictive side after all.
Anyway, they pretty much just decided to have the assassin terrify them into staying still and then have the Master mind-rape them into ignoring the apples.
Despite the heightened levels of stupid involved with trying to intimidate an assassin, I was kind of proud that the first thing the Master thought of was mind control and forced labor.
I knew she had it in her!
So, we went back to the Spine-Shatter Slave Plantation and started gathering up the bats.
Pinkie tied a bucket of fruit to her head and just jumped around. The Rarity put on some kind of camouflaged Arcane robes and used compulsions to force the bats to attack her helm. The Traitor ignored all that and simply flew around catching them with organ rupturing velocities, rendering them incapable of fighting back.
And in no time at all, they were all stuck in one tree. All of them. Hundreds of bulging, blood-red eyes, mangy fur, tattered wings and hollow fangs hissing and snapping in the noon-day sun. The scent of death wafting off their putrid little bodies as they railed against their enforced captivity.
It brought a tear to my eye. Ahh.....nostalgia.
And then? That's when the Master told Fluttershy, the assassin they've all been browbeating into enslaving the vampire fruit bats, that it was time to demand their complete and utter surrender.
She tried to back out again, but they just kept up until she buckled.
The Master just closed her eyes and nodded... as if there were no other possible options. Silently crushing the assassin's will until there was nothing left but terrified acquiescence.
It's moments like these when I remember that the Master really can be a cruel, hateful, and uncaring monster.
I'm so proud of her.
And in moments, it was over.
The bats were convinced that their sole source of sustenance was repugnant, dooming them to a slow, agonizing starvation and the pain of watching their offspring wither and die before succumbing themselves.
It was like a tiny symphony of genocide... and the only one who looked unhappy was the serial killer: Fluttershy. ...
I'm conflicted here. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?
-~oOo~-
So, after the Master and her little minions got done brain raping some flying rats, we all went about our respective business.
And by that, I mean that the sweaty farmers went back to rolling in mud or whatever it is they do when not torturing me. The Pinkie Pie jumped around before shouting something about a party. The Traitor flew off to plot more insurrections, and the Assassin continued to watch the bat things with a sad look in her eyes.
I say a 'sad look' because I'm pretty sure she was weighing her options on how to escape the Master's enslavement without being killed in the process.
Hey, it's an inherently stressful exercise!
So, we all went home and that was the end of that. ...
What?
Oh, you noticed I failed to mention the Rarity?
Well, since you asked, she wandered off the Fields of Suffering complaining about all the sweat and dirt like any sane being would.
Unlike any sane being, she then mentioned the 'spa' no less than eight times until the Master finally caught on and agreed to accompany her. That of course is not terribly impressive...but what the 'spa' lacks in awe-inspiring anything, the fact that the Rarity distracted the Master enough that she let go of my little bubble and left me on the outskirts of the town ~is~ a feat worthy of legend.
So, we all went home, like I said, but I ~did~ decide to take a better look at these 'dastardly varmints' that the Sweatstain was so upset over.
I mean, Come On! They're bats! What's so terrifying about bats in trees? And the answer? Well, if they could spook that smelly naked warrior, then I wanted them for the Master's use.
She wouldn't have just 'forgotten' about me after all. Heh... almost got me there, Rarity. Bet you feel really proud of yourself for that one, but it's the Master we're talking about. She doesn't 'accidentally' anything.
So, she must have 'left' me when she was 'distracted' by the Rarity.
And whhhhhy would the Master 'forget' her demon on the edge of a plantation full of creatures capable of terrifying her minions?
Heh... because she wants them to be hers as well, of course.
So, there I was, hopping along through the vile land again, eyes toward the trees and doing my absolute best not to be spotted by the Applejack... or worse yet, the Big Mac, when I spotted them.
Sitting...In the trees.
With tiny little newspapers and card tables -- no joke.
I snuck around, carefully watching for any sign of hostility or traps. Off in the distance, I could hear the Applejack muttering darkly, probably trying to summon one of her dark gods from the apples that lay rotting on the ground.
Silly Sweatstain, you can't sacrifice rotting fruit to summon dark powers.
You need the living... and preferably the young and innocent.
But, despite her dark cursing, the Applejack wasn't what ultimately held my attention.
Because there, in the fields, under the tree where most of the fruit bats were sitting with their little newspapers and card tables and tiny wooden radios, the Assassin was sitting.
Just sitting... and staring... hours after everyone else had left.
And then I saw it, the proof of everything I had suspected since I'd first seen her.
It was her eyes.
She was staring at the tree, and her eyes were no longer sad.
They were intense, and angry, and... probably more than a little mad.
She shivered once, and I watched as her feathers drew away to reveal leathery skin and little hooks at the joints. Her ears twitched and stretched, little tufts of hair accentuating their larger size. And then, all at once, her head snapped back to look at me and she hissed with the viciousness that had been so carefully hidden beneath a mask of timidity.
And the bats just sat there, unphased. It's like they were waiting for something. ...
Succubus. CALLED IT!
-~oOo~-
So, there I was, staring down a murderous, bat winged, demonic horsebeast. Pretty sure that sentence is all kinds of wrong but, eh, screw it.
The Master had set it up so I could get some recon on the little bat things and instead, I'd seen the proof of the Assassin's demonic form.
Sure, it was still fluffy and yellow. Sure it still had a garishly pink mane and tail. And sure, it was still the fever dream of some coked up screwloose with a fetish for horses, but now? NOW it was the fever dream of some coked up screwloose with a fetish for horses and some kinky S&M overtones.
I mean... horsebeast succubus? HA! How the hells would anyone ever top that?
I must have been laughing because the next thing I know, there's a set of blood red eyes inches from my face. Took all of a second for the laughter to die in my throat as I realized what else had changed.
She had fangs. She had full blown, needle sharp, finger length fangs and the resulting scream that erupted from my throat was matched only by the furious shriek that tore from hers.
I was running before the echoes had stopped.
Well... I was running and jumping and phasing and doing my damnedest to learn teleportation, but it's much easier to say 'running' when talking about things in retrospect.
What? You don't think I consider these things WHILE fleeing , do you? HELLS no. There was a crazy murderous demonic horsebeast chasing me!
So, dodging and fleeing and just a bit of hiding when I could manage it and eventually getting away. Yep... that was the order of the night until, all at once, the shrieking stopped.
No... I did not look out and let her know where I was.... I learned that trick in the ashen fields while the Legion 'trained' us. If things get quiet too fast, one of three things has happened.
1) They lost sight of you and are waiting for you to show yourself. Pretty much the easiest thing in the world to do. You wait until backup comes or they get tired of waiting for you and inadvertently show themselves.
2) They got killed! Pretty much never assume this. The Legion loved to use this as a joke. Oh yheah... you ran and they all ~somehow~ died to butterflies and magic rainbows. BULL... anyone who believed this would be loaded into the cannons and used as rangefinding artillery ammunition.
If you didn't get the clue on the first round, then the next would be as the 'guidance system' of a depth charge.
or 3) something else just changed and you DO NOT want to find out what kills the things that make demons run. Saw a glimpse of a blue obelisk with a white light on top once.... heard a screeching that was like Time itself was weeping and just kept running. Never did see Rathgop after that. Pretty sure he stayed to check it out.
BUT, the point is, you DO NOT look out from around cover when the battleground gets quiet unexpectedly.
You get someone else to do it for you.
A few seconds with a stick, my claws, and one of the torture-fruits that littered the plantation's grounds and I had my decoy.
Applespaz, the fetid treefruit on a stick, volunteered to sacrifice himself for the good of the Master's favorite minion.
Okay. I shoved an apple on a stick, alright? I HATE APPLES.
It was cathartic.
Don't judge me.
That aside, I took a few deep breaths, noticing that the sun had suddenly dropped below the horizon, and tentatively stuck the fruit on a stick out from behind the tree trunk I had been hiding behind.
Nothing happened.
I mean, seriously? After all that? NOTHING?
In frustration, I shook the decoy just, you know, because that's what you do when you've had a harrowing experience fleeing from a mutant horsebeast/succubus hybrid that's multiple times your body size.
And then... the stick jolted in my hand.
The apple looked like a snake had teleported onto it.
A long, thin, very RED snake.
I let go of the stick and glanced out around the other side of the tree to see the succubus, hanging upside down from a nearby tree.... about 15 feet away.
The sudden sound, kind of like a rubber band, made me blink.
She had a stick in her mouth. A stick with an apple on it.
Applespaz, you have served the Master well. Your sacrifice will not be missed or cared about.
But hot damn.... when she spit the stick out it took me a second to realize she wasn't chasing me anymore.
A moment later explained why: she opened her mouth and her TONGUE shot out like a whip, snagged an apple from another tree, wrapped around it, and then pulled the whole thing into her jaws where she spun it around, turned those red, red, eyes towards me, and then sunk her fangs into its flesh and sucked it dry.
I swallowed.
It was almost kinky until the biting part. I mean, hells... that is one FLEXIBLE appendage.
If the Master wanted this one, she could have it.
I hid again and waited for backup. The Master would notice I was gone soon enough.
-~oOo~-
The Master didn't notice I was gone.
Or, more likely, if she had, she decided I wasn't foolish enough to come back without her prize.
Whatever the case, I spent the rest of the night curled up as small as could be, tucked into the exposed roots of one of Applejack's torture trees.
Listening to the TWIP-Sssssssssssssssllllck sound of the unveiled Fluttershy as she cut a leisurely path through the orchard around me, draining the fruits of their life and dropping their withered husks like so many twisted carcasses, well... that was disconcerting.
I do not like apples (or Apples with a capital 'A' for that matter) but never have I seen or heard such casual slaughter with such a mundane and innocuous class of victim.
That sentence needs to be shot. It is long and cruel but still nowhere near as traumatizing as listening to that creature systematically killing. I mean, by the Fel, she was just dropping their shriveled remains as casually as a Blood Elf Magister would brush a mote of dust from their pauldrons or mantle or whatever those big fancy shoulder pads are called.
It was both terrifying and fascinating in its own way.
Also, before you think I had any kind of attraction to Fluttershy, let me remind you of this one, simple, fact: she's a succubus FEKKING HORSEBEAST you sick pervs.
I mean, yheah, if your master asks for you to join in, you do your demonic duty and all, but come on... she's a horsething.
Last time I heard of some demon doing that kind of thing, there were mind altering magics, perversions of the natural order, and a whole slew of succubi waiting in the wings... literal ladies of the night... not to mention dinner and a show. I mean, when in Karazhan, you do as Medivh, but still -- horsebeast... simply: no.
"Kara-zan" and "Med-div": they're a fancy human place and person respectively. They like making their words look funny. Also, crazy trans-dimensional magic from both of those. Twisting hallways, battle-ready chess games, attack trained sky eels, and giant floating carnivorous eyeballs aside, just a messed up place. And Medivh still hasn't decided if he's evil or good yet.
Wishy-washy bastard.
So, yheah, getting back to my night.
It sucked! Double entendre actually unintentional.
But, just before dawn, she flew off. Not sure where, but I was more than happy to run the hells home. ...
And no, I didn't just stick my head out to check. She flew over the tree I was hiding under and streaked off into the night just before the sun fekking erupted from the horizon.
I swear, this world is messed up something fierce. As if warlock horsebeasts and draconic butlers weren't enough, the SUN and MOON don't seem to care one fekking bit about maintaining a set schedule or even being in the sky until they feel like it. Lazy-ass celestial bodies and their indignant dismissal of one of the basic concepts of interstellar movement.
So, when I jumped out of hiding to go home, I was actually almost expecting the Master to be waiting for me with a rolled up newspaper or something for taking so long. She wasn't there, by the way, but that didn't mean I wasn't more than willing to book it back to the lair.
Only problem was, the moment I jumped out of hiding, I froze.
All around me, numbering in the hundreds, if not more, were the paper-dry remains of that succubus' gorging. That is a LOT of life she drained. I mean, to suck a victim dry is a feat unto itself, succubus or not, but even if you ignore the fact that she was draining tree fruit and not some guy or kinky chick, that is still a metric fek-ton of life...um.... juice I guess?
Hot damn. And she's afraid of the Master? Also, how the blazing hells could she still fly with that much juice in her? She should have looked like some kind of bloated, yellow furred, bat winged, soul raping tick with a penchant for pink hair dye.
Field of death and anatomical mysteries aside -- recon obtained! The Master will be pleased! Newspapers will remain un-rolled and un-furnished! The Apocalypse in scales will remain a tentative ally! All things will remain at the status quo!
And, as the sun continued its voyage over the horizon, until coming to a very abrupt halt, I realized one, very important, thing: I had very little time to get back to the lair and start up tea and breakfast.
What? The Master enjoys regularity... and I enjoy my skin.
-~oOo~-
The lair was a shambles. Seriously. No one had bothered to pick up the dishes from last night and the cutlery was just sitting there, stabbed into the floor as if the Master hadn't decided to torture anyone in my absence. ...
Well... I can dream, can't I? I mean, sure, I've yet to find any evidence of her hidden torture chambers, but still, she's a warlock with a dragon as a butler. How can she ~NOT~ have some kind of dungeon.
Then again, she did send me out to find out about the succubus so -- maybe its a sexy dungeon?
I asked her and she explained that 'no' she didn't have a sexy dungeon hidden away somewhere.
I nodded and affirmed that it was okay if she didn't want to let people know about her sexy dungeon.... you know, I'm her trusted imp, I can offer assurances once in a while.
She turned bright red before telling me, VERY quickly, that she didn't have a sexy dungeon again.
I nodded and picked up the cutlery, as I assured her I wouldn't tell anyone about her secret sexy dungeon.
Again, she said she didn't have a sexy dungeon... even redder than before.
Now, what you have to understand is that, somehow, they can blush with their fur but, it's like.... subdued. So, when I saw her get even redder, it took me a moment to figure out if she was about to catch fire or just blushing harder. It's kind of a a toss up, really.
Massive magical reserves funneling through the emotional fury of a demon summoning serial killer vs incredible embarrassment not befitting a warlock. I mean, really... you can't blame me for being just a little bit unsure.
So, you know, I shrugged and said it was ok. She didn't have to tell me about her sexy dungeon.
Then she grabbed me by my ear (which hurt like hell somehow since she doesn't even have FINGERS) and drug me into the kitchen, away from Spike. Then she sat me down and said she didn't have a dungeon, sexy or otherwise, and that I couldn't go around saying things like that because it would make other ponies ask the wrong kinds of questions.
Ah, THAT I could understand. She couldn't have anyone knowing that she had a dungeon or they're start to look for it and eventually figure out how to spring her captives. I nodded, explained, and said that I understood.
She blinked at me. I could almost hear the gears grinding as she tried to piece together a curse appropriate enough to say, so I just patted her leg and turned to go saying that maybe dungeons were just different where I come from and that I wouldn't tell anyone.
I was almost out of the kitchen when she nearly yelled that 'dungeons are bad places with chains and whips and hot oil and other things that good ponies didn't do to other ponies' and that she most certainly did NOT have one of those somewhere.
I nodded and smiled and assured her that her whips and chains and hot oil dungeon, which was most certainly not a sexy dungeon, would remain our secret, and left her in the kitchen sputtering.
Then, when I was outside the door, I just laughed and whispered "the Master's got a sexy dungeon" and scampered off to clean up.
Oh, and I might've forgotten to mention the succubus, what with having to clean up. Eh... she probably already knows.
-~oOo~-
Well...
What a busy day.
First with the revelation that my Master is a kinky little closet sex-jocky and then with the Applejack ringing that blasted bell again.
Not even half an hour after breakfast and we were all running off to the torture plantation again. And, GASP, guess what! The fruits were still little piles of mush and dead plants like how I left them all of an hour ago.
Surprising, right?
Oh...
That's right. I had forgotten to tell the Master exactly what happened after she 'accidentally' left me for recon.
Whoops. My fault entirely.
Not that I'm dumb enough to tell her. Oh hells no. I've seen her when she's playing nice and I have no desire to see her upset with me.
So, you know, I just kinda... slunk off to stay out from under hoof.
What? I was absolutely NOT hiding from her merry little bloodlust tantrum. Imps do NOT hide from their Masters. Especially ones like my Master. Oh hells no.
I rather like my skin, thank you very much!
So, there they were, all gathered up and muttering about how the vampire fruit bats were still doing their whole not-starving to death thing, when the Traitor just up and shoves an apple at one of them to prove they'd done it.
Little monster had the brass balls to actually slap the sass right out of her.... knocked the apple out of her hooves and went back to reading its tiny newspaper.
I may just have to find that little tree rat and give it some kind of reward. It's so nice to see something slapping that blue menace around a bit, even if it only really smacked her ego around. Still...
But, that meant the obvious answer wasn't going to fly with them. BIG SURPRISE THERE. Horsebeasts unable to leave well enough alone? Never.
So, they agreed that they'd have to stake out the place and find what kind of thing was causing all the trouble.
Because, you know, mind-raping the local animal population didn't work, so now they should try to investigate the potential other options.
My Master's work with them is starting to pay off. They didn't even fix the bats before running off to try something new.
Suffer you hideous little tree rats! Suffer and starve and watch as my Master's will be done!
All except you, feisty old newspaper-reading tree rat. I'll make sure you get to smack the Traitor again. Don't worry, you've got a demon on your side!
But, all that aside, it looks like we've got a night of terror planned, far from prying eyes and with a decided lack of witnesses!
This is gonna be GREAT!
Oh, and the Sweatstain apparently has some kind of super apple... thing's huge... like, larger than a cart huge. Probably weights a few hundred pounds. She was all glossy eyed about it.
With how much she loves the things, I wouldn't doubt she pushed the thing out herself. Oh, don't give me that look. This place is strange as hell, horses birthing fruit fits right in with the level of crazy I've had to live with here.
Freaks, the whole lot of 'em!
Well... except for that old bat thing. At least he has some bitterness to him. Good on you little fount of vitriol. Good on you.
-~oOo~- So!
The Master gathered all her little minions up at the torture farm just a few minutes after the sun sank below the horizon.
Still creepy as hell to see that happen. It's not like it takes hours or anything either. Just... bright and shiny day and then in the course of a few minutes, the thing just sinks. It's like, it has a mind of its own or something. I mean, don't get me wrong, sometimes things get you distracted and the next thing you know, you're looking up and the moon is hanging high in the sky while the wails of your victims add a playful accompaniment to your art project, but... I'm serious. The sun ACTUALLY starts moving faster just before night.
But that was a few minutes ago... on the walk over actually.
So, there we were, the whole merry lot of the Master's pet projects, standing around while we waited for the sweatstain to discover that her precious treefruits were being devoured by one of the Master's other minions.
Oh... I love how the Master thinks. "What's that, hapless minion? You think your life outside of my will matters in the least? Well then, I'll just gather all of us up, waste our collective time, and then crush your sense of worth when I reveal that one of my own pets was slowly destroying your livelihood the whole time!"
Hah... oh, I knew she was powerful, but this is almost drunk with power. She's literally wasting everyone's time, making them all aware of it, and then going to shove it down that orange peasant's throat just as the rest of them realize that their time and rest were only interrupted because of Applejack's self-important complaining.
They'll tear her to pieces.
That's why I stayed out of the way -- not because I was hiding (though angering the Master would be a bad idea), but because she was TEACHING Applejack her place.
It was lovely. So, of course, I stayed out of the way and just watched.
The Master gathered them all up, passed out little rods that would light up on one end, and explained how they were going to go in pairs and that if anyone found anything, they'd just signal with their lights.
It was brilliant. Separate them all. Whittle down their resolve, and then gather them all up to witness her judgement!
They all wandered off, stumbling through the darkness and the countless trees of the farm. One by one, getting more and more lost as they wandered, jumping at every noise.
Oh yes, I was tempted to mess with them, but seeing just how pathetic they were? I... I didn't have the heart.
I mean, yes, they were useless. And yes, they were helpless. But come on! They're still the Master's minions. I don't expect them to all go to the local orphanage and slaughter the little drains on society together, but how can the Master function if her slaves are afraid of every little thing?
Well, as it turns out, I didn't even have to wait long enough to find out.
Fluttershy, the succubus assassin, revealed herself and showed why you do not piss off assassins in general.
She terrified Rarity, dive bombed the Traitor, nearly gave the pink one a heart attack, and shocked the Applejack into stunned silence.
I'll admit, the Master's look of confused surprise would have convinced even me, iiiiiiif I weren't her imp. I've been around her long enough to know she's a masterful actor. Still can't tell where she gets it from. The rest of these idiots are like open books, but she keeps up that facade of innocent naivete without any effort at all.
And when she 'revealed' that Fluttershy must have been 'accidentally' affected by her magic, the whole lot of them got quiet.
She made a giant glowing image, showing how when she told Fluttershy to 'STARE' at the bats, her spell must have 'accidentally' taken the bats desire to consume the flesh of the living away and given it to Fluttershy.
The implications were weighty.
The Master didn't care who you were, what you were doing, or where you thought you could hide. NO ONE, not even her favored minions, were beyond her reach.
I may have giggled when she laid out the plan to 'save' Fluttershy.
The rest of them looked like their blood had all turned to ice.
-~oOo~-
Well, never let it be said that the Master's not criminally insane.
After 'revealing' that Fluttershy, the assassin succubus, was 'accidentally' given the collective hunger of hundreds (if not thousands) of vampire bats, the Master laid out our plan to 'save' her.
It went something like this:
Cover the behemoth mutant apple of the Sweatstain's darkest fantasies with a bed sheet, piss the assassin off, then throw a mirror in front of her to make her stop moving.
I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.
The Master actually got them all to agree to this.
I mean, yheah, I know the Traitor isn't all that bright (what with repeatedly using her face as a plow against the cobblestone roads here), but this 'plan'.... it's a new level of idiotic.And yet, they all agreed to it.
I'm actually kind of wondering if she's testing to see how many brain cells there are left between the lot of them.
Seriously, how could ANYONE think this makes even the tiniest bit of sense.
Fluttershy is a fekking ASSASSIN. She's a SUCCUBUS. She thrives on seduction, torture, and murder! She attempted blatant slaughter in broad daylight, surrounded by witnesses, and managed to get them all to SIDE WITH HER. She's been given the claws and fangs of vampire bats, scaled up to match her size, and the collective hunger of the entire flock of that pestilent air-born plague against life.
And their plan was to piss her off and slap a mirror in front of her?
Okay, in all fairness, the Master did use the giant apple as a sacrifice to lure her out... utterly destroying any hope that Applejack can salvage her arboreal love child in the process... but that's about the only part that made sense!
So, of course, it worked.
Well, when I say worked, I really mean that she came careening out of the night, dodged their attacks, and nearly escaped until she attempted to mind rape them and the Master signaled the mirror to be revealed.
So, ultimately, they did catch her. The Master 'cured' her and they all apologized for not listening to her.
Then, to keep her from slaughtering them all, the Master had her other minions follow Fluttershy's orders to condemn a full portion of Applejack's farm to paying the vermin a lifetime tithe in return for not utterly mutilating the farm.
That's right. Fluttershy sold Applejack on 'protection' fees to flying rats. To Clarify, Fluttershy just extorted a portion of Applejack's gross products in return for giving away a portion of her farm to feed wild animals that were already destroying her livelihood.
And through it all, the Master just nodded her head approvingly and smiled at the 'progress' they were making.
In the end, they all gave each other a hug, with Fluttershy within striking distance of all of them... probably so that the Master could remind them all that she has the assassin in her pocket now.
And they all went home happy and friendly.
Sounds like a great result right? The bats are safe and not dying of starvation! Applejack gets to keep the majority of her farm, just rotating out a few fields now and then while she gets free fertilizer! The Traitor gets her cider at the end of the season. Pinkie Pie got to play with her toys at night without any witnesses. And the Master got to remind them all that they only live to serve her will!
Don't believe me?
Well, here's the part that puts it all into perspective.
Fluttershy was pressured into 'helping' brainwash the bats and then brain raped not once, but TWICE while her 'friends' watched. The Rarity was denied almost half a week's sleep when her livelihood revolves around careful social interaction and technical skill with sharp implements. The Traitor was show that she might be fast, but that the assassin can not only out maneuver her, but that her own natural skills mean that she could come for her at any time... and Rainbow would be helpless to stop her. Applejack was reminded that she's literally only allowed to live as long as she does what the Master wants... and that the Master can at any time, simply mind-rape her if she misbehaves. And Pinkie Pie? I'm not actually sure... she kind of did what the Master wanted.... and she keeps explosive ordinance in her hair, so I doubt the Master can really scare her.
Might be a few screws short of a detonator with that one.
But the REAL kicker? The thing that makes all of that pale in comparison?
It's the slow realization that I'm sure they all came to once they laid down for bed that night... the realization that the Master can literally carry and manipulate a library's worth of books, carry all of them, teleport, and mind-rape things on a whim.... and that she chose to pit them all against a demonic assassin instead of just grabbing her in her magic and fixing things in less than five seconds.
Because, you know, once that sinks in; once that really REALLY sinks in, you gotta wonder why she bothers with us at all.
I can not tell you how refreshing it is to see her with that particular smile on her face.
Especially since I caught the glint of Fluttershy's fang while they were all hugging it out. The Master 'cured' her... in front of her friends, but kept the actual cure just out of Fluttershy's reach. Remind her of her place... with a bit of the eternal hunger of the damned.
Well played, Master.... well played indeed.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | Endless Corruption | Whatever the case, today, the Rarity came over to discuss 'fashion' ideas and mentioned drawing inspiration from the 'castle of the two sisters'... whatever that is.
I mean, don't get me wrong, this place NEEDS a castle. It's practically a backwater hobo town with the livestock running things... so there's GOT to be a castle somewhere.
And the huge thing hanging off the mountain in the distance doesn't count. I don't care how safe anyone says it is, that thing is just a stiff wind away from a mass grave at the foot of a mile-long fall and a VERY funny stop.
But yheah, not everyone can have a magic floaty mountain house made of stone. Someone had to have been sensible in the past and just wiped out everyone who remembered otherwise.
Come to think of it, the Master DID say that the royals she visited lived in a castle. Hmmm... wonder if they're the ones on the mountain... and if they are, they're doing a much better job of slaughtering the unwitting than I gave them credit for. I mean, COME ON! NO ONE sees ANYTHING wrong with a massive lump of stone hanging off the side of a mountain in a VERY hazardous fashion... and then encouraging the little servant peasants to live there so you can dispose of them with minimal effort when they anger you?
I might have to send them a fruit basket to thank them for cutting down on the local pest population.
Anyway!
So, The Rarity came over, borrowed Spike, and left the Master and I all alone.
I figured this would be the moment she'd throw me into a vice, start cackling madly, and demand payment for her stepping in the other day, so I was justifiably worried for my continued well being.
What I wasn't prepared for was being asked if there was anything I'd like to do.
I mean.... what the hells?
Sure! Let's go stab the traitor! Or how about we go sacrifice a few orphans to bolster your growing reserves of power? We could taint the water supply with fel magic, tempting the populace into a self-serving cycle of madness and suffering the likes of which only warlocks and their demons can truly appreciate. Or, you know, we could simply cut to the quick and go full bore: chasing a megalomaniacal quest for power that leads to the corrupting influence of the Legion taking hold of her soul.
Buuuuut, I'm pretty sure it was a test to see if I'd been reading the etiquette grimoire as she'd suggested a few days ago.
So, despite my desires to engage in a bit of incendiary frivolity, I suggested we have some tea and 'study time' in the basement.
She'd seemed pleased by that, and before long, we were both downstairs with a teakettle and cups between us.
Now, my experiences in the basement have been ... varied, let's say. On the one hand, it's been a place of indescribable pain. Acids and flames and sharp bits of glass becoming embedded in my flesh will tend to make for some unpleasant memories. But on the other hand, it's where the little Apocalypse-In-Waiting, Spike, and I forged our little truce. It's the place where the Master seems to have become most comfortable when trying out new spells or experimenting upon mysterious things.
It's also the place where the table we fixed resides.
The table, I remind, that I engraved with the spellform for FelFire bolts.
A table, we decided to have tea on, and read books on, and COMPLETELY IGNORE THE PULSING RUNES OF LEGION MAGIC.
I... was less than satisfied, but... then again... I hadn't asked for rampant destruction, so ... maybe the Master is just seeing how well I behave.
-~oOo~-
It's been two weeks since the Master got her minions in line.
Two weeks of surprise inspections, unscheduled trips, and a brief bit of discipline involving the Rarity coming into possession of an ancient tome which, apparently, granted her the ability to manifest her will upon reality on a whim.
HAH! I KNEW she was a crazy powerful mage. Not like the Master, of course, but still.... crazy powerful.
During her little power trip, the enchantress did everything from building the perfect puppet show (yheah.... not sure what kind of mental damage that caused), to turning the streets into literal gold and a few trees and buildings into precious gems. Aaaaand, just to clarify: I don't mean she turned them into gemstones, I mean she quite literally transmuted the existing structures into new material of a precious, crystalline, nature.
I know some gemcutters that would saw off their right leg for a chunk of crystal the size of a skull.... and the Rarity just started cackling and transforming parts of the town on a whim... talking about making things 'Fabulous!'
Oh, but the best part of her little rampage? The abosolute BEST part? That has to be our four 'new' residents.
It seems that while the Rarity was trying to make the Master's little hamlet more.... upscale... she actually managed to transform four of the residents at some miscreant's birthday party (a clown and three mariachi players, no less) into four entirely different horsebeasts. Oh... the madness THAT brought about.
Turns out, in addition to actually changing a heavy-set, mustachioed, guitarist into a svelte female cellist, each one of the four is actually now a duplicate of an existing resident....which has led to no small confusion. That, and the existing female Cellist is apparently in a monogamous relationship with a local entertainer... another female mind you... which makes the whole 'unexpected twin' thing even more funny.
Preeeeetty sure the Master hasn't noticed that particular bit yet, but she did come back a few hours after the incident complaining about having to clean up so much 'dark magic'... oh, THAT clever little offhanded comment had me rolling.
Cleaning up 'Dark Magic'? Coming from a warlock? Hah!
Oh, and it so happens that Spike ATE the spellbook.... simply ate the artifact. Yheah.... I'm once again reminded how insanely overpowered that little dragon is.
Anyway, the Rarity has been properly chastised, the Orange Sweatstink has left us alone. The Rainbow Traitor seems ill-at-ease but hasn't attacked again. The butter colored assassin has been hiding. And the Pinkie Pie? That one's been over multiple times just to say 'hi' or leave baked goods to apologize for the party being ended unexpectedly.
And then, the whole lot of them ran off to a foreign empire for some kind of culturally relevant ritualized gladiatorial combat.
I'd tell ya more about them but the Master, apparently, thought I might be naughty so she bound me in a little glass ball, told me to be good, and left me at the lair.
Let me tell you, running around like a little infernal gerbil in a heavily warded library-esque lair is pretty boring once you fall down a flight of stairs.
All in all, a fairly boring two weeks.
But then, this morning, the Master received a letter from the local royalty.
Apparently, the Master has been given a position of some authority in the empire!
I knew it. I frakking knew it! All this time, all this secrecy! She's been maintaining the guise of some hapless idiot, slowly building power and a legion of willing subjects all bent to her will, and now it's finally paying off!
I had just started packing the various torture implements (still can't figure out how a hollow handled butter spreader is used in torture, but eh... what the hell), when the Master smirked and explained that the 'silverware' could stay at 'home.'
I must have looked confused since she started laughing softly before calling for Spike to help me pack.
And in the manner of about twenty minutes, Spike, the Master, and I were all ready for the Master's first public steps towards tyrannical domination.
I actually wished I had a small fuzzy animal to clutch while I sniffled in pride.
I was so proud of her! So much power! So much deception! So much planning and misdirection. All those bizarre 'etiquette' sessions and 'tea parties' and 'friendship lessons'... all that nonsense -- and it was finally paying dividends!
And those royal idiots had no clue what kind of nightmare they were unleashing. ...
Oh... you caught that bit about me clutching a fuzzy animal? Let me clarify: when I said 'clutch', I meant 'rend and light on fire.'
Don't look at me like that! I'm not going soft! I love the squeals of agony just as much as I always have! High score on crippled orphan multiplier, RIGHT HERE, BABY! Little snot nosed bastards never saw me coming.
But, all things considered, maybe there is a better way to play this off. ...
hmmmmm.... something to think about, maybe. ...
And besides, the Master ~is~ about to unleash hell.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | Unstable Affliction | Something is wrong. The Master returned from her stint at unleashing hell and she seems... unwell.
I won't say she seems angry, far from it. There are no flaming spheres of death, lightning bolts, gouts of blistering ice or even a rolled up newspaper in sight, but where the outward signs of anger are missing, she seems, somehow... smaller.
Well, not physically, of course! She's still taller than Spike and I, but she's moving slower and her ears are down.
I wonder if they cursed her and she is recovering. Something to worry about later; the Master is far too powerful to succumb to some piddly little hex.
No, whatever this is, it has clearly sapped her energy.
I, honestly didn't know what to do. Normally, a good maniacal cackling will cheer up a warlock. She just sighed. Maybe a few orphan sacrifices? We are SORELY lacking both orphans and sacrifices in this little backwater-flower-shop.
Stitchface used to love watching the flickering of firelight on a quiet night when she was feeling low, but somehow I doubt the Master will approve of setting her own little hamlet on fire just to boost her spirits.
No... No! Something must be done! I shall convene with that little herald of the apocalypse and see if he has anything to suggest. Between Spike and I, I'm sure we can come up with something. ---
It was a long afternoon, and one I'm not terribly happy with, but we've come to a conclusion, Spike and I. Well... two actually.
I believe the Master has been afflicted with a lingering synecdoche based curse. That's pronounced 'sin-nekt-duh-kee., It means a spell that targets a part of something to mess with the rest of it.
Voodoo. Okay? It's freaking voodoo. Pretty much means that as long as it's out there, the Master is vulnerable.
I bet its those 'princesses' she keeps talking about. I bet they invited her to tea the other day to steal a tail hair or something so they could keep her in line. I BET they think they've got her under their thumb!
Oh, but they are so very wrong. The Master can't be controlled with such a simple trick. Oh no. She'll figure it out and then the gloves will come off. It'll start with a little spying, something to wet the appetite as it were. She'll have Spike and I go out and infiltrate the castle. We'll start small, checking guard rotations, locating access for the peasants, tracking food shipments and that sort of thing. Then, she'll have us sneak through, finding the commissary, barracks and kitchens. She'll muster her little minions and have them on standby, hiding in the rocky terrain nearby as Spike dismembers the guard, destroys their armor, and I poison the UTENSILS in the kitchen.
What? You think they wouldn't check the food? No... the Master is too clever for that. She'll want the food to be fine so when they grow ill and start investigating it'll be hopeless. Before long, they'll assume the food stores are tainted, but when they check, they'll find nothing and continue on eating more, all the while chasing ghosts. Eventually, the deaths will start piling up, but by then the guard will have been overrun, the peasants routed from their fortified city, and the royals will have to face the full might of a scorned warlock with the power to leash the little death-wyrm and summon demons as a hobby.
I shall start the preparations myself. If I can't find the Master's stash of spell components, I'm sure I can make some. There are plenty of children in the town; blood of the innocent can't be that difficult to find. The Rarity can supply us with enchantments and I'm sure the Assassin will be of help, what with her own dark secrets being used as blackmail. Even the Sweatstain and Traitor can be capitalized upon for their brute force approach in culling any Guard that missed breakfast.
Pinkie Pie can bring her artillery for any war machines these royals may be hiding.
And once they surrender the accursed focus of the Master's affliction, I'll strip it of her essence and peel off a bit of flesh from the royals themselves before having Spike nibble on it while I broil the blasted thing until their screams echo from the four corners of the realm!
Spike, however, thinks she's just depressed about having no 'royal duties' of her own.
Silly Spike, no self respecting warlock desires 'duties' that would detract from their pursuit of knowledge and power.
Well, I suppose I can forgive his naivete; he is only a baby dragon, after all.
Regardless, I will NOT simply stand by and let my Master be forced to serve their will. Absolutely not. She is MY Master and I will NOT allow such a thing to pass.
Er... she is needed. For the Legion. ... ...
I feel, somehow, less comfortable with that than I should. I will have to think on this some more.
-~oOo~-
I can't really express my confusion enough to convey just how much I dislike magic bubbles.
The Master had been puttering around the lair, looking upset, and patently denying my suggestions to simply usurp the uppity royals when she received yet ANOTHER summons to this pair of overly needy royalty.
So, without preamble, she ran off to the train station again.... after just arriving back at the lair the day before.
Honestly, if I wasn't certain that they were incompetent, I might find the sleep deprivation and psychological stress to be funny. As it is, she sealed me up in a little magenta bubble of magic and told me to be good while she was gone.
Then, she left.
Spike came in a few minutes later and asked if I wanted to do something, but I'm fairly certain he didn't take my suggestion to rouse the minions into a preemptive strike seriously. Regardless, we ended up lounging around the lair for the better part of the day before the Master returned, looking even more upset than when she left.
My bubble popped, and I scampered over to offer my support when she said she just wanted to go for a walk.
This, apparently, warranted my inclusion via magical magenta bubble... AGAIN.
Have I mentioned how much I hate that thing?
Well, a minute or two outside and her minions had somehow known to assemble. They caught up with us just at the edge of her hamlet and proceeded to invite themselves in her walk.
I should point out that when the Master decided to go for a walk, her chosen destination was apparently deep within a region of primordial forest... a place so foreboding that it creates its own predators out of whatever is left laying around.
That's right. When a tree falls in this forest, not only does it make a sound, but it might very well get back up, howl, and start systematically dissecting whatever caused it to fall in the first place. I'm not even making this up... the Master said we just needed to be on the lookout for timberwolves, and when I expressed my confusion, she described them as wolves composed of the jagged, broken, and dead remains of trees infused with a malevolence borne of the primal will of an eldrich forest.
I laughed at her joke until the Sweatstain barked to keep it down... apparently they are unkillable and can fuse together to become an even more dangerous beast.
The Master confirmed this.
Anyway, the Master's 'relaxing walk' destinations aside, we ended up at a cliff overlooking a rocky gully. Oddly enough, rough hewn steps seemed to descend into the darkness, and even more surprisingly, that was the path the Master took.
We descended down into the cold, stony heart of the forest, only to come upon a cave with a tree entirely made of some kind of manacrystal. The thing was huge, at least as big as one of those steam-tanks the dwarves seem so fond of.
And there, they stood, discussing how they had 'returned the elements' to the 'tree of harmony' or something. In all honesty, I was trying not to be creeped out by the sheer size of that thing.
See, what you have to understand is that a mana gem is composed of the crysatalized will of a mage, compressed and infused with the life force of countless victims. A warlock can make something pretty close called a 'soul stone', or the less powerful 'soul shard'. Where a shard is literally a fractured chip of the spiritual essence of a victim, a soul stone is the entirety of a victim's soul, used as fuel for a warlock's more powerful magics. Where a warlock will summarily execute a victim to fuel their goals, a mage steals bits and pieces... like mosquitoes siphoning blood... from everything nearby.
A respectable mana gem is about the size of an egg.
This 'tree' was either older than dirt, and still stealing life, or evidence of one of the greatest magical thefts I can imagine. And while I was going over the implications of the Master not only knowing about, but having such a creation in her possession, one of the olde gods just decided to show up unannounced. ...
And other than saying the mismatched ancient maddness' name outloud, a dangerous feat in an of itself, the Master and her minions didn't even flinch.
I, meanwhile, phased, pulled up as much magic as I could and prepared the hottest, most vicious. ball of fel fire I've ever created in my long long life. The thing was beautiful, roiling with the suffering of the damned, hissing as the air around it flickered and burned with little gouts of smoke. This fel bolt, it... it was a piece of art.
So I threw it at the abomination hoping to distract it long enough for the Master to flee. She had enough minions along with her to stall it once the threat was distracted.
And that elder god? It plucked my glorious fel bolt out of the air, twisted it around a mismatched claw, and manifested a PAPER CONE to stick the fel fire to.... and proceeded to nibble on it like cotton candy.
At which point, I may have fainted... I'm not sure. I mean... I'm still here, telling you this story, but.... FEL FIRE IS NOT COTTON CANDY!
-~oOo~-
Well, what can I say? Elder gods just prancing about and the Master only looking a bit annoyed? Yheah, pretty much told me my assumptions have been right all along.
The Master is some kinda top tier uber-warlock.
Heh... I mean, yes, it was kinda obvious the way she's always going on about 'behaving' and 'etiquette' and 'playing nice' with others, but to just roll her eyes when a FREAKING ELDER GOD POPS INTO EXISTANCE? That's hardcore.
That's Eredar level power there buddy.
To put things in perspective, Stitchface was an undead warlock capable of poisoning the mind, crippling the body, and forcing the very tissues of her victim's bodies to wither and die. She also liked to eat their faces occasionally.... you know... for self image or something. She would throw around balls of fel-tainted shadow magic on a whim, taint stockpiles of food with corrosive chemicals and had a habit of dropping boxes of scorpions into orphanages to 'toughen them up'... you know, pretty standard stuff really.
She liked to kill things, often hundreds or even thousands of things, in an afternoon, because she could.
And she died almost as frequently as she recovered from dying.... you know... a few times a day at least.
But the Master? The Master hasn't died a single time since I've been here.
She's been crushed, lit on fire, poisoned, blugeoned, zapped with lightning, hit with spellfire, been exposed to dangerous chemicals, and even exposed to fel-magics on many occasions! I've checked... she hasn't died.
I don't even know if she keeps a soulstone around... and frankly? I can't blame her with how tough she is.
I don't care how hardcore someone thinks they are, taking anvils and pianos to the head while unarmored is NOT healthy.
She put a few bandaids on and used a wheelchair for a few minutes.... which I'm pretty sure was mostly to keep prying eyes from asking the wrong kinds of questions.
Oh... and she didn't flinch when the eldrich abomination that is an ELDER FREAKING GOD just showed up unnanounced to her little walk through the primordial forest of doom. ...
They're apparently on a first name basis, by the way. Her and all her little minions.
So, anyway, after he shows up, this 'Discord' just kind of puttered around, mocking the Master a bit and randomly altering reality before manifesting one of the Master's books and flipping through it. Said something about how they should really just take a look at some of the better parts and then tossed it aside like an orphan's hopes and dreams.
Granted, those aren't really worth anything to begin with, but I've seen the Master get rather upset when her possessions are tampered with.
From what I could see, he'd stuck little colorful bits of paper all throughout its pages.
So, despite the vile thing's appearance, he didn't really stay long, opting instead to hop on a purple vehicle of some sort and drive through a door that simply popped into existence as he used it.
The Master, despite everything, did not seem overly upset... once more affirming my belief that she simply didn't loathe him enough to waste her precious time in eradicating his being from time and eternity.
Which might actually explain why he didn't cause more trouble. I mean, if you know someone can destroy you, but chooses not to, I guess there's a bit of a professional respect going on or something.
Still don't like that thing.... makes my head hurt just trying to imagine how all those claws and wings and scales and fur and horns and teeth and colors and....and...an....a...................
That way lies madness.
I don't like elder gods. Some things just aren't meant to be around after time started.
But the Master? She went right on back to work, like nothing had happened at all.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | Empty Instance | Ahhhhhhhh.... finally something that makes sense.
Well, more sense than being on speaking terms with an elder god of chaos at least.
After the Master's little visit to the tree of congealed suffering, she and her little minions examined a hexagonal box the manacrystal had apparently grown for them.
Apparently, the Master had been working on a particularly difficult spell for a number of months, something that required the use of not only the Tree, but also some unknown reagent that she had yet to even determine the qualities of. This had left her frustrated, something that does not bode well for those around warlocks in general.
However, her..... unique relationship with this 'Discord' may have provided her with the key to solving her little dilemma. When he tossed the Master's book aside, it seemed to remind her of something, and before long we were all struggling up the many many steps to the top of the ravine and crossing a rickety bridge towards the ruins of an ancient castle.
Now, for an imp, ancient is a relative term. We're pretty much immortal, indestructible, and immune to things like showers of cherry blossoms and musical numbers, but when you're talking about mundane things, we get the idea. Ancient means 'old enough that pretty much everyone who first saw it is long dead'... and these ruins were ancient.
Also, despite how old they were, despite being in a forest of primordial evil, despite sitting almost directly above a manacrystal that's large enough to have accidentally swallowed a titan, the WOODEN DOORS were still intact.
Talk about magic.
So... after passing by all of those warning signs, the Master just strolled into the ruined castle, walked right past all the priceless artifacts, ignored the loot scattered all over the place, and plops herself down in the....
Library?
This derelict old pile of rubble has a functioning library?!?!?
Well, ancient magical buildings sitting atop soul siphoning magic trees frequented by elder gods.... I suppose whoever manages to get by all that deserves a break.
But a LIBRARY?!?!? Who the hells wants to stumble away from constant threat of bodily mutilation and curl up with some thousands year old tome that's likely to turn into dust and melt your lungs with some long forgotten curse?
Well, the Master ~IS~ a warlock after all.
So they all just flopped over whatever was nearby as the Master told them to look for 'something' or 'anything' to help out.
No clue what they needed to look for, not like the Master was all too specific, but they all got to it.
And me? What did I get to do? Well, I scampered around and started fetching books! ...
You didn't really believe that did you? I mean, with MY History? Oh no. The first thing the Master did was pop my little magic bubble, command me NOT to burn anything, and told me to go searching for any hidden compartments, doorways, halls, or rooms which might contain secret books.
If you could only FEEEEL the deadpan stare I'm giving you right now, you'd probably decide to build a teacup out of sponges. I swear... REALLY? It's a freaking broken down castle in the middle of the local EVIL woods, from like... a thousand years ago! There's not going to be any freaking hidden anythings!
And then I fell down a hole, slid passed a hall of floating severed legs, and out onto the lip of a stonework wall over the moat.
Alright. There may be some hidden things here after all.
But who the hells keeps severed legs in a hallway?!?
-~oOo~-
Alright!
The Master must have planned this after all. I mean, no one, let alone the Master, could possibly ask a more appropriate request than to look for hidden rooms and secrets in a place ~THIS~ full of them.
In addition to the trap door, the inclined hallways with no traction, the hidden pits, the rooms with murder holes, the spinning walls and floors, the hidden chutes that lead to narrow ledges over multi-story drops into the moat or WORSE, this castle has integrated communication tubes and even escape tunnels linking nearly EVERY FREAKING ROOM!
Deep breath there...
And she sent me away to go 'look' for them while she was 'studying' with her 'friends' in the 'library.'
I know the Master isn't ~exactly~ like my previous warlocks, but EVERY part of that situation just screams "It's time to discipline the minions."
So, it was that after nearly an hour of making my way through the castle, 'discovering' well over two dozen death traps, pitfalls, intentionally confusing hallways WITH MOVING WALLS, and similar obstacles, I was pulled rather suddenly with the Master's magic.
Now, I know that doesn't seem very impressive at this point, but as an imp, I've been given a pretty long leash as it were. Imps are still demons, you see, and as we're not really supposed to exist in worlds without a fairly decent source of fel power, we kind of .... discorporate if we stray too far.
It's a fancy word for "go poof"... get over it.
So, yheah. Immortal. Dang near invulnerable in the long run. Capable of magic and feats of raw strength. Yep... demon's got all of that.
But, we tend to be on a rather short leash to whatever's giving us the little bubble of freedom where we're summoned from.
And, yes, before you ask, that tends to be whoever or whatever summoned us in the first place. Kind of like a vine of ivy. We get a few little roots going and we can spread, but unless there's enough soil, or in our case, fel magic or the corruption that comes from it, we're tethered to our summoner.
But that's all beside the point because I had just gotten to the main throne hall again when I felt myself being yanked along by the Master's magic at a VERY high rate of speed.
I managed to phase JUUUUUUUUST before being crushed through a series of walls. Heh... the Master must be trying to remind me who's in charge. Normally, she'd have warned me before trying to maim or kill me.
Wait.
The Master's never TRIED to maim or kill me before.
But... but she couldn't have just forgotten about me. I'm her FREAKING IMP! You don't just forget about summoning corrupting beings of absolute malice and destruction. It's.... it's... well, you just don't forget about things like that!
People forget things that are inconsequential. Summoning demons is not inconsequential. ...
Either way, she must be trying to remind me that she's in charge, which I'm fine with, by the way. Can't have her getting upset with me after all.... it's creepy when she smiles.
So, hurtling through the sky, being drug along by the tether of magic that the Master probably doesn't even notice, and I see the forest blurring along below me. Well, mostly below. I hit a few trees and other things along the way, but ~phasing~ heh... phasing is awesome.
Especially when my 'flight' took me at an unhealthy speed THROUGH a five story tall, nine headed, bright orange and red hydra.
And no, the Master didn't even seem to notice.
This continued on for a few minutes before the forest abruptly ended and we started to ascend towards a set of mountains with a very familiar castle hanging off the upper slopes.
A castle which, I recall, is home to none other than the 'princesses' that have so agitated the Master over the last few weeks.
The 'princesses' who lord over this region. The 'princesses' who the Master seems entirely too intent to go and 'visit' at high speed.
Whatever she found in that library certainly got her excited. And, to tell you the truth, I'm a little excited to see her use it on them too.
It's about damn time to take over this little country! And, more importantly, there's no better time than the present to start.
Now, if only she would dodge more and rely less on my phasing to account for things. Think I still have some hydra scales in my teeth.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | iLVL(+) | So!
There I was, finally getting to see the architectural fever dream that was that enormous stone and lumber city, clinging to the side of a mountain with a couple thousand foot drop right below.
The place was pretty darn big. I mean, not like some star-faring Eredar invasion ship, but still pretty darn huge.
Flying, well, being dragged along while the Master flew up to it, was enough to put its scale into sharp perspective. I mean, from the Master's lair, you could see it over there in the distance like some bulbous glittering wart on the side of an incredibly steep mountain. Teasingly suspended over a drop that looks more like the fall from a table than a naturally occurring geological formation. I mean, don't get me wrong, a mountain's a mountain, but even among mountains, some are more impressive than others.
These mountains, the ones around the Master's lair? They look like someone just stuck a fork in the ground and yanked them up like molten stone and let them freeze. I'm not kidding either!
The town sits in this little flat spot between them... surrounded by a little ring of hills that goes from there directly to mountains that should give anything without wings the constant fear of unexpected and random death by avalanche or rockslide.
Hells, even the Sweatstain's "orchard" is partially in the hilly portion. And you know how demented she is? She apparently thought to herself, "You know? I might be a horrible blight upon all things decent, reaking with the stench of months without bathing and the sour stale scent of sweat that has dried and killed off anything that might approach me, but there's a hill in the way of my apples... I think I'm going to plant some more GOING STRAIGHT UP THE FREAKING SIDE BECAUSE I HATE MYSELF!"
Well... probably not worded quite like that, but the fact remains that she didn't even care that some of the hills are 5 or 6 stories high and almost vertical climbs... she just went right on planting.
But THIS mountain? There's no apple trees. It's just perilous drops and jagged cliffs.
Oh... and apparently a rail line so the peasants don't have to scramble over the corpses of the hundreds of laborers that likely fell to their deaths constructing it.
You know... appearances and all.
Anyway, so, yheah. This place is huge. The city starts a little further down the mountain, but apparently someone thought that cities shouldn't just fall off the face of the planet at some point and decided to terraform a part of it. The end result? There's a giant section of the mountain face that's been cut away, leaving an exposed plateau of bedrock upon which the majority of the city has been built.
Everything was white marble and colored banners. Fancy ponies wandering around with their noses so high in the air you'd think they were trying to escape the rank odor of the dredges below them. Shops and displays were EVERYWHERE, and while the place looked pretty clean, I knew there had to be some slime in a place like this.
I mean, if the rulers of the place were calling for a warlock, you know there's got to be someone who needs killing.
But anyway, that was the city. The Master wasn't going to the city.
The Master was going to the palace... which was most certainly not a castle by any stretch of even my imagination.
Hells no. That thing was too big and too fancy.
Gleaming white marble and polished metals made up every inch of the palace's outer wall. Armed ponies in golden armor patrolled the avenues around it. Pegassi flew through the skies, looking like golden streaks as they watched for intruders. There were even some of the horny ones glaring daggers of patently disinterested neglect across any who dared to look upon their faces.
In short, it was like a version of home... you know... without the fire and screaming victims burning alive for ambience.
Excess.
Utter excess.
And the ones who lord over this bloated turd of a palace are the ones that summoned the Master.
No wonder she's been biding her time.
Even if she killed them outright, she'd need more minions to move all this stuff to the Lair. ...
What? A Warlock's lair is important. That's why they tend to destroy things wherever they go... to keep anyone from thinking about taking anything they left behind.
Pestilent scavengers, peasants, but they do need to live if we want to have sacrifices on hand.
Sigh.... the things we demons put up with to make make our masters happy.
-~oOo~-
By the time we got to the palace throne room, I think I'd been drug trough a few miles of glossy, stone hallways. Paintings, tapestries, stained glass windows, promenades, galleries, dining halls, and countless other grand proofs of the senseless opulence of the royalty that had been, tactlessly, scattered along our route. I'm not even joking when I say that the drains in the floor were worked metals with gold filigree and probably required hand.... hoof... polishing on a daily basis.
The amount of wealth these idiots maintained should have sent their country into an age of misery and starvation, the masses clamoring for bread crusts or resorting to cannibalism to sate their endless hunger.
You know... or summoning demons to get what they need. Supply and demand and all that.
Instead, every one of the animals that wandered those halls was done up in little suits or dresses... skirting around us like trained pets or maybe even professional wallflowers.
Regardless, we finally came to a set of double doors the size of most castle gates.
Each must have weighed several tons, the glimmering gold of their faces depicting scenes of worship and servility. Flanking the doors were more of the armored horse beasts, likewise in spotless gold armor that must have weighed several hundred pounds.
They bore their burden with stoic faces and professionalism.
Aaaand, I might have just the tiniest bit of respect for the rulers if they take out their displeasure upon the guard by forcing them to wear armor better suited as ship anchors.
But that's besides the point.
And then, the doors opened and the Master ran in like some kind of screaming peasant. It was... not one of her more glorious moments.
The room was huge. Pillars climbing stories into the air with hanging plants and chandeliers. Stained glass windows depicting dancing horses and taxpayers groveling. Kind of a mish-mash really... but horses everywhere.
Seriously, this place really loves their horses.
And there, coming down from a raised section at the back, with three fekking SOLID GOLD THRONES, each almost a story tall, were three of the largest horsebeasts I've ever seen.
The smallest, a pink thing with mane and tail candy striped and heavy mascara, wore a helm that looked like a spearhead with a great purple jewel impaled on its end.
The second, a cobalt blue pony with a wedge of the living night sky sprouting from her head and buttocks, strode regally down the steps, eyes a deep turquoise that seemed to suck the light from the room. Upon her head, a crown of purest midnight, glinting with obsidian nightmares, and upon her chest, a peytral of silver, lacquered to a nearly ebon shine.
The last, a massive mare of cream, towered over the others, her mane and tail writhing with the colors of sherbert and eyes like pools of liquid ruby, bore a three pointed crown of gold almost as tall as the Master, and a peytral that set a soulstone plain as day for any that could see it.
In short, the 'princesses' were fekking giants with more armor than any of the Master's minions... oh... and the big one is apparently a warlock as well.
Sonova--! RIVAL WARLOCK!
I was about to start up the fireworks when the Master shrank my bubble until I was just barely able to pull my face off one side if I crushed my ears on the back.
She hissed back at me to "behave" and immediately asked them what was wrong.
The Master should not be acting like this. It's... unnatural. She should be yelling and slinging spells or grovelling in the guise of a faceless peasant while scheming to slide a dagger between their ribs. I mean, the third option of quiet dignity is there, but that was kinda blown when she ran in and started sucking up.
Then again, the white one ~is~ rather large... larger even than the Sweatstain's 'brother'... perhaps she simply means to provoke a reaction that doesn't involve violence?
I mean... warlock... yheah... but, it ~could~ happen I suppose.
I was roused from my musings when the Master gasped.
Whirling around, I stabbed through the bubble and leapt at their throats! ..
Fine... I kind of struggled to turn in the little pink bubble, smooshed my face up against it in vain, and tried to draw enough breath to hiss threateningly but only managed a croaking cough as the Master said she'd do her part and give up her magic.
No warlock would EVER give up their magic. Magic is power and warlocks are more power hungry than anything alive... and most things that are not.
The dark one stated that the Master misunderstood and continued to explain that magic couldn't just go away... that it had to go somewhere... that somepony must keep it safe.
The pink one stepped forward and said that somepony... that particular somepony... was the Master.
SCORE! Free magic!
Of course, the Master was messing with me... she decided to follow that little nugget up by asking 'why'.
And the huge one, the giant horse with the sorbet colored tentacle rape mane and tail? She just kind of walked up and said that they didn't think Tea wreck knew a forth alicorn princess existed.
Who the fek is Tea wreck? No clue... I was trying to breathe while they were talking and the Master apparently got distracted enough that she didn't think to put little air holes in the bubble this time.
But, as I was starting to pass out, I saw the three horses get in a circle around the Master, light up their head mounted pikes and make a fekking SUN in the middle of that throne room.
Then they squished it, crushed it down, and poured it directly into the Master's horn.
And as I blacked out, I finally figured out what was happening.
The Master had been subtly using the dark powers of Ettiquette until she had convinced them to give her all their magic on their own.
Brilliant. Bloody fekking brilliant. Now she's got their power and they can take the blame for letting this Tea wreck guy piss people off!
Maybe I should have studied harder. I mean, she just took over a country by convincing the arcane royalty to give her their stuff... how amazingly wicked is that? It's like asking the hangman to show you how the gallows work and getting the guy to climb up there with a noose around his neck and jump off for a personal demonstration!
Oh... and yheah... I blacked out. Happens when you don't get any fresh air for half an hour.
Details.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | Rez Sickness | Well.... Waking up to the Master's pacing was nothing new. Waking up to the miniature apocalypse asking ~why~ she was pacing... also nothing new. The Master assuring Spike that nothing was wrong, also pretty much a day to day event.
Having said whelpling note that if nothing was wrong, and the sun wasn't even up, neither was he, before flopping back into his little basket-bed? -- Par for the course.
Watching as little arcs of magic coursed through the Master's fur and occasionally causing her eyes to flicker a blinding white while she paced.... not so much.
In fact, only a few seconds later, she seemed to come to the same conclusion as she glanced at the window in a panic, noting that, indeed, the sun was not up yet.
Then she raced over to the window and started muttering to herself.
I kind of shrugged... I mean, you know... early morning and whatnot. Probably not even enough peasants awake to go and commit acts of random violence upon. Not really worth it unless the Master was looking to engage in clandestine operations.
Which, as memory served, was pretty much a pointless thing now.
I mean, she OWNS the country and managed to get all the arcane powerhouses to simply GIVE her their magic.
Still brings a cackle to my soul, that revelation.
Ah... good times.
But no... the Master was apparently upset that it was still the wee hours of the morning. I mean, I get it. I really do. There's just not much to do when everyone is asleep.
Books only get you so far and torture's really only fun when there's an audience and all that.
But she was seriously freaking out.
Within moments, she had her face plastered to the window, staring up at the moon with little tufts of her mane and tail starting to spring out of place with the sound of cut piano wires.
I'd learned from past experience that those sounds only lead to bad things... so I grabbed a nearby pillow, tore a hole in the cover, and dove in.
Okay... point of note. When you tend to have little fel flames scorching things wherever you walk, it's a poor choice to hide within flammable objects. I mean, it's not like fire is painful or anything... far from it! Fire's GREAT! But... in terms of camouflage and maintaining your source of protection from flying objects.... not so great.
Point is that in very short order, I found myself without my pillow-based armor and lying on the floor wreathed in flames.
Huh... guess she missed fireproofing that pillow after all. Must be new.
WHY AM I ONLY FINDING THIS OUT NOW!?!?!?
I may have jumped around and given the little pile of smoldering pillow a few rude gestures, but when a shadow darkened my immediate surroundings, I looked up to see a very confused Master watching me.
And then she gave a strained little giggle and disappeared in a flash of pink light. ...
I didn't even get a 'stern' talking to for destroying her pillow?
I looked around. No torture implements? Spike was still curled up in his little bed? The Lair wasn't on fire (well.. except for the remains of the obviously inferior pillow)? There weren't even any screams of the damned leaking up from whatever hidden dungeon the Master so covetously kept secreted away for her sick pleasures.
For all intents and purposes, it was just another bright sunny day in the Master's little hamlet.
I blinked a few times... And where exactly did the Master go that didn't immediately send me careening through the world on my little magic tether?
And then, like clockwork, there was the buildup of magic that signaled what should be my immediate departure.
Oddly, the only thing that happened was that the smoldering remains of the pillow vanished as the Master returned and scampered nervously to the kitchen where the sounds of breakfast starting up carried clearly with the Master's high-stress mutterings.
I blinked.
What the Fel just happened? The Master vanished, then she was back. I never got drug along by my magic tether. The pillow vanished (YAY! No evidence!) and the next thing I know, she's making breakfast? That's the butler-slash-slave-slash-pet apocalypse's job!
And that's when it hit me.
It ~WAS~ a bright sunny day.
When the Hells did it become Day?
-~oOo~-
Breakfast!
Yes... breakfast. Not something I'm used to the Master creating. Not really used to being offered breakfast really. Most warlocks only take care of themselves, leaving their demons to prey upon their victims in the heat of battle. I'm thinking it has something to do with the extra bit of fear that seeing an abomination of fire and death actually eating the chunks of flesh they seem so intent on tearing off. Must be some kind of emotional high for them or something.
But, a warlock actually offering a summoned demon a sandwich? That's... I'm not sure actually. I mean, it's food. Yay. No one enjoys starvation, especially the immortal. Do you have any idea how sucky it is to starve when you can't die?
And then there's the fact that the Master actually seems to care about us to a degree. She's not really letting any of us run rampant; might upset the peasants or something, but so far, she ~has~ kept even the Traitor from continuing with her little personal war to kill me.
Then again, I'm pretty sure this is the first time she's actually given me something to eat. I mean, it's been weeks now, with no food. Weeeeeeeeell, not 'no' food. I still took stuff, but she's never taken me to battle and there's been a decided lack of bloody massacres within walking distance.
Of course, the Master is a little distractable, so she might have just forgotten. She seems to do that from time to time.
But a sandwich?
Well, whatever the case, I ate it. Good too. Even had a little tang of super-saturated arcane conjuration in it. Spicy. Kind of funny when I think about it since it was a sandwich made out of bread with the day old bouquet of flowers from the kitchen table wedged between the slices. Should have been bland as water and twice as unpleasant.
And yet, spicy and saturated with magic.
Well, whatever the case, Spike was up in a few minutes, probably woken by the Master's dark mutterings, and pushed her from the kitchen as he started to make real food.
I say started, because no sooner had he kicked her out then she started pacing and sparking again.
Like a mana serpent in a room full of Blood Elves. Nervous as hell.
At which point, she promptly detonated the front door to the lair, declared she needed practice, and scampered out, leaving a small trail of smoldering hoofprints.
Wait a second! THAT'S MY SHTICK! ...
Gotta admit though, it was kind of fun to look out and see all the little peasants scurrying away like rats. I'm so proud.
So I hopped out after her, following the path of random fires and exploded country decor.
Oh, and Spike chased after us. I guess he realized that if the Master is starting her rampage, he would be feasting upon corpses soon enough. Gotta admit, fresh kills or a flower sandwich.... not really much competition in my book either.
So, imagine my surprise when I see the Master just open her wings and EXPLODE off the ground, leaving this dark purple blur through the sky. For a moment, I was confused until I saw what she was aiming at.
HAH! Apparently she DID still harbor some anger against the Traitor because, less than a second later, she had devastated the cloud Rainbow Dash had been napping on. Not only did she destroy it, but she was going so fast that the shock wave actually caused the Traitor to almost fall to her death.
Oh well, I suppose this was the first time the Master had used herself as a projectile, perfect aim is not to be expected.
But before the Traitor could even process what had happened, the Master brushed the whole thing off as an accident, instead choosing to plow into the ground with her face.
Oh, don't give me that look. Of course she planned it. She's survived much worse. Remember the piano falling on her head? Yheah... faking a crash is no problem for her.
Even so, her other minions apparently saw her though, so while she was busy peeling herself out of the shoulder-deep trough she'd plowed through the cobblestone road, they came running up to see if she was alright.
Suckups.
Next thing I know, the Traitor is asking what the deal is... stirring up trouble, that one... no surprise there.
But the Master just brushed it off, saying she must have caught a strong breeze.
... and then there are times I'm almost positive that the Master is an idiot.
I mean, seriously? A strong breeze? HER FACE JUST CUT A RUT THROUGH COBBLESTONES.
But, you know, brain damage and all, her little minions just kind of bought it.
About that time was when Spike caught up and started pretty much drooling over the Rarity. Probably just wanted to take a bite out of her, but hey, what's one fewer minion when you have a dragon as a butler, right?
Anyway, the Master just brushes them all off, tells them that Tea-wreck might still be out there and to keep the peons in their houses. Can't really blame her for that one either. You can't expect to make blood sacrifices with corpses... gotta keep them alive so you can kill them later yourself.
And then we just wandered off out of town while her little clutch of minions gave nervous smiles and watched us go. ...
The hells was that about? When the Master gives you an order, you follow it.
I guess this is why warlocks summon help. Idiots do not make capable minions.
huh...
I wonder if that's why necromancers do their thing... you know? Mom tells them to go out and make some friends and raising the dead is just the most efficient way.
Something to think about. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Cheap Shot | Sooooooo.
Watching the Master 'practice' is kind of like watching a mix of paint drying and the guy who pulled the short stick trying to juggle flaming chainsaws while balancing on a tightrope suspended over a pit full of broken bottle glass... while a witch doctor keeps throwing bottles of poison in to keep things interesting.
No, I'm not exaggerating.
Yes, that sentence was too long.
I'm evil, get over it.
But really, when the Master (someone who just casually dismisses the accepted laws of magic to do things like make a sandwich) decides to practice, it's kind of a game.
First, you pick a spot.
I chose a log.
Then you listen to her mutter.
It sounded like a mix of excited nonsense and desperate denial.
Follow that up with the simplest spells ever and viola! Accidents happen. Repeat as necessary to achieve complete mental breakdown and ensure the absolute destruction of whomever pulls the shortest straw and is sent to interrupt her.
Kind of like science! You know? Put a bunch of dangerous things in a small space, fill that space with chemicals and confused bystanders, put the lid on, shake vigorously, and then toss in a few lit matches before sealing it up for a minute just to see what happens.
You know... ~SCIENCE~!
So, there I was, sitting on a log, listening to the Master muttering darkly about 'being able to do this' when she started to float things around.
Yay... I'd offer her a cookie or something, but that would be far too insulting. ...
Also, I don't have any cookies.
ANYway -- next came the light spells.
Then the spinning things.
Then the color changing.
Then the... well you get the jist of it. Boring stuff.
REALLY boring stuff.
I think I may have fallen asleep or something at some point, because when I blinked again, I was sitting in a little pile of ash and the log was clearly missing.
Meh, whatever. The Master was still going through her spells which, admittedly, is pretty darn impressive considering the amount of time I must have been asleep.
I mean, most warlocks only know a dozen or so spells off the top of their heads. Some (like the really powerful ones) might know 25 or even 30... mostly combat related with a few utility things in there like seeing the invisible, not needing to breathe, or raising the dead to become your invincible undead army of the damned -- you know... simple stuff.
But there she was, still mumbling away like she was some kind of walking, extremely lethal, grimoire.
Honestly, I was getting bored.... more bored. I mean, where were the flames? Where were the screaming masses? Without a steady string of riots and terror, it's kind of pointless to know accurately how MANY ways you have to instill panic and all that.
So, I was just about to go and suggest we return to burn down the village when, all of a sudden there's a flash of pink light and she was gone.
What a riveting display of magic. Actually... pretty boring since she'd already done the same trick before making breakfast.
In all honesty, I was more excited by her flawless detonation of the lair's front door. Beautiful work, that. Smoking hinges and 4 inch thick, magically resistant, fire-proofed shrapnel flying all over the place.
But no, she just teleported.
And then, as if to add insult to injury, I hear her congratulating herself on a perfectly controlled teleport. ...
I mean, seriously? That's what she's getting all excited about? I successfully ~DON'T~ light things on fire ALL THE TIME and you don't see me patting myself on the back when I leave a room NOT an inferno!
Granted, most of the rooms I leave ~have~ been fireproofed by the Master, but that's not the point!
I was just about to hop up to follow her when I suddenly felt a build up of magic and found myself rapidly flashing between various places as the Master teleported without apparent control.
Repeatedly.
As in, I have NO IDEA where we went, how many times we jumped, why we ended up riding buffalo for a moment, or what the hells was going on when we finally ended up INSIDE a giant boulder.
Don't worry... it cracked nicely down the middle to allow us to rematerialize before we died from being reduced to a few atoms width.
And her mane was starting to spring out with her stress again. Great... trapped in a cracked boulder with a highly agitated, uber powerful warlock who has a nervous tick you can detect by noting the number of inanimate objects that start to register her frustrations as motion.
Actually, kind of reminds me of poltergeists. Wonder if they're related.
And then, my ears started to ache as someone bellowed loud enough to shake the ground.
At that point, I knew something was up.
-~oOo~-
So, imagine some dramatic music or something because, BAM, there we were, squished inside a boulder the size of a large house when, out of nowhere, the ground starts shaking! This scratchy, bassy, voice bellows out "Princess Twilight, You have something that belongs to me!"
Of course, the Master was prepared.
She, somehow, knew who was yelling and responded in kind with a battlecry fit for the ages! ...
Well, actually... her battlecry was kind of like the normal one. ...
but less battlecry-y and more "oh crap"-y. ...
Okay... fine. The Master kind of sounded like she was panicking. Like, badly.
Like, very badly.
In fact, she didn't even really make a battle cry so much as she just kind of gasped out "Tea-wreck"... which, in retrospect, is probably spelled differently since it's apparently a name. Aaaaaand she kind of freaked out when she heard him yelling. Double Aaaaaaaand, she apparently forgot that I was there with her in the boulder because, in true warlock fashion, the next thing she did was BLOW THE FREAKING BOULDER INTO RAZOR EDGED SHRAPNEL as she EXPLODED out into the sky with a trail of lazer beam purple death blur trail!
Okay, look. I get it. I'm not the best at explaining what the hells the Master is doing when it's not something I'm familiar with.
If she was, you know, shooting gouts of corrupted fel-fire out of her head-pike, stomping on the skulls of her enemies, cackling over the smoldering remains of villages or just feasting upon the souls of the innocent, I'd be all over this.
But, the Master kind of does things in her own... not-quite-so-firey way.
So, yheah. She exploded the boulder, while we were still in it. Then blew up the ground to give herself a flying start. Then launched herself with her weird purple feathery wings at near mach speeds into this giant loop through the sky before COMPLETELY missing the guy who was bellowing at her and coming around for another pass, all while leaving a dark purple trail of magic.
Oh.... and she still kind of sucks at the landings.
Like... seriously.
Hit the ground and didn't even move her legs. Just.... kind of dug another trench with her hooves until she ran her face into this big gray wall that came out of nowhe-RE-AND-OH-HELLS-THAT'S-NOT-A-WALL!
Yheah.
Turns out that not-a-wall thing? Yheah... That was Tea-wreck's hoof.
Nope, no joke. The guy who spooked the Master? Giant f-ing Centaur.
No... that's not really doing him justice. He was fekking MASSIVE. The Master is about 3 times my height. The Big Mac makes her look small. The White lard-ball Princess makes the Big Mac look like a toddler and this Tea-wreck guy? He made those multi-story doors at the palace look like a tight fit.
Seriously, he had to be at least a good few stories tall. As in, the Master? She was only about half as tall as his face.
And so, you know... when she crash-landed into a single one of his hooves, she could be forgiven for looking like someone just opened up a bottle of facemelt and added it to her morning coffee.
And then, be bellowed again, saying "You're going to give me what I want," as he manifested a miniature sun between a pair of horns that would make a dreadlord quiver.
Honestly, when I saw the Master powering up her little purple head-spear, I was expecting some catchy one-liner or a bone-chilling retort... at least the threat of some kind of comically under-powered punishment for disrupting her practice session. You know "Go to your room" or something like that. You know, something that would make this titan-sized pile of mutated horsemeat piss himself with doubt over the apparent dismissal.
Instead, there was a bright flash of light and the Master and I found ourselves back at the lair.
I blinked.
Hells. If the Master's running away, I'll have to do something to give her the time she needs.
The BASEMENT!
I left the table in the BASEMENT!
The Table that Spike and I repaired.
The Table that has a corrupted arcane spellform for FEL FIRE BOLTS etched into the LIVING WOOD of a WARLOCK'S LAIR, steeped in the magics of UNTOLD and UNCOUNTED horrors and positively SOAKED in chemicals both mundane and obscure.
A Table crafted by DEMONS, the Master's MINIONS, and a member of the freaking INFINITE DRAGONFLIGHT, destined to END CREATION.
A table that could give her the edge she needs!
So I ran down the stairs, threw open a door, fell down some more stairs, crashed into a box of broken glass bottles (because they were already broken and in no way met their untimely end by having my face hit them at speed), and through the various acids and reactive substances that they at one point contained...
... over to the table.
And then, I felt my little magic tether starting to tug at me. So I grabbed it right before being teleported back to the Master.
... Just in time to see Tea-Wreck, in the far far distance, lob that miniature sun right at the Master's lair.
I might have shrieked and covered my eyes.
There was a flash of pink light and then we were flying through flames and smoke and skidding across cobblestones.
Crap... Tea-Wreck set off the table with his little fireball of doom.
The Master released her secret doomsday weapon that looked suspiciously like a mundane owl, into the sky where, I assume, it went to prepare an ungodly horde for battle.
Feels like I should have known about that for some reason... eh, whatever. ... Oh!
And when I looked up, the lair was a burning waste. That too.
Priorities. |
A Battleground of Kindness | When Diplomancy Fails | Remember a loooooong time ago when I said that warlocks are greedy, selfish, power hungry psychopaths with an almost comical level of deluded confidence in their own superiority? Remember how I said that warlocks are vindictive, vengeful, spiteful creatures who hold grudges for decades or even centuries? Remember how I said that seeing a warlock smile should be something that triggers survival instincts?
Well, seeing a warlock, like the Master, looking hurt is worse. It means that something they've taken as a given, is suddenly, and often violently, being put in question. This is an uncomfortable revelation, things not being as they so desire. And a warlock of the Master's caliber? Well, she can be a bit protective of the things she likes.
~~The Master loves her books...
As I was brushing the splintered remains of cobblestones off myself, listening to the fading wingbeats of the Master's secret weapon mix with the soothingly familiar sound of an inferno coming from the Master's Lair, I chanced a glance at the Master to see if she was ready to unleash hell.
~~The Master loves her tea...
And it kind of made me almost piss myself.
~~The Master loves her pillows...
She was still on the ground, looking mournfully up and reaching for her owl as flaming lumps of books and smoldering page scraps rained down around us.
~~The Master loves her lab...
No warlock should look like they're on the verge of tears. It's in the manual.
Don't give me that look! I lived with the Master for a number of weeks, I KNOW how to read manuals and I checked. I have a list!
Warlocks aren't supposed to cry.
So when I saw her looking like she was about the break the rules, I remembered all those times she'd done so in the past. Summoning sandwiches, a mage spell. Surviving lethal blunt force trauma, enough times to warrant record keeping. Blowing things up that are not IN ANY WAY explosive. Lighting fire-poofed things on.... well, fire. Dueling in the nude. Hugging rivals. Enslaving the infinite dragonflight.
... Protecting her demon.
And I knew the end was near.
I mean, if the sky suddenly changing from a prissy baby-blue into a post apocalyptic smog didn't give it away first.
I watched as her pain morphed into anger (something I am MUCH more familiar with) and dove for cover as she stood up, flared her wings and lit her horn with a snarl on her lips and a death glare in her eyes.
The explosion of pink light blinded me for a moment but the tiny thunderclap of teleportation drew my eyes skyward and away from the village; back towards the centaur who was even then stomping towards the remains of the lair.
There was a whistling as she sped out of her teleport, lifted her head and formed a brilliant point of light upon the tip of her horn. I couldn't really see details at the range, but the telltale tug of my tether told me I was about to be seeing things up close and personal, and for the first time since meeting her, I really REALLY didn't want to.
As my tether started to tug, I saw her whip her head back down, the point of light leaving a blazing scar in the sky, before unleashing a blast of magic the likes of which I have never seen before.
It was white, eye-scaldingly white, with little bubbles of golden yellow blistering up from its surface. A thin coruscating skin of blue slid along the white, while a nauseating flicker of pink and purple burned around the whole thing. From as far away as they were, it was silent for the first few seconds before a shrieking roar hit the town and drowned out all other sounds.
The minions who had come to find out about the Master's lair quickly fled, as minions do, and for once, I couldn't blame them.
That blast, even from the mile or two away, didn't stop. The Master, still in the sky, was feeding magic into it in a constant stream that just made it grow larger and larger.
And when it struck Tea-wreck, he only managed to cross his arms in front of himself to weather the blow.
The magic splashed around, a roiling sphere of destruction growing by the second, as the centaur was pressed back. The beam doubled, then tripled in size, dwarfing the Master as she fed her fury into it.
It was truly a beautiful thing to watch the Master actually fight.
And then, my tether finally drew tight and I felt myself being yanked towards that combat and I suddenly wanted VERY much not to be the Master's imp.
I arrived not a second later, phased, and leapt for a nearby outcropping of rock to watch.
No felfire bolts would be adding anything to the Master's assault, and I find myself rather attached to my own limbs, so there really wasn't any reason to interfere.
Tea-wreck was still engulfed in that blazing ball of death, but he must have got caught on something because the blaze's backward movement abruptly halted as the land itself began to burn.
I sized up the situation, conjured some fel fire, and lit a tree up because, as I JUST stated, I WAS NOT GETTING INTO THAT FIGHT. Oh HELLS NO.
And because I miss lighting things on fire. Which I could totally do since I wasn't in the lair anymore.
But the Master, apparently, wasn't satisfied with unleashing a blast of magic that would turn most armies into a memory. No. Remember how I said that warlocks are spiteful?
Well, when Tea-wreck stopped being pushed back, the Master, apparently, found that to be an insult. So, she upped the magic.
The sphere of doom that Tea-wreck was in? Completely engulfed by the beam that the Master conjured. The flare of magic from her horn blossomed to such a size that it sank into the ground from where she was flying several stories in the sky, and THEN, the beam the Master was unleashing, bloated to such a size that it out-matched even the previous attack. Tea-wreck, already several stories tall, weathering the onslaught in a searing ball of arcane fire, had that same beam lurch into a veritable mountain of exploding light as it blasted over, around, and passed him, tearing a molten path to the horizon as the Master unloaded.
Whatever had caught the centaur, finally gave way, and he was driven back, the furrow of his passage lost instantly to the fury of the Master's assault.
Finally, the spell concluded, the last of the energy soaking into the Master's target, and the beam cut out, releasing an explosion from several hundred feet away, as a ripple of pink light erupted and fled the red-golds of the blast itself, leaving an ever expanding cloud of fire and ash. This was followed by the excessive heat causing the stones that had been caught in the path to spontaneously explode, themselves, the ground to burn, the air-itself to ignite, and a column of yellow hot matter to atomize, and burst into a mushroom cloud of burning death.
And then, Tea-wreck pulled himself to his hooves and the Master landed, still sporting rage in her glare.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, all that happened in about.... oh.... fifteen seconds.
Ain't adrenaline fun?
-~oOo~-
Now, any war veteran will tell you that war is hell, and any demon will tell you that war is an average weekday, but what few every tell you is that war is a single moment in which individuals of power come to the conclusion that what's been happening needs to change, by any means necessary.
This is normally followed by speeches and drumming up support, gathering resources, mounting a respective offense or defense, and engaging the supposed foe in mortal combat with a veritable carpet of minions. This inevitably fails to address whatever was originally determined to be the source of the problem but adds fuel to the fire as one side or the other cuts corners to stay competitive. It becomes a sport, of sorts, where one side points fingers and demands the ref to penalize the other, while trying their best to distract the other side from seeing their own cheating.
Normally.
But, like I said, war is normally fought with droves of minions on the front lines while the leaders sit back and bicker about something or other while sipping tea or drinking copious amounts of Brandy. No... not alcohol... Brandy. Okay... and sometimes Scotch or Vodka or wine, depending upon the culture, but Brandy is the big one.
Jeeze... picky aren't you buggers?
Anyway, the point is that it's pretty much ALWAYS armies clashing until one side gives up, because the big guys don't tend to get their hands dirty.
And then there are Warlocks.
Warlocks aren't like those idiots. They like to mess things up in a very personal way. They like wading through all that the world slings at them. They like being pushed at and pushing back with shoves orders of magnitude larger than what came their way. They like driving a point home in the most visceral way possible.
The Master is just very good at hiding this.
Was very good at hiding this.
Because holy HELLS did she just mess up the view from her little villa. I mean, the fields are on fire. The open spaces are littered with craters. Shrapnel makes the flat spots look like beds of needles and even the sky, the fekking SKY is burnt a lovely brown-ish orange.
So, seeing Tea-wreck standing up while the emberglow of the Master's last attack casts even the fitful sun into shadow, well -- she wasn't having it.
Of course, when the big guys fight, the little ones tend to get turned to mush, so I just kept watching. And to my luck, one of those fields that was on fire happened to be corn... so, snacktime. ...
Don't give me that look, popcorn is popcorn, no matter where you're from.
But anyway, opening salvos delivered, the Master and Tea-wreck stared each other down while the fires of destruction burned behind them both.
Honestly? I was a little upset about things though, too. As much as I hated it, the Master's lair ~was~ a bit.... um.... calm? Quiet? Comfortable? I don't really know. It wasn't what I'm used to, that's for sure, but it was different in a way that wasn't completely horrible, I guess?
I would have thought about it a bit more, I'm sure, but Tea-wreck's voice shook me from my musings when he said "Now I understand what your fellow princesses have done."
And then they began to fight. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Enrage Timer | For the Fel, do I love popcorn. I mean, seriously, as much as I love killing things and lighting things on fire, there's just something special about a plant, something that burns SOOOOOOO well, actually becoming even BETTER when it gets lit up! I mean, it burns, then it EXPLODES, and THEN you get to eat it, where it makes a delightful crunchy sound as you effectively maul it's unborn children and then go for another HANDFUL. It's just about perfect.
And then, like I said, they stopped just joking around and I dropped my popcorn and the world became a very scary place, because then they began to fight.
The Master launched herself into the sky, the scorched ground she had been standing on cratering from the force of her leap, and left a trail of pinkish magic burning in her wake as she lit her horn for some kind of attack. Tea-wreck's face split into a grin as a ball of magic sprung into being between his horns and unleashed a searing beam at the Master.
The impact drug her flight to a halt, Tea-wreck's spell boiling over her fur as her momentum bled away. But before it could so much as touch her skin, there was a pair of purple flashes and the Master appeared at his hooves, only to unleash a stream of purple lighting bolts directly into his surprised face.
His roar of pain morphed into one of anger as he physically grabbed the spell with one hand and pulled it aside, only to glare down at the Master with his black eyes as a new spell blossomed between his horns.
With a shriek of surprise, the Master was engulfed in a golden aura before black arcs of magic sparked over her form. Startled, her spell faltered, only to find herself floating before Tea-wreck's malevolent grin. With a quick step, he spun himself around, massive arms bulging as he swung a fist the size of a house and the golden glow surrounding the Master followed his motions perfectly.
With a roar of triumph, he completed his spin and the Master's scream echoed into the distance as she was thrown like a huge, flaming, fastball directly at a mountain.
Almost three seconds passed before an eruption of smoke and debris exploded from the distant mountainside, the Master's body impacting like a meteor. I felt the tug of my tether and prepared to phase again.
Unfortunately, that meant I lost my popcorn. I hope he dies a slow and painful death.
Even as I felt the magic binding me to the Master draw tight, a streak of dark red and black blasted past me towards the mountain with a roar that caused pebbles to rocket away, but before I could figure out what was going on, I was standing on the broken side of a mountain face, the Master, in a glowing magenta bubble, glaring out of the smoke and dust, just as the first hints of that roar reached our ears.
I phased. Oh hells did I phase so damn quick.
And then I saw the Master's eyes do that thing where they shrink down to pinpricks? That thing where I'm pretty sure her unconscious biological response to stress is to threaten anything foolish enough to attack an apparent weak spot LIKE HER FEKKING EYES with a terrible crushing death. Yheah... they shrunk down to these little dots as her mouth fell open in a "seriously, what the fekking hell?" expression.
So, I glanced behind me.
And Tea-wreck was flying at the mountain while roaring, faster than any ballista or fel cannon had ever fired living ammunition.
Oh, and remember those giant horns of his? Well, apparently, to add insult to injury, he felt the need to lower his head like some demonic goat, and try to impale us while simultaneously crushing us WITH A FEKKING MOUNTAIN!
I felt the Master's magic sluice over us a split second before the impact, and then everything was a riot of rumbles, explosions, cracks and that unending roar of fury from the multistory centaur that was ramming us into thousands of tons of raw, unbroken, stone, before the blinding wash of light heralded our departure from the other side of the mountain.
He just headbutted us through a mountain. THROUGH A MOUNTAIN!
Apparently, she liked that mountain or something, because the Master was having none of it.
There was a flash of purple and then I was extremely glad I had phased because I'm certain, reasonably sure, almost positive that the Master knew direct magic attacks pass through phased creatures. Namely because, while still flying through the sky, after punching a hole through a mountain with the brute force of a multi-story, titan level centaur wielding the amassed magic of an entire nation, the Master's horn lit up with three colors of magic and she fekking planted that explosive doom grenade directly on top of Tea-wreck's head with enough force to rocket him straight down into the ground.
The resulting shock wave from her initial hit sent a flaming ring of pink fire rippling across the sky with a second, amber colored blast, ionizing the air in its wake. Tea-wreck's impact with the ground cratered an area the size of a football field, burying him up to his shoulders before the Master had even launched the last part of her attack.
Still flying, she jerked her wings into a earthward dive and left another trail of arcane fire in the air as she powered up and unleashed a column of magic into his prone form.
Landing on the pulverized ground, she flicked her wings as she cleared the air, only to watch in shock as a blazing red and yellow beam cut a circular path the size of a small city block clear of the surroundings, from below, before rising into the air and being physically hurled at another mountain.
Narrowly avoiding the collision, the Master was streaking back as Tea-wreck's rage got the better of him. Roaring in fury, he slammed both of his fists into the tortured earth and sent a ripple of destruction out into the area. Boulders shattered while jagged spikes and ragged pillars of stone erupted from the earth to block her path, only for the seemingly endless magic of the Master to reduce them to shrapnel as she drew ever nearer to returning.
Both seemed to realize that a kill shot was appropriate at the same time. Neither had been really moving, standing their ground or closing as the case may be, and the twin beams of their magics lit at almost the exact same time.
Tea-wreck unleashed an infernal blast of stolen magic, burning with the heat of the core of the world, a terrifying ray of molten fire that cast the world around it into hellish tones and reduced stone to rivers of lava.
The Master, not to be outdone, summoned up a beam of white hot plasma, its searing volume rippling with eruptions of purple and blue as matter warped and vaporized by its mere proximity.
And as the two collided, an explosion of smoke and heat was instantly blown away by the secondary shock wave of magic, which itself, was destroyed by the result of the two spells fusing; creating a roiling sphere of weakly formed destruction that continued to grow and burn, consuming the remnants of spell and matter alike while blowing out a flare of golden light where it ate the surrounding landscape.
In less than three seconds, the magic had been consumed, and the wasteland outside the Master's little village looked more like the shattered remains of an asteroid impact than what had been pastoral lands less than a minute ago.
And no, I'm not exaggerating. The clock tower was still visible.
And from the clouds of drifting ash to the slumped forms that had once been bedrock, a great grunt of effort heralded the return of Tea-wreck. Slabs of stone, several tons each, shifted as he rose once more to his hooves, a frustrated snarl upon his lips. And the Master stepped forward, determination clearly etched on her face.
And I? I didn't have anything left to burn. So I kind of just scuttled behind the nearest rock and peeked out to watch.
And as they stood there, glaring daggers at each other, Tea-wreck gestured slowly with an unclenched hand. "It appears we are at an impasse," before blooming into a grin.
"How about a trade, Princess Twilight?"
And with a snap of his fingers, seven glass-like bubbles appeared around him, the forms of the Master's minions, and that elder god, clearly visible -- trapped within.
And, I'm pretty sure that's when the Master realized that things could always get worse.
On the other hand, from the decided lack of barren wastes around the little villa, I'm guessing the Master secretly liked the workout.
"Their release, for all the magic in Equestria," he crowed, a triumphant grin nearly splitting his face. "What's it going to be, Princess?"
Oh hells, he must know Etiquette as well.
... and I'm out of popcorn. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Wipe | "What's it going to be, Princess?"
I mean, WHAT-- A -- Jerk!
And yes, I do know how ironic that sounds coming from me, but let's be real here. This guy comes outta nowhere, sucks up the magic from, apparently, an entire continent, wages a one centaur war against EVERYONE, and has the prairie-oysters to make demands when the Master's fought him to a stalemate?
I mean, I didn't even get to help! And I'm her imp!
The only thing I even got to light on fire was that dumb tree and I'm pretty sure that got stomped into dust during one of those flybys.
Oh, and I suppose using hostages is little bit of a low blow.... but we are talking about an Imp's standards, so that's kind of par for the course. ...
Hell, I'd punch him in the balls if they weren't the size of a pair of wagons and several stories in the air.
Not to mention, you know, the whole centaur balls thing. Not really my cup of fel, but I mean, you know, if someone else likes it?
Whatever. He's a fekking jerk.
And the Master took it like a BOSS.
Yheah, after standing there for a few seconds, she just kind of lit herself on fire and leapt at him, and before you know it we had the largest fekking barbecue this side of Draenor.
Except, that didn't really happen. Like, at all.
The Master just kind of stood there, looking all shocked, as her minions cried out not to do it. And props to them for being such capable actors... the traitor was shouting "Don't do it Twilight!" and the assassin, that butter yellow black widow, even sounded like she meant it when she said she wasn't worth it.
And the elder god? He actually sounded sad, which, I mean.... ELDER GOD so you can't really trust anything they say... but he sounded sad when he mentioned that the assassin ~was~ worth it... that she had taught him that "friendship is magic," that he had friendship and magic, and that now... well now, he didn't have either.
That's... actually kind of deep. Cheesey, corny as hell, but deep.
And, in a way, he was kind of right.
The Master didn't need to slaughter everything she saw, didn't need to invoke terror and undying loyalty in her victims, didn't need to surround herself with legions of mindless thralls just to do day to day things. She didn't need to yell. She didn't need to summon avatars of chaos and death to get her way.
She had minions who WANTED to help her. And... ...
... and who she was willing to protect.
Those she was willing to help.
And, I guess, if that didn't work, she could always just burn their skin off, torture their families, and blow the world if half if she got really upset. But she didn't NEED to.
But before she could even start to summon a world shattering dimensional rift, which is completely understandable given the circumstances, Tea-wreck just had to open his mouth and preempt her total victory with a sucker punch of etiquette.
Seriously, that stuff's grade-A overpowered. If the Legion knew of the tome the Master's been teaching me with, there wouldn't BE a resistance anymore.
He just interrupted the Master's planet destroying dimensional rift spell by invoking etiquette... he just shouted out "ENOUGH! I want an answer, and I want it now!"
Boom.... the Master never saw it coming.
But she must have planned for it because, no sooner had her spell died, then she started looking at her minions and her eyes flashed this little hint of light. ...
And she surrendered.
Just like the fat white one and the loud blackberry one and the cotton candy mind-screw had in the castle. Just.... up and gave it away.
Because the Master said, "I will give you my magic, in exchange for my friends."
Tea-wreck smiled, snapped his fingers, and her minions dropped to the ground, leaving the elder god stuck in a bubble.
And then she went and screwed us all over when she followed it up with "All of my friends."
Tea-wreck was even surprised. He gestured back, "After the way he has betrayed you, you still call him a friend?"
And the Master just growled out "release him."
-~oOo~-
Now, don't get me wrong, I know I don't understand this ~etiquette~ thing, but I'm not sure that trading away all your magic in a bid to save six minions and an ELDER GOD from a nigh-unstoppable being capable of insane amounts of destruction is the wisest of things for someone to do.
On the other hand, I'm just an imp and sowing chaos and destruction ~is~ kind of my thing.
But still! The MASTER shouldn't even be considering something like that! Well... unless it's all a ploy to get him to release her allies before unleashing immense amounts of destruction upon him, thus eliminating the threat and reducing the overall difficulty of finding new and capable minions.
That must be it. The Master is simply playing the fool to take advantage of the giant, bloodthirsty, centaur who is approaching deity-level power.
Any second now she'll unleash Hell and we can all dance in the flaming remains of his entrails, feast upon ill-gotten goods, and revel in the absolute superiority of the Master's diabolical plan!
Any second now... ...
Aaaaaand, Tea-wreck just snapped his fingers, released the Elder God, and sucked the Master's magic right out of her horn.
Yep. We're screwed.
WHAT THE HELLS?!?!?
So, of course, because the universe loves to mock us, that titanic red abomination just lights up like the village orphanage on free-flamethrowers-for-pyromaniacs night, and starts howling like he's in pain.
And gets bigger.
Way bigger.
Like, hells, one of the Dreadnaught Fel Cruisers big.
He ends up towering above the remaining trees, dwarfing all around him like some sick parody of an abusive high schooler in a kindergarten full of mentally arrested kittens with a predilection for being used as kickballs.
Don't give me that look. He's enormous. MORE enormous. Like, the tallest trees from that evil forest nearby, the ones that have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years? Those come up to his hips.
And while he's roaring and flashing all the things that will need to apply large amounts of bleach to erase the image of his naked ass, the Master just collapsed to the ground and lay there for a few moments.
Her minions all ran over, checking on her, while Tea-wreck continued howling.
And then, the Eldrich abomination wandered over, and fingered a small golden triangle while murmuring "Tea-wreck tricked me into believing he could offer me something more valuable than friendship, but there is nothing worth more. I see that now." He bowed his deformed head while his snake-like body twisted and coiled idly. Finally, his blood tinted pupils shifted to stare at the Master as his sickly yellow eyes sucked at my sanity. "He lied when he said that this medallion was given as a sign of gratitude and loyalty... but when I say that it is a sign of our true friendship, I am telling the truth."
And with that, he hung the golden artifact around the Master's neck.
I wanted to run and scream. I wanted to rip that tainted relic from her neck and hurl it into the blossoming heart of a natal star. I wanted to drown in a swimming pool of pie filling while gargling rhinoceros tears... of course, that last one was probably the result of my mind shattering under the influence of a mad god of chaos, but the point still stands.
Elder gods do NOT give favors, and they are NOT to be trusted.
And then, the Master looked up as the orange sweatstain asked if she thought that was the last one they needed. ...
Honestly, I have no fekking clue what they're talking about, but when I find the fractal remains of my damaged psyche, I'll be sure to light her on fire for looking at the Master.
And then, the bauble shimmered, just like the Master's eyes had. The Master gasped and spun, ordering us all to follow her to 'the chest', before running off.
Oh... don't mind me. I'm just going to be dragged along behind while the world is unmade. You know... since Tea-Wreck just slurped down ALL OF HER MAGIC!
Well... I certainly hope the Master has a plan, because otherwise I'm going to be unemployed in very short order. Hey! Don't give me that look! The Legion has job placement. This place has flowers and teddy bears and probably has unemployment checks and civil servants. This is some kind of candy-coated hell and I am NOT cut out to be any kind of productive member of society.
Well... maybe if they have an opening at the DMV, that's kind of like torture. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Respawn | Remember when I said that warlocks are power hungry, selfish, devious, monsters with the drive to do just about anything to accomplish their goals? Remember when I said that demons get summoned up to aid inexperienced warlocks and slowly corrupt them until they become irredeemable slaves to the Legion? Remember when I said that demons are used to being used and abused, that it's all part of the bargain that lets us draw them in until it's too late?
Okay. Maybe I didn't use those exact words, but COME ON! It's implied!
We're here to tempt them, to make their lives easier, to give them the simple pleasures and instant gratification that comes with following base instinct and a life free of most forms of consequence. We let them get away with stuff so that they let their guard down -- so they slide, little by little, until we can remake them into powerful, though disposable, conscripts of the Legion.
Deep down, past all the "yes sirs" and "you got it ma'am"s, we're enablers.
We COULD do it ourselves, but it's just easier and, frankly, more fun to get these little idiots to do it for us.
Which kind of puts me in a bad position.
I mean, on the one hand, Hooooooo boy.... the Master's got some serious power. She's pretty much untouchable. She's crazy smart, and she's just about as devious as you can get. She's pretty much the perfect recruit for the Legion.
But, on the other hand, she just gave that all away to a giant, angry, naked, centaur guy who pretty much pimp-slapped her with fancy words. Way too gullible to be of use.... well... unless that really WAS etiquette.... still can't figure that stuff out.
But, dangit, when she gave an order, all of us went running. No questions. No doubt.... just.... went.
Well, I got dragged along in a magic field, but that's beside the point!
The point ~IS~, I'm pretty sure no demon's ever just been window dressing for a warlock that simply outclasses them. ...
I'm.... not sure how to feel about that.
I'm an immortal demon, capable of phasing through most matter, hurling tainted balls of fel fire and armed with an appetite for destruction and abuse that should make any religious zealot either get wet or wet themselves, and she's got me nervous when things are GOING HER WAY.
And today, they are most certainly NOT going her way.
I mean, today is the FIRST day I've even seen her angry.
Do you have ANY idea how strange that is to say?
About a Warlock?
About MY MASTER?
The first day that Stitchface summoned me, we went on a killing spree.... well... a series of killing sprees. Villages. Towns. A few orphanages and pet shops for good measure, had lunch, and then... THEN we went after actual combatants. Got together with a bunch of idiots in red and went after a bunch of chumps in blue. Fought all over this little valley place with some dead plants, a stable, a hole in the ground, someone's lumber shack, and a glorified cookstove. And then some fat little midget and a guy wearing a panda rug banished me.
And I ended up here... with the Master, and her newspapers and her 'uh uh's and enormous, deadly, soul-crushing eyes and that NightmareInducingSmile and..... ...
...and she defended me.
And her lair blew up.
And.... a-and she forgave an elder god. ...
She's not like any master I've ever heard about.
... and it makes me actually kind of mad that she's upset. The Master shouldn't BE upset. It's on the list.
... So, whatever she's planning to do, I hope it blows that bastard's balls clean off and gives him the time to realize it before she tears his lungs out.
Because, when she does, I'm going to love Every. Fekking. Moment.
-~oOo~-
Being dragged through the blasted remains of the Master's domain was an experience.
I mean, it's one thing to see it first hand... that's always the best, but it's another entirely to see it as a passenger being yanked along while the burning remains of peon livelihoods smolder around you.
There's just something.... kinda nostalgic about it.
Maybe it's the scent of smoke... the plumes that trail off into the sky, whispering of lost dreams and the crumbling wishes of the young. Maybe it's the acrid stench of wildlife that didn't get out of the way. Maybe it's even just the fleeting memories of being effective at my job.... not really sure on that one.
But mostly? Mostly it's the charred remains of what made the Master happy that turns it to ash in my mouth.
Heh.... ash, in my mouth.... because things are on fire... and for some reason that's not nearly as satisfying as it was a few minutes ago.
But whatever the case, being dragged along while the Master and her minions keep racing through the fields only made me more curious as to where we were going. I mean, sure, the Master probably has some kind of secret base somewhere, and yes, she probably keeps it stocked with soul shattering artifacts of indiscriminate evil, but I really kind of thought I would have seen those kind of things by now.
Especially after THAT battle.
And that's another thing. I'm pretty sure I'm actually kind of mad at that guy. Tea-wreck or whatever.
Normally, I'm pretty sure I'd be cackling along and throwing fireballs as he played a distraction, but something just felt... off.... about the whole thing.
And the Master was clearly upset, so, there's that.
But when, against all odds, we didn't meet up with the Master's secret legion of mutated avian warriors.... which I'm still betting she has, by the way... but instead started veering off towards that ancient forest again, I got a little worried.
I mean, I'm all for woton violence and unleashing hell upon the unsuspecting masses, but now seemed hardly the time.
Besides, there's only so many things in that forest.
There's the monsters, the immortal wooden wolves that the sweatstain was complaining about, the flowers which were somehow 'dangerous', and the ruins of that old castle. ...
And then it hit me.
We weren't going for the monsters of the decorations, or even the wolves. The Master was going to kill us all just to spite that giant dick of a centaur.
It couldn't be.... really, it couldn't. The Master was too practiced at her 'happy and friendly' image... there was simply no way she was about to do what I thought she was about to do.
And then, right as our little party was about to cross that death-trap of a rickety old bridge to the ruins, she took a sharp right and started racing down the little broken stairs down into the ravine.
Into the dark, abused, forgotten well in the world... that little crevice that led to a cave.
A cave, with the single largest Soul stone I had ever seen.
And when we skidded to a stop in front of it, I couldn't be more proud, and terrified, of her if I tried.
Because she waltzed right on up to a little crystal device she must have installed years ago... a device with six sides, six holes, and 5 golden handles.... and shoved that golden relic the Elder God had given her right on into the sixth hole.
And with a flash of light, a horrible wailing of magic, that necklace transformed into a key, slid in, and joined the others.
I was sweating bullets when the ground began to shake and crashes began to echo from above.
I could feel the hoof-falls of that titan-sized god-like centaur as he stormed around above us. Blazes of angry yellow and red light flared in from the entrance to the cave as gouts of fire and death rained down upon the world outside.
And then I saw it, that flash of determination in the Master's eyes, that horrible, terrifying, beautiful flash of absolute certainty that lesser creatures would call madness but that was the spark of life to a warlock.
And she she leveled a glare at her minions as she said, "Together, I think we have to do this together."
And, as one, they reached out, and played directly into the Master's scheme, as they turned their keys and were sacrificed in a violent release of of the Master's magic. ...
No. Really. She actually blew them up. Seriously, it's like you people don't believe a word I've said.
Warlocks are EVIL. And.... well... the Master's apparently an even better warlock than I gave her credit for. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Nuke | She did it. The Master actually did it.
I started laughing instantly. I mean, can you blame me?
For weeks I've been stuck here, being told time and again that we just don't do those kinds of thing, that no one's out to get me and that ponies simply ~don't~ hurt other ponies, and the Master covered everything up so well that I was actually starting to believe her.
Can you believe THAT? Me, an imp, an actual DEMON, starting to believe that a warlock capable of yanking me out of a contract with another warlock, was actually just some novice with a book and a weekend with a blood sacrifice?
Well, without a blood sacrifice if I understand it correctly, but still!
All those mornings with the tea and the breakfasts. All those evenings with the butler and the board games... don't look at me like that, when you can't light things on fire and murder is off-limits, you make sacrifices to stay sane. And all those newspapers rolled up in non-threatening tubes with their painless reminders to not be naughty.... and it was all a sham!
HAH! I knew it.
No warlock gets to be a warlock by NOT killing people. It's kind of in the job description.
"Want power? Glory? The terrified respect of the masses and the screaming pleas for mercy from those who have wronged you? Become a warlock and exact your revenge upon the world that foolishly refused to bend to your whim and defy you!"
It's pretty much a recruitment point to get the whack jobs with more brains than sense.
But she pulled it off... got herself a legion of hapless fools, collected a few willing minions, TOOK OVER A COUNTRY, and even fought a crazed magic sucking centaur to a standstill, then GAVE HIM HER MAGIC just so she could get willing sacrifices to activate that ancient terror of a soulstone to use as a battery for increasing her own power.
You know what? I think this might be the first time she's been more wicked than Stitchface.
What...a.... moment. I mean it... I kind of just wanted to savor it for a few minutes and stab a gnome or something.Stabbing gnomes is a legitimate stress reflex. It's proven effective time and again.
Unless you're a gnome... but the point stands.
I.... I'm actually a little scared though. I mean, yheah, willing sacrifices kind of go hand in hand with cult leaders, which I guess she kind of is, but she's using it to activate a soulstone the size of a small building. A soulstone that's been draining the life force of untold millions for hundreds, if not thousands of years. A soulstone that's apparently ROOTED to the life force that conjured that primal forest of nightmares that we're currently in the dark heart of.
You know... kind of one of those "we've dug too deep and awoke that which should have remained sleeping" kind of moments?
I mean, sure... it's just a big glowy rock if you break it down, but it's kind of a ~BIG~ glowy rock full of the combined souls of EVERY DEATH FOR THE KNOWN HISTORY OF THE LAND.
Which, admittedly, makes it perfect for the current situation, but still... kind of like using a fel cannon to put a stamp on a letter. Yes... it will exert enough force to press a small square of sticky paper to an envelope, but it will also destroy said small sticky paper, the envelope, the letter, the table, the seating arrangements, the floor, the room, the building, the company waiting at the door, and probably the surrounding architecture.
But it will certainly have enough force to stick the stamp on the letter, so it should be fine.
Overkill much?
Oh.... OH! I get it now.
It makes so much more sense!
She's a DESTRUCTION warlock. Oh.... that's a relief. For a moment, I thought she might be some kind of secret lost order of warlocks... but the rampant and callous use of violently overpowered magic to achieve insane levels of overkill for mundane things cinches it.
Phew.
Familiar territory again. Time to mess stuff up! ...
And then the soulstone activated, started dumping its magic into her, and she blew up too. ...
Well FEK!
Can't break a planet without killing a few warlocks.
-~oOo~-
I blame magic for this, just to be clear here, I completely blame magic, and not the Master.
Blowing yourself up, while pretty intimidating, serves little purpose when you're not holding your intended victim in a deathgrip.
But on the other hand, it is VERY hard core.
So much so that I was just a little stunned that I was actually out of my contract.
Sure, the Master was powerful, insane, and just a little evil, but at the same time, her going and blowing herself up WAS SIMPLY NOT IN MY CONTRACT!
What the heck was I supposed to do now? There's a giant centaur burning things to dust out there, and he's not really looking for an imp to run errands!
Of all the inconsiderate, single minded, selfish, myopic, self-centered....
... Oh, right. Warlock.
How the hells could I have forgotten that? And more importantly, why do I care?
I was just about to start in with an existential crisis when *BOOM* the soulstone thing sucked in the dust of the Master and her other minions with a whirling cloud of multi-colored magic.
Crisis averted!
And then it spat out six bubbles that ruptured with a burst of colored light, and I got to witness a horror the world need never see again: a warlock abusing ancient magical artifacts to defy death and resurrecting incompetent idiots for fun and profit.
And what a botched resurrection it was. Each one of them was farted back into existence by the consumption of an untold number of souls, consumed in the process of manifesting flesh from pure magic. Each of them boiled out of the air, erupting into the physical plane with a snap of air that sounded oddly like string instruments, glowing with vestigial ethers and sporting bizarre arcane glyphs all over their mutated horseflesh.
They seemed pleased by this as the Master opened her newly reformed eyes and gazed upwards to the riotous noise of unseen instruments and the group being surrounded by a spinning ball of multicolored light. They began floating upwards, out of the fissure and back into the light of day.
And I got drug along behind them as my tether... actually didn't pull me. Hmm.... maybe I just kind of followed along out of habit? Whatever, I really wish I hadn't.
The moment we were all topside, the giant red argument for planned parenthood howled out a roar and blasted the Master with a beam of angry red magic, which splashed harmlessly across the globe of light that held them airborne.
Instead of laughing or blowing more things up, the Master just watched, a smirk on her face.
Wait... a smirk? Was she actually smirking? When fighting?
The Master, even when she was angry, never seemed the type to condescend, even when I suggested she should. I mean, she had to deal with inferior idiots on a daily basis and it always confused me how she could hold back, but.... still, it seemed unsettling to see her doing so now.
And Tea-wreck just roared again and bitched about how it was impossible, how he'd taken all her magic.
And then the Master decided enough was enough because she smirked all the harder before yelling down to him "You're wrong, Tea-wreck. I may have given you my alicorn magic, but I carry within me the most powerful magic of all!"
And the look on her face, that self assured, confident, HUNGRY look that spoke of consuming the immortal souls of the thrice damned, that look of insidious conquest, of unmetered loathing for what stood before her... it was the look of a warlock that was done playing with its food and intended to punish the fork for touching what was her dinner.
And then she leaned back and an arc of searing purple light burst forth, splashing across his head. The centaur flinched back but stood his ground before a second arc, this one of blinding pink, lanced out and struck from another direction. A third and forth of blinding blue and amber slammed into him in rapid succession, drawing yowls of shocked pain from his titanic form before two more of shimmering white and a scintillating yellow speared him from yet two more directions.
His howls became shrieks as the Master tightened her attack, drawing the six arcs together into a blazing array of mind scarring magic before she added insult to injury and yanking his extra mass from the physical plane and banishing it to the twisting nether.
But no... she was not merciful, my Master, she wanted him to know she did not approve, that she was displeased. She wanted him to ~feel~ each and every slight against what she considered hers... and in that moment, there was no doubt in my mind that she considered the entire planet to be her sole possession... because as I watched, clouds of ash burned from his body not once, but four times, his flesh sloughing away into a gray aura of boiling matter, burning him down until he was merely the size of an average pony.
And then she unleashed her fury and drew the arcs of her wrath into a pale rainbow of terror -- and Tea-wreck was no more. ...
Imps, I feel I should mention, have an instinctual fear of rainbows.
After watching one used as a weapon, I do not believe it to be unjustified. ...
Oh... and I suppose it should be said that when she was done killing Tea-wreck, she took her revenants and flew up into the sky to remind everyone why it was ~her~ world.
Remember how I said she was probably planning a spell to break the planet in half? I was wrong, she just wanted to blow up the sky.
Silly mistake on my part. Can't rule a world if you blow it up. Really should have thought of that.
Oh well... time to check the list of things to ensure the Master's happy.
...But with everything blown up, where am I going to find a library to steal some books from? DANGIT! |
A Battleground of Kindness | Cinematic | So, the Master scammed the magical superpowers, took over a nation, befriended an elder god, abandoned the lair, fought a nigh invincible centaur to a standstill, was betrayed by said elder god (no surprise there), empowered said nigh invincible centaur, abandoned her sanity, empowered an ancient artifact of unknowable power by sacrificing her minions, committed suicide, and then killed that self-same nigh invincible centaur in a fit of spite.... then blew up the sky for good measure to cement her tyrannical rule of the planet.
Did I forget anything?
Oh yheah. She also apparently knows necromancy since she resurrected herself and then raised all of her minions after using them in a blood sacrifice.
That ~was~ kind of awesome, to be honest. I mean... why don't more warlocks practice necromancy? It would make sacrifices so much more convenient.
But, anyway. Yheah.
I mean... I get that my contract kind of says I'm supposed to serve her and all, but what the hell am I supposed to do, exactly?
She already owns the fekking planet. She has more magic than the Kirin Tor's bastard offspring with the eredar. She's more ruthless than a monastery full of nuns who manufacture rulers. And she's already a mutated, seemingly immortal, horsebeast with a head mounted stabbing implement and the wings to let her catch up to anyone who would dare to flee her imminent slaughter of all they hold dear in life.
I mean, I can dust the shelves or whatever, but she doesn't even have a Lair anymore.
So, it was during this particular stream of panic that there was a flash of light and the Master reappeared with her swarm of minions, still branded with the arcane signs of their recent necromantic reanimation.
Really can't say I ever expected I'd be thinking a sentence like that but.... eh.... par for the course.
And that massive crystal tree thing? The one she's been feeding the souls of all that would die within the confines of her terror-forest? Apparently, the Master wasn't done because a moment later, it lit up and that little relic she'd used as a sacrificial alter? It lit up, shot ANOTHER DEATH-RAINBOW through the ceiling of the cavern, and launched itself.
Oh...
OOOOOOH!
She's VINDICTIVE too!
Must have been upset that her secret mutant owl legion didn't arrive in time and now she's making sure they never will.
Did NOT see that one coming. Most warlocks stick with shear malice... but she's going all the way to spiteful retribution and teaching loyalty through terror.
I'd never have thought she'd just overload a necromantic alter and use it as ranged artillery.
I.... should be taking notes or something. I'm certain this will be on a test later.
But, anyway, one moment it was there and the next the alter had been fired through the stone of the cavern and off to destroy whatever pitiable wretch had dared to waste the Master's time.
An then there was a lurch and we were all standing in the bright sun again, the Master's minions looking around before she snatched back the power she had lent them.
I honestly expected them to all fall to dust, the last remnants of failure having their animating magics stripped from them, but nooooooo, the Master wanted them to suffer with their inadequacy.
And then I looked up.
There was a castle. An enormous, blue and purple castle made of slabs of what looked like mana crystals. It's front door was a massive golden slab with ruby inserts shaped to look like hearts which parted down the middle, obviously to remind all who entered that the Master would just as easily separate them from their own.
It rose from the ground, a towering reminder of her superiority, perfect and unassailable to any but the most vicious and determined. A pillar of reflective, magic, doom, just waiting for a victim. before spreading branch-like growths to support the purple keep it held aloft.
Balconies of gold extended from various places, threatening lethal drops for any uninvited guests while blue crystals grew from it's imposing base like some sick mockery of life, spreading tendrils across its face like the veins of a parasitic infection.
And atop the keep, taller than even Tea-wreck at his largest, shown the largest single spellstone I have ever seen. It's face, a glimmering blue, shown with a vibrant sheen of magic. Ten crystal arms extended from it, tapering to lethal points while its center glowed a brilliant blue-white.
I truly doubted anything could possibly be so foolish as to challenge the Master with THAT creation looming above.
And the Master, truly in her element, feigned surprise at the whole thing and asked "But.... whose is it?"
And then I nearly screamed in surprise as a voice spoke up from behind us all, "I believe it is yours, Princess Twilight."
That massive white one from the mountain castle had somehow snuck up on us, flanked by the dark one and the candy colored one that had given the Master their magic, and behind them all, the elder god loomed with a devious smirk upon his ever shifting maw of chaos.
I was about to attack when I noticed that Spike was keeping them all herded together so the Master could dispose of them.
Smart dragon.
But the Master, ever the one to impress upon others her absolute power, simply smiled and acted innocent, before leading us all into her new Lair. ...
Well, at least I know what I'll be doing.
With that much crystal, I'll either need the world's largest squeegee or a spiked whip to encourage the peons that will be cleaning the windows.
-~oOo~-
So, there I was, hopping around the Master's new lair.... pardon.... fortress, when, all of a sudden, I hear this commotion from outside.
And not the commotion I've gotten used to here.
There were no "AiiEEEEE!"s or "Bunny STAMPEDE!"s or "The Horror! The Horror!"s about gardens wilting... oh no. This was a full blown scream-because-you've-just-witnessed-previously-unimagined-horrors-involving-the-loss-of-life-and-limb kind of scream.
You know... the real deal. Not the prissy little 'just one calorie' diet screams that the peons seem to like here.
Sorry... The Master informed me that I should try to use shorter sentences because, apparently, only Pinkie has lungs that can functionally contain enough oxygen to reliably generate multiple paragraphs of communication without risking harm to oneself and others as a side effect of continued deprivation of said oxygen.
Then she told me I should try to break up my thoughts a bit since that's apparently where those sentences come from.
Which, I guess, means she can read minds too. Shocker, there... that's supposed to be a priest thing.
Multiclass indeed.
Anyway, so the screaming's just started and before I can even get to the kitchen to make some popcorn to watch the show, the Master and Spike go charging by with a clatter of hooves and claws.
And that's another thing. This place is entirely made of crystal... hooves on crystal are NOT quiet.
On the upside, most of her would-be assassins are hooved so I suppose that kind of makes it an alarm system of sorts.
But anyway, before I can even get to the kitchen, my tether ended up yanking me along for the ride, bouncing my head against a few turns in the hallways and down the stairs for good measure.
I don't even think the Master realized it.... but that's the Master for you, so powerful she doesn't even have to think about causing harm to succeed at it.
I mean, once I got to sit down after my nice, relaxing, 59 and a half hour shift of polishing the windows, it just kind of came to me . . .
She probably didn't even feel threatened by Tea-Wreck the whole time.
I mean, yheah, there was some yelling, and sure, the widespread destruction and won ton violence was a bit more upbeat than her usual antics, but at the end, I got to thinking about it.
I mean, really thinking about it...
And it was a kind of horrifying realization that the whole time, even in the midst of destruction the likes of which this place has probably never seen, I don't think I saw the Master even bleed.
Not one drop.
It's like even her blood knows that disappointing her would result in terrible retribution and simply decided that "no" it simply wasn't going to leak out of any gaping flesh wounds.
Not that there were any of those either.... her skin's probably just as terrified.
But still.... that means that she was so absolutely certain of her victory that the only thing that gave her pause was the moment she realized that her minions, ahem.... her 'friends'.... were being held captive, and just decided to give Tea-Wreck the fleeting glimpse of victory to make his inevitable defeat all the sweeter.
So.... yheah. But, getting back to the screaming...
So, there we were, clamoring down the stairs, and this place has a LOT of them, when all of a sudden, the screams go silent all at once.
The Master nearly tripped over her own hooves when that happened, novice mistake really. I mean, I didn't miss a beat tumbling head over hooves as my face repeatedly found each step as I caught up.
And then, the front doors burst open and a pile of pony bodies just kind of slumped in.
And behind them, wreathed in orange and green magic, a thin figure rose to easily twice the Master's height...
... and began to cackle. ...
Wait a second! I know that laugh! I KNOW that laugh! This is amazing! ...
No. No! Wait, this is NOT amazing. This is Terrible! Well, still kind of amazing, but definitely still very very bad. ...
And I'm out of fel-enscorcelled tables to use as munitions.
Note to self: work with the scaly-harbinger-of-the-end-times to make another table for the Master... in case of munition emergencies. ...
Oh right... the laughter.
Stitchface had apparently decided to visit.
Yay? |
A Battleground of Kindness | /cast Command Demon | Yheah! I mean we all ~love~ family reunions, right? And meeting your old master at your current Master's new fortress as they climb over the pile of the Master's local dirt lickers is what I just ~looooove~ to do on my time off. That's pretty close to a family reunion as far as I can tell.
Best feeling ever. Just fills you up with the warm fuzzies, it does.... riiiiiiiight before you realize exactly what a demonic contract is for.
Yep, you guessed it.
Stitchface was NOT happy about my ignoring her summons.
While she was in battle.
For weeks.
Okay.... fine. For over a month..... closing on four.
I can't exactly blame her, really. I mean, I am preeeeeetty amazing.
But yheah.... seeing Stitchface standing on a pile of motionless ponies she apparently pushed up to the Master's door, wreathed in fire and fel magic.... yheah. Those are the kind of warm fuzzies I could do without.
Wait.... something's tickling at the back of my brain here... I ... I know there's something wrong with that last sentence. Hmmmm... figure it out later.
Oh! And it looks like someone used an old leather battle harness to strap her head back together. Good for her! Looks like she had it riveted in place too. Fancy. Probably cuts down on accidents while fighting. Nothing quite kills the mood more than your head splitting in two at an inconvenient moment. Can't exactly just say "Oh! Terribly sorry about this, but could you wait just a moment and not run off screaming while I strap my face back together? K-Thanks!"
Also completely beside the point since she spotted me almost instantly and jumped down from the pile of horsemeat to stalk right on over to me.
Which was about the time The Master seemed to come to her senses.
Have I mentioned that Warlocks are a whee bit possessive?
Yheah. Pile of ponies plus invading hostile warlock plus godlike mutant flying unicorn warlock with a pet Armageddon equals a very quickly aborted trip across the Master's front hall.
It also tends to incite retaliation... you know... warlocks being warlocks.
What I don't think the Master counted on was that Stitchface is not a pony or a fat equine tyrant, or an egotistical centaur or mind-raping elder god.
Stitchface is a warlock... a very angry and very happy warlock.
Happy and angry tend to be closely related in most warlocks. I'm pretty sure it's something to do with their tendency to take things literally. Not mentally, mind you, but physically literally. If they want something, they literally take it, and woe be unto any who would try to stop them.
So, yheah. One moment, Stitchface is stalking across the hall and the next? Well, the next, she's in a cratered wall, two rooms over, with the Master very much freaking out about the pile of villagers.
But, like I said, warlocks are kind of possessive, and they don't really give things up easily. Packrats with murderous tendencies and the magical capabilities of a small demented army, really.
So, while the Master was fretting over a good portion of her property's population, Stitchface was peeling herself from the wall, not being deterred in the least. And then, suddenly the Master is hacking and coughing, her legs shaking and the putrid scent of illness wafting from her general direction. Angry muttering and flickers of light drew my attention to Stitchface as the familiar taste of curses filled the air.
It was honestly a bit nostalgic. So much so that, for a moment, I just kind of reveled in it... you know? Memories? The right kind of warm fuzzies. Brought a little smile to my face...
probably...
no way to prove it...
Don't look at me like that!
And, about that time, Spike yelled out in surprise and I suddenly remembered that the Master was, well, THE MASTER.
So.... yheah.
Fire.
I lit the Master on fire.
And while she was on fire, I counted off how much trouble I was going to be in for not thinking to light her up sooner.
Oh, there was hell to pay. There was SOOOO much hell to pay. Spike, instantly, jumped on me and started biting and clawing. So I phased. The Master let out a startled roar (warlocks DO NOT squeak), and shook off the curses like I knew she would. Stitchface glared at me before throwing off more curses. Spike slipped off of me and began running towards Stitchface with a murderous growl and the flicker of fel flames licking behind the sawblades of his maw. The pile of horsemeat by the door began to groan.
Stitchface spun on her feet and pulled out some long staff with a floating ring of spikes and whacked Spike across the room right as he was about to incinerate her. The Master yelled and spun to check on him. I started up a nice big ol ball of fire and let loose. Stitchface took it like a boss and glared at me. Spike groaned and got up. The Master checked him over and spun around with her teeth bared. Stitchface started conjuring a roiling ball of green and black flame as an ethereal skull flickered into existence at its core. I jumped in the way as the demon-bolt tore across the hallway and watched the magic burn out.
By the way, Demon-bolts hurt like hell. Reminds me of Mama's loving touch. I miss her sometimes... you know... that bloated heap of bile and vitreol that puked me into existence before sending me off into the bitter tides of an endless war? I miss Mama Grakkafraff something fierce. No one pukes up brothers and sisters like Mama does.
Oh... that would be the head injury talking.
Yheah. Demon-bolts hurt.
But the Master didn't seem to appreciate her possessions being damaged and when I looked up, all I saw were purple legs and a fierce white glow coming from her head somewhere.
Oh... so, she's standing over me? That's.... kind of like when the traitor attacked that one time. Oh.
Oh crap. Stitchface is gunna get it something fierce.
And before I knew what was happening, there was a sudden jolt as I was yanked from beneath the Master, floating for the briefest of seconds between them, and a VERY unexpected flash of pain as I found myself the victim of a spell I hadn't felt in several months.
I...
Was I just sacrificed by Stitchface? That shouldn't be possible. Only a demon's master can force those kinds of spells on a demon. It's in the contract. We have to AGREE to let that kind of magic take advantage of our immortal nature. That shouldn't be possible unless... Oh.
Oh my.
So, if the Master didn't break my contract when she made hers, that means she's simply powerful enough to override an existing contract... which means I'm still, technically, Stitchface's imp.... um....too.
Which means she just sacrificed me to protect her from the incoming damage that the Master is about to unleash.
And, well, perhaps that would normally be a good idea. I mean, sacrificing demons ~is~ kind of something warlocks are known for.
But, I'm also kind of the Master's imp. And the Master is a warlock. A powerful warlock. A VERY powerful warlock who doesn't seem to really 'get' the whole 'immortal-corrupting-evil-expendable-demon' ... thing.
A warlock who cares about her imp.
A warlock who just watched her imp apparently 'die' from a spell right in front of her.
This...... is not going to end well. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Slash Camp | Right!
So, the spell "Sacrifice" is a pretty simple cast for a warlock. It's fast. It's efficient. It's direct. And it's unstoppable. A warlock can just as easily sacrifice a minion as they can choose not to kill someone who accidentally sipped their drink at a feast.
Okay, bad example since a warlock miiiiiight actually have to debate a few moments about whether it's worth the effort to kill someone or not, but the ~idea~ is still there.
You can even paralyze a warlock and have a poison dissolving their skin while archers launch pointy flying sticks into their brains at high speeds and they can STILL sacrifice their demons to shield themselves for a few moments.
I mean, pointy sticks are great and all, but we're fekking DEMONS.... so, yheah. But the point is that warlocks can pretty much say 'no' to death for a few seconds and try to pull something off.
They're kind of known for it, actually.
So, yheah... sacrifice is not really unexpected, but it's been so long that I kind of just didn't.... you know? You get used to ~not~ dying a few dozen times a day and it's a little bracing? Kind of like having your insides poked with a sword after a long while... it's more startling than traumatizing... but still a shock.
Immortal. Don't give me that look. Demons are immortal. Death is kind of like a hobby that we all have. Some are better at it and some just kind of watch from the sidelines. Some even have dramatic catchphrases to spout as they go down and little diva couches they keep back home for when they're off the clock.
Because nothing says "Demon lord of pain and destruction" like seeing "Bregnor, the Unyeilding, Arch Duke of the 15 realms and Enslaver of the Everlasting Host", crying into a tub of rocky road while wrapped up in a fluffy pink bathrobe.
Drama queens.
But... I mean, it's been months. ...
Oh... hmmm... that's odd.
When a demon's killed, we tend to flop over and the physical parts of us kind of boil away into nothing while the rest gets yanked back to the Twisting Nether. We normally get a few minutes to chill with the guys, grab a drink or kick a few peons in the head... you know... a little R&R? But unless our warlock is taking a nap or calling up another contract, we're normally summoned right back up in no time flat.
And we generally don't have warlocks taking naps in the middle of combat. Well... I mean, the Master could probably swing it, but generally, no.
But what was strange was that, even though I'd just been sacrificed, I didn't boil away. I just kind of hung there in the air as my little fel flames flickered out.
Oh... I could still see and hear, even smell a little, but I couldn't move and I certainly wasn't throwing any magic around.
Was I broken? Did Stitchface learn some new, horrible, spell to bind me to my corpse? Was the Master really just THAT powerful that she simply REFUSED to let me die?
And then Stitchface got hit with one of those room sized walls of angry light that the Master seems to have become fond of using since her lair was destroyed, and I got dropped to the ground as the magic from the sacrifice was used up.
"Loud" doesn't begin to describe the ringing in my ears, nor "broken" the wall behind Stitchface. The town was clearly visible through the blown out section of mana crystal, as were the shimmering heatwaves coming off of a few smoldering roofs from the nearby homes. Gotta give credit where it's due, the Master aimed high enough to avoid cooking the town, though I think there might have been a few apple trees on that far hill that went up in flames.
Serves 'em right, being apples.
But, there, standing dead center, with a patch of ground radiating out behind her with a decided lack of scorch marks, stood Stitchface with a shocked, and possibly frightened, look on her face.
The Master seemed just as shocked.
And me? I kind of, would have, maybe, ~possibly~, looked shocked too.... but, you know... STILL DEAD HERE!!!!
Bugger all.
-~oOo~-
Well, doing nothing wasn't getting us anywhere, so I did the only thing I could think of.
Which was absolutely nothing since, you know, I didn't just spontaneously start living again.
Seriously, what were you all expecting? I'm an imp, an immortal demon in the service to others, but dead is still dead. Well, unless you're undead, which I'm not.
So, yheah! Fun times! Sprawled on the floor and NOT kicking back with the guys and having a good cackle over recent events. Nope. Not this guy. This guy's just laying there while the Master and Stitchface kind of traded glares.
Hmmm.... wonder how long it takes before I start to smell rancid. I mean, this is kind of unexpected, what with a demon's material body being mostly just magic used to give it solid form. I mean, does that mean I'm made of ACTUAL meat? Can magic rot? Is the Master's summoning spell different enough that I'm actually stuck in this meatsack?
And then there was a pink glow and I figured that my existential crisis could be put on hold.
The Master was standing over me again, and everything had taken on a pinkish glow.
Stitchface hadn't moved, but was looking equal parts confused and curious. You can always tell with her since her face is kind of stapled on and pulls a little to the left when she squints. Still not sure WHY she squints though... not like she has any eyes in those empty black sockets, but I mean I guess the yellow glow from the curse gets a little dimmer?
But there we were, the Master standing guard over me with Spike behind us and Stitchface halfway across the room with a pink bubble of the Master's magic as a shield between us.
Fun times.
The Master was panting a little, and she kept risking little glances down at me every so often, but for the most part, everyone just kind of stayed where we were.
Until Stitchface nodded slightly, raised her hands into the air and started wiggling her fingers.
Which the Master watched with curiosity.
I swear, sometimes her act is REALLY good. I mean, if I didn't know how insanely powerful she is, I could definitely mistake that look of measured fury as legitimate confusion. She just wiped out some ancient titan after conquering the known world and invoking forces that made an elder god apologize, and she was managing to pull off a 'clueless stupor' with class.
And then I felt something change inside me. A little 'pop' that didn't really hurt so much as just.... shift. Hmmm... wonder what the hells that was.
I heard the little gasp of my Master selling her 'surprised idiot' act right as a twist of pitch black smoke curled into existence next to Stitchface. An indistinct murmur seemed to thrum from that swirling void as a pair of smoldering blue wisps flickered into existence before six claw-like fingers heaved a hulking black form from the smoke. Tinges of blue rippled across it's body, a twisting, boneless, torso with a lump for a head. Legless, it floated just above the floor while a shifting blue and black miasma seemed to continuously boil away in the light of day. Two heavy gold shackle-bound limbs that ended in six clawlike fingers which clenched and flexed as its form solidified.
Its echoing bass voice seemed to leak into the room, changing position and volume at seemingly random times as it said "What.... do you want from me?"
Stitchface smirked before pointing to the Master, and the demon, a Voidwalker, turned to look where she pointed.
After a moment, it's response was something that I would have laughed at but I'd noticed something rather important: I was finally starting to boil away!
YAY! Not gonna be dead much longer. Let me tell you, being dead sucks.
Oh right...
The voidwalker.
And as my body finally began to really pop and sizzle, the voidwalker's words echoed around the room with all the weight of the gallows: "Sssssssend... me-back."
-~oOo~-
I would have laughed! It was the most sensible thing I'd ever heard a voidwalker say! I mean, yheah, those guys are leagues above an imp, they've got health to spare and the ability to inflict horrible suffering upon their victims, tormenting and ripping into their minds to induce rage and agony in equal measure. They literally FEED on fear and suffering and can even create a magical bulwark of sorts from the congealed essence of terror. They're tough enough to stand up to things many times their own strength and can STILL hit hard enough to fight off small mobs of enemies or collapse buildings BY HAND. Not too bright, voidwalkers, but they have it in the meatshield department.
And that smoking gap in reality had the sense to talk back to Stitchface and tell her it didn't want to fight the Master.
I mean, it could have just been whining, but I think it's funnier if it realized how boned it was.
I would have laughed. I mean, that big blue idiot was actually wanting no part of this whole thing. Might actually have just broken the intellectual curve for voidwalkers by being not-stupid enough to even try to fight the Master.
And then, I was back home. On the floor. With my nose stuck in the crack between two slabs of brimstone. ...
Yheah. Anticlimactic!
The Master was about to breaka-some-face and I just got dumped back in Embershole? Stichface had the gall to summon a voidwalker against the Master and my nose was stuck in a crack, dimensions away? A Voidwalker might have just graduated from demon-kindergarten for the first time in theoretical history and I didn't have a front row seat to the wails of its teacher's mental anguish after having had to suffer through it's 35 word vocabulary?
I mean, I know I'm a demon and all, but that's just bull!
So, after yanking my nose free, I brushed myself off, lit my hands on fire, and waited. ...
It's a legitimate tactic! When you get sacrificed, you KNOW that your warlock is going to summon you back to help skin whatever moron jumped them as soon as the magic bleeds off. It's how things are done. It's the natural order of all things ~warlock-y~.
As sure as screams follow shoeless children running through broken glass, warlocks summon their demons back as soon as they can.
So, when about half an hour had passed and I was still hopping there, on fire, at home, I really didn't know what the hells was happening.
Maybe Stitchface was putting up more of a fight that I thought? Maybe Spike was busy belching fel flames all over the room? Maybe that voidwalker had just broken another record and proven it knew a 36th word?
Maybe I'd forgotten to place the hollow handled butter spreader on the LEFT of the chafing dish when Miss Rarity visited?!?!?!? ... ...
Maybe the Master didn't need me anymore?
A cold little stone of fear lodged itself somewhere in my chest. A demon that was unneeded was a demon that wasn't recruiting for the Legion. A demon that wasn't recruiting for the Legion was a demon that didn't have the benefit of any kind of backup.
An easy mark for anyone who wanted anything.
Because, sure, Imps are amazing and immortal and fireproof and pretty much indestructible, but we're also small, and weak, and not much of threat on our own.
And, after seeing what the Master could do, I didn't like my odds if I wasn't HER demon anymore.
Because warlocks don't have many friends...
...but they don't normally have ANY enemies.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | Demonology 101 | It happened so gently that I didn't even realize it for a few seconds, like a gentle breeze or the dull thud of your head hitting the ground after a cooking accident in the powder magazine of a pirate ship. Just.... pop and done.
It was such a gentle transition that what finally caught my attention was the glint of light from a set of small, pink, marbles nearby.
Marbles that I didn't own and hadn't stolen.
I blinked a few times and looked up from where I'd been sitting by my fireplace and saw two figures looking expectantly at me.
One, a tall, thin, undead lady with leather straps bolted to her head and the flickering yellow of magic where her eyes should be. The other, a twisted lilac abomination against all things horselike, sporting a pair of wings and a head mounted laser spear.
Stitchface and The Master.
And I was between them with a set of tiny, pink, glowing, marbles at my feet.
The hells is going on?
So, since nothing was exploding and no one was screaming death at anyone, I glanced around.
Floor: scorch marks, molten slag, broken wood and a number of unidentifiable lumps of 'stuff' scattered all over.
Walls: scorch marks, molten slag, broken decorations and a number of holes (mostly behind Stitchface), and the gaping new hallway that the Maser had made to view the village and that one burning apple tree.
Ceiling: scorch marks, pitted arches and missing sections that explained the lumps of stuff on the floor.
And a set of glowing, pink, marbles at my feet.
Oh, and Spike was watching us all from the top of a set of giant, crystal, steps that led to other parts of the castle.
The whole place was pretty quiet actually. The fires outside were mostly just background noise and the peons had apparently already fled, or, I guess maybe some of those lumps on the ground might be what was left of the pile? Those didn't really look like cooked meat, but you never can tell when an undead is the one 'cooking.' No sense of taste.
But no, wedged up near the open front gate, there was still a pile of softly shifting pony-meat shields doing meat shield-y things. So, not even dead.
Figures. Can't trust peons to get anything right. That's what demons are for.
And about that time, Stitchface gave a little cough and gestured towards The Master with a flick of her wrist.
What? Oh. OH.
Oh, I don't think so. Not a chance.
Stitchface, you are one fun little whackjob but I am NOT stupid enough to go after the Master after what I saw her do to that titan prick.
So, I did what any self-respecting imp would do in such a situation. I shrieked my displeasure, stomped up to her, and kicked her robes for good measure.
Which.... did absolutely nothing except draw a confused look from Stitchface since imps are not known for their immense physical prowess. Or long legs.
Pretty much just made one of the ratty edges of her robe flick for a second.
And then I found myself being picked up by the cold, sharpened, bone of Stitchface's fingers, dangling before her face as her look of confusion turned to one of anger.
And then she threw me at the Master.
Where I promptly bounced off a pinkish magical shield, and landed on the ground.
... right next to the remains of the little coat the Rarity had made for me a week or so before.
... right next to a charred scorch mark with two little golden bracers.
... bracers, identical to the pair I wore.
I heard a surprised "Sorry!" from the Master as the magic shield flickered out and her shadow fell over me before I felt myself being crushed in a grapple that would make adamantine feel soft. Little patches of my skin sizzled as rain started falling from somewhere, boiling away as it hit me.
I glanced up to see the Master was crying. Crying? Warlocks don't cry! It's in the manual!
But then I saw something that was much more familiar... the comfortable sight of anger overtaking, well, anything, as the Master's enormous eyes glanced over to Stitchface and a glare that was almost physical slapped her.
And, after a breath, a series of six little popping sounds, the smell of rotten eggs, and the maddened cackling of a half dozen high pitched voices filled the room.
I blinked.
Huh... wild imps. Guess the Master is a demonology warlock. Coulda sworn she was more destruction. Stitchface suddenly seemed very much less confident as she stared from across the room.
From one of the marbles, a tiny voice squeaked out, "Send me back!"
Smart marble. Wonder if it knows the voidwal....oh. Heh. I take it back, that's a GENIUS voidwalker.
-~oOo~-
See, the thing is that warlocks come in a few different flavors.
There's your everyday 'destruction' warlock: known for wonton violence, fire, snaking paths of destruction, fire, and immense firey orbs of destruction that leave smoldering paths of destruction through things that are on fire. They're the steamrollers of the magical community, deranged and unstable, but capable enough to dominate any single opponent with overwhelming force.
Then there's your 'affliction' warlocks: gaunt, vindictive, maddeningly efficient engines of suffering and torture. The bane of all things living and the gleeful purveyors of agony, sickness, and plague. They're well known for being decidedly durable and capable of handling large numbers of enemies at once, slowly bleeding the lot down while maintaining an almost comical level of spite.
And then there's the 'demonology' warlock. Don't get me wrong, there is no 'friendly' kind of warlock, only varying degrees of less-likely-to-stab-me-in-the-next-five-minutes, but when it comes to dangerous, demonology warlocks are the worst. They plan ahead -- days, weeks, months, sometimes years in advance. They work out strategies and tactics, defenses and counters for everything from a centuries-long war to how to select the ripest fruit at a market. They're mental... and not just because they're sick in the head (which, admittedly, they probably are). Oh no, it's because they've decided to study demons and become good enough to out-think millenias old immortal sociopaths with murderous desires and the magic to follow through with those desires.
So... yheah. Your average demonology warlock isn't exactly well liked by the local populace, but they ~are~ respected for their power.
And once you get a sufficiently powerful demonology warlock, they almost invariably attract the attention of younger, unbonded, imps.
It's not uncommon to see a demonology warlock in combat with 3 or even 4 imps alongside their tethered demon, gleefully hurling bolts of fire and cackling madly, careening all over the place while sewing chaos and misery. They're drawn to it, the power and control, they crave it like a fire craves fuel, like babies crave stairwells and sharp objects.
And the Master just had half a dozen pop into existence next to her.
I started laughing.
How could I not? The look on Stitchface's face was priceless. A mix somewhere between "Oh Fuck" and "well shit on me" and just a weeeee touch of angst.
Then again, she is undead so maybe the angst is just a general setting... but whatever the case, It. Was. GLORIOUS.
Until I realized, with a terrible sinking feeling, that I had reappeared between Stitchface and the Master... and Stitchface had ordered me to attack.
The squealing cackles of the wild imps suddenly turned to pure joy as they all gleefully held flickering gobs of fire between their knife-like fingers.
And I shrieked as I started to dodge dozens of fire bolts while the Master looked on in stunned silence.
Stitchface just shook her her and started up a spell, completely missing as the Assassin and the Wreck peeked in the open wall behind her.
-~oOo~-
Dodging firebolts isn't too hard, really. All you have to do is not be where they are when they get close. With all of time and space to choose from, the short duration and very small overall size makes them trivially easy to avoid. Don't believe me? When was the last time you got hit with a firebolt?
That's right... never.
So, conveniently, it remains deliciously easy to avoid them.
Of course, all the statistics in the universe are meaningless when imps are throwing firebolts at you. See, imps are magical, evil, and just a little bit small, so we tend to overcompensate for that weakness. No, I'm not going to call it a 'shortcoming'... like we've ~NEVER~ heard that joke before.
See, imps don't miss throwing firebolts.
Ever.
We cheat. We're demons. It's what we do.
See, when someone normally casts a spell, they think it out, pour some magic in, aim, top off the spell, and throw that sucker out at whatever they were aiming at. Simple enough.
Only problem is that things don't often like being blown up, so they use this thing called MOVEMENT and just avoid getting hit if they can.
I'm sure that if flowerpots and wooden crates could think, they'd be screaming about the injustice of being left as targets by so many things that just moved out of the way of incoming spells.
But not imps.
We don't like to miss because if we miss, we're not useful... well, not as useful as an imp that doesn't miss, at least.
So we don't.
We cheat.
We set up the spell, dump some magic in, grab a little chunk of our target from the near future, and stick the spell on it. Then we just let the whole thing go and snap back into place.
Simple as that. Let the spell go here and now and let it pull itself back together there and then... that being wherever the target ends up and in a few moments.
So, we don't miss.
Which meant that I was running all over the place, screaming like a banshee, and phasing like a champ to avoid being hurt by several dozen firebolts while the Master acted as if surprised that a bunch of imps sprung into existence and started attacking me.
I don't know what she's doing, but she's possibly the best actor I have ever seen in all my years because I'm being serious when I say I have no freaking clue what her plan is.
-~oOo~-
Dodging firebolts is not a fun thing, especially when they're fired by imps,
Dodging firebolts hurled by wild imps summoned by The Master is an even less fun thing, primarily due to the sheer number.
And, as previously noted, 'dodging' firebolts hurled by imps, wild or otherwise, is a rather poor term for it.
Primarily because you can't dodge them.
They hit.
Every.
Single.
One.
But, I'm an imp! So, phasing.
Mitigates it a bit.
Anyway, there I was, bounding all over The Master's front hallway, leaping from door frames to banisters to potted plants in giant, fancy, crystal urns (because warlocks would NEVER own a 'vaaaaaaaze'). Phasing like mad and doing my best to shriek out my displeasure because imps do NOT squeal in panic.
And The Master was just watching with her mouth agape.
Well, she was until Stitchface managed to summon up a Chaos Bolt at her. Chaos Bolts are kind of a specialty of Destruction warlocks. Bright green and roiling black flames, the size of a large child, sent boiling through the air with a draconic face superimposed upon the front. Those things are like napalm and a battering ram had a bastard child... they hit like an avalanche and burn like... well... burning.
I don't have a baby joke for everything, alright?
But more importantly, they cause other spells to hit harder, faster, and more viciously.
So while The Master suddenly found herself sluffing off a rather nasty blob of magic on her shield, I finally got a break when her wild imps all turned towards Stitchface and screamed bloody murder.
Before promptly launching themselves at her and imploding.
Funny thing about wild imps. They're unstable... both mentally and physically, and they have a tendency to blow up.
Which, The Master either didn't know, or did a very good job of acting surprised about.
On the other hand, when Stitchface suddenly whipped off a spell that engulfed The Master in a cloud of embers, hurled two dark masses and a snaking trail of fire, and followed it up with an explosion of ash and death, The Master apparently had gotten over her shock.
Because another 6 imps popped into existence and stared hurling fire at Stitchface.
And then, then The Master apparently got angry when I dropped to the ground again when Stitchface sacrificed me.
Again.
I know this because the number of wild imps that suddenly started popping into existence is something I don't think I've ever seen. Pop - cackle. Pop - shriek. Pop - scream. Pop - hissing. One after another after another after another.
Time and time again.
And I got a corpse bound view as dozens of the little buggars swarmed, then leapt and started punching, kicking, biting, and lighting Stitchface on fire.
Before detonating in the most imp-dense implosion I have ever seen.
And when the bassy-thump of air being removed from existence had faded, a slew of other little demons had all materialized around The Master... who was floating... with glowing white eyes, and glaring down at a very haggard looking Stitchface.
"And now," The Master intoned, "You WILL stop!"
... Her voice was loud enough that the little pink marbles rolled halfway across the room.
I might have whimpered if I wasn't dead. |
A Battleground of Kindness | Caltrops and a Rubber Ball | Seeing the Master floating in the air is nothing terribly new. I mean, she's crazy powerful and just beat down a giant, evil, titan centaur the other day... floating just doesn't seem quite as impressive by comparison,
Then again, the lantern eye thing? That's something that only happens when fighting giant titan centaurs.
Or lighting her books on fire accidentally.
But mostly the giant titan centaurs because I would NEVER set the Master's books on fire intentionally. That would be a death wish no sensible being would ever want.
No. But seeing Stitchface on the ground, surrounded by random demons and an ever increasing number of wild imps while the Master floated above her and was shouting that the battle was over... that was a new one.
I should point out that when I say the Master was saying the battle was over, she wasn't just saying it. She was making a simple statement of fact. You know the kind. It's when the world itself kind of just nods its head and shrugs, turns around and says "Alrighty, if you say so, I guess it's gotta be that way 'cus no one talks back to reality unless they're right."
The Master kind of just ~informed~ us all of the *FACT* that the battle was over. No questions asked. Just stated it like saying "Dirt is made of cupcakes."
Don't give me that look. If you heard the way she said it, you'd be out there eating mud pies and spreading frosting on potted plants.
The effect was rather lost on Stitchface.
Which is a shame, because when she flicked a spell off towards the Master, the Assassin took it as her cue to attack.
And attack she did.
A swarm of vermin poured in from the hole in the wall. Nuisances, like rats and bees, all the way up to actual threats like her pet bears and a manticore, attacked. They moved like a well oiled machine, darting in and taking their strikes before shifting out of the way for the next to bite, sting, or pummel. One after the next, time and again while the Master's imps and demons flinched and twitched with joy.
It was joy and definitely not sympathy. Demon's don't do sympathy. Well... the succubi do, but there's something wrong with them... love their whips and red-brands.
And, after a few moments, the swarm parted and Stitchface shuddered before howling out rage and sending a glare at the Assassin that made her cower.
Which was apparently the Traitor's sign to have a go.
At least I THINK it was the Traitor, I'm not really sure. I was dead and all, so my eyes and ears might have just been hallucinating due to brain death, but one second the Assassin was starting to hide behind a curtain of her pink mane, and the next, the room exploded with a literal RAINBOW that collided with Stitchface and slammed her into the far wall as the Traitor pummeled her.
And before Stitchface could even respond, the Traitor was replaced by the Sweatstain, who simply folded Stitchface in half with the force of her kick and gave her a home in an unoccupied bookshelf.
The Master continued to float there with a neutral expression.
Which, admittedly, I was just fine with, being dead and all.
And then Stitchface went and did something incredibly stupid. She groaned as she pulled herself out of the bookcase, tumbled to the floor, and a fist sized green and yellow rock burned to nothing in her hand.
And she stood up.
And she glared.
And she started to cast a spell.
And the Rarity apparently took offense at the entire proceeding as dozens of pairs of scissors suddenly appeared, cut Stitchface free of her armor, clothing, undergarments, and even the leather straps on her head.
Within moments, there was a flurry of fabric, the keening wail of blades scraping against one another, and the sound of leathery skin being stretched and bound, cut and stitched, and generally tortured under that dire sorceress' dark fancy. Nearly a minute passed before the storm of razor edged tools fell away, revealing an immaculate, gown-draped Stitchface with a delicately laced veil, done all in shimmering dark greens trimmed with silvery grays.
At which point, the Rarity nodded, then turned and said "Girls? Shall we?"
The Traitor gestured, wide eyed, as she replied "Really? All that for a dress?"
"~Gown~, darling. And, Yes. If we're going to blast her, she might as well look her best."
The Traitor replied, "Urg. FINE! Whatever."
At about that time, I popped back into existence again. Facing the Master, AGAIN. With Stitchface ordering me to attack AGAIN.
And the Master was apparently done with it because she simply looked at me, held her hoof up to the swarm of demons and her little minions, and intoned, "Gakham. COME."
And I ran over to her and grinned.
Never thought I'd live to see the day that "Enslave Demon" could be cast without magic, but DAMN am I glad she pulled that off because the moment her hoof fell, the minions started floating too and the death rainbow plowed into Stitchface like a pair of horny teenagers when the parents left the liquor cabinet unlocked for the weekend. ...
And when the demons tried to join in, glowing pink bubbles appeared around them and they shrank to join the marbles on the floor.
I'll say it again, that was one genius voidwalker, asking to go home a few minutes ago.
-~oOo~-
So, it turns out that the Master did not, in fact, use Enslave Demon... Instead, I apparently have a survival instinct after all and just came when called.
I'm... pretty sure that was not in my contract, but she did say not to be naughty, so that probably applies.
Either way, it was a good thing because when that rainbow colored death laser blasted the hells out of Stitchface, I was quite pleased not to have been caught in the line of fire.
Of course, when she fainted, and I had been summoned by her, it meant that I popped back out of the Master's world.
So, there I was. Back in my little home, waiting for a summon again.
And for once, I didn't have to wait all that long.
I popped back into the hall between them and felt my hopes fall when I noticed I was facing the Master again.
She was no longer floating, instead content to stand on all four hooves with her little swarm of minions behind her looking rather gruff about the whole thing. Well, except the Pink one... she was waving cheerfully, but the rest were looking upset.
And the Master? She was looking a bit upset, herself. She wasn't blasting me with instant doom, but she still looked less than pleased as she looked me over.
And, after a few moments, she nodded and I felt myself slip out of the world again.
Back home... brimstone and fire and that little crack that I still hadn't been able to fix since getting my nose stuck in it.
And before I could even let out a frustrated sigh, POP, I was back in the Master's lair, facing Stitchface this time.
Stitchface, in her gown and veil and still looking none too pleased, but not trying to kill the Master at least.
And, after a few more moments, I looked back and saw the Master nodding her approval. I really didn't know what was going on, but the sound of Stitchface's movement caused me to glance back just in time to see her casting a new spell.
I moved on instinct, leaping at her and latching on to her fingers as she attempted to summon another demon...
... only to be pried off with the dim glow of the Master's magic.
Aaaaaaaand I floated back to the Master, just to watch Stitchface try, and fail, to summon another demon.
Humorously enough, one of the little pink marbles clinked a few times before rolling over and stopping in front of her, only to have a faint voice call up from below "Void.... where prohibited."
I couldn't help it. I started laughing.
That little voidwalker was STILL stuck in the Master's magic bubble, still couldn't get out, and couldn't be properly summoned OR dismissed.
But, even while I was laughing, I noticed instantly when a shadow fell over me, and silence reigned as a newspaper loomed.
Stitchface watched, but finally nodded and started casting her spell again.
And again, the little marble rocked back and forth as the Voidwalker complained.
The whole place was quiet as this happened a few more times.
Honestly, it was kind of cruel of the Master to keep forcing Stitchface to futilely try to summon her voidwalker, but, given that the Master had let her live, I suppose worse punishments could have been devised. I mean, just hammering home how utterly powerless Stitchface was compared to the Master is pretty tame compared to that Tea-wreck guy.
But still...
Then again.... warlock. So, par for the course.
After the 4th try, a strange thought hit me. A strange, alien, impossible thought that made absolutely no sense at all. A thought so absurd that only an idiot or an utter genius would have ever thought to think it.
What if it wasn't a punishment? What if it was a lesson? What if the Master was trying to make a point? What if she was trying to teach her minions to summon demons too? ...
What if Stitchface was ~HER~ minion now?
And then? Then I felt a torrent of magic rising behind me and I turned to see the Master, horn ablaze, as a small army of wild imps popped into existence with confused looks on their faces, imps who were immediately swallowed by pink bubbles and reduced to more marbles on the floor.
Oh, and a bubbling blue-black rift starting to boil into existence before before the Master... probably shouldn't forget that part.
And then the impossible seemed to happen as the Master, warlock of god-like power and tyrant of the horsebeast lands, seemed to squeal in joy as she summoned a shadowy form from the nether.
A form, twisted to her desires and rippling with untold evil. A pony shaped wedge of night with a billowing mane and tail, with a body like a bleeding hole in reality.
Stitchface nodded silently before pointing a finger and whispering "Rysdyk" -- which the Master completely ignored.
The Master had summoned her voidwalker... something that, once she saw it fully, she reverently named "Sleipnir" before grinning like mad and bouncing around in childlike joy.
I wasn't fooled. She was clearly testing Stitchface's loyalty by appearing innocent and distractable. But, like the Master, Stitchface was no stranger to acts of foolishness, and seemed just as wary of the Master's antics as I did, instead choosing to remain frozen as the Master chanted "YES YES YES YES YES!" in her chirpy little voice.
Which she stopped a few moments later and proved to all it was simply a test since there was no transition AT ALL before she started examining her creation like a fresh piece of meat.
I knew that look... and I pity that demon something awful.
But, like most voidwalkers, Rysdyk took it like a champ. And by champ, I mean "braindead table leg" as it just stood there looking all looming and dark and edgy and impressive and intimidatingly stoic.
I mean, it's not like Rysdyk means 'man-killer' or anything... just some stupid demon horse name... and the Master NAMED it Sleipnir, so it doesn't matter. Sounds like a request to cuddle at night: Sleipnir. ...
I'm not jealous at all.
Friggin' smoke-horse.
-~oOo~- |
A Battleground of Kindness | Home City Dungeon Crawl | Well.
Well well well.
Weh-heh-he-hell well well.
Hell.
It looks like the Master and Stitchface are getting along swimmingly, much to the concern of her little minions. The Traitor is positively jittery, flitting around and glaring daggers at Stitchface as they roam the Master's castle. The Sorceress has been politely tagging along, offering up her 'insight' into the decor, though whenever she's not actively talking, she's glancing around as if expecting something to jump out and attack. The Sweatstain hasn't said a word unless spoken to, and even then, only in clipped little sentences like "a'yup," "e'nope," or "boy howdy." Might be evidence of a bit of brain damage... wouldn't surprise me in the least. The pink terror seems completely at ease, which of course, has been making Stitchface nervous. And the Assassin? She's tried to escape no less than 4 times, being drug back into the tour by the Traitor.
And Rysdyk? That haughty, swollen, cloud of the nether dark? That bastard's been strutting around like a king. Like he lives here! All big and strong and silent and imposing with his unshod hooves that strike faint sparks from the crystal floors and his billowing mane of the lost reaches of the abyss. Positively glowing with the Master's praise and only deigning ~look~ at things the Master points out, like the rest of us are so far beneath him that we're not even worth the effort of acknowledging.
It makes me sick.
I mean, sure, voidwalkers are about as intelligent as your average doorstop, but this guy's so dim I'm shocked that he knew HOW to answer a summons.
It's almost like he's being intentionally obtuse! It's Infuriating.
And, of course, the Master either doesn't see it or plain just doesn't care, and I can't imagine her not seeing it.
It's enough to make me want to light something on fire... well, more. I mean, I normally want to light things on fire, but now I REALLY want to light things on fire.
And I can't. I mean, not only am I not allowed to, but the entire place is CRYSTAL... and not the fun kind that explodes or starts super heating until the entire thing goes up in a billowing column of chemical death. Oh no... it's the boring, magic sucking, kind of crystal that makes you just want to burn it more because IT WON'T CATCH ON FIRE AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH YOUR SCHTICK AND THE FEGGING VOIDWALKER'S STEALING YOUR THUNDER! ...
And, now they're going into the Master's bedchambers.
And Rysdyk just glanced at me and shut the door in my face. ...
I'm going to kill that voidwalker.
Wait... wait a fel-damned minute!
There is NO Fekking way I'm leaving that thing alone in a dark room with the Master!
So, I did what any Master-respecting imp would do: I phased and slipped through the crack in the door frame.
Don't look at me like that! The Master just invited Rysdyk into her bedroom and left me out in the hallway! Clearly, she's being influenced by some dark magic to which she is simply unaware. It's my job, no, it's my DUTY as her loyal imp to follow her and save her from whatever that voidwalker's sick mind has concocted! It's... it's what I SHOULD do because....
because?
Why do I even care?
"I obey." echoed from within, the voidwalker's bassy voice causing my skin to crawl.
Oh hells no.
I turned up my flames, enough to cast the entire room into a dim green glow. A massive four post bed, wrought of the same magical crystal as the rest of the castle, GREW from the floor. A wardrobe, towering above, its doors carved with the care only a master artisan could accomplish. A mirror, so clean and clear it almost seemed another room was beyond, complete with imp set ablaze.
But of the Master? No sign.
Until I heard a series of rhythmic thumps, a pounding that only increased in frequency and strength, and finally grew silent as the voidwalker's voice echoed from a dark doorway across from me, "Yesssssssss.....".
I didn't even care that I couldn't teleport, I hurled myself at that doorway, with every intent of saving the Master from being further despoiled with the touch of that.. that ... THING!
And, promptly fell down a flight of stairs, striking a good number of them as I tumbled and tumbled and rolled and WHY IS THERE A STAIRWAY THIS LONG IN THE MASTER'S BEDROOM? Until I crashed into a large, very firm, metal object.
A table, as it turned out, where Rysdyk was bound and connected to a multitude of wires.
And The Master was looking at me in confusion, dressed in a white lab coat.
Oh... and Stitchface was apparently resting in a chair, looking rather beaten up with an ice pack on her head. ...
Ah....
It's the lab.
Wait, no... it's ~another~ lab.
Heh..... oh... oh this is good.
I finally found the Master's kinky dungeon.
That's a shame. Now I'm going to have to destroy it to remove any evidence of Rysdyk. I'm sure the Master will understand.
-~oOo~-
Alright.... it's fine. Everything is fine. The Master and Stitchface are getting along. The Master is performing some kind of dark ritual involving Rysdyk. There is an ABSURDLY long stairwell hidden in the Master's bedchambers that leads to a secret, kinky dungeon-slash-lab that I was NEVER told about... which, given that the Crystal Fortress of Undisputed Power is only a new thing, isn't really that bad, but it's the principle of the matter!
But that's all fine.
All I have to do is distract the Master, avoid Stitchface, prevent unexpected battles, destroy the kinky dungeon slash lab, poison Rysdyk, and frame that cocky prick for the whole thing while making sure he's too injured to defend himself until the Master's wrath is upon him.
Should be easy.
Okay... deep breaths. Step one: Smile and wave before Stitchface and the Master know anything is wrong.
Riiiight.... they're looking at me... cough politely and scamper out of sight.
Check!
Step two: Take stock and outline plan.
K.... let's see. The Master, Stitchface, and Dashing-idiot are all occupied. Lots of wires and noisy science things. No bottles of facemelt.... shame that... but there are lots of things that can short out and make lightning. Hmmm... metal table, lightning, high voltage.... nah. They'd see that kind of thing a mile away.
Alright, no lightning. Well... there is glass and metal, lots of heavy sciencey things and a stairwell. Oh! If I can convince Rysdyk to show off, maybe I can trip him near the stairwell and things will fix themselves! No... no. The stairs go up and even if the Master changed gravity, the stairwell ceiling is smooth... nowhere near enough injury to take him out. Plus, he's a demon so... the whole immortal thing.
No. Okay, how about stabbing Rysdyk while the Master is doing her whole 'doomsday magic' thing? Massive disruption, possibly forcing her to lose concentration on a spell that could quite simply wipe out all life on the planet. Overkill? Maybe. But how to convince the Master to cast it, let alone reveal she even has one ready.... hmmm.... she has been remarkably secretive about it. If I wasn't her imp, I might not even think she had one ready. Clearly she does, even though all evidence points against it, but that's why she MUST have one ready. She's ALWAYS prepared.... I have the checklists to prove it. But... no..... then the Master will know I did it and not Riskydyke... RoyalDick...Dumbhorsedemon? whatever... That would defeat the entire purpose of the plan. So, no.
Grrrr... why does this have to be so difficult?!? It's not like he's smart enough to actually do a damn thing about it. Stupid voidwalkers are so tough BECAUSE they don't waste energy on growing more than three brain cells. They're just like those big cows that run their heads into trees because the leaves insulted them... Freaking idiots with enough meat behind them that no one asks uncomfortable questions like "How do leaves insult a bull?"
Wait.... Wait a minute.... that's it! No one asks questions because they ARE so big, powerful, and stupid!
So....
Let's see.... table, wires, lightning, glass from the sciencey things, lots of magic, a hidden stairwell in the Master's bedchamber that goes DOWN, closed doors, loud noises, and a not-desperate-at-all imp who clearly has the Master's best interests at heart! PERFECT!
Alright.... let's do this!
Aaaand.... the Master and Stitchface are staring at me...
I really have got to get better at not zoning out when plotting mischief. I mean rescues! Definitely rescues... can't be naughty... it's in my contract.
Riiiight, wave and smile and scamper out of sight in the most innocent manner possible.
Aaaand, Check.
Right.... grab these wires and 'accidentally' remove some of the insulation. Don't tear it off, just use a little more fire than normal... that's right, don't burn it, just let the coating 'melt' off... heh... fireproof against an imp my sorry flaming butt.
Now, leave them right next to the table, but not touching... that would short things out and everything is clearly already working.
-- Wait! That actually worked? I can't burn things but ~melting~ isn't stopped? Oh ho ho ho! This'll make things interesting!
Check the area... Master and Stitchface are talking shop... Stitchface is gesturing offhandedly and the Master is clearly upset about something. Probably meat or killing or killing meat... never did understand her aversion to that... they're clearly related. Riseduck is still strapped down.... and a little snip with a claw has that restraint barely holding on. "Must have been faulty" they'll think.... "No chance it was the loyal little imp. He's such a great imp."
Still need a better insult-slash-nickname for the voidwalker, "riseduck" was scraping the bottom of the barrel as it is.
While they're distracted, scamper over to the Sciencey things.... big ones are better. They've got more lightning inside and weigh more. Check around the corner... Master and Stitchface are still 'discussing' things and there's only a little magic floating around them like death about to descend. Perfect! Walock conversations are GO! Climb up to the top of the Sciencey thing and wedge another sciencey thing behind it near the top. Don't care what it is... as long as the bigger one is ~almost~ ready to topple. Hmmm... better make sure this looks faulty too.... add fire and let the outside melt a little. Blue smoke? Eh, whatever.
Check the Master.... yep, teeth are bared and Stitchface is nearly growling.
Perfect.
Now, let's see.... wires, check. Weak restraints, check. Sciencey thing ready to fall, check. Master and Stitchface fighting....
Huh....
Actually.... not... in the plan but...
Oh crap. the Master and Stitchface are fighting again!
Crap crap crap crap crap!
Rysdyk! He can get between them!
No! He's strapped down!
Um.... Crap times two! And now there's fire and death lasers again! CRAP SQUARED!
How do I stop them?
.... MINIONS!
Running up the stairs it is!
Gotta save the Master's Lab so I can destroy the Master's Lab and blame it on the interloper!
-~oOo~-
STAIRS!
Why are there so MANY FREAKING STAIRS?!?!?
It's like running up an avalanche while on fire and breathing liquid ice while raining broken glass covered in razor blades!
Stairs are proof of all things Evil and the Master has a LOT of stairs.
Door is just visible. Door door door door door.
Gotta warn the minions so they can save the Master from stupid-smoke-horse!
Still need a better nickname for that guy....fek it... I'll add it to the list once he's dead.
Door!
... Locked door. WHY IS THE DOOR LOCKED ON THE INSIDE?
Oh... inside! The lock is right there!
But why is it so high up!
FEK!
Wait, I'm an imp! Phasing phasing phasing phasing aaaaaaaaaand THROUGH THE DOOR! HAH! Take that door!
Aaaaaand.... the minions aren't here. WHY ARE THE MINIONS NOT HERE? The MASTER needs HELP!
Stupid discount backwater inbred smelly fekking barnyard mud guzzling useless MINIONS!
ARRRRG! FINE! I'll do it myself!
Bedchambers. Drapes. Dresser. Mirror. Carpet? hmmmm.... nice carpet. Yes, fine, carpet. Window. OH! Bathroom!
Let's see... crystal floor. Crystal tub. Crystal cabinet. Bottles of flower smelling goop. Crystal sink. Crystal toilet? eeeeeeew.... bad design choice. AH HAH! Crystal faucets and big fluffy Non-crystal towels.
Right right right right right.
Water ON: check! Towels blocking the drain: check! Towels blocking the sink: check! Towels in the toilet because I AM NOT SHOVING MY ARMS IN THERE: check! Bottles stacked up to stop the toilet from stopping: check! Sink turned on COLD: check! Realizing I should have said bottles stacked up to keep the toilet flushing.... well... sure, Check.
Right then... Bedroom!
Window: open! Mirror in front of the stairs: check! Carpet bunched up by the door: check! Drapes pulled down and wadded up at the closed bathroom door: check! Covers yanked off and wedged under the door to the HALLWAY: check! Pillow cut to ribbons and scattered all over because this is stressfull: check! Mattress...
Mattress is a heavy pile of horsedung that needs to be burned the first chance I get...
Mattress... uh
dragged... over...grrrrr
to... door... rrrrrrr
to... HALLWAY... <gasp>... check.
Hernia? Not on the list! Get back where you're supposed to be, guts! I don't have time for you!
Good! Good... goodgoodgoodgoodgood.
Listen at stairwell? Master is still 'arguing' loudly with Stitchface. Magic is the normal progression of warlock arguments.
Great!
FIRE!
Fire on the sheets and drapes!
Oh COME ON! Fireproof too?
FINE! Fire turned down loooooooow and used to heat things up slowly.....so.... very.... slowly.
Smoke! Smoke is good! Candles in wall sconces still have fire in them! Sciency time with the Master says that adding fire to the origin of smoke, at close proximity will re-ignite smoking materials via thermal gas inductive combustion!
I listen to the Master. Sue me.
Candle from wall sconce, smoking drapes and bedsheets, aaaaaand FIRE! HAH! FIRE!
Right... save the Master. Spreading fire around room, carpet is catching... must have only been fireproofed against me.... I'm flattered.
Great! Fire burning out of control but the water leaking out of the closed bathroom door is keeping it away from the path to the mirror... and the stairwell behind it.
Alright! Time to get Minions! Turn to scream into hallway and.... NO! Mattress is STILL blocking the door!
Stupid stupid stupid!
Arrrrg! Heavy.... Freaking.... Mattress!
Great! Mattress is on fire now.... NOT in the plan... whatever.
... Door handle is too high. SACK OF...
IMP!
Phasing through the cracks aaaaand HALLWAY!
"MINIONS! MASTER IS UNDER ATTACK! HELP MASTER!"
Note to self: consider acting lessons. I'd never believe that kind of.....
And there's the sound I needed to hear... the gentle thunder of idiots willing to throw their lives away.
Finally... something's going right. I'm a genius. Bad actor, but I'm still a genius.
Hmmm.... why does it smell like burning wood? The crystal here doesn't burn. Eh, whatever... Fire does that... I'm sure it'll be fine.
-~oOo~-
Finally!
Minions are showing up. The Sweatstain's looking frazzled, probably because she knows the Master needs help and I caught her sleeping on the job. Blackmail obtained! Then the Assassin and the Traitor showed up. The Sorceress was last, looking a bit flustered, but magic users aren't normally known for their skill at running. They're all looking around and chattering loudly but not getting anything done.
Idiots... fine, I'll have to do MORE to make sure this works.
So I shrieked and squealed and pointed at the door until the Sweatstain yowled out and got the rest of them to shut up. And in that brief moment, all their eyes fell on me.
So I screeched and jumped up and down and scrabbled for the door handle which is CLEARLY above where I can reach and made it abundantly clear that I needed to get through the door.
I swear, it's like teaching monkeys.
This continued for a few seconds until finally the Assassin cleared her throat and suggested that I might be trying to tell them that the Master was in trouble.
I.... I actually have no words to describe how utterly stupid these Minions are. I LITERALLY just yelled for help, in the the common tongue, and they understood it clearly enough to come running, and she's suggesting that I MIGHT be trying to get help?
What do they think I am? Some kind of burning collie barking that some glue-sniffing child fell down a well after eating salsa with a hearty helping of lead-based paint chips?
I'm going to need to talk to the Master about raising her standards for minion recruitment.
Whatever the case, the Sweatstain spun around and bucked the door hard enough that it blasted in, hurling the flaming mattress across the room and simultaneously letting out a billowing cloud of smoke.
The hallway immediately started to fill with the heady scent of burning even as they scrambled back in shock. Looking back at them in disgust, I raced in, glancing back to make sure their collective 15 brain cells communicated enough to get them to follow.
The plan was simple.
Get them to come racing in. See the place on fire, clearly under attack. They'd see me racing off to help and follow along to save the Master. They'd see the fire and the destruction of the bedding, notice the open window (which should also give them enough air not to choke and die before the rescue), but not have time to really look things over. They'd miss the cause of the not-on-fire path to the mirror, the closed bathroom door with the wadded up bedding to guide the flooding water. They'd miss the lack of collateral damage and lack of a struggle due to the FIRE which should prompt them to assume the worst. They'd miss the hidden stairwell, seeing only the muted and hazy reflections of themselves in the mirror and, like the idiots they are, hurl themselves bodily into a blind charge. They'd hit the mirror with far greater force than needed, tumble down the stairs, and slam into the table the Master's voidwalker is on. The impact should snap his weakened restraints, and cause him to rise while simultaneously shaking the sciencey things enough for them to topple. Melted insulation should be enough for a short to occur and lightning and fire will be loosed in the confines of the tiny kinky dungeon. The Master and Stitchface will likely be shaken from their 'heated discussion' at the noise and destruction just as the glass things fall and break, the lightning from the sciencey things falling discharges, the Minions continue to fall and pile up on one another as they all come tumbling down like the suicidal lemmings they are, and Tinydick the Horse-fekking-Voidwalker rises up to say some stupid one-liner that will get him blamed for the whole thing.
It's PERFECT!
The Minions will probably break their necks, keeping my involvement out of it. The Voidwalker's too stupid to figure out that standing up didn't cause mass destruction. The resulting fire and lightning should remove all evidence of my tampering from notice. And, most importantly, the Master and Stitchface will blame that duplicitous bastard offspring of the dark reaches of midnight and a mustang for everything, ensuring his eternal banishment and the salvation of the Master!
With such a perfectly designed plan, nothing could possibly go wrong.
So I was understandably startled when I tripped over the wadded up bedsheets and was launched face-first into the squishy pink backside of the Pink Terror, who had SOMEHOW gotten into the Master's Bedchambers before the door was open.
-~oOo~-
Ack! Yuck! Bleh! Why is it sweet?!?!?
WHY is the Pink Terror's pudgy, pink, plot sugary sweet?!? There is no conceivable reason for a butt, ANY butt, to taste sweet! How does that even work? Why is it sugary and -- No! NO NO NO NO NO!
That way lies madness.
Ignore the Pink scourge of reality!
I scrape my tongue with my claws to get the sugary taste off, ignoring her giggles, and light my tongue on fire for good measure.
The burning, it soothes.
But enough of that! The Master needs help!
I scamper past her and dart into the room, doing my absolute best to look panicked and hyperactive... all the better to conceal my growing concern that they'll figure me out.
Jumping to the bed, I scurry around, ignoring the fire, as I make a show of searching before coming up empty. A quick hop to the dresser and a leap across the burning rug takes me to the window, which I perch upon and look outside.
Nothing out there to see, of course, but it's about the act. Oh! Look! The little burning apple tree in the distance. Hmmmm... guess there is one good thing to come out of this night after all.
Grrrr.... Can't stay here, gotta sell the act. I leap off and scamper around the room as the other minions begin to pile in and gape at the destruction.
The Sweatstain begins to call out while the Traitor's eyes get huge and she blasts out of the window. The Assassin 'meeps' and staggers back, only to be caught and held by the Sorceress' magic. The Pink one giggles a little and shakes her bottom before joining me in my manic racing around the room, leaping into drawers and popping out of places entirely too small to possibly contain her mass.
Volume? Mass?
Volume..... I can almost see the Master squinting at me for using the wrong word.
Within seconds, the Traitor is back, a lump of .... CLOUD? She can move CLOUDS?!?... caught in her hooves and proceeds to squeeze and bounce on it to make rain.
I will have to reevaluate her worth at a later point in time. Weather magic should be far beyond such an imbecile.... and I didn't take her for a druid or shaman.
Pretty sure neither of those orders would want her anyway. As brightly colored as a poison frog and only half as intelligent.
And within moments, the fires are going out, the Assassin is timidly being coaxed back into the room, the Sorceress is squinting at the damaged drapery and rug, the Traitor is zipping in with another rain cloud, and the Sweatstain is still hollering for the Master.
And then there's the muffled thump of an explosion from the hidden stairwell and all eyes flick in its direction.
A cloud of smoke billows up around the mirror, the Minions cringing back as small flashes of green and orange light flicker through its growing mass. And just as I think they're going to take things slow, the muffled voice of the Master echoes up from below as she starts saying "No" in a rising panic.
And, before I can even think up something to trick them into racing off to help, the Sweatstain yanks down her helm with a glare and charges the mirror, followed by all the other minions!
Just
like I
Wanted.
I'm about to engage in the requisite maniacal cackling when the Pink one giggles out a laugh right next to my head, drops a 'Good Job At Getting Help' cupcake at my feet, and bounces off after the others.
And I blink in abject confusion as the mass of them go charging through the mirror, leaving the room in silence...
... and the strange revelation that the reflection doesn't shatter as they disappear.
And I'm left staring at a perfectly smooth reflection of a dumbfounded imp with a cupcake as the Master resumes her panicked chant of "no" from below.
-~oOO~-
Destroying the minions was never my intent.
Destroying the Master-stealing smoke horse by leading the minions to mistake him as a threat, yes, but destroying the minions themselves? No, that had never been the intent.
Despite this, such losses must be expected in my line of work. Minions are not demons and are rarely immortal. I would doff my hat to them if I had one, but unfortunately, the tiny hat Rarity made for me went up in smoke a few minutes ago during the Master's battle with Stitchface.
It is a shame. Etiquette is quite clear that the doffing of hats is the appropriate response to the loss of life of a rival.
Regardless!
The Master is clearly distressed and the first line of plotting has resolved into failure.
Time for damage control.
Hopping around the miraculous-mirror-of-minion-mauling, I started racing down the hidden stairwell. Billowing clouds of acrid smoke and glowing wisps of arcane energy obscured the view, but the great thing about a stairwell is that they're pretty much an idiot's maze -- they don't really take many turns or come to many crossroads.
I only missed my landing once, and that only helped to get me down the stairs faster.
Much faster, as it turns out, but faster none the less.
And when I had picked myself up from the wreckage of the table, it was to look up into the soulless eyes of the smoke-horse, staring vacantly into the void.
Well... okay. Nothing so dramatic, really. He was just standing there, looking in my general direction, but still... gave me a miniature heart attack.
So, after stepping aside, I got a chance to look the place over, and let me tell you, that place was a wreck!
There were pieces of broken equipment everywhere. Sciencey things were toppled or on fire. Little arcs of lightning would occasionally dance across the walls or floor, snaking little paths over surfaces and leaving light burn trails in their wake. The big metal table had been turned over and the various straps had all burned through. There were dimly glowing spots still visible where the metal surface had apparently gotten hot enough that the metal had begun to melt.
And there, prancing across a floor littered with broken glass and small flaming bits and bobs, was the Master... looking for all the world like a frightened child.
And then I saw Stitchface.
She..... was not a pretty thing to look at. Laying face down, the dress that Rarity had made for her showed signs that various things had either burned her or blown little holes through her on the way to becoming embedded in the walls.
Explains the mural of shrapnel I don't recall being here a minute or two ago.
But, perhaps the most obvious explanation of the Master's distress was the large, and apparently quite heavy, shelving unit that had fallen squarely upon Stitchface's head. ...
I... wasn't actually expecting that.
I mean, on the one hand, corrupting your master is kind of in the job description, but on the other hand, it's supposed to to be this long drawn out thing that starts with minor moral slips and progresses into horrifying lapses of conscience, eternally scarring the soul and sending them into a hate fueled rampage of indignant self-righteous fury in an attempt to assuage their wounded sensibilities. I mean... yheah, Stitchface was pretty messed up, but I'm also pretty sure it's in the book that you're not supposed to outright lead your master to their death.
Pretty sure.... I'll have to cross reference some stuff later tonight.
But, I mean, even so, the Master was taking it pretty hard.
Well... on the upside, the "oh so impressive" voidwalker managed to do absolutely nothing, so it shouldn't be too difficult to pin Stitchface's death on him.
HAH! The day is saved by imbecile void fart horse and I get to console the Master. No more stupid voidwalker to distract the Master from her plans.
It'll be back to tea parties and acquiring books and visiting her friends and destroying upstart titans in no time!
Perfect.
I just have this nagging feeling that I'm forgetting something.
Aaaaand, about that time, was when Stitchface's body dissolved down to bones and she rose from the grave once more with an upset look on her face.
Huh.... forgot that undead did that.
Hmmm.... still think I'm forgetting something.
Eh.... whatever. At least I can still pin this whole thing on the voidwalker.
-~oOo~-
Right, so the Master and Stitchface somehow came to the conclusion that this whole thing was my fault, despite all evidence pointing to the contrary.
I mean, yes, there was fire involved, and yes, there was wonton destruction, and yes the Master's bedchambers were pretty much torn to shreds and left to smolder, but I can honestly say that I was NOT in the lab when this all went down.
Aaaaand, since the Master knows I wouldn't lie to her... it breaks the no being naughty rule... she's still just squinting at me really hard instead of outright threatening me with a newspaper.
But Stitchface? No such luck. She's convinced that I, somehow, orchestrated this whole thing even though the retarded smog equine hasn't denied a dang thing. Even when I pointed to him and screeched! It's like he thinks that silence proves he's innocent.
HE'S A DEMON! OF COURSE HE'S NOT INNOCENT!
I'm innocent! Completely and totally didn't do a single thing that should have killed Stitchface or any of this nonsense!
But they're not buying it so, even when I grabbed the "Fabricated Ignition Reduction Expulsion System" and started spraying the smoldering bits with foam, they just seemed to glare harder.
I'm not used to the Master glaring... it's... I don't know... uncomfortable. She's not supposed to glare. It's like a rule or something.
Actually, I'm pretty sure it actually is a rule... at least an implied one... since 'Keep the Master Happy" is a rule.
Maybe I need to grab some tea?
But whatever, not even putting out the fires helped.
It's like they're blaming me for this whole thing... and that's clearly not right. I mean, even if they somehow knew that I had set up most of what happened, which they can't, but even if they could, it's like they've decided that no matter what I say, it's going to be a lie.
And.... I don't like it.
So I just kind of answered whatever questions the Master asked, like where I was when the fireball exploded (upstairs calling for he- What? There was a fireball?!?) and why didn't I look worried when I saw Stitchface dead (She's UNdead... these things happen) and just what did I think I was doing lighting things on fire (I CAN'T light things on fire! The Master fireproofs EVERYTHING).
In all honestly, I probably sulked more than I cleaned up while the Master was asking things.
But, ultimately, the Master just lit her horn up and the room started cleaning itself back up.
And I was told to 'think about what I had done'.
So, I went and sat in a corner, surrounded by a little barricade of broken glass and did what the Master told me to do: I thought about what I had done.
I had failed.
I'd failed to kill the voidwalker. I'd failed to pin the disaster on him. I'd failed to get the minions to do the dirty work. I'd failed to convince the Master that the voidwalker was useless. And I'd failed to get away with it.
Pretty much just failed all around.
And it wasn't just unpleasant to realize all that... it was... I don't know. It felt kinda... bad?
I mean, even when I was trying to kill the Master, she only ever really bopped me on the head and it was done. She'd frown for a second and scold me, but the next moment we were off doing whatever and it was like ... like...
.... like she'd forgiven me.
And I let her down.
Somehow, I let her down.
And I'm not going to do that again!
Oh no! I will be the BEST imp the Master has ever summoned! I will be the best, most polite-ess, most capable etiquette wielder she's ever known! I will put the spoons in the right order and shelve the tomes and grimoires and ancient relics of destruction in WHATEVER order she wants.
And when it's all said and done, I will bow respectfully, and slaughter all her enemies in the most devious of ways.
Because, if the Master is not happy... I have absolutely no doubt that she will destroy us all. ...
CRAP!
I just remembered what I was forgetting.
I got the minions killed.
Well.... fek. Not a great start. Buuuuut, but, we all stumble from time to time.
New plan! Get a pillow and make tea for the Master! That always works! |
A Battleground of Kindness | Mistakes Were Made | Tea prepared: check
Teacups on a platter: check
Platter on a pillow: check
Three, lesser, pillows sacrificed to stuff the platter pillow so it meets standards: check
Evidence of the three lesser pillows removed: check
Sugar and cream in their proper containers: check
Improvised top hat made from a black measuring cup on head: check
Excellent! There's NO WAY the Master can still be angry with me now!
That being said, the Master is still the Master, so, fundamentally, there's no reason she can't be angry with me.
So, let's see. Tea prepared, Platter set. Flavor options obtained. Pillow stuffed. Hat on.
And the Master is still looking upset even though Stitchface is COMPLETELY fine.
Well, except for the whole "dead" thing. But that's hardly my fault. She started out dead... well, undead, but still!
Anyway, tea and polite-i-tude. Being 'nice' and 'helpful'. Not insulting the cancer-causing nightmare-fuel horse-beast made of smog. Making sure to not antagonize the wild imps that keep popping up... and they are popping up quite frequently -- there's a literal room of them that I keep pointing out to the new arrivals.
Pretty much doing my best to NOT be the focus of attention.
And they are STILL glaring at me.
Okay, so, maybe the Master had to clean up the lab. And maybe the Master had to replace and or repair a lot of the lab equipment. And maybe the Master's bedroom had a substantial amount of smoke damage. And maybe the bed, curtains, drapes, blankets, door, portions of the floor, walls, window, toilet, and a few stairs had to be replaced. But they can't really blame ~me~ for those.
I mean, smoke and fire is kind of an aesthetic ~choice~ after all.
But all the same, it's really rather frustrating.
You know, when you go out of your way to do something nice and all anyone wants to do is remind you of what they think you've done wrong. It's pretty unfair! Like REALLY unfair!
I mean, sure, I've tried to kill her a few dozen times, and of course I've tried to destroy her minions before, and there's been no loss of love between the Traitor and myself since she tried to smear me into a little infernal paste or the Assassin tried to smother me to keep me quiet, but COME ON! That was BEFORE this morning! That's like.... an entirely different DAY! It might as well be a different LIFE!
I mean, why can't they see that I didn't kill Stitchface? I didn't smash her science stuff! I didn't bite ANYONE! And I didn't even make any fires! And FIRES are kind of my thing!
It's like they've just got this idea of what ~is~ and they're so stuck on it that they can't even see when it's not the case.
Hmmmm.... funny taste in my mouth. Kinda bitter... reminds me of those dusk ravens in the Undercity. Big black birds, kinda remind me of crows if not for the burning embers for eyes and the dripping gore of the carcasses they eat. Oh.
Oh my.
I.... I think I know why they're glaring at me.
And all this time, I've been such a fool! I thought they were blaming me for all this... what I did TODAY. But.... but what if they're blaming me for ALL the stuff I've done and.... and they're not angry with the stuff, but because I haven't fixed it?
What if they're not angry because, instead, they're disappointed?
Aaaaaand, they're staring at me.
But I couldn't help it! I didn't mean to drop the platter when I stopped, splashing them with boiling hot tea and soaking them with cream and sugar. I - I just.... I can't even...
Why do they put up with such a terrible imp?
And I didn't even realize what I'd said, or when I'd said it, but when my thoughts caught up with me, I was sticky and hot and smelling like wet horse-beast and cream and very, VERY uncomfortable.
Because the Master was hugging me.
And... for the first time, I considered that maybe that kind of uncomfortable wasn't actually the worse thing out there.
"I'm sorry"
-~oOo~-
Well, after a... good... hugging, The Master asked me to follow her as she and Stitchface worked their way through the lab, cleaning up whatever The Master's magic had left behind. That is to say, whatever The Master had decided to leave for whatever reason. It seemed like simple things, books and a few papers, some boxes and a chair of all things, but stuff that was easy enough to set right.
I tried to help once or twice but The Master just smiled and snatched whatever it was away in her magic. Well, maybe 'snatched' is the wrong word -- more like, 'gently plucked with an unstoppable force, not even the Gods would dare to resist', but... still. And, the smiling didn't even seem like a threat, it was more like she was, I don't know, forcing it somehow.
I felt pretty useless, even though she'd pat me on the head or promise it wasn't because I had been bad.
And Stitchface kept glancing at me with an inscrutable squint, when she looked at me at all.
I mean, I don't exactly know what a 'scrutable' squint would look like on an undead, but it was even more difficult than normal. She would literally look at me and tighten her lips one time and another would be like seeing a sleeping person who wasn't on fire.... almost completely relaxed, before she'd turn away again at The Master's voice.
It was almost like they were trying to pretend I wasn't there.
And all the while, the voidwalker was just quietly following us around like some stupid, intimidating, cloud with hooves.
Didn't make a single sound. Not once.
But when we got to the stairs leading up to the Master's bedchambers, I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed The Maser's tail and didn't let go, which stopped her.
Probably because the only time I actually touched The Master before was while flailing or when she'd been examining me. Definitely not because I wouldn't look at her.
But, I had to tell her, before she found out what had happened.
So I told her. I told her that I'd killed her minions. That I hadn't meant to, but when they were coming to help her, after I'd called for them, that they'd been confused by the fire and heard her panicking and run off and got culled by her cleverly concealed contrivance, the mysterious mirror of minion murder, and it was all my fault for calling them, that I should have known she'd be alright and that she had planned for the voidwalker to try to corrupt her and the fire and the explosions and titans and evil monsters and The Legion and Stitchface and broken glass and lamp oil and falling pianos and anvils and brick-rains and all the other indescribable horrors of her every day life...
And I would have gone on longer, but my lungs don't hold that much air and I was starting to see little flashes of white in my vision.
But it all boiled down to the fact that... I should have known better.
The Master didn't need help, she had never needed help, and by trying to help, I had only succeeded in killing her minions off -- I had only succeeded in killing her friends.
Pretty much a low point for me.
And she hugged me again, and told me that she was pretty sure they were okay.
And then she lit up her head pike and I waited for the end.
And she shot the mirror.
And a few moments later, the minions stumbled back out, looking confused and unstable.
Except the Pink one, she bounced through with a "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" before slapping a little colorful cone on top of my head, right on top of my measuring cup hat.
And Stitchface just sat down and stared as the Master used a MAGE portal... because she doesn't care about class restrictions because she's The Master.
And she was fine. And they were fine. And the Master was fine. And everything was fine.
And I was..........fine... with that.
And the Voidwalker, he finally said something. Something I'd been wanting to hear from him since the first moment I'd seen him. He said, "Ssssssend me back."
And after a few moments, The Master nodded with a tiny little smile and said "Yes. I think that would be for the best." |
A Battleground of Kindness | Embershole | Hmmm.... The Master says that the thing that comes after all the other things when telling about stuff is called an epilogue.
I will now invoke the grande and ancient arte of Epilogue! All those who would act against the Master: Quake, ye cowards, and despair, for thine end is nigh! Neigh? Nigh? No... definitely nigh!
Somehow, it just doesn't feel like grand magic and arcane forces being invoked, but I have little reason to question The Master.
So, after her friends were settled, The Master led us all back to her throne and sat us down. The minions kept glancing at me, sometimes with glares and other times with little bits of confusion.
Well, I think it was confusion. It could have been constipation -- I'm no horsebeast physician, after all.
But whatever the case, before long The Master and Stitchface were talking quietly as the shadow-fart horse voidwalker was just standing there being all imposing.
And me? I had plopped down next to The Master's throne and was just waiting. I mean, I'm immortal, indestructible in the conventional sense, dangerous to just about any form of life, conniving and not a little bit violent. And, yet, compared to HER, I was insignificant to the point of mere whimsy.
Here, this entire time, she'd been playing me, playing everyone and everything, just to sate her curiosity. I'd come in, fresh from battle, ready and willing to cull the living and damn some souls to eternal, well, damnation, and she'd just plucked me out of that because she wanted help cleaning a library. A library which was utterly destroyed by a giant sized, red, 6 limbed, TITAN who ate magic and used a compressed sun between his horns to fire beams of magic that could engulf small cities.
And she defeated him. Without magic. Without an army. Without weapons. Without armor.
Without me.
She never needed me in the first place. It was all just a whim to her.
But that was over now.
I was snapped out of my thoughts by the gentle nudge of a purple wing and, blinking back to awareness of my surroundings, I hopped to my feet and supplicated myself before The Master.
... Whiiiiich, she wasn't having a bit of. Within seconds, she was lifting me back up to standing and giving me this weird smile that didn't reach her face. I mean, it's a horribly mutated horsebeast face to begin with, so it's not exactly easy to read all the time, but I got the distinct impression that she was trying to smile but didn't really want to.
Behind her, Stitchface was rolling her head in the way that I remembered she used to when she wanted to express exasperation. I glanced around for any other clues, but only saw the other Minions watching quietly.
Eventually, I just kind of looked back at The Master and waited.
And that's when she dismissed the smoke-horse.
One moment he was there, and the next there was the echoing whisper of a sigh as he boiled out of existence.
I blinked as she lit up her horn and the doors flew open to a massive cloud of pink-ish purple light which shimmered and rippled in waves. Shapes and patterns seemed to swim in that cloud, half seen half felt as it continued to grow. I watched as the flow from the hallway finally began to taper off until, at last, the cloud filled nearly the entire room with a glimmering fog that hid everything from the arch of the door frame up into the unknowable recesses of The Master's crystal lair.
It was only after the doors softly shut that I was able to hear them, the countless whispers and murmurs that had blended together into a kind of disturbing white-noise. Listening, I was able to pick out one or two faint voices amongst the swarm... high pitched and confused, some even angry, but still unclear.
Until The Master looked at me and said, "I'm so proud of you, Gakham. I'm so very very proud of you for learning to be a better imp. And I want you to remember that I'll always be here for you and that I'm not angry with you for any of this. You just.... didn't know how to be better." She finally smiled, but not the scary kind that leads to missing limbs, the kind that is that kind of uncomfortable that I think might be alright. "And that's okay. We all make mistakes, but that's how we learn to be better. That's how we GET better. And sometimes, it takes a friend to remind us of that."
The Master smiled as something touched my head.
When I looked up, I screamed and threw a firebolt directly into the fang filled maw of the eldrich abomination that had coiled itself behind me. An infinite abyss of eyes, so many eyes, and all of them with teeth and fangs and freckles that screamed yogurt while gargling numbers and... and... and... then he just ate the firebolt and grinned at me with a smile that didn't break my mind.
And I was looking at an old.... thing. An old grey-faced, yellow eyed, mismatched behorned, snake with mismatched limbs and wings that didn't fit right. An old..... creature that seemed so very lonely.
And he was chewing on my firebolt like gum.
And The Master coughed quietly and I turned my back on the elder god, and listened, because she is The Master, and when The Master speaks, you listen.
"So, I'm going to send you home, because I shouldn't have kept you here. It's not right for you to be here. You weren't expecting it and you weren't ready for it and I'm the one who should be sorry. But, Gakham, I want you to know that I am so very proud of you, and well.... I'm going to miss you." the Master actually looked like she was going to cry. "But.... but Fluttershy reminded me that sometimes you need the right approach to make new friends. So, even though I'm going to send you home, I don't want you to be alone. So.... these are some other, potential, friends that I hope you can take the time to meet."
And with that, the cloud of floating pink marbles seemed to shudder and suddenly sorted itself into columns and rows, sorted by size. Dozens and dozens of columns and rows. THOUSANDS of little pink marbles, all whispering and muttering, and suddenly gone in a flash of light.
And then Stitchface whispered to The Master, and The Master nodded.
And I found myself slipping from the material world as The Master's words faded into the ether.
"Be Good, Gakham. And help them to become good too. I'm going to miss you."
And the shiny crystals were gone, replaced with a dark sky, towering pillars of basalt, the acrid stench of fel flames, and the whistling sound of the twisting nether.
And The Master was gone and I was standing knee deep in a carpet of pink marbles as far as the eye could see.
And I was certainly NOT home.
-~oOo~-
There is nothing like the warm fuzzy feeling of being home on a cold autumn evening, propping your feet up on a comfy cushion and laying back in an overstuffed lounger while leisurely thumbing through a well loved book while the soft popping of hardwoods plays accompaniment to the spicy sweetness of a smooth liquor.
Well, except maybe for finding that schmo, knocking him out, gluing him to the chair and setting his house on fire only to throw some smelling salts in once the floorboards ignite.
Yheah... good times.
But, my enjoyment isn't really what you're here for. Yheah, I know that. I'm smart like that. I can read minds!
It's part of the job you know. Figuring out what people want and making sure they get it at any cost. 'Cuz at the end of the day, I'm still going to jump on the tab and leave some other mark with the bill. But in the meantime, well, I'm everyone's best buddy.
I'm your pal!
Your partner!
Your very very best friend!
You know what they say... friends will stick up for you, best friends will lead a stickup for you, and very best friends will help hide the bodies?
Yheah... I'm at least two more 'very's.
I, after all, am an imp... and until very recently, I was one of a set of minions of one, very accommodating, mutated horsebeast who just happened to be tangentially involved with an ongoing conflict between good and evil.
I say 'was' because, while employed, she saw fit to dismiss me after teaching me some of the secrets of ultimate power.
But, even though she sent me away, she made it clear that just killing things was not enough for her... that ~just~ destroying an enemy was the absolute least of what she expected... that there was so much more that an imp could do.
And so, she tore me from my warlock, stole me from the Legion, took me from everything I knew and understood, and sent me to pick apples.
She is truly evil-- and an evil that transcends time.
But she is powerful, and if she can do everything she's done and discard everything the Legion, demons, and I can offer, then who am I to try to comprehend her?
So, she may have sent me 'home' to a desolate chunk of burning rock, hurtling through the dark reaches of the twisting nether, spinning in a never ending night with nothing but her lessons to remind me of her power, but she made it abundantly clear that she wasn't done with me.
We're.... ~friends~. Not minion and master, but Master and ... something else.
After all, she said she wanted me to try and make some friends. And she's sent me all of the ones she keeps making.
Every day. hundreds of little pink marbles show up in a flash of light. And every day, a little scroll will pop into existence and tell me how her day has been.
And every day I will put on my little suit and go to welcome the new recruits as I read her letter aloud so that they know just why they're all here.
Because when The Master sent me away, she gave me an instruction. She wanted me to MAKE some FRIENDS. And Etiquette, that ancient, secret art of dark corruption and ultimate power? Etiquette DEMANDS that all shall serve The Master.
So, once her spell wears off and the little marbles pop, dozens, sometimes hundreds, of wild imps will spill out and start their screeching until the hordes of 'proper' little imps descend upon them and get them fitted for their new lives as minions of The Master.
Suits, overalls, smocks, aprons, monocles, mops and buckets, tool belts, musical instruments and countless other things are put to good use as the army grows. What we don't have, we make, and what we can't make, we train for.
We may be immortal. We may be demons. We may be mischievous, deadly, pyromaniacal engines of death awaiting an outlet, but one thing we will ~never~ be is unprepared.
For when The Master calls, I will make certain that all of my....Friends will be ready.
And woe be unto any who would so much as speak ill of The Master, for when she calls, we will be ready to sort the books, clean the bathrooms, cook the foods, and mop the floors. No tile will be left unscrubbed and no dust bunny un-slaughtered. ALL the books will be shelved. ALL the windows will be cleaned. ALL the plants will be watered. ALL the tables will be set! ALL the tea will be brewed! ALL the swashes will be buckled!
And all the newspapers will be rolled up in case anything is not to her standards.
Because that is what Etiquette demands, and that is what The Master will expect.
And we will serve The Master and her minions and make absolutely, deadly, certain, that there will be peace and harmony. Because I know things... I'm smart like that. I can read minds!
And what The Master wants... The Master ~WILL~ get. Because she's proud of me. She said it.
And I will absolutely NOT disappoint her. So, if she wants thousands upon thousands of smiling, polite, generous, friendly, helpful little Etiquette wielding demons at her beck and call, I will make certain she will never want for them.
If it takes me a thousand years... if it takes me millions years, I will ensure that every demon we meet WILL learn.
Because even if she never calls, even if she never sends the countless souls out to steal the hopes and dreams of the unwashed masses, even if she only ever sends more imps to me and we cover this little rock and are crushed by our own mass, even if we are forgotten...
...when the stars dim and the suns go out, and all of creation fades to dust, I will be there waiting. And I'll crush ANYTHING that gets in her way.
I don't want to disappoint her. She's proud of me, and.... I think... I'm a little bit proud of me too.
/cast dismiss demon |
A Battleground of Kindness | A Heart Warming Tale - special edition | A Heart Warming Tale - 12-20-2020
Ahhhhhh, relaxing in a pool of molten gold is a ridiculously arrogant way of proving how much better you are than everyone else.
It should also be noted that it is rarely even remotely comfortable unless you also happen to be a four and a half thousand ton, fireproof, black-scaled, adamantine plated dragon with a tendency to immolate old growth forests and decimate the continental plates when you want to make a dramatic entrance.
Or immortal. Which I am, but which the arrogant little noble who is skittering across the molten surface as his skin explodes with each contact, is not.
Hah... gold's dense, which means molten or not, Sizzle-skin over there is NOT sinking.
Ah... but, I digress. Good times.
Goooooood times.
And then that niggling little feeling, the one I've been waiting for for so long. The one that promises glorious destruction and unending tyranny for all that might bare witness against it.
I almost shed a tear... but there was no time for that. I had a contract to fulfill my end of.
So I bowed, politely. Smiled, politely. And mentioned the absinthe I'd set out, along with the soothing aloe and seaweed wraps that were over on the refreshment table, politely. And then I cackled like the minion I am as I completed the summoning on my end, leaving the poor sod to continue skimming across the surface of a lake of boiling gold.
Greed'll do that to yah if you aren't specific in your dealings with demons.... true story. Listen to your parents, kids.
Anywho. One moment I'm enjoying some quality time in the dark reaches of the twisting nether, and the next I was popping in to my home to make sure all the essentials were taken care of before showing up.
Gotta make a good impression, you understand.
Suit: pressed.
Little top hat: brushed and with a fresh new ribbon.
Teeth: filed to needle sharpness and polished to a gleam that will give candles envy.
Fire. Oh... fire, how I love thee. Fire: on. On me. On the ground. On everything within reach.
Little napkin thingy: folded and pressed and just peeking out of the top pocket.
Tray: present and shiny and made of real silver! Stol.....er... reclaimed from unscrupulous individuals of questionable moral worth!
Aaaaand little cane.... can't forget the little cane.
Check check check check check check check!
That's seven checks, by the way. I know you weren't counting, but that's why I said it... because you AREN'T worthy.
And check.
Eight.
Everything's ready and time to do the thing!
A second to glance in the mirror.... shoo! Move aside screaming souls of worthless orphans! I have places to be!
Good.... Excellent. Perfect.
Now... back to the summoning.
A moment of concentration, a thrill of magic, a tingle of fel-tainted jubilation aaaaaand....
The dim light of home... the fiery hint of brimstone and the sour vitriol of corruption... the very smoldering feel of the air replaced with cool, pastel, floral, mathematical precision.
It takes me a moment, perhaps even two, before I can properly respond.
I am in the Master's sanctum... it could be nowhere else... and yet, it is different.
The wood. The accursed fire-proof wood... is gone! The bookshelves and thinly veiled threats of absolute, overwhelming power.... are gone! Even the subdued presence of a secret lair.... just.... gone.
And in their place.......... a colossal, crystal construct of arcane domination.
I cackle a bit.... I couldn't help it. It had been so long since I had been to the Master's castle... and my stay there, previously, so brief, that I had forgotten.
But that is all behind me. How could it not be? Fore here I am, once more in the presence of the Master!
She is looking down at me with her signature promise of 'discipline'... her apocalyptic woe distilled again, thrust upon an unprepared world of sniveling imbeciles, incapable of even comprehending the measure of mercy that their meager existence is evidence of. Her 'smile', it sends a shiver down my spine.... but I remember my lessons... I remember my dark secrets and my knowledge of only the barest hint of her unimaginable power.... her 'ettiquette'... and I open my lips and clench my teeth and pull the corners of my mouth upwards in the manner that I practice every eight hours.
I 'smile' at her in return, and she intones ancient power that can crush the will of eldrich gods with but its mere whisper... she 'giggles'... because 'invoking dread magics' is so incalculably inferior to that which she does so effortlessly.
And with our greetings exchanged, the Master... my 'friend' turns and hails her other favored minions as I continue to invoke my 'smile'.
There's the Orange Sweatstain, a brawler with an unhealthy obsession with a cursed fruit. The Sorceress, with her enchanted armor of mind-numbing wealth and power. The Traitor: her mane a riot of warnings to any who would care to live. The Yellow Assassin, with her horrifying skills of mind control and absolute silence. The Pink Terror... who is not where she was a moment ago and I'mgonnadiepleasedon'tkillme!
Cupcake.
The pink one gave me a cupcake. I.... know what to do with a cupcake. Etiquette demands it. I take a bite and.... Oh.
Oh, it's bitter, and sour, and painful and I can feel my tongue blistering and bleeding.
And I can't help it... I smile. I didn't even have to try. It just happened.
Something old... familiar in its own way. I... I've missed this, somehow.
I... scream.
And then I thank her.
And the Master ... my 'friend'... smiles and nods, and I scuttle along behind her as she walks her horrifyingly mutated horseflesh out into the evidence of her authority.
Where there's a tree... severed from its source of nutrients, displayed with reckless disregard for safety or well being!
How cruel! How morbid! I smile again.
I look around as the Master gestures. Everywhere there are colors. Lights scattered across the expanse of crystal. Immense bowls of brass and gold, flocked with frigid winter's chill, litter the place. Severed limbs of conifers, twisted and strung together in a horrifying mishmash of artistry... the scent of arboreal blood hangs thick in the smokeless air. Here and there, cubes are hidden, their faces and contents obscured from scrutiny by means of pressed and painted paper. Curls of fabric, no doubt the Sorceress' work, hang, drape, or wrap various things and emplacements. Tables line the edges of the room, their surfaces heavy with the proof of decadence... enough to feed entire cities... hidden away behind glistening crystal walls... reserved for the Master and her chosen few.
And everywhere, positively everywhere, tiny flames lick at the frosty air from atop their white, fatted, waxen plinths.
I knew it.
She always had it right there... and she was just holding back out of whimsy.
"Well, Gakham. It's been a while! Happy Hearthswarming!"
The Master's words echo in my head for a moment.
Happy Hearrthswarming?
Hearthswarming?
Heart Swarming?
Oh! Perfect! A test! A time to prove I can react and respond to her demands without explicit instruction!
For a moment I panic... but just for a moment!
I'm smart like that... and since meeting the Master, I've only gotten better. She sends me new 'friends in training' every day, after all, and I've been dutifully training them in the secret art of Etiquette.
I am a good imp. The Master said so. She said she was 'proud' of me... and I will NEVER do anything to lose that.
She said Happy Heartswarming.... it.... must be a secret she is trying to teach me.... something special. She didn't instruct me on it, didn't even hint at it, so it must be something that I must discover on my own......
Thinkthinkthinkthinkthink! Heartswarming?
Heart Swarming?
No. No no no nononononono!
HEARTS WARMING!
Brilliant! I know just what to do.
And so, with a smile, I summon Sizzleskin's heart unto my silver platter. Steaming and tastefully arranged with a bright orange chutney and bow as I present it to her.
The Traitor spewed fluids across the floor. I must have outdone her offering. Heh.... still got it.
And the Master, my 'friend' smiles that smile that promises dark things if ever questioned, accepts my offering, and makes it vanish.... no doubt so that she can consume it at her leisure.
The Master is truly magnificent.
And her casting her realm into the frozen wasteland I can see through the windows makes me smile as well... for she is a good Master, and when she calls for them, I shall gleefully lead her army of 'friends' to decimate any who would stand against her.
I nod as I sip some 'eggnog'... heh.... a liquor made from the liquefied bodies of flightless birds. How ironic that they celebrate this show of power by drinking the literal next generation of the lessor beasts.
But my thoughts are interrupted as she presents me with a box... a small box.
"It's for you" she says.
And I know how to receive arms and armor from a warlock... but.... from the Master?
I can only open it and take the fluffy blue noose and smile.
She even helped me to put it on, tightening it just so.... to remind me where I stand.
"It looks good on you, Gakham."
And I can only reply... "Thank you."
This Hearts Warming... I... I think I like it. |
The 34th Equestrian Hunger Games | pre | Candor flicked her ear in annoyance, and then placed her swords on the ground next to the base of the tree. "Well, then what happened?" She asked, her head looking out into the forest.
I gave them a shy little smile before telling her, "I realized that I need to find Jockey."
Gaelan looked confused. "Who?"
"Jockey," I answered.
"Jockey?" Candor repeated.
"Yes. The stallion from my district," I finally explained.
"Oh.." They said simultaneously.
"I have to find him soon. I made a promise and I need to keep it." I explained. Riley shrugged as Code Red made his way down the tree.
"Well, where do you suppose we look? This is a smaller arena, yes, but at the same time they are probably moving," Gaelan complained. It didn't bother me.
"Well, let's just head down to the beach before we decide. The ocean will be a nice way to cool us down, even if it's salt water," Candor said, sort of answering my question. "Who knows, we might see them along the way."
I looked over at Code Red, and hesitated. I didn't know if he was ready for more allies, and if he was, he probably wouldn't talk to them that much.
I flicked my tail and picked up my bag. "Well, off to the beach then?" I asked, throwing the bag over my shoulder.
"To the beach," Gaelan said with a broad smile.
After making our way down the hills and through the forest, we came to a thin stretch of sand on the west side of the island. It was quiet, but the waves rolling on the beach were slow and gentle, creating a very soft sound as the sea-foam rolled.
"Well, this beach wasn't what I expected," Candor commented.
I shrugged. "It's better than nothing."
I made my way towards the water and walked in until the water was mid-thigh. The way the water lapped at my legs was what I needed to cool myself down. The gentle breeze helped too.
If I looked to my right, I would see Gaelan and Candor splashing water on each other, laughing and trying to enjoy this moment before we went off and searched for Jockey, and maybe his allies as well. I didn't know if I wanted to find them, but I had to.
The movement of water could be heard behind me, though I fought the urge to turn my head. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Code Red standing next to me, his gaze fixed on the horizon far off in the distance.
"It's rather pretty, Isn't it?" I asked, following his gaze.
"Yeah, I guess."
"The water looks like It could go on forever." I started. He didn't respond, so I kept talking.
"I was always amazed as a kid how big the ocean actually was. I went on a vacation with my mother when I was about six years old, and when I first saw it, I froze and stared." I giggled at myself. "My mom told me that, 'the ocean is the biggest thing in the entire world, and most of it is still waiting to be explored'" I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "I wanted to be the one to explore it and discover everything, you know. Now that I look back I can laugh and realize you silly the idea is now, but then again, when we're kids, we always come up with these crazy ideas that we think we can use to change the world."
I turned my head to look at him, only to see that his head had dropped and his eyes were closed. He was thinking, by the looks of it. Or listening.
"And now that I'm older I realize that every pony is destined to change the world in their own way. Be that change small or big, everyone does. It's what makes all us so special." I turned my head and look back at the horizon.
I swear, for a split second there was a small ripple in the air where I was looking. It was like the forcefield itself was water, and someone had dropped a drop of water on it, and it rippled outwards. They faded and they weren't that noticeable after awhile. The only thing was that I didn't know if it was my imagination, illusions from the heat, or if something had actually happened far off in the distance.
I blinked, and then looked back at Code Red, who still had his eyes closed. I don't know what was shooting through my head, but once I opened my mouth words just came out. "You could always win for her."
His head shot up and he turned to face me. "What?"
"You could win these games in honor and in memory of her." I flicked my ear. "If you and I were the last two tributes left, I might let you win. For her."
He gave a little smile, but it faded. "But why? We don't even know each other that well, and you're saying you would give your life if meant I won?"
I pondered over the thought and looked back out on the horizon. I took a deep breath and allowed myself to think of Circuit back home. I knew he was still mad at me. But I loved him. I would do anything to come home. and I knew that Code Red felt the same way.
"Yes. Your story should have also been my own. I came into these games with the mentality that if I was to give my life for any pony, it would be you and your marefriend. It might be a little difficult to explain, but just trust me."
He looked back at the horizon. "Thank you, Terra. I probably wouldn't have gotten through this...situation without you, even if you didn't do a lot. I'll try to win. I'll try to win for her."
I opened my mouth only to hear screaming coming from the shore.
"Again!?" I moaned. I made my way back to the shore and shook the water off of my legs. Sand still clung to them, creating an itch that only sand could create.
"We should hide." Candor muttered, "Just in case."
I turned and looked at the bushes where the screaming came. A single, clearly female scream sounded again. It was getting closer.
I jumped into the bushes, and the group quickly followed me. Gaelan was on my right, and Code Red was on my left. The four of us were squished together, trying to take up as little space as possible. Of course, being in between a griffon and a stallion that were both noticeably larger than me didn't make the most comfortable situation. We were sitting on our bags, compressing whatever was inside of them. Gaelan and Candor had their weapons at the ready in case there was a sour situation.
We waited there until two ponies popped out of the bushes and walked onto the shoreline. The large, bright orange stallion was out first, yelling things at the mare he was with. The two of them were arguing, but after seeing the mare I instantly recognized her as the very pretty one from district seven, whose name was Aphrodite. Gaelan laid eyes on her as well, and I could feel one of his wings stiffening at my side. I rolled my eyes, and continued to watch and listen.
"I had no Idea that Cherry Cloud would attack us like that! She was so nice earlier!" The mare chirped.
"It's not her fault, she's the only sensible Career left!" He argued. "Stop complaining about everything! These are the Hunger games, remember?"
She stamped her hoof on the ground. "It's not my fault that I was picked and no one volunteered to save me!"
He puffed out his chest. "Uh, yes it is! Maybe if you thought with your heart instead of your flank, you would have more friends! Or maybe, you would be able to survive out here by yourself!"
Her ear flicked at him as she leaned forward, their faces pressed together. "Oh, so are you telling me that I should just give up my talent, they very thing my cutie mark represents, and just CHANGE!?"
He rolled his head back, his messy mane flopping to the other side of his neck. "Oh look, she can think!"
The pink mare's face was turning bright red. I almost expected her to burst into flames. "Well, unlike you, I was trying to make the best out of the situation!" She flipped her golden mane and turned away from the stallion.
"By taking a bath and flirting with the cameras to get sponsors to send you useless things like ice cream!" He yelled back.
"It's hot outside. And it's better than you can do!"
"I haven't needed anything yet! All I've done is gotten you food, protected you, found you shelter, made sure that you were comfortable!" She continued to stay turned away from him, her nose in the air as he ranted on. "You physically made me polish your hooves and braid your hair and even give you a back massage!"
"It's not my problem if you fell for seduction!"
"I'm not the problem, you are!"
"If I'm such a problem, then why haven't you killed me yet?" She screamed, turning to face him again.
"Maybe I will!"
She flattened her ears and backed up as the dark red-maned stallion ran towards her. He gripped her head between his muscular arms, and with a quick twist, she collapsed. A cannon sounded in the distance, sending goosebumps rippling on my back.
"Holy -" Gaelan started. Candor cut him off with a quick little "Shh."
The stallion was pacing in the sea foam that lapped against his leg. He was constantly kicking sand as he went, sending water and small rocks into the air and into his face. He shook them away, but he kept ranting as he mumbled to himself.
The small aircraft floated overhead and picked up the pink mare's body with a large metal claw. The stallion starting throwing rocks at the aircraft, showing off that he had an impressive arm. He hit the ship several times with a few rocks, as well as some stray sticks.
"This is all your fault, Discord! Only someone with a sick mind like you would create these games! I quit!" He yelled up at the aircraft. "I quit, I quit, I quit! Just kill me now!"
The aircraft was about to take off, but it hesitated. I heard rumbling in the sky and looked up to see a single black cloud in the air. It was small, but there were visible blue flashes that flickered behind the cloud puffs.
With a loud crack and a white flash, the stallion on the beach was on the ground, his mane scorched and his pelt singed. He shook violently, as he suffered from the electric shock that sent his body into a seizure. He continued to twist and convulse violently for several seconds until finally, the terror stopped, and Daylight Sun lay dead on the sand. I was stunned and mortified.
A cannon sounded, and the aircraft lowered the giant claw once more, picking up the electrocuted stallion from district seven. My heart was pounding because of what I had just seen. That was not a good way to die, no sir. This was evidence that I needed to be careful with what I say and what I do.
The four of us sat there, staring at the beach where the scene had happened. The ship flew away, but we were still resting there, appalled. Finally, Gaelan broke the silence.
"What in the hell-pit of Equestria was that?" he whispered.
Candor muttered to herself, then spoke aloud. "Probably his punishment for the killing of a capitol fave. Or just maybe they did what he asked - they killed him. He did say he quit."
No pony was moving. There were more visible clouds in the sky, and the sky looked like it was going to rain. It would be a great relief if it did, but they probably would only torment us with the idea of fresh water.
"W-we should go and find Jockey. I don't want to stay on this beach..." I said, my voice shaking. I wouldn't be able to un-see that. I would surely have nightmares.
"Agreed. Let's just go..." someone said. I couldn't tell who it was. We turned away from the scene and made our way back towards the center of the island on our quest to find the green stallion from my district. It was all that I had a purpose for now. I had to find Jockey and keep my promise.
So much for the beach clearing our minds. |
The 34th Equestrian Hunger Games | XI -Well that Happened | We made our way away from the beach and headed inward, trying to find Jockey, or at least his group. Moon Breeze was also in the group, and I wouldn't mind having her join. I didn't know too much about Silver Streak or how he acted, but I just hoped that he was tolerable. And then there the Mousha - The quiet non-equestrian mare that scared off Code Red and Aerospace Zero in one of the first few days of the arena. If she was with them, then the group would be a little rough getting together.
We found ourselves in the valley closest to the cornucopia, and we were waiting in the wide open territory. The whole island was silent, except for the sound of our breathing and the pitter-patter of our hearts beating inside of our chest. It was far too quiet.
There were grey clouds that hung over our head, but from what I could see, it wasn't going to rain. This was a shame, especially since we had gotten so far with minimal amounts of water. My allies looked dreary and desperate for water, and it didn't make me feel any better. I remembered passing out from dehydration earlier in the games, and I didn't want to go through the same thing again.
I stared at the clouds. Depending on how I felt and if there were still clouds in the sky, perhaps I would make it rain if the clouds did not dump anything on us by then. I also wanted to desperately find Jockey before I started testing how much I could push the rules.
We were near the base of the hills, looking out upon the cornucopia. Cherry Cloud was sitting on the top of it, looking out at the ocean, with her back faced to us. The was a visible wound on her back, and her jacket was not on her at all. The only reason we had kept our own jackets was that the nights were so cold.
She flicked her ear in our direction but didn't turn her head. What was she doing? Was she waiting for herself to get caught or killed? Or perhaps did she think she was safe up there? I don't know.
Gaelan was next to me, his muscles twitching. He grew more and more anxious as we drew closer to the two remaining careers. We hadn't made any plans to attack them or take them out, but even if we did, I would only have an interest in taking out Terrain Tactical. Cherry Cloud had a good head on her shoulders, and I kind of want to be her ally.
"What if we took them out?" Candor suggested. "That way the two largest threats will be gone, and then we can take out the other groups little by little."
I looked at her out of the corner of my eye. She was staring at me attentively like she was waiting for me to say something. I blinked at her, and let the others respond.
"I could do it. Probably. We could take out the green mare on top-" Gaelan started.
Out of reflex, I punched the side of his ankle, cutting him off.
"What was that for!?" He asked loudly.
"Sorry. My hoof slipped on the grass," I answered flatly, slightly biting my lip.
He looked me up and down with his eyes, then started again. "We could take out the mare first, and then go after the stallion, who I think is inside. Does that sound like a good enough plan?"
Candor nodded. Code Red agreed, willing to at least try. The three of them were looking at me. I didn't want to take out Cherry. Not yet. But I also couldn't just tell them that I wanted to save the career because she was nice. They would think that I was siding with them or something. I had to come up with something.
"I think only one of us should go for Cherry Cloud - the green mare on the roof - while everyone else goes after Terrain Tactical. That way, we have both covered. We don't all want to be in one place, because if we are all fighting her, it leaves Terrain Tactical an opportunity to jump up behind us, leaving us at lower odds of winning."
They were still staring at me until Candor broke the silence. "Well, that plan actually sounds a little safer. Terra, Do you think that you... could..." She was trailing off, and her gaze didn't look at me, but past me.
I turned my head and spotted three ponies making their way across the field. I recognized them as my would-be alliance and watched Moon Breeze making her way towards the side of the cornucopia, so she could climb up and attack an unknowing Cherry. Jockey and the Chineghs mare were creeping slowly into the cornucopia, picking up weapons as they went along.
They had come up with the exact same plan that I had. They were going to take out the careers. I looked at The blue unicorn then at Cherry Cloud. I took a deep breath in astonishment. Cherry cloud was too good of a pony to be killed, even if she was a career. At the same time, I couldn't just turn against the group I was supposed to be with.
Without thinking, I started running. I couldn't let them do this. Not now. I knew that I couldn't beat Moon Breeze up there, so I had to find another way to get up there.
I recalled a mode of transportation called 'flashing'. Unicorns could appear and disappear in seconds with this technique. I focused all of my energy on the area next to Cherry Cloud. I had used this skill several times before, but I was far from a master at the ability. Every now and then I would under or overshoot where I wanted to land, and I could only travel so far. Hoping for the best, I focused on appearing there with every cell in my body, and I lit my horn. With a bright purple flash, I landed messily on the roof of the cornucopia.
I lifted my head and looked at Cherry Cloud, who was staring at me with wide eyes.
"Terra, what are you-" She started.
White spots were in my vision and I had lost my footing. I shook my head, but it just made feel nauseous.
"You have to run. Moon Breeze is going to kill you-"
As soon as the words left my mouth, the blue unicorn jumped over me and onto the green pegasus. I panicked and tried to get them to stop fighting.
"Moon Breeze, stop! She's a friend!" I yelled at her. "Cherry don't kill her!"
"What do you mean she's a friend!?" someone yelled as they were fighting.
I knew that they were both very good with knives, but neither of them had grabbed any.
I looked back and forth between the two ponies, not sure what to do. One of them would surely kill the other.
"Stop, you guys!" I bent down, my head low. "Stop!" They didn't hear me. "STOP!" I shouted.
I lunged forward, wrapping my forelegs around the first thing they touched. I took the pony with me as we slid away from the other mare, almost falling off of the other end of the cornucopia.
Just as I noticed that I had grabbed Moon Breeze, she writhed out of my grip with a good kick right at the bottom of my jaw. There was a crack, but I could still feel my jaw. I bit my tongue, which in turn started to bleed a little after colliding with my newly chipped tooth.
I punched her right back and then proceeded to pin her down. "Did you not listen to me!?" I yelled at her, my tail swishing side to side in frustration.
"What the hell Terra!?" She shouted back. "Do you really want to save the pony who has killed so many others!?"
"Why is killing her making you any better!?"
There was a yelp behind me, and I looked up to see Gaelan flying up to hit a stunned Cherry Cloud in the face.
"GAELAN, STOP!" I shouted. This was growing pointless, but I couldn't see them fight, even if this was the Hunger Games.
Gaelan gave an angry moan as he jumped up into the air, his wings flapping furiously against his sides. He gripped a spear in between his talons, holding on to his only mean of self-defense. Cherry Cloud threw a knife at him, and I watched as it just barely scraped his cheek. This only drove him to fly higher up into the air as he dodged it.
Cherry Cloud followed him up into the air, and I glanced down at Moon Breeze who was still pinned underneath me. She was giving me an angry glare, but I let her go, somewhat reluctantly. She shoved me out of the way, leaving me to almost fall off of the cornucopia yet again.
I looked back up at the fighting pegasus and griffon. Gaelan was constantly trying to take her out, but Cherry was clearly a much better fighter than he was. She kept making blows to his sides and wings, causing him to stagger in the air. Even when she had used all of her knives, she started to make her blows with her hooves.
Things were looking dull for the blue griffon. There was little chance he would survive this.
Moon Breeze and I watch in agony as the two flew up past the curtain of clouds. We couldn't see them anymore, but we could hear the screams that they were giving as they fought.
A little time had passed before we saw Gaelan's limp body falling from the sky, shortly followed by a smaller object that was his same color. Was it his wing? No cannon had sounded, so he was still alive. I immediately bolted from the roof, jumping off and somersaulting as I collided with the ground. I kept running, as fast as I could to try and reach the pegasus before he collided with the ground.
I didn't think I was going to make it. I lit my horn again and was relieved to land just below his body. However, after doing so did I realize that I had no safe way to catch him. The only thing I could use was my magic.
I hesitated, looking around for something, anything. I couldn't break the rules. I didn't know what would happen if I did. For all I knew, I could be zapped by lightning like the stallion from Seven. I concentrated and closed my eyes.
I caught him carefully with a levitation spell, slowly lowering him to the ground. Moon Breeze and Jockey ran over, shortly followed by Code Red, Candor, and Mousha, who were giving each other dirty looks. They immediately surrounded him, trying to find out what had happened.
I had only glanced once at his body before I realized that Gaelan had lost a wing. He lost something that made pegasai pegasai. He would probably never fly again if he left this arena alive. I released my levitation on him and turned my back away from the scene. I could still hear the others talking though.
"He's just unconscious, we can still save him-"
"He's lost a lot of blood and I don't know what we can do!"
"Red, help us with wing anatomy. Are there any vital arteries in the-"
"Of course there are! Hurry up and close the wound before he bleeds to death!"
"We need to clean it first!"
"There's not enough time! We just-"
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. We were interrupted by a small canister that was floating down by parachute in front of me. I quickly gripped it with my hooves and opened the case to find a medical string, a needle, gauze, and bandaging. My hooves shaking, I quickly handed the objects over to the first pony that was next to me, leaving them to get to work.
I looked up at the sky to see the green pegasus slowly stagger downwards. She would descend slowly and carefully, then all of a sudden make a dramatic drop before evening out again.
I glanced back behind me, then started to walk in the direction that Cherry Cloud had the intention of landing.
"Wha- Terra? Where are you going?" Moon Breeze called out after me. I flicked my ear at her, not turning around.
My pace quickened to a run as the pegasus got closer to landing. I flashed again, and I found myself In a new area of territory. I was getting better at 'blinking,' that was for sure. I still got an uneasy feeling in my stomach, but all the same, It was still a faster way of transportation.
I turned around to see a scared Cherry Cloud with her hooves up, ready to fight me.
"Are you going to kill me for what I did?" She asked, her voice shaking.
"I'm not here to hurt you."
"Then why are you here?" She asked, carefully lowering her hooves.
I sighed. "I . . . I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Yeah, right. No pony cares about us in district one or two. They make it sound like they do, but they don't. It's why we have to fend for ourselves. We know that we are going to be alone in the arena." She dropped her ears and opened her mouth again like she was going to say something else, but she stopped herself.
"We might have been told to be your enemies, but that doesn't mean I have to kill you," I responded.
"What?"
"Have you ever wondered what would happen if, for some reason, everypony in the arena just decided not to fight?"
"That would never happen. At one point or another, somepony would snap and start killing. And if that didn't happen, Discord would surely manipulate us into doing so."
I flicked my tail and went to comment again, but the sound of a cannon echoed in my ears. My eyes widened, and I feared that Gaelan had died. I immediately started running back towards the place where the group was. I was scared. I so hoped that it wasn't him. Anyone but him.I retraced my steps, passing a weirdly twisted tree that I went by as I ran in this direction earlier.
I came to the clearing where the group was mending Gaelan, and stared at them with wide eyes, hoping that my fear wasn't real. Moon Breeze looked up at me, breathing a sigh of relief.
"It wasn't him. He's still breathing. We mended his wound, but the real test is if he can hold the night. If he can, I think he'll live."
I nodded, happy that the death wasn't him. My chest was still pounding in my chest But if it wasn't, who was it then?
Jockey came forwards from the group that was huddled around Gaelan, and gave me a tight hug.
"I'm glad to see that you're still in one piece," He said with a smile. "For a moment, I got worried that the cannon was you."
"Nope, I'm still here," I responded, pulling away. I looked back behind me to see a pair of blue eyes staring at me with an uncertain face, barely visible as it hid in the bushes. She was hiding in the bushes, unsure if she was able to come out.
"Could we have another pony join us?" I asked. They all gave me weird looks like I was crazy.
"That depends on who it is you are talking about," Code Red answered.
"Well, She's a good fighter, and I think you all have met her."
"And?" Candor added.
"She's a pegasus. Really good with knives."
"Terra, you can't mean..." Moon Breeze started.
"She's really nice, and just like us. She's only misunderstood." I craned my head to look back behind me. "Cherry? I think you can come out now."
The green pegasus slowly walked out, her head hung low to the ground. Most of the ponies took a step back or got into battle-ready stances. She clearly had no interest in attacking any of us. And even if she did, she would find that she was greatly outnumbered.
"You're crazy!" Code Red commented.
"You're kidding..." Candor started. "You are kidding, right?"
I shook my head. "No, I'm not kidding. She might have been a career, but our origins don't always define who we are or who we become. We should at least give her a chance."
Most of the ponies looked unsure. Mousha was shifting her ears back and forth like she wasn't entirely sure what she was supposed to do. Candor was staring at Cherry, sizing her up or something. Moon Breeze had her head cocked to one side, an unamused look on her face. Jockey was trying to find words to say, but for probably once in his life, he was speechless. Code Red was the first one who spoke up.
"Well, I wouldn't mind. She's a good fighter, which we need if we want all of us to make it to the end. There are less than half of us left, you know."
Moon Breeze flicked her ear. "Yes, but a team of nine ponies? Eight is a large enough group already. I don't think we need any more than that. It will just make the final part of the games harder. I say no."
I looked at Mousha, who blinked at me with her slanted eyes. She nodded, I interpreted that as a yes.
Candor sighed. "I say no. She could turn on us at any point. Gaelan would probably agree, especially since she ripped his wing off."
Jockey shrugged. "I say yes. No matter what we say, we will probably end up fighting her at one point or another."
I flicked my tail, there was a majority. Four ponies said yes, and three ponies said no.
Moon Breeze sighed. "Majority rules, I guess. Very well." She looked up at the darkening sky and flicked her ear again. "It's getting late. Let's find some shelter and something to eat. I can take first watch."
We nodded in agreement. Jockey carried the unconscious Gaelan on his back, with occasional assistance from Candor. We came across a large tree, one with a little den under the roots, and many sturdy branches hanging above. Gaelan, Candor, and Jockey went inside the den, trying to make themselves comfortable. Code Red and Cherry sat up in the branches of the trees, With Mousha climbing the trees after them. She was like an acrobat, with how she flipped and twisted around the branches.
Moon Breeze and I were left outside.
"I'm not happy with you," Moon breeze started. "You tried to take me down just to save a pony you met once. For all you know, She could have killed Gaelan, then gone after everypony else. We got lucky that Terrain Tactical wasn't inside the cornucopia, or we would have lost several of our team." I lowered my ears. "You need to decide who's team you want to be on, Terra, because once everypony in our group are the only ponies left, you're going to have to pick a side. You can't fight for both."
I looked up at her trying to understand where she was coming from. "I know. When it comes done to certain things, It's better to let your heart guide you."
She scoffed. "Terra, we aren't in some children's story. This is the real world, and all but one, just one, of us, If going to die in this arena." She was turning to make her way up into the tree. "And I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want to die by the likes of some stupid career. I would prefer to die with at least a little of my dignity intact."
She finished her turn and started to climb up the tree. She wasn't as good of a climber as Mousha, but she was probably a better climber than I was.
I turned away from the tree and walked just beyond the farthest branch of the tree. I sat down and lifted my head up to the dark grey sky. If these clouds weren't going to rain on their own, then perhaps somepony needed to make them.
I took a deep breath and focused my energy on the clouds. I let sadness fill my chest and my heart. The reason I did this was that water-related powers are connected to emotions, especially sad ones. I've found that my skill level using water magic was increased if I was upset. A single tear fell from my eye as a glowing white orb shot up from my horn into the sky, leaving a thin white streak behind it. The orb hit the clouds surface, and exploded, sending a growing white ring over the entire blanket of clouds.
I took another deep breath, and let another tear fall from my cheek. A single raindrop fell on the tip of my muzzle, and I smiled. The rain increased rapidly, starting off as a drizzle then escalating to fat raindrops that came down all too quickly. I let the rain cover my body, wiping off all of the dirt, sweat, and grime off of me.
There was a break in the clouds, and Discord's anthem began to play. The first face that was shown was of the mare from District five, Golden Quill. She was probably the mystery cannon we heard earlier. Then came the ponies from Seven, Aphrodite, and Daylight Sun. Only three deaths.
These games were going surprisingly fast, that was true. I only hoped that Discord wasn't taking most of what we said seriously though, and if he did, whoever won could be charged and punished for trying to start a revolt. |
The 34th Equestrian Hunger Games | XII - In the Shadow of the Moon | Despite that the moon was high in the sky behind the wisps of clouds that were left over from the downpour, I still remained just beyond the reach of the longest tree branch. The truth was, I just couldn't sleep. Yes, my body was physically tired and I had to sometimes shake myself back awake, the thoughts that danced in my head were telling me not to sleep.
Some of these thoughts were friendly and ones that I had thought before. I thought about my family and what it would be like if I returned home as the winner of the 24th Equestrian Hunger Games. I also thought about Circuit's reaction when I returned home. He would surely beg for me to come back to him, and I might accept. I didn't know where he and I stood anymore. I just wanted to talk to him.
There was one idea that kept creeping back into my head the more I thought about home; Jockey. I made a promise to protect him, at least until he got farther into the games. There were about half of us gone, which was still a lot of ponies to go through and fight.
Ugh. Sometimes I hate it when I think.
The other thing that would come into my mind was the large group I was now in. It was practically unheard of to be in a group that large, and for the most part, it was made of most of the remaining ponies. While I wanted to stay with them and protect those that I cared about, namely Jockey, Code Red, and Cherry Cloud, I also wanted to take my leave and just fight on my own. I wanted to wait it out by myself until I was the last one left, but I knew that was unlikely.
I stared up at the moon and sighed. I didn't know what to do. I really didn't.
"Dang it! Why is a simple decision so much harder in this arena!?" I asked the white, round orb that hung in the sky. I wanted it to answer, perhaps give me some kind of guidance when I needed it. But alas, it was just the projection of a giant rock that floats in the sky.
I smiled though. I knew what the moon stood for. Long ago, before Discord ruled, it used to be raised every night by the Princess of the Moon. I knew that I was one of the few of my generation who knew this tale, and that made me proud. Circuit didn't know the tales, and when I had tried to tell them to him, he shrugged them off with a confused look. The only reason I even knew the stories was because my mother had told me the several tales about the moon.
Another one that she had told was how the moon had once held a mare. I thought was ridiculous, but she explained to me that it was actually the Moon Princess, after she grew dark with jealousy of her older sister who raised the sun every morning. I remember that the story went on about darkness taking over her, which turned her into an evil mare, named Nightmare Moon. The Sun Princess had no choice but to banish her sister to the moon with a special kind of magic.
I shook my head at the tale, a thin, sad smile on my face. As much as I didn't want to agree with Moon Breeze, she was right. This was no child's storybook. There was no use in holding on to fantasies and old legends, even if there was a chance that they were true. This was a matter of life or death now, whether I liked it or not.
I stood to my feet and shook my damp mane. My rump had grown sore from sitting for so long. It was very early morning now, though the sun was not visible yet, nor where it's rays.
I got an idea, and I didn't know how good of an idea it was. I guess I could just hope for the best. My idea involved splitting up the group.
I walked back towards the massive tree we were sleeping around and looked up into the branches. I spotted Moon Breeze resting her head with her eyes closed. Mousha was well awake though her eyes were not fixated in my direction. I figured that she had taken overwatch. It looked like Cherry Cloud was higher up in the tree, though still asleep, as was Code Red. I would need to wake them shortly.
I poked my head into the cave beneath the tree and spotted Jockey in the dim lighting. Thankfully he was pretty close to the enterance.
I walked over the other sleeping ponies that were in the way, careful not to step on them or too close to them. I remember watching movies where a pony would try to take something from some pony, and the pony they were trying to steal from would sometimes grab their foreleg or something, thinking it was a pillow or a teddy bear. I didn't need that to happen to me. No sir.
I stood carefully next to Jockey, in a thin stretch of ground between him and a lightly snoring Candor.
I cautiously poked him on his shoulder. "Psst, Jockey," I whispered. He rolled his shoulder.
I poked him again and lowered my head so my face was closer to his. "Jockey, wake up."
He mumbled something but didn't awake. I sighed, blowing my side-swept bangs up in the air.
I flicked his ear with the tip of my hoof, trying to lightly startle him awake somehow. I used to do a similar thing to my brother, and it would always work. But just after I had started, Candor let out a snort behind me, making me jump. I then nearly stepped on the green stallion. I sighed again, regaining my balance.
I continued to flick his ear back and forth with my hoof since it was getting the biggest reaction from him. I could see him smile and his shoulders were moving like he wanted to swat away whatever was playing with his ear. He let out a soft chuckle, before opening his eyes with a happy grin on his face, like he was going to say something. I place my hoof down and blinked at him while a gentle heat filled my cheeks.
He sighed, then whispered, "What?" As he got to a more comfortable sitting position.
"I need to talk to you. And no, it can't wait till morning."
I blinked and then turned sharply, nearly stepping on Candor. I quickly stepped over her and then over Gaelan, who was silently asleep in front of the door. His wound still struck me in the heart. I couldn't look at that poor griffon the same way for the rest of the games.
We made our way outside the little cave and walked to the same sitting spot that I was at before.
He sat down first, and I sat next to him.
"Alright, what did you need to talk to me about that was so important that it couldn't wait until morning?"
I flicked my ear and looked at him. "What if we left?" I asked. He looked confused.
"What do you mean? We can't leave the arena..."
I shook my head. "No, I mean if we left the group."
He looked down at the grass and gave a barely audible sigh. He was thinking. Which was okay. I don't know if it was the moonlight or just my lack of sleep, but he suddenly looked much more mature than the friendly pony I had met on the train. He had grown and he had changed.
"If we did, we would have to take some supplies and weapons with us. There isn't a whole lot, but the supply isn't exactly low." He paused and turned his head back to face me. "And would it just be the two of us? We wouldn't take anyone else with us?"
I craned my neck behind me to look at the tree. "I was hoping to take Cherry with us, and maybe Code Red. Cherry has good skills which will be useful. Besides, she shouldn't exactly want to kill me. I did save her life, in a way"
He nodded. "Yeah, they seem like good ponies. I've talked with so many and seen so many types of ponies that I know how to tell apart the good from the bad. Cherry has a good head on her shoulders, even though she is a career."
I smiled. "I'm glad I'm not the only pony here who agrees with me."
"So, how are we going to wake those two up?" He asked.
"Well, someone is going to have to climb that tree."
He looked at me, and I instantly knew that I was going to be that pony.
"Okay, fine, I'll go climb it. You have to get the weapons and supplies though." He nodded. "Probably a spear for me and a pack of throwing knives for Cherry. I think CR can use a sword. You grab what you need, and a few backpacks. Don't take more than we need though."
He trotted away towards the supply pile, leaving me to find a way to get the two pegasai down from the tree.
I walked to the base again, and dimly light my horn, giving me a better view of the situation. I smiled when I saw the two pegasai sleeping on opposite sides of the tree. I stared at them for a moment or two, before I used my levitation spell to get a grip of the branch that Code Red was sleeping on. I curved the branch ever so slightly, allowing Code Red to slowly slide down the branch. I smiled and began to curve more branches, making the transfer between slides seamless. He came close to the bottom, and he slid down the final branch onto the grass so gently that the movement didn't even phase him.
I started to do the same thing to Cherry's branches, but about halfway down, she woke up. She jumped up, and hovered in the air with her wings flapping at her sides. She floated down, a concerned and confused look on her face.
I poked CR awake, and he rose slowly. I wanted to explain the situation as few times as possible. "Jockey and I were planning on leaving the group, and we were wondering if you could come with us. Jockey is already getting what we need from the supply pile." The glanced at each other like the other would give them the answer to the question. "We would really appreciate it if you came with us."
There was a small pause, and then Cherry Cloud nodded with a little, "Hmm." She landed silently on the ground. "I'd gladly be in an alliance with you. You are one of the only ponies I've met so far who even remotely cares for me. You've earned my trust, and for that, I'll fly with you."
CR was looking back and forth between me and Cherry. He shrugged. "Why not? I do need to get some vengeance for killing my marefriend. I want to take down the last career with my bare hooves. Joining you guys gives me my best chance of doing so."
I nodded. I completely understood where the two ponies were coming from, and I respected their decisions and why they chose to join us.
Jockey trotted back over, his magic levitating several weapons and bags behind him. He looked ready to go, and the two other ponies smiled when they saw him. The green unicorn handed a bag to each of us and then gave us each our weapons. Jockey and CR were each given a sword, and Cherry and I were given our strongest weapons.
Code Red adjusted the glasses that rested on the bridge of his nose. "Well, should we take our leave?"
Jockey started to trot away from the tree, and we all followed. My only hope would be that the other remaining ponies wouldn't get too angry with us just disappearing like that in the middle of the night.
We hadn't walked for too long before the sun's rays were just starting to creep up over the horizon, casting a purple-pink hue over the sky. We decided not to sleep since we wanted to put as much distance between them and us as possible. It was also fairly early in the morning, and sleeping would be near pointless.
There was some rustling in the bushes in front of us, making us grip our weapons even tighter. We got into battle ready positions, and we all prepared to face an enemy. I lowered my ears and muttered to myself. Again? Really? If they were some ponies from our old group, I wouldn't be happy. Then again, they wouldn't be either.
We waited for the thing to come out of the bushes, and what did greatly surprised us. This thingwas low to the ground, crawling forwards ever so slowly, with its rump high up in the air. It was covered in a mixture of mud, sticks, and blood. I couldn't tell if the thing was even a pony. I couldn't even see its eyes. Cherry Cloud walked forwards and kicked the creature with her hoof.
It rolled over and made a pony-like squeak. It was laying on its side, and its head was pointed towards us.
"What is that thing?" Cherry asked.
The creature shook its head, and raised one of its forelegs. We tensed up, not knowing what would happen next. It swiped its arm over its face, removing a layer of the mud. It wasn't enough to get it all off though, so it tried again.
"Whatever it is, I don't think it wants to hurt us," I commented.
I walked forwards, and reached my hoof out to touch the thing's face. It froze and turned its face towards me or my general direction. I wiped my hoof over his face, removing most of the mud from his eyes. He opened them wide to reveal a pair of sapphire blue, pony eyes. He looked up at me, relieved that he could see. I continued to wipe off more of his face, revealing a silvery grey pelt. I helped the mud covered pony up, getting him to stand properly.
"He's okay, we just need to get him cleaned off," I told the group.
They dropped their belongings and started to help me clean the grey stallion off. We were able to get the outer layer of mud off of him, but he was still very dirty. We could see several cuts on his body, but none were too severe. We were able to find a couple of puddles in the ground left over from earlier that night. We got him to walk over to one, and we cleaned him off even more.
I couldn't help but wonder what happened to him though.
Jockey seemed relieved to see him. The stallion we had found was Silver Streak, a pony that was meant to be in the group with Jockey and Moon Breeze. He was obviously separated from them, either in the beginning or somewhere else in the last week.
"What happened to you anyway?" CR asked as he walked out of the puddle, as clean as he was going to get.
"Terrain Tactical happened," He responded.
Cherry Cloud raised an eyebrow. "What did he do?"
He flipped his blue mane, shaking some water droplets from it. "I don't know, but he's completely lost his mind."
"He probably thinks he's the last career left. Most of them get a little looney when they are," Cherry cloud added.
He shook his head. "No, He knew you were alive. He kept insisting that all of the ponies left were teaming up against him and using Cherry Cloud as bait. He was determined that everypony wanted to kill him."
"Well, even if that was true -- which it isn't -- that's a lot for him to make up in his head," I mentioned.
Cherry nodded in agreement. "As the games went on and the numbers lowered, he slowly became less of himself. He was more persistent to keep me safe and he wanted to do more things by himself."
"It sounds like he really is losing his mind," Code Red agreed. "I guess the games can do that to a pony though."
"When he was attacking me, he kept pausing and looking around at the trees and bushes like something was going to jump on him or something. He looked like a drug addict," Silver Streak said.
"Well, we should keep an eye out for him. He's an even bigger threat now that he's lost his mind." Cherry said sharply. "Come on, let's keep moving."
She picked up her bag and weapon, and we all did the same. We walked through the bushes, Silver Streak following us after a little hesitation. Cherry and I led the way, with the boys behind us.
The game has changed with this new information, and I couldn't tell how much it did. |
The 34th Equestrian Hunger Games | XIII - Scale | The five of us had made our way towards the mountains, trying to separate ourselves from the rest of the ponies. For the most part, we knew where everypony was, other than Scale. Other than my first encounter with him, I hadn't seen his face at all. Part of me worried a little about him, not sure if he was doing fine or struggling. Even though he and I had an argument, that didn't mean that I didn't at least worry for him.
We passed the cave where I had found Code Red and Aerospace, though neither of us said anything. I didn't know how far we were planning on going up the mountain. Though now that we were on it, it wasn't as big of a mountain I thought it was. It was kind of just like a slightly-larger-than-normal hill. Real mountains were definitely much bigger than this.
I eventually fell next to Jockey, and he and I were walking side by side. Code Red and Cherry Cloud were in front of us, talking about some old cloud city, an all of these things that only pegasai would know. Every now and then one of them would make a joke and they would laugh about it. I was glad to see that the two of them were getting along pretty well, especially Code Red. He probably needed someone to make him laugh. Actually, I think we all did.
Silver Streak was walking behind us, his head held low. I didn't know why he looked upset, but I could guess. I thought that it might have to do something with the fact that he was the only earth pony in our group. I didn't have a problem with earth ponies, but there were some earth ponies that had problems with unicorns and pegasai. I didn't know if he was one of those ponies, but I didn't want to make it worse by bringing it up. It could also have something to do with the fact that he didn't have another friend to talk to. It made me want to find one for him, though it might be just a little too late for that.
I decided to make conversation with Jockey, trying to get my mind off of Silver.
"So, what was with you and that ear of yours?" I asked teasingly.
Jockey scrunched up his muzzle and blushed, his eyes widening. It was a cute expression.
He chuckled, "Um yeah, about that..."
I smiled. "It's okay I do it to my brother sometimes if I have to wake him up. Though I have to admit I think your reaction was better."
My comment clearly didn't help his blushing, but his face wasn't as scrunched up as much. "When I was younger my mom used to wake me up like that. Poking me or anything never worked for some reason, nor did bright lights. So she would play with my ear and it would always wake me up." I nodded. "Though I would usually wake up laughing, and then she would tickle me..." He sighed. "And for a moment last night, I was back at home, having my mother waking me up again."
I looked at the grass below me as we walked, as it was slowly filled with more rocks and pebbles.
"I really do miss her, but then again I'm sure you miss your family too," He added.
"As much I love my family, it's hard to think about them in times like this, I know. It's very easy to think that we might not see them again. But at the same time, I think that it's those thoughts that keep us going. It's what keeps us fighting; knowing that we have a family at home and that we will have a family to come home to if we win. And because of that reason, I think it makes us want to win just a little bit more."
He smiled. His smile was kind of cheesy, but it was one of those faces that couldn't help but raise your spirits. He certainly had the face of a radio host, even though their faces aren't really shown all that much.
"What was your family like?" He asked, kind of out of the blue.
I blinked. "Well, my mother works as a designer. She makes sure all the machines and everything look nice and she works with a team when they have to design something new. She married my dad and had my eldest brother, Trax. He makes tires and wheels. Then they had me and my younger brother, Flashlight. Shortly after he was born, my dad started seeing a peacekeeper. He broke off from our family and told us that he went to go and live in district two with his new marefriend." I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, we are pretty close and we all play our part in doing things to keep our family together. We don't have much but it's enough to live by." He smiled as I concluded my explanation.
"It sounds like a good family," he said in a genuine tone.
I nodded. "Yeah, it was."
We walked for a while longer in silence, only hearing chattering from the two pegasai in front of us and the rolling of stones beneath our hooves. My legs had grown tired, though thankfully there wasn't much of the mountain left.
All of a sudden, there was a very loud BOOM that filled our ears and made us stop in our tracks. I bit my lip, cutting the exact same spot in my mouth that was already injured from my chipped tooth.
"What the hell was that?" Silver Streak asked, looking behind him, over the arena.
That was something that was good about being up so high - it gave you the ability to see over the arena. You could see the entire island and the water that surrounded it. I slightly lifted my head as a gentle breeze swept across my face. The sun was completely above the horizon, and about halfway across the sky. My guess, it was probably around noon. I actually felt quite majestic right now. I could get used to the feeling.
"I don't know, but it didn't sound like a cannon," Cherry Cloud answered.
After a moment of watching the land, we could begin to see a visible cloud of smoke rising up from the forest, close to the cornucopia, on the far side of the island. A few moments passed, and there was another boom that followed, this one closer to us, though not by much. Another plume of smoke began to rise. Three more explosions continued, gradually moving closer to our mountain, each one creating smoke plumes. There was finally a cannon, and the explosions stopped.
My heart was pounding in my chest as we waited. Another cannon followed though we could hear the screams of the fight just before the cannon sounded. I looked at Jockey, who was staring intently at the forest. None of us knew what had happened, but we probably had our guesses.
Somepony had either found explosions or made them, and probably started attacking somepony else. My guess was they had attacked the other group, and the group had followed the attacker. Somepony died. Actually, two ponies did. Shortly after, a ship flew over to retrieve their bodies.
"Come on, who ever they were, they could be headed our way. I don't want to stick around if they have explosives," Code Red said. "You could tell by the explosions that they were hoof made," He added.
"There wasn't really an explosion though," Cherry replied.
"Exactly. If they were made professionally and in a factory, they would have made a much larger explosion. Even if they were something small like a grenade," he explained.
"And how do you know this?" Jockey asked.
Code Red blinked at him. "I'm from District three. We do make some bombs along with everything else we make."
Jockey nodded. "Alright."
We had eventually made our way over the mountain, which led us to a steep cliff that dropped almost straight down into the ocean. The only problem was that once we reached that cliff, there was nowhere for us to go, except down, or back. And right now, neither of them seemed like a good idea.
"Well, it looks like we've reached the end of the island. What do we do now?" Cherry asked.
"Well, we could always just set up a camp here," Silver Streak answered.
"Well, yes, but we're kind of in the open if we do. And we if get jumped, I don't want to be the pony who falls off the cliff. As much of a skilled flyer as I am, it's not easy to catch my bearings depending on how I fall," Cherry responded.
Code Red nodded in agreement. "It also doesn't really give us a place to run, either. I mean, Cherry and I can fly, but you guys can't. We probably aren't strong enough to carry all three of you anyways."
I thought for a moment. I had an Idea, but it might be bending the rules a little too much. But as long as we don't eat them...
"Terra?" Jockey jumped in. "I can tell you're thinking. What is it?"
"Well, what if we made a fence of some kind, and come up with a plan to escape if we need to?" I offered.
"What do you mean by 'a fence'?" Code Red asked. "We could probably build one with the trees, but we would need better cutting tools, nails, shovels, you know, all that stuff we don't have. Not to mention that it would take a long time, too."
I smiled at them. "Well, you know the rule about us not making edible plants or what ever that rule is?"
"Yes." They said simultaneously.
"I'm thinking that as long as we don't eat them or use them as a weapon, I think I could grow us a fence. Out of plants."
All of their eyes widened, and it kind of shocked me. "Are you sure that you won't get penalized?" Cherry asked.
"They haven't punished me for levitating Gaelan when he was falling earlier, and they probably would have by now, don't you think?" I answered.
"Yes, but you were saving his life. It's not like you threw him across the arena or something," said Code Red.
"If you're willing to take the risk, Terra, then I say it's worth a try," Cherry said, supportively.
I looked at the other ponies, who were smiling. Silver Streak gave me a nod.
"Go ahead," Jockey said reassuringly.
I turned to face the cliff and stared at the rocky ground. It clearly wasn't the most stable of ground, but I had to take my chance that the ground was tough enough to hold. I took a deep breath, and began my spell. Sweat began to form on my brow as I concentrated, allowing the plants to sprout from the ground and to twist and curve in a fence like a pattern. The wrapped around themselves, tying itself into solid, sturdy knots as the roots in the ground grew longer, clutching on to the cliff with all its strength. The fence grew until about eye-level height, mainly because I didn't know how much longer I could keep it growing. It was over 15 feet long and extended across most of the cliff.
I finally released my spell, taking in a sharp breath of air and dropping my head a little, trying to call my strength back to me. I've learned that growing spells like that are actually quite draining. Over my years of practice, smaller growing spells don't drain my energy as much, but larger projects, like this fence, do. I glanced up at it, relieved to see it hold.
"Wow," Cherry muttered, walking up to the fence. "I knew you were good with plants, but I didn't know you meant like this!"
Her compliment made me blush a little.
Jockey walked up next to me. "Yeah. I heard a lot about you and your skills, but I really didn't know that this is what you meant. Your abilities - I haven't come across or even heard of anypony with skills that even come close. You certainly have a rare gift."
"It's all about practice, really. And at home, they're put to better use - helping to create some food and other little things like that. I just do and create what's needed, even though I'm not known that much."
"Well, they'll know you now," Cherry replied. "You're one pony that I'm very glad I met."
I made a motion with my hoof, beckoning them to stop. "You really don't have to thank me. I was just doing was what necessary."
"Are we going to set up camp?" Silver Streak asked. "Even though it's like the middle of the day?"
"Yeah, I suppose we can," Cherry answered. "Though we should probably see if we can find something to eat too," She added, holding her hoof up to her stomach, which I guessed was probably growling.
"Alright, the three of us, Code Red, Silver Streak and I, can go and see what we can find nearby. It might not be much, but it's better than something. You mares could start setting up a firepit and what ever kind of shelter or something you think we need," Jockey ordered. "We'll be back within the hour," He added, walking back the way we came with the other stallions right behind him.
I looked at Cherry Cloud and smiled. "So, firepit."
We had just finished building when we heard a soft rolling of stones near us. Only a short amount of time had passed, so I figured that it was just the boys returning. Cherry and I were sitting and waiting for them to return.
Cherry had turned her head around to look in the direction of the sound. "So, you find anything interesting?"
Suddenly her ears dropped. I stood, not being able to see the stallion's face. I could see the green hooves moving over the stones, so I just figured that it was Jockey. Turns out I was wrong.
It was Scale.
"Long time no see, Terra. I see you've gained a friend." He started to walk around us like he was looking for a weak point, or he was trying to intimidate us. "It's a shame that we're not allies, you know? You and I would have been a wonderful team, and make it all the way to the final two."
"That's your loss then," I countered. "You were the one to ask me to leave, remember? After I saved your life?"
He chuckled as his face blushed. "Yes, I remember, and it's thanks to you that I took out those ponies from district eleven." Cherry tensed up. "What were their names? I don't remember the stallion's, but I do remember that the tan and white mare was quite a fighter. So surprising too - she always looked like she was half asleep."
"When did you kill them?" Cherry asked suddenly.
"Oh, just this morning. They decided it would be best to try to bomb me, but it didn't work. I don't even know where they got those explosives! I chased them and took down that grey and red unicorn. I then proceeded to follow that mare. She put up quite a fight for her comrade, I must say."
"What do you want, Scale?" I asked, placing my foreleg in front of Cherry, who looked like she was about ready to jump on him.
"I want to win, just like any pony else!" He shouted, tensing up his back almost like a scared cat.
"But why! Why do you fight Scale, we all have our reasons; surely yours is more than just for the pride and thrill!" I shouted back.
He closed his eyes and dropped his head, his body trembling. I didn't know what he was going to do. it was so hard to read him; I was prepared to defend myself if I had to. But I didn't want it to come to that.
Finally, he lifted his head, his face dripping with tears. Cherry and I froze with awe. Here was a pony who had labeled himself as a threat and had proved it a thousand times over. He was a fierce competitor and great at combat, and he had sworn to win. He seemed very set that he was going to be the winner. So why was he crying? Was it all just an act?
"I want to win because I'm one of the last of my kind, Terra!" he finally exclaimed with a trembling voice. "Ever since the revolution when the Crystal Empire disappeared, my kind was practically nonexistent. Most of us disappeared right along with the empire, but not all of us did. A small hoof-full remained...my parents were part of that few." He sobbed. "And everypony who saw us saw us as traitors or as demons! We had changed long ago and were no longer feeders of love, but sharers; so why didn't anyone see us like that! We never did anything wrong, and yet, we were persecuted..."
I took a few small steps towards the shaking changeling. "Scale..."
"Ponies didn't like the idea of us breeding. They tried to do everything possible to stop it, some even resorting to violence...they said we were the weaker race...And that's why I need to win Terra! I have to prove to everyone that changelings aren't weak! And I have to make a stand since there are so few of us left! I can't let my race die out!"
I lowered my ears. I had no idea that he went through all of that in his home district. I didn't know that he was in so much pain. I felt sorry for him.
I had just begun to take a step towards him when there was rustling in the bushes behind Scale.
"Terra!" I heard somepony yell. Before I knew it, Jockey, Code Red, and Silver Streak had darted from the shadows and lunged themselves towards Scale.
Code Red attacked him first, his hooves flailing wildly, However, Scale was ready and had turned rapidly, landing a punch right on Code Red's chest that sent him tumbling backward onto the ground, gasping for breath. He was alright, but he probably had the wind knocked out of him. Jockey was next wielding his sword, attempting to send sending fast blows to Scale's sides. Scale weaved in between the blows with ease, twisting with such fluid motion he looked like a dancer. Jockey made a thrust forwards and Scale reached his hoof forwards and did a very flowing move where he tremoved the sword from Jockey's grasp. Jockey stared wide-eyed as Scale turned on him and swiped the sword across Jockey's face. He too collapsed backward, and I was terrified that Jockey was fatally wounded. Thankfully he raised his head and looked back up at Scale with raging eyes, a new cut lining diagonally between his eyes, he went to stand, but Code Red grabbed his leg with his own, holding him back. Both of us clearly knew that he wouldn't beat him.
Silver Streak had attacked last, aiming with a kick to his face. To no surprise, Scale easily dodged it. He rotated and grabbed his hind leg with both hooves, directing his momentum past him and throwing him into the ground. Before I had any time to react, Cherry had come from nowhere and quickly pushed him over. They somersaulted in the pebbles and grass, before Cherry landed on top and started to make powerful blows to his face.
He had to be getting tired worn out, so I was amazed that he could keep going like this. It was almost unnatural.
I carefully trotted over to Code Red and Jockey who were laying on the ground, helping them get to their hooves. "Don't fight him. He's just..." I didn't know what to say. I was scared. Everything had changed and Scale wasn't who we thought he was. Still, there was no way we could intervene. We had watched the two green ponies fight, seeing that they were very equally matched. Both of them were fast, and they each had the muscle to make devastating blows to their opponent. There was no way we could step in without hurting ourselves in the process.
Suddenly, Scale had kicked Cherry to the ground and was prepping to make about to make the final blow. The thing that happened next was both so slowly and so quickly. They were a quick blur of grey and the next thing I knew Silver Streak was standing over Cherry, a sword in his back.
He looked up at me, his eyes filled with fear. Everything was silent. Cherry was screaming at him, and the boys next to me were doing something else, but I didn't hear it at all. I didn't want to hear it. His gaze was ice cold and it sent chills running all over my body. It made my heart skip a beat and left my body feeling hollow.
With my vision turning red, That empty feeling inside suddenly exploded with rage. I bolted for Scale, picking up a knife as I went. He was so occupied watching Silver that he didn't see me coming. I leaped onto Scale, and with a somersault I had him pinned to the ground, holding a knife to his neck. I was staring into his amber eyes as tears filled my own.
"Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now!" I said shakily.
"There isn't any reason why you shouldn't. I've done horrible things." He responded back, his tone monotone.
"But you have your reasons for fighting! You aren't evil, you're just. . . hurting."
"I've always been hurting, Terra, It's the curse of being a changeling. I was born into this. . ."
"But you shouldn't have been! You said so yourself; changelings are love sharers! You're good-natured and kind! You had good intentions, you just. . . You just. . ." I was sobbing. "You don't deserve this! Please!"
Scale extended his neck and closed his eyes. "You can kill me, Terra, it's fine."
"I-I can't, I-"
"Terra if you don't, somepony else will. And I'd much rather it be you."
"Don't make me do this! I can't kill you!" The words left my mouth, but I was still holding the knife against his neck.
"Just do it, Terra!" He shouted, reopening his eyes to stare at me.
I was shaking, hesitant. I stared at his neck and the blade pressed against it. I didn't want to kill him. Not now, not after everything I've learned. But it was so hard to just let go of the fact that he had stabbed Silver Streak, and I knew that the others wanted me to take revenge. What should I do?
"No," I said firmly. I heard him, as well as the others, gasp. "I won't do it." I dropped the knife to the side and stepped away from him.
He rolled onto his side and slowly got up. "Terra what are you doing!?" I heard somepony call. I lowered my head and let my bang sweep over my face as I found myself continuing to cry.
Scale was flabbergasted. His head was lowered just like mine, his eyes empty and gazing at the ground. We stood close to each other, our face only inches apart.
"Please don't make me regret my decision," I whispered.
He looked up at me, sadly, "You won't". And before I knew it, he had lunged forwards again.
However, it was not at all what I was expecting. He didn't try to attack me or anything of the sorts. No. Instead, I found his lips pressed against mine. I was shocked and I didn't understand what was going on. He looked like he was glowing, and I felt like I was glowing. I felt such a warm feeling rise in my chest; something I had only felt with Circuit. But I didn't have feelings for him. Or at least, not the same way I had feelings for Circuit. What was this? Was he sharing his love? He backed away, his cheeks flushed. He kept his eyes on my face as he began backing away, before finally turning and running into the woods. I sighed shakily, my face heated and more tears falling from my eyes. What happened?
"Dammit!" I shouted, before collapsing onto the ground. I didn't know what happened. He kissed me, and I didn't killed him. But I almost did. And he stabbed Silver Streak, who was surely dying right now. Scale, who were you? What have you done?
Jockey walked over to me, and he hesitantly put his forelegs around me, trying to calm me down. But I couldn't. My chest was twisting and my throat was tight. I just wanted to scream and yell and just... just do something! Yet, he didn't saw anything about Scale, or about what had happened, he just got me standing again. He had to pull me towards Silver Streak, trying to get me to say goodbye or something. I wanted to, but at the same time, I didn't want to. The three other ponies were circled around him, his eyes drifting to all of our faces. Cherry looked very unsettled, and Code Red had a terribly blank expression on his face. None of us had come so close to death in these games. Even when Code Red was attacked by Mousha, he escaped by pure luck of slipping on a hill. None of us had witnessed death in front of us before, and none of us were prepared.
"W-why did you s-save me?" Cherry asked, her voice shaking.
"You four saved my life, more or less. I would have kept wandering aimlessly covered in-" He coughed, a trickle of blood coming to his lips. "I knew I wouldn't win... no matter how hard I tried.." His voice was straining, and it hurt to watch.
Cherry had a few tears falling down her cheeks, dropping off of her chin. Code Red was holding up his head so he could speak. I reached forward, and rested my hoof on top of his, making him give a weak smile.
"I'll keep an eye on you in the next life..." He said, trying to sound a little better. "Don't do anything... stupid."
Cherry only gave a sad smile. He shifted his gaze upwards, looking at the rolling clouds above us.
"Oh... and, one of you...please... win..." I picked up his hoof, gripping it with my own.
"We will," I answered. "We promise."
"Good." Was all he muttered. His gaze blanked out, and his eyes lost focus on the clouds. His hoof went limp wrapped in my own. He was gone, and the sound of the cannon sealed it all off. |
The 34th Equestrian Hunger Games | XIV - All for Discord | After Silver Streak's death, the group was awkwardly quiet. Our brains were rattled and we didn't exactly know just what to think about the whole situation. Each of us had something different that was bothering us, depending on where we were when it happened.
Cherry was trying to adjust to the fact that she almost just died, and yet she was the one who was saved by him. Not only had she gotten closer to death than any of us did, but she had somepony else die for her.
From what it looked like, Jockey and Code Red were upset that they hadn't done anything more to take down Scale. However, Scale wasn't just any regular pony. He was the changeling who had received an 11 on his score, and he clearly had the skill to show why. Even if they did bring him down, they probably would have gotten very injured or at worse, killed, if they tried.
There were two things that were sitting on my mind; The first being Silver Streak's facial expression as he was wounded. I knew for a very clear fact that I would surely have nightmares about his face for a very long time, and for all I knew I might even get Post-traumatic Stress Disorder from those moments. As I watched him, I just felt all of the air escape my lungs and for a moment my whole body went numb. It was almost like I was the one who had been stabbed.
Scale's kiss was also on my mind. Why did he do that? Did he have feelings for me? Or what he just trying to share his love, like changelings were known for. I didn't understand anything, and I was even more confused about the warmth that filled my body when he did it. Why did that happen? Still, I found myself picturing about what could have happened if I had killed him. I knew that I was going to end up killing at least one pony in these games, but I didn't want it to be him. Perhaps I would have killed him if he hadn't said what he had just moments before. And even then I was so close to doing it. I could picture it in my mind; what it would have looked like. It was horrific. I couldn't stand it.
We had decided to lay Silver Streak to rest, placing him on his back and folding his fore-hooves over their chest. He lay peacefully, or at least as peacefully as he could. We laid stones around Silver Streak, trying to let his deaths be as treated as right as we could. They deserved a funeral at least, but they would never get one. It was all we could do.
After the airships took their bodies away, we sat there, trying to figure out what to do next. Code Red was laying on his back, staring up at the sky. Cherry was curled up next to the fence, and I was sitting and staring at the firepit that had yet to be lit. Jockey was sitting to my left as well, doing the exact same thing I was. I don't really know how long we actually sat there for - if it was an hour or several, but the sun had stretched a decent length across the sky. Nopony had yet asked me about Scale.
Jockey was the first one to speak, and it made me jump. "I'm going to see if I can find something to eat. we didn't really get anything earlier."
I looked up at him as he rose, replying to his remark. "Would you like for me to go with you?"
He shrugged. "I think I will be alright, actually. With Scale gone I don't think there are too many other ponies around, He ran and I doubt he will be back for a while."
I blinked at him. "Alright. Just be careful, alright?" I added.
He blushed, though I don't really know why. "I-I will." He turned and walked back the way we came, his head turning from side to side as he looked around him.
Turning my head back to the unlit firepit, I sighed. I knew there were only about 10 other ponies left, and we had come across most of them so far anyway. In fact, that group knows pretty well what our strengths and weaknesses are. Well except maybe Mousha, since she clearly didn't speak much ponish. Gaelan was probably too injured to move right now anyway, and I actually felt bad leaving him there for the other ponies. Part of me was hoping that the group would wait to kill him off or something, though Candor would probably hold her own and stand up for him.
Glaring at the stacked wood, I lit my horn and with a quick burst of anger, lightly lit the logs on the fire. I wanted to smile as the smoke began to rise and the fire began to spread across the other logs, but I didn't. I let a scoff escape my lips and then proceeded to itch my right foreleg.
I didn't want to sit and just wait for something to happen. I wanted something to happen now - just something interesting. Whether it was Jockey to come back with food, or for an announcement or heck, even for us to get attacked again. I don't like waiting like this. Even walking was better than sitting around and waiting.
It seemed as though Discord heard my thoughts because there was a bell or something that rang throughout the arena. His voice followed, in a tone that was so cheerful that I half expected it to start raining confetti. "Hello everypony! I just wanted to congratulate you all for making it to the top 10! Hooray!" He paused for a moment, and then he cleared his throat, calming down his tone. "As a little reward I have prepared a feast for you all down at the cornucopia ~ Isn't that exciting?" His voice picked up again.
Feeling up to responding, I nodded my head, knowing he was watching. "Well, it does sound a little interesting..." I commented.
He obviously heard me. "Well, I'm glad to see that at least Terra is getting into it! Everypony else should too!" He paused again, then cleared his through again. "Anyways, as I was saying, There is a feast in the cornucopia, and I've prepared something for every district. You all need something, I'm sure. However, The gifts to you all will only arrive once everypony is in the cornucopia. I know that might take a while since some of you are quite a ways away from it and some of you can't exactly move too fast. But I'm sure most of you who get there early will be willing to wait, right?"
I flicked my ear, not sure what to think about that.
"Well, I hope you all have fun at the little feast! That is all for now. Bye-Bye!" There was a faint click, and his speaking ended.
I looked at Cherry Cloud who was looking back at me, and Code Red was getting up to stand on his feet.
"Well, it looks like they really want to speed things along, huh?" The grey and red stallion commented.
Cherry Cloud shrugged. "I guess so," She looked at the sky, with its now painted colors and hues that told us it was getting closer to sunset.
I scratched my right foreleg again, then spoke. "It will be weird, seeing them again."
Code Red nodded in reply. "Yeah, especially since we left them like that."
Cherry spoke up. "Well, not only that, but we were all a part of the same group at one point. We sort of know each other enough where it's going to not be comfortable if we have to fight them."
"What makes you say that we have to fight them?" The male pegasus asked.
"It's why they have the feasts," The green mare responded. "They have them to bring up action, hoping that the ponies left will have no choice to fight each other at that point."
I flicked my ear. "I'm more worried about having to meet Terrain Tactical, to be honest."
Cherry nodded. "Yes, especially since Silver mentioned something about him losing his mind."
"Do you think we should go?" The red maned stallion asked.
"I think we should," Said Jockey's voice, coming from somewhere behind me.
Turning my head I spotted Jockey, levitating a bunch of mountain Blueberries with his magic. "Oh, welcome back."
He nodded, and separated the berries fairly equally, and placed them down in front of us. I began to pick them up with my magic and began to eat a few. Code Red did the same.
"So, you really think we should?" asked Cherry Cloud.
Code Red nodded. "Yes. It's what Discord asked of us. And after seeing him electrocute that one pony, I think It would be best not to aggravate him too much."
Cherry swallowed her food, and then spoke. "Not only that but if we don't go, we could potentially make the other groups mad at us for not showing up. Which Isn't exactly better."
I nodded. "Yeah, making them wait and getting them angry isn't exactly a good idea either. Especially if one of them is sick or injured."
Jockey added his thoughts as I scratched my right foreleg yet again. What was with me today? Why am I so itchy all of a sudden? Did a bug bite me or something? "In that case, I think It's a good idea that we should go then. It will probably take us a day or two to get there, especially since we have to climb back down this mountain and over the hills."
"Well, we can always go through the valley," Cherry recommended.
"Yeah, she's right, it would be faster if we went that way," Jockey agreed.
"But what about water? Most of the puddles are probably dried up by now and our water cases won't stay full that long." The red maned pegasus added. "And it's not like Discord had the decency to put a river in the valley."
"Yeah, eating too many solids and not having a lot of water is bad for digestion," I added sort of randomly.
Cherry gave me an odd look in response, but it was fine. "Okay. . . So when should we leave?"
"Sunset is probably a good time. I know we all need our sleep, but I don't think we can sleep after today," Jockey answered.
Cherry dropped her ears, though nodded as well. Code Red spoke for her. "Yes, sunset sounds like a good idea."
I nodded in response, and scratched my foreleg yet again. It was really bothering me, and it was just in that one spot. I was waiting for somepony to notice it.
"Then sunset it is," Jockey confirmed. He smiled, and sat down, and started eating his blueberries.
Cherry looked at me just I had stopped itching my foreleg. "What's with you? You've been itching there a lot lately."
I tilted my head slightly. "I'm not sure, it's just been itchy lately. But only on my foreleg."
"Let me see." Code Red was suddenly on his hooves and leaning over my shoulder to look at my foreleg. Him being so close made my cheeks flush a light shade of pink.
He backed away, and then he adjusted the glasses on his nose all smart-like. "Yeah, you have a rash."
My eyes widened, and his answer didn't help my blushing. It was a little embarrassing. "A rash!? From what!?"
"Probably an allergic reaction. But from what?" Cherry said.
"Hmm. . . well, from the location on the, it might be near the tracker," Code Red explained.
"You think she's allergic to the tracker?" the green pegasus asked, a little dumbly.
He shook his head, and it seemed like he was trying not to laugh. "No, but more likely a metal in the tracker."
"Oh," Cherry and I said simultaneously.
"Is it lethal at all?" Jockey asked.
"I'm not sure. It's only been a couple of days so if it was lethal she might already be dead by now. But if it's in her system for too long, she might have a worse reaction and eventually die," He continued to explain. The thought of dying from an allergic reaction made me shudder. "So we either need to end the games quickly, or find something that can postpone the effects of it."
"What if we took it out?" Cherry asked, sort of out of the blue.
"You mean, by ourselves?" I asked, getting a little nervous.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure that it would be more interesting of a show to watch to see you fight to your death instead of suffocating from an allergy," Cherry said. It was sort of like a back-sided compliment, I guess. It was like her telling me that I'm going to die, but at least it won't be as soon as it would be if it were from an allergy. I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
"I think it's breaking the rules to take out a pony's tracker though," Jockey replied, defending me. Was it actually defending? I'm not quite sure.
"Yes, after breaking the 'no levitating others' rule and stretching the 'growing plants' rule, I'd prefer not to test my limits any further," I added. It was true.
"But don't you think that they would have punished you by now after everything you did?" Cherry asked.
I shrugged. "Well I don't know, I'm not Discord."
Jockey smiled. "Well, she has a point though. Why hasn't he done anything to punish you?"
Cherry gave me a playful smile. "Maybe Discord has a thing for ponies who like to break the rules..."
"Stop it!" I yelled, my cheeks filling with heat yet again.
The three of them laughed. Not only at me, but at the situation. I didn't mind. It was nice to know that we were close enough to each other that we could laugh at ourselves and make jokes like that.
"Well, I think it would be best to take it out, just in case," Jockey continued.
"But how do you suppose we will do that?" I asked. "Just stick a knife if my foreleg and dig it out?"
Cherry sighed. "If you want to take it out, that might be what you have to do."
I flattened my ears against my head. Somepony was going to be digging into my arm to take out the tracker. I didn't like the idea at all, just stabbing me like that. I couldn't do it myself, and I didn't really want somepony else doing it. Even if it was just so I didn't have a fatal allergic reaction. I moaned to myself in slight anger.
"Fine! But I can't do it on myself," I shouted.
"I'll do it then," Jockey volunteered himself. I shifted my ears back and forth, not exactly sure how I felt about that.
"Are you sure? I will gladly do it as well. I am pretty crafty with knives, you know," Cherry added. This situation still felt very... odd to me.
"No, I can do it," The green unicorn said strongly.
I watched his face as he levitated a knife and a water pouch over to him, as well as a bandage. I actually didn't know that we had any bandages, but apparently, we had claimed some from our old group. I figured that they were just left over from the sponsor gift that had floated down from Gaelan's injury. He walked over to me and sat down next to me perpendicularly. I reluctantly put my foreleg out in front of him, preparing for the upcoming pain. I tried to get myself to relax, but it was just difficult.
I craned my neck to look away, and Cherry walked over to sit next to me and wrapped a foreleg around my shoulder in comfort. I was scared for my life, actually. I was putting my life into the hooves of others, and it was very unsettling to me. I trusted them, but we were in the final ten now. It would be so easy for them to just turn on me and kill me right now, and I would be utterly defenseless. I closed my eyes tightly, and sighed, my voice shaking.
A sharp pain in my foreleg told me that it had started. The pain shot up my whole leg and was sort of a tingling sensation. It was such a weird feeling, but it still hurt. I turned my face towards Cherry Cloud, my eyes still closed. I leaned my muzzle towards her neck, only to be met with a face full of her mane. She only proceeded to hug me tighter, reassuring me that she was there for me.
How much longer would this last? Was it almost over? The pain turned to more of a pinching feeling, and then it changed into a feeling that something was squeezing it. My heart was pounding loudly in my chest, and it mixed with the rhythm of our breathing. The crackling from the fire blended it together in an interesting sort of melody, and it was quite interesting to listen to.
"It's out," suddenly came to my ears.
I lifted my head away from Cherry's mane and looked to see Jockey's face with a slight smile that read pride. It was almost like he just offered to take it out to prove that he could do it. I glanced down to see my foreleg now bandaged together almost perfectly. Code Red was actually sitting next to him, and it made me wonder if he had helped. The knife lay on the ground, the blade coated in blood, and the small metal tracker sitting on the tip. It gave a little flash, showing it was still on.
I gave a relieved smile, my eyelids fluttering a little awkwardly. "Thank you," was all I could think to say.
He levitated me the water pouch, telling me to drink. As I was taking a sip, the boys stood up.
"Well, let's get everything packed up and start heading down to the cornucopia," Code Red said. "We don't want to be late," He added with a little playful wink.
I went to start getting up, and Cherry beckoned me to stay seated. "We can pack everything. You should save your strength for the trip."
I flicked my ear in slight annoyance. "Really? Do I need to tell you yet again that this is the Hunger Games? The games don't care how weak you are at any given time. I'll be fine."
She lowered her head a little bit, and I realized that I had made her a little upset.
"But I'm thankful for your concern," I added with a smile and a little nudge from my left elbow.
She smiled back and helped me to my feet. I flicked my tail and helped them pack up the rest of the belongings. I was actually looking forward to some sleep tonight, especially since we had all had gotten limited sleep the night before. However, I think that if we all got tired along the way, we might just agree to sleep somewhere. I also knew that after today, most of us would probably have a difficult time sleeping anyway. I was sad to leave my beautiful fence behind as well, especially since it took a good amount of energy. But as the games are, there isn't really anything I can do about it.
After we had everything packed, we loaded things onto on our back and began to make our way towards the cornucopia and down the mountain, getting closer to the surprise that awaited all of us. |
The 34th Equestrian Hunger Games | XV - What a Glorious Feast | We had walked for about half of a day after we left the mountains. We had walked through the valley of the hills, but even then it was a long trip. We walked until the moon was just touching the horizon, then decided to take a few hours to sleep. Cherry, in particular, was so tired that she was practically sleepwalking. Jockey acted in a similar manner, managing to walk himself straight into the base of a tree.
I myself was not just deprived of sleep, but I was sore and anxious. There was an odd, aching feeling in my foreleg from having the tracker removed. It made me a little anxious to walk. I knew that I should be taking it easy since I did lose some blood, and I needed to let the wound heal a little. But at the same time, I understood that there was no time for that. Gaelan was injured far worse than I was, and he was still part of these games. Still, the thought of the tracker also left me with a ball of guilt sitting at the bottom of my stomach. I had stretched the rules to the limit, and Discord actually decided not to punish me at all. I couldn't help but wonder why. My mentor even said that there were ponies who had been punished for breaking the rules, so why not me? Surely I at least deserved to be...don't I? So why wasn't I being punished?
We had needed our rest so much, we had managed to sleep until about midday. Being awake again, we continued to walk for another day, taking a break every now and then to eat and drink. We arrived on the beach of the cornucopia just a little while before sundown.
The four of us walked towards the cornucopia warily, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. From what we could see, Moon Breeze, Gaelan and Candor were already there. Gaelan was sitting near the back of cornucopia, Candor at his side. He was doing better, clearly, as he was making visible chatter with her. Still, his whole side was bandaged to the point where most of his body had been wrapped in bandages. Moon Breeze, on the other hand, was sitting on top of the cornucopia, staring out at the ocean and the slowly setting sun. She reminded me of Cherry, sitting up there, exactly like the green pegasus had done before she joined our side. I did not see Mousha, but I figured that she was with them.
Terrain Tactical was nowhere in sight. I wondered where he was - if he was hiding in the forest or if he was roaming the hills searching for someone to attack. Scale as well was nowhere to be seen. Was he scared to show his face after everything that had happened? Still, I really hoped that they would show up soon. I didn't want to wait too long for them to show up; I just so we could all get whatever Discord wants to give us.
We approached the cornucopia, walking into the mouth with both confidence and fear. How that was possible, I wasn't sure. I had a feeling in my chest that this event would be the last one of this arena. I didn't know if all but one would die here by fighting or if Discord was planning something. I could just feel that something was up.
Candor noticed us first, and she looked at us with a wide, happy smile. She ran towards us and threw her forelegs around me in a welcoming hug. "I'm so glad to see that you're all okay!" She let go of me and proceeded to give everyone else next to me a hug.
As she was hugging the other ponies, I looked at her appearance. Her silver mane was surprisingly well kept and wasn't at all messy. She clearly knew how to take care of herself, or maybe she was just lucky. Her blue-green eyes still burned with a passionate fire that was there when I first met her, and it was proof that she would surely fight to her last breath.
I looked past her at Gaelan, who was now standing. He still had a bandage wrapped around his torso, but he had no signs of pain on his face. Instead, there was a wide, almost cheesy smile. His expression was almost begging me to hug him, so of course, I couldn't resist. I trotted towards him and wrapped my forelegs around his neck in a welcoming hug. He returned the action, hugging me so tightly I thought my eyes might just pop out of my head for a few seconds. I wheezed a little painfully, and he loosened the hug but didn't release the embrace. Instead, he began to speak.
"I wanted to thank you, Terra, for saving my life," He whispered loudly. His warm breath hit my cheek in a comforting way.
"I-I just did what felt right," I responded.
"You could have just let me fall, let me die and there would be one less pony in this arena. But you saved me. And I will always be grateful for that. Even if it was just prolonging the inevitable by a few days. Thank you." His voice sounded tight, almost as if he was trying not to cry.
"You're welcome..." We pulled away from each other, and he winced. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No, No, It's fine. I'm still recovering from losing my wing. It just hurts every now and then. I'm sure it will go away," He explained, "I just can't move around too much."
"Yes, I wanted to apologize to you, Gaelan," came Cherry's voice from behind me. The pale-blue griffon' ears moved up and down and twisted in different directions as if he wasn't sure how to feel about her being there. I didn't blame him for his mixed emotions.
"Well, um, okay..." He mumbled.
"No, truly, I'm sorry. Because of me, you probably won't fly again, even if you win the games. I almost killed you and I feel really bad about that, even if these are the Hunger games," She confessed, "If there was a way to make it up to you I would-"
"No, it's fine. Even if you injured me, at least you didn't kill me," He said.
"But you still could have died from what I did!" She added, her voice rising in volume.
He gave her a smile. "Just so long as you don't try to kill me again, I think you and I could get along."
I smiled as Cherry spoke, "So, are we good then?"
He thought for a moment before giving his answer. "Yeah."
She smiled thankfully at him.
My ears turned towards the sound behind me of Candor's voice calling up to Moon Breeze sitting atop the Cornucopia. There was a faint clinging above us and shortly afterward Moon Breeze was seen walking into the mouth of the cornucopia, her head raised up proudly, but it felt a little like she was trying to intimidate us. She stood tall and proudly, almost like she was the one who had won these game already. Why?
She nodded at all of us, and then her eyes fell upon me. She let out a barely audible exhale from her nose, and without blinking, spoke my name. "Terra."
She made her way over to me quickly and raised up her hoof. I knew it was coming. Whether it was a punch or a slap, She was going to probably hurt me for taking part of the group away a few days ago. I tried to brace myself.
Her hoof swept across my face in one fluid motion, causing me to turn my face away from her. I cringed for a few seconds as my cheek began to sting. I shifted my jaw around, partially out of anger but also to check if there was any damage. Candor ran to Moon Breeze's side and Cherry ran to mine. Everypony else circled around us protectively, as if they were ready to prevent any fighting. My ears turned backward, away from the yelling unicorn, trying to lower the volume of Moon's shouting.
"How DARE you leave us! You take some of our things and then just disappear with half of our team in the night! We had an alliance and you practically left us to die!" She yelled.
I sighed and turned my head back to face her, my eyes fluttering. "You do realize what would have happened if we stayed together, right?"
Her mouthed opened and closed as she stuttered, trying to come up with something to say. Nothing came out except for a few odd vocal noises.
"If our group managed to be the last one standing - if us eight were the only ones left, we would have eventually had to turn on each other." I paused and glared at her. "And I don't know about you, but I don't want to be the first pony to strike down a friend."
She lowered her ears, but the expression on her face was still very stern. She glanced around at the other ponies in the cornucopia. "We might be friends, and no matter how much we don't want to turn on each other, we may not have a choice. Other ponies have been put in the same position before and they had no choice but to turn on their friends. Why would this time be any different?"
"Well surely if we resist that temptation for long enough, the game makers would be in a bit of a dilemma," Code Red added, taking my side. I glanced at him briefly, thankful for him doing so.
"Discord is a master of Games. He can drive us all mad if we don't do anything for long enough, and it will only drive us to our own death!" The blue unicorn countered.
"Well, then we would just have to prove that our bond of friendship is stronger than his mind games!" I shouted at her.
"He can change this arena, force us to die from the environment, or lack of supplies!" She was determined to keep her point of view. However, I was equally determined to keep my own: if we do not wish to kill, then we will not.
"Then we will survive together! Teamwork has allowed us to get through many things! Heat and cold, hunger and fatigue, injuries and death, surely it can get us through any other challenge that is thrown at us!" Cherry threw in, holding up her head proudly.
The dark blue unicorn rolled her eyes and moaned in anger. "Fine! Go ahead and die together then! Last I checked you were no Twilight Sparkle!"
Her mouth slammed shut after she spoke the old alicorn's name. We all looked around as if we were ashamed, but I don't think we all really knew why. Her name had not been spoken aloud in many years, and yet her name had just been spoken aloud for the entire nation to hear on live television.
We were silent for quite a few moments, and I quickly noticed that the sun was now set and the only light came from the moon and the few lanterns that were bolted to the walls inside of the cornucopia.
Candor was the first to break the silence. "You are right. Not a single one of us is Twilight Sparkle." Code Red, Gaelan, and Cherry gave the blonde colored pony a startled look as she spoke her name. "I am not afraid to speak her name. She is a part of history that the nation deserves to know about. Everything in history teaches us a lesson." She looked up at me, then at Moon Breeze. "We are not the bearer of the element of magic, nor are we any of her friends. We are ourselves. We don't have to do what they did, we can do what we want. We can-"
She gasped and gave a strange look of confusion. She looked straight in front of her, which happened to be Code Red. Her back was facing the exit of the cornucopia so I wondered if she had been startled by a sudden cold breeze or something. She coughed and blood came to her lips.
"C-Candor?" Gaelan asked, his voice shaking.
She looked over at him, and her eyelids fluttered. She then proceeded to fall onto the ground with a thud. We all tried to rush forward to catch her or see if she was alright, but just after we moved, something stopped us from moving any further. A slender, black arrow was lodged just at the nape of her neck. Blood was staining her fur, and how she didn't die instantly, I wasn't sure.
"Candor! No!" Was all I heard.
Gaelan pushed his way through the group and sat down next to the silver-maned pony. A cannon echoed in the distance, telling us that her death was certain. He moved her body so that her face was facing up, and he cradled her in his forelegs as best as he could. He sobbed, grieving over his best friend in this arena. He held his face over hers protectively and small tears began to roll over his cheeks and onto her face.
He was whispering to her, but I couldn't hear what. I tuned out his cries and looked towards the opening of the cornucopia, where one particular dark green stallion stood. He was holding a bow at his side with a devious smirk on his face.
"That is what happens when you take my dearest Cherry Cloud away from me..." Terrain Tactical said with a chilling voice as his eye twitched.
I growled and leaped for him in anger. Moon Breeze and Cherry did the same.
I was knocked down by their movements and rolled to the side. The wind was knocked out of my lungs, making me take a large gasp for breath. I lifted my head up to watch the fight that the two mares were creating.
Cherry swung her hooves at his face. He attempted to dodge, but he was met with a good punch from Moon Breeze's. The green pegasus elbowed him in the stomach after Moon pulled her hoof away. The unicorn pulled on his mane, yanking as hard as she could. He tried to let out a yell, but he was only silenced by another blow to his stomach by the green pegasus. The stallion tried desperately to use his bow as some form of defense against the raging mares, but it was of little use. He could not defend himself against both of them.
I got to my feet as the ponies continued to wrestle just beyond the entrance to the cornucopia. Jockey walked up next to me, making sure that I was alright.
"You okay?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yeah...I don't think he will be though."
The green unicorn shrugged. "Well, I guess I have learned to never make a mare angry."
I gave a tiny smile at his little joke. I don't know if it was as the best time for it, but it was a little funny.
A sudden rumble of thunder made me pull my gaze up to the sky. The moon was only barely visible anymore, and instead all I could see were clouds. No stars were viewable in the night sky and there were visible clouds that drifted over the moon. I sighed as another rumble came from somewhere among the sky, and knew that a storm was near.
I was so caught up by the thunder that I just missed the cannon that sounded. It sounded so much like the thunder that for a moment I thought it was actually thunder. However, I looked down at the angry mares and saw them pulling away from the limp stallion. Their hooves were slightly bloodied, but they didn't really care.
They looked at me with angry eyes, but I knew that they were mad at him and not me. They were still terrifying in the dim light of the moon, despite the fact that I knew this.
"That...felt weird," Cherry muttered. I figured that it did. She killed someone whom she once trusted, someone who would do almost anything to protect her. Even if her act was assisted, she still killed someone she once knew.
The green pegasus shuddered and walked back towards the cornucopia as the first few raindrops began to fall. Moon Breeze shot me a stern look, then followed her. Jockey turned to face me.
"Well, now that he's dead, we put our words to the test." He blinked at me. "If what you said is true and that our friendship can truly prevail over Discord's challenges, then we are in for one hell of a crazy ride."
I smiled at him. "Well, we cannot lose hope. The minute we lose hope in our words is the very minute where we seal our fate to our death in this arena."
"But how can you be so sure that we will prevail?" he asked.
Raindrops began to collide with our pelts and mane, and bounced off of the grass at our hooves. I blinked at him. "Sometimes we don't know why we believe in something, Jockey. But sometimes we just believe in something because it feels right." I sighed as a raindrop bounced off my nose. "I can't explain to you why I believe what I said, I just do."
He took a step closer to me, leaving his face inches from mine. "Well in that case then I admire your passion."
I lowered my eyebrows, confused by what he meant. "What do you mean?"
"Ever since the beginning you knew exactly who you were and it seemed like you knew exactly what your purpose was going to be in this games." He smiled at me. "From the first moment I saw you when you bumped into me in our district, I saw a flame in you that I had never seen out of the thousands of ponies I had met. At first, I wasn't very sure about it, but as we were thrown into these games and have experienced so much here, I have noticed it so much more."
I sighed, the rain now quite heavy and drowsing our manes.
"I have wanted to tell you this for a while now, but I just didn't know when or how. But know that we might be soon meeting our death by the blade of a friend, I see no better time to tell you what I have been wanting to say."
I looked up at him, searching for what he might say. I honestly hoped that it wasn't a love confession or something like that. I didn't know how I would have responded if it was. I watched anxiously as he told me what he had been meaning to tell me for so long.
"You are the fire, Terra."
"What?" I asked.
"You are the fire. The fire that burns inside all of us and keeps us fighting. The fire that inspires us to do what we do and to push us to our limits." I smiled at his words. "You have affected all of us with your flames. Without you, we would surely all be nothing..."
I sighed happily and reached forwards to wrap my forelegs around him in a hug. We were soaking wet now, but I really didn't care and I don't think he did either "The flames wouldn't be so large if you all didn't supply some fuel to make it grow, you know."
He chuckled. "Thank you, Terra. For everything."
"I was just doing what felt natural," I said as we pulled away from the hug.
"Well, then you must have very good natural instincts then," He laughed, and then we began to make our way towards the cornucopia in the rain.
Once we were inside and protected from the rain, I shook myself to try and remove as much of the moisture as I could. It didn't help too much, but it was better than nothing. Jockey did the same.
"It's about time you came in," Code Red started as he gave us a towel. "I swear I thought you two were going to start kissing or something."
I blushed and looked away from Jockey, and I had a feeling he was doing the same. He and I were close, yes, but I hardly thought of him in a romantic way. He was almost like another brother to me, after what we had been through. I sort of hoped that he felt the same. And even if he didn't, well unfortunately I didn't have a desire to be in a relationship for a while. Not with Circuit still looming on my mind as well.
Taking the towel I ran it over my mane, trying to extract as much liquid as I could. Water droplets flew as I did so, scattering around and landing on the others around me. Cherry let out an innocent and playful giggle. I let the towel release from my levitation spell and allowed it to fall down around my neck.
Jockey began to speak. "By the way, whatever happened to the other mare that was with you before? Wasn't her name Mousha or something?"
Moon Breeze turned to look at him. "Oh, um... She got sick. She's alive but she is sleeping in the back." She flicked her ear, and sighed. "I don't even know what it is either. It's worse than the flu and it is something I have never even seen or heard of."
I looked at her. "Well, now that we are all here and we aren't fighting, maybe we can get the gifts that Discord promised us. And if we are lucky, Mousha's gift will be medicine."
She shrugged. "You can never tell. For all, we know he could give us a can of peas that explodes into confetti. Besides, aren't we still missing Scale?"
I blushed violently. Everyone one of the group was avoiding his name. Not only did he kill Silver Streak, but he left after having kissed me. Er; I also let him go. I still didn't know if the others knew about everything that had happened, but I didn't want to ask if they saw it. I personally wanted to forget that it had happened. I hadn't seen him since he left. What would happen when he saw me?
Code Red spoke, thankfully. "He's missing, yeah, but for all, we know he could be standing just outside, hiding from us. We aren't exactly on the best terms with him."
"Still, Discord asked for all of us, not most of us. He needs Scale to be here," Gaelan responded.
"Well, he hasn't been following the rules word for word though. He might start without him," Cherry added.
"Well, you certainly know me well then, eh Cherry Cloud?" Discord's voice was suddenly all around us. "Well, you all have caught me by surprise with your strong words about friendship. Really touching, you know, and it brings me back memories from years ago. Memories I never thought I would see again." His tone was somewhere between cheerful and angry. It was quite intimidating. "Because you have inspired me so and seem very certain that your friendship will prevail over any challenge, I have decided to put your words to the test. That means I won't be giving any of you your gifts!" He chuckled.
"Hey! We deserve what you were were going to give us! Cherry called out to Discord. I agreed with her, for the most part. I guess it depended on what he was planning to give us.
"And I am sure that you do! But if you want your gifts that badly then I will do this: The prize for whoever wins will be doubled this year! Twice as many bits, twice as much food, twice as nice of a victor house. It will all be better in the end." There was a faint clamor in the distance, and I figured that it was something from where Discord was. "Well, that will be all for now. Enjoy your final moments." He sounded annoyed with his last phrase. It led me to wonder what had happened.
After his voice faded away, Code Red was the one to speak. "Well, that's just wonderful. He's trying to bribe us to motivate us to fight each other."
"You think so?" Cherry asked.
"It's a typical trick. He thinks our desire to win will be stronger than our friendship," the grey pegasus explained, "The villain in movies and books do it all the time."
"So what should we do now?" Jockey wondered.
"Well, someone is going to have to wake up Mousha and try to explain to her what happened. She doesn't know a lot of equestrian, so whoever talks to her will have a hard time," said Moon Breeze.
"I guess I can try," Gaelan threw in, his voice still tight. "I don't really want to look at Candor anymore..." He let go of the blonde colored earth pony and placed her gently on the ground. He sighed and stood up. He wiped his talons across his face, trying to hide his tears. He made his way farther back into the cornucopia silently.
"Well, I think we should try to sleep. I think we can trust each other that no one has to keep watch. And I think that if Scale hasn't shown up by now, he won't show up at all. We might just get the best sleep we've had in a while," Jockey said as he began to go through a bag to find a sleeping bag.
"Yeah, I agree with you," Cherry replied, yawning. She copied his actions and began to search through her bag for something to sleep on.
"Yeah, let's just get some sleep. It's the least we can do right now," I agreed.
I got out my sleeping bag and lay it down next to Cherry's. The rain was pounding against the cornucopia, creating a noise that echoed around the black cave. It was bearable, but it would surely take some time to fall asleep with it. Though I knew that my desire to sleep was probably stronger than my annoyance over the noise.
We all lay down and closed our eyes, trying our best to sleep with the banging of the rain against the sides of the cornucopia. |
The 34th Equestrian Hunger Games | XVI - It's All Come Down to This | I wish I could say that I was sleeping soundly in my sleeping bag, but that wasn't entirely true. I was asleep, yes, but as I walked in my dreams vivid memories kept flashing through my mind. Memories from the games; watching Silver Streak get killed, watching the one stallion get struck by lightning, seeing Gaelan falling from the sky, and the scenario with Scale.
Scale's encounter in particular haunted me; his face full of fear and sadness, and his story. He was just hurting and struggling emotionally. He felt like so much depended on him doing well within the games. It made me sad. But what made me even sadder was the image I had of holding a knife against his throat. I was so ready to kill him. But I couldn't. It all just made my heart ache. I let him go and he just. . .kissed me. The kiss was constantly running through my mind. Why? Did he have feelings for me? Or worse, did I have feelings for him?
Mixed with all of these more recent memories were other painful ones from my past. I recalled breaking up with Circuit, and the moment of being reaped. I remembered my parents fighting, and I remembered my father leaving my family for another mare.
With all of these negative thoughts in my head, I awoke from my sleep suddenly, gasping for breath. My heart pounded inside of my chest, almost as if it wanted to escape. I sat up a little awkwardly and sighed. Even though the memories were just images in my head, I could still feel the anger, the sadness, the fear and the confusion that came with them.
I sighed a second time and looked around the dark room. There was still the pattering of the rain against the cornucopia, but it did not bother me anymore after I had listened to it for so long. My eyes fell on Moon Breeze's empty sleeping bag, only for my ears to catch her barely audible voice over the sound of the rain.
"You having nightmares?" She asked.
I looked around the room again and spotted her shadowed figure sitting by the entrance, outlined by the light cast by the moon.
"Yeah," I responded, "But they aren't exactly nightmares. More like . . . tragic flashbacks?"
I rose to my feet and started to make my way over to her just in time to hear her scoff.
"I get them too, and that is probably the best way to describe it," she explained. "I have this feeling that they are probably only going to get worse though."
"What makes you say that?" I asked.
"Nopony ever leaves the arena as the same pony who came in. There is always something follows everypony - be it an injury or a disease or even just a few horrific memories."
I blinked at her and looked out at the rain that was pouring just a few inches in front of me. "Yeah, you are probably right. Some things just can't be unseen, I guess. . ."
Moon Breeze sighed.
We sat there for a few moments, just watching the rain fall through the rays of the moon.
Finally, the blue unicorn broke the silence. "How do you do it?"
I pushed my eyebrows together and looked at her, confused. "What do you mean?"
"How do you have so much faith that your friendship can withstand so much? You haven't known these ponies longer than a month and yet you have so much trust in them. And even those you don't know -- ponies that you have just met -- you're still so kind and honest to them. Why?"
I looked away and thought about it. I closed my eyes and just sat there for a moment, breathing, trying to collect my thoughts. I eventually began to let my mouth speak the words that popped into my head.
"I put so much trust in them because I want them to trust in me, I guess. True trust only works if it's both ways. One-sided trust can lead to manipulation, to broken friendships, to misery."
"But is that the only reason why?"
I flicked my ear, and thought for another moment. "I don't think so. It just feels natural, I suppose, to treat them like that. But still, I think I am also trying to convince myself that a strong trust like that is possible. There have been so few ponies that have kept my trust for a long time. . . I guess I just want somepony I know will die with the trust that we have for each other."
"Who hurt you?" She asked softly.
I gave a weak smile. "Well, the most recent one is my coltfriend, but I guess you have heard of that."
She chuckled. "Yes, and how you slapped him? That tale has been going around actually."
"But a long time ago, my father left me. he promised me that he never would. . . but then he did."
"I'm sorry, I guess..."
"Heh, he ran off with some pretty white mare and didn't even say goodbye to me and my brothers." I slouched my shoulders. "Well, he said goodbye to my mom but that was it. And all she told us was that he was leaving for a better life," I added, scoffing, "Whatever that means."
Moon Breeze sighed. "Maybe he wanted a better life for you?"
"I highly doubt it. He would have taken me with him, or at least tried to," I added, my ears lowering.
Moon Breeze had taken a breath as if she was going to say something else, but the sound of faint, painful coughing came from the back of the cornucopia. My ears perked up and turned to face the noise, and Moon Breeze did the same. She got to her hooves and turned to face the back of the cornucopia.
"She isn't going to last much longer if that cough keeps up..." Moon Breeze murmured.
The coughing gradually blended into the sounds of choking. I held my breath almost as if I was trying to save air that could be used for Mousha. Suddenly, the coughing came to a sudden stop. Thinking that she had just fallen back to sleep, I released my breath.
The sudden cannon got my attention and made me jump. Out of the corner of my eyes I watched as Moon Breeze jumped significantly more than I did, in fact, I think her hooves even left the ground. She then bowed her head, her ears folded limply back.
I looked back at Moon Breeze and shuddered."How did she even get sick like that anyway?" I asked.
The shrug she gave in response was so small I barely even noticed it. "I honestly don't know. It could have been almost anything. An allergy, poor drinking water, food poisoning, maybe even just the change in climate. All I know is that the day after you left was when her coughing picked up."
"Oh," was all I could say.
She thought for a moment and turned her body to face the rain again. We sat there in silence for a few more moments before she spoke again.
"You didn't happen to have any connection to her being sick, did you?" She asked, flicking her ear in my direction. Her gaze never left the rain though.
I shook my head side to side as I gave her my answer. "No, of course not."
Her ears turned back forwards towards the rain again, and I could hear her deep, frustrated breathing through her nostrils. I didn't really know why she was mad though.
"I honestly think you did," She added sharply.
Caught off guard I awkwardly got to my feet. I turned to face her, trying to fight the urge to flatten my ears against my head in anger. "What?"
"You heard what I said."
"Yeah, I did, but why would you think that?" I whisper-yelled.
"I don't know, maybe because you took half of the supplies with you when you left!?" She whisper-yelled back.
"Well, what did you want us to do, starve?"
"If it would have put me closer to first place, then yes!" It was getting harder for us to whisper-yell, and our voices were gradually getting louder. Someone snorted loudly in their sleep, but I could tell that Moon Breeze didn't really care.
"Well too bad! You're gonna have to live with it!" I replied.
"I don't want to live with It! I still want this to be like the other games - and I want to win!" Her voice was gradually crescendo-ing.
"Winning isn't always everything," I growled.
"It is if it means your life is the reward," She growled back.
"Sometimes others will give up their life for a greater cause. Other ponies have given their lives in this very arena just so the right pony will be the one to survive!"
"There is no such thing as the right pony. Only those who fight for what they want, and those who don't!"
"Well last time I checked, you haven't been doing too much of the fighting yourself!"
"Oh, Yeah!?" She growled as she flung herself at me.
Taken by surprise, I rolled backward over my shoulder with a thud. She leaped over me, but I could feel her hooves brush against the hairs on my back as I rolled. Taking a sharp breath I turned and twisted towards her, only to be met with hooves against my chest. I wheezed as my back collided against the dirt, feeling most of the air in my lungs pressed out. She lifted one hoof up to punch me, and I rolled my head to the side and I heard her hoof pound against the ground. My heart was pounding in my chest, but I knew that I couldn't panic. That didn't mean that my body listened to my thoughts though.
I felt like a turtle stuck on it's back, and my front limbs were literally all flailing in whatever pattern they decided. Sometimes my forelegs collided with Moon Breeze's, and other times I would hit her neck or her face. In one fluid motion, however, my forelegs hit the sides of her head next her ears with such force that she was stunned. She shook her head and was looking around her like the didn't know what had happened. I saw this as my chance and took control of my hind legs long enough to use them to kick her up and over me. I rolled onto my stomach and carefully stood myself up.
I sighed, hoping that she might stop.
But she didn't.
She flew at me again, this time with more rage than before. Her head collided against my own, our horns banging against each other. I looked straight at her brown eyes and only saw hatred in them. She back away and reared up on her hind legs, swinging her forehooves furiously in front of her. Her teeth flashed in the dim light of the moon, and then the tilted her head forwards, trying to pierce me with her horn. I did the only thing I could think to do and jumped out of the way.
She was fighting so furiously - her style was similar to that of our long forgotten ancestors. And it was terrifying.
She landed on the ground, her hooves in the exact spot were I was standing before. She was rearing up again, and this time I was prepared for her actions. I copied her motions, just seconds after she did, and swung my hooves in her general direction. She rolled to her side after one hoof collided with the base of her neck, and my hooves were quickly brought down into the dirt.
After watching her roll, she leaped forwards, striking low, and I found that her forelegs were wrapped around my stomach and she was pushing me into the rain. We somersaulted over each other until her hooves let go of me and I crashed into a tree behind me. I spotted her as she hit the mixture of mud grass beneath her with a definite 'splat.'
I got to my hooves again only to see her charging towards me, her head tilted downwards and her horn pointed straight at my head. I ducked out of the way and head a loud CRACK.
I looked up at the dark blue unicorn to see her horn stuck about halfway into the tree. I giggled with relief and humor. She lifted her hooves to try and push her way out, but it served her no use. I watched her for a few moments, large raindrops crashing into our pelts and manes after rolling over the thousands of leaves above us. We were covered in watery mud and some blades of grass. I thought for a split moment about finishing her off there, but I couldn't. It would go against what I had said before - that I would only kill in self-defense.
She finally began to wiggle her head up and down and as she continued to push against the tree. With a loud grunt, she flew backward into a thin mud puddle. She yelled with anger in response.
She got to her feet yet another time and had taken only a few running steps towards me when the ground shook violently around us. I was brought down by the force, and so was she. The rain stopped falling around us suddenly, but the ground kept shaking, and the moon in the sky . . . flickered? It was there and then it wasn't for a few seconds.
The ground stopped shaking, and I contemplated rising to my feet. Moon Breeze didn't, of course. She quickly rose and was charging towards me again as soon as the ground had stopped.
She reared up a third time and prepared to pummel her horn into my side. I took in a sharp breath and dove towards her, lifting myself up as I was underneath her. Her armpit was at the back of my neck and my back was on her chest. I rose just quick enough and with enough strength to stop her momentum and to fling her over me. I heard her squish into the mud, and I turned my head in time to watch her slide a few feet.
She got to her feet one more time and charged towards me for another time. I realized at this moment that if one of us didn't die, then the other would. Maybe I should have taken the chance when I had it. Her horn flashed and was alight in a bright orange-colored glow. Watching her new move gave me an idea.
I readied myself for her collision, and just a few steps before she would have struck me, I teleported myself. I appeared close to where she had started her running, and quickly cleared my head of the dizziness that followed. I twisted to face her and raised my front hooves, my horn aglow. Quickly and strongly, I brought my hooves straight down into the ground. With a loud crack that rumbled underneath my hooves, I found my front legs engulfed in a bright glow that prevented me from seeing what was happening right in front of them. However, I knew exactly what had happened as I heard the deep cracking noise continue and gradually grow farther away from me. I had managed to split the earth beneath me and was sending the newly formed fissure towards Moon Breeze. I didn't entirely have the desire to kill her, but I mainly just wanted to put an end to her actions. Just prevent her from making a move for a while.
I repeated my actions, attempting to make the crack wider and longer.
I did it a third time, and the force was so great that I collapsed onto the ground and the arena shook again violently. The light around my hooves and legs faded, and in its place I found an intense dizziness in my head. The rumbling continued around me and I couldn't get to my feet. What was going on?
All of a sudden, the moon disappeared and everything went dark. It was like someone had just turned off the television in the living room of my house. There wasn't even any wind left, nor were there visible stars in the sky. The rumbling faded away into nothing, and the arena was so dark that I didn't even dare to move. I didn't need to fall down into the fissure I had just created.
"M-Moon Breeze?" I called out. "A-Are you there?"
"Yes. But I can't move after what you did," She responded bitterly.
"Well, that was my intention, but I didn't think that the power was going to go out."
"Yeah, right."
"No, honestly! I don't know what's going on!" I yelled.
The next thing I knew, there was a large, bright and colorful explosion in the sky. Or at least I thought it was the sky. I looked towards the explosion and spotted a trail. What was it? It was glowing faintly and it was leaving a trail of light and dark blue. A few other streaks emerged from the explosion a few seconds later, though these ones were not quite as fast. How many were there? I counted five.
The explosion had left a large hole in the side of the arena, and I could see metal curling around it. I watched at the streaks slowed and gathered together and gradually took a more solid shape. In fact, they looked more like pegasai, and it looked as if they were looking around them.
Was it a rescue team? I wondered if I could be of help or something, even though the very sight of them stirred some degree of fear inside of me. Taking as strong of breath as I could while still caught in the dizziness, I raised my head and lit my horn. I launched a single ray of light straight up towards the ceiling leaving a spot on the panels far above me. I could feel my eyelids growing heavy and the lightness of my head expanding, and I feared that I would pass out again. My chest was tight and I wanted to just collapse and sleep. But something in the back of my head told me not to. I saw my light flickering, and I knew that I was close to being done. Panting and shaking I struggled to even keep my head upright.
I couldn't do it anymore. Slowly the light cast from my horn faded away and the only light was a tiny spark on the tip of my horn. However, it was just enough to light to see a pair of purple, masculine, friendly looking eyes that I had never seen before. I blinked lazily at them, and then the world that I could see faded into darkness.
I awoke slowly on a cold hard, flatbed - or was it a bed? I think it was a table. I rolled my head to the side slowly, feeling the muscles in my neck stretching a little painfully. I groaned and spotted a familiar figure through my slightly blurry vision. It looked like Cherry Cloud, but there was a dark teal pony standing next to her on the other side of the table she was laying on. The pony had a red mane and was doing something to Cherry's foreleg. What was she doing? I watched her as she walked away from the sixteen-year-old mare and made her way towards another table, one that I couldn't really see.
I glanced around the room more, and then slowly began to notice the little vibrations that were sent up the legs of the table and through my back. Based off of the vibrations I could tell that we were in some kind of aircraft. They were a lot softer than those of a train and more consistent.
Sighing, I awkwardly attempted to roll over, but I just ended up rolling on to the floor with a metallic sounding thud. I shakily got to a standing position, and glanced around the room again. I saw bright lights as well as medical equipment. Code Red, Jockey, and Cherry were all laying on tables, and Gaelan was laying on the ground, his wingless-side being checked out by the teal and red pony. I didn't see Moon Breeze or Scale though, and I briefly wondered if they had been left behind and if so, if it was intentional or not.
I spotted a door and shakily made my way towards it, trying to be as quiet as possible and not attract the other mare's attention. I had just reached the door and was about to press the button to open the door when the mare called out to me.
"Hey, w-wait! What are you doing!?"
I opened the door and quickly slid inside, only to see four ponies staring at me intently. I glanced at each of them, trying to see if I knew any of them. I didn't.
The first pony who caught my attention was a dark, beautiful blue mare who had a stary, flowing mane. She had both wings and a horn, and I wondered if she was one of those legendary ponies who seemed to live for almost forever. A large black necklace was around her neck, and in the center was a pure white, moon shaped jewel. I would have guessed an opal. A similarly designed crown rested on top of her head. Her eyes shown a bright blue-teal, and despite the fact that her expression was filled with confusion, her eyes remained friendly and strong.
I then spotted two ponies standing next to each other, one who looked to be about twice the age of the other. The elder of the two ponies was a pale grey with a thunder-cloud-grey mane that had the slightest curl to it. His eyes were a deep purple, but they didn't match the eyes that I remembered seeing before. The younger pony next to him looked to be about my age, maybe a little older. His pelt was a pale pastel grey, and his mane was a dark blue and was streaked with a pinkish-purple. His eyes too were purple, and it sent off signs that the two ponies were related, most likely father and son.
The final pony I spotted was an older, golden yellow colored mare. Her mane was the color of a freshly picked apple in the springtime or at least the color I had seen in photographs. A pink bandanna was over the top of her head and pulled her hair away from her face, allowing me to view her caramel-hued eyes. She looked to be about as old as the first grey stallion.
"Well, it appears that the spark has awoken," the dark blue mare said, sounding quite proper as she did so.
"W-what?" I stuttered, blinking at them. "Where am I? And who are you?"
"We'll tell ya, don't you worry, but ya really should go an' get some rest before we arrive at our destination," The red-maned pony answered, her country accent think.
"But where is our destination?" I asked. "Where are we going?"
The teal pony who was in the other room had opened the door and walked next to me.
"It doesn't matter. All that does is that you're safe here," said the yellow mare. "We ain't gonna hurt you."
I glanced back at the teal pony who was giving me a desperate look to come back towards the medical room.
"I don't know if you knew this, but I don't rest well on most modes of transportation, so it's a little pointless to try and rest when I already know I won't be able to," I explained sharply. The younger stallion perked his ears towards the end of my sentence, and the corners of his mouth twitched in just a way that little dimples were forming on his cheeks. It was kind of cute, but I didn't know why he was doing it. "So, can you answer my questions or what?"
The four ponies looked among themselves, as if they were all thinking. The dark blue pony began to speak first.
"I am Princess Luna, the raiser of the sun and moon and one of the three rightful princesses. This pony," She gestured to the yellow mare, "is Apple Bloom, sister to the former bearer of the Element of Honesty, Apple Jack, and the martial arts teacher at the Academy. The nurse who had tended to your wounds while you were unconscious goes by the name of Tender Blaze Beats. And finally, the two stallions you see are father and son; the father is named Rumble and his son is named Thunder Runner. They are members of the Flight Fleet; a group of highly trained pegasai who fight for the Crystal Empire."
"The Crystal Empire? As in. . ." I trailed off in thought. I thought that the Crystal Empire and all of its habitations were destroyed, annihilated, killed. Weren't the buried underneath a deadly snowstorm that Discord had cast?.
"Yes," She continued. "You are on a Crystal Empire Aircraft, currently guarded by the generals Flash Sentry and Soarin', as well and their two squadrons, which whom are monitoring the craft by air. I also cast a spell so we can remain undetected by those whom we do not wish to see us."
"And?" I added, almost a little rudely.
"And we are on our way to District Thirteen."
I let out a short, sharp breath and sat down on the ground. "So. . . I. . ?"
I couldn't think of what to say, but my mind was buzzing with a dozen questions. I thought all of the princesses died? How did the district remain unseen? Protected? Why didn't they help us? Defend us? What happened to my family? My friends? Would I ever see them again? Was I going to go back home eventually? What did the teal pony do to us? To me? Are my friends okay? Are any of them dead? What happened to Moon Breeze? What happened to Scale? What happened to the Arena? What happened after I passed out? My heart was pounding so rapidly It felt as if it was about to leap out of my chest, sprout feet and run away.
"We are getting your family, don't worry, your father made sure that we would. We are also getting-"
"My FATHER!?" I repeated loudly as I cut the princess off.
"Yes, didn't he tell ya where he was goin' all those years ago?" Apple Bloom asked.
"No, not really! All we were told was that he fell in love with some white mare and ran off to go and live with her in a different district!"
The group of ponies looked among themselves awkwardly. Apple Bloom looked the most uncomfortable.
"All the same, we are getting your family and you will meet them there. We are also attempting to get the other tribute's families as well, in case you were interested, though so far, finding them has become a little bit of a challenge. But you are all going to be fine. . . for now," Luna explained.
"For now? What do you mean?" I asked.
The group looked around at each other again, filling the room with another silence.
This time, Thunder Runner spoke. "I know it feels like you have just come out of a war, but with your help, we would like to start a real one. We need you to help us take town Discord."
"Wh-what? Why me?"
"Because," Luna's horn began to glow, and she pulled out many pictures of other districts. And all of the ponies in the districts, or at least in the pictures, were fighting against the peacekeepers. They were revolting. "What you said in that arena; the thoughts that went through your head, your actions, inspired others to rise up. A war is only a true war when there is civilian support on both sides. And after what you have done, we have all of the support that we need. All we need is somepony to help lead them; to keep that inspiration going."
"And you think that somepony is me?" I ask quietly. "I don't think I'm exactly qualified to lead an army..."
Luna chuckled. "Well, you won't be doing it entirely alone. Others will be there to lend assistance. No nation was created only by the actions of a single individual."
"Meaning...?"
"Tacticians, officers, politicians, soldiers, princesses; all of it will be at your side."
I scoffed in disbelief. "I can't lead. . . why do you think that I - I of all ponies can lead you?"
"We have seen you do it before; lead groups. It's natural for you. You do it without thinking," Luna explained.
"But I. . ."
"You don't have to make up your mind now, it's okay. Just go and try to get some rest, please."
"But do you really think I can. . ?"
"We don't think it, Terra," Thunder stated. "We know it."
> XVII - Epilogue
I was sitting on a couch in the back room of the aircraft, staring at the floor. My mind couldn't quite comprehend the idea of leading so many. How many would it be? Hundreds? thousands? A million? So many ponies looking to me to lead them, to be their light. I don't think I can do it.
I reached for a nearby pillow and, rolling to my side, held the thing close to my chest, pressing my muzzle into the fabric. Footsteps walking into the room caught my attention as I closed my eyes, and I waited for a voice to talk to me.
It was Thunder.
"Hey," he greeted. "You doing okay?"
I moved my muzzle away from the pillow to talk. "I don't know," I mumbled.
I heard him sit down. "I know it's a lot to take in, especially since you just woke up from being unconscious. But we really do need you."
I sat up right, leaving the pillow still resting against my torso. "What happened?"
"Pardon?"
"When you rescued us? What happened?"
"Well..." He chuckled. "It's sort of a long story. Are you willing to listen to it all?"
I didn't answer, mainly because I didn't want to.
"I'll take that as a yes then..." He cleared his throat. "Every year during the games, the capitol sends us the televised show even though we are not a part of the nation. People of our nation have the option to watch it, but most do not. However, our leaders always watch it. And that was then they spotted you. I don't know how, but as soon as they saw you, they knew you were who they needed. From that moment on they made plans to free you during the games.
"We tried three times, and only on the third try did the attempt work. Discord knew about our second attempt, and after it he heightened security. We had to double our troops for the third attempt, which was a challenge, especially when we were trying to be discrete. But, we got lucky and you provided both the perfect distraction as well as the perfect opportunity. We were close to turning off the arena, but not close enough. Your 'earthquake' or whatever you want to call it was just enough to get the job done.
"After that, Blitz worked his abilities and blasted a hole in the arena. Tough stallion he is - I don't know how he does it. So fast and yet so strong. I think he might even better than his mom but, she would never admit it-" He paused. "Oh, sorry, You'll meet Blitz soon enough, I'm sure. You'll like him."
"Anyways, We were planning on finding you, but with the power out, we realized that we had no way of telling where you were. If it hadn't been for your beam of light, we probably would have wound up searching for hours, and by the time we would have found you, we probably would have been captured and killed. We quickly flew towards you and your light, and almost as soon as we got there you passed out. We got you and your friends, and it was a good thing that two of them could fly. It made carrying that light-blue pegasus a lot easier. He might be average size for a stallion, but he is literally all muscle and actually quite heavy. It didn't really make a lot of sense.
"We tried to get The dark blue unicorn, but she didn't exactly want to cooperate with us. She tried to attack us, and I reckon that once she saw just how many of us there was she ran off. She was yelling at us that she would be the one to win, or something like that. The capitol probably found her and will declare her the victor, if they don't try to interrogate her about us first.
"We then brought you and your friends to the ship where we- er, TBB treated all of your wounds and safely removed all of your trackers and disposed of them off of the ship. Your friends weren't unconcious at the time, but we had to make them so for the procedure of removal. Right now they are just asleep. They might be for a while, after everything they had been through. In fact we were supprised you woke up as early as you did. After using so much magic, Luna was guessing that you were going to passed out for a long while. few ponies can handle such strong magic like that.
"Anyways, after we got rid of the trackers, we left and well, you know the rest I guess."
I sighed shakily. "That answers most of my questions, but I want to know about my dad..." I mumbled.
"What do you want to know?" Thunder asked shyly.
"Why he left us - left me - and didn't tell us why. He could have tried to take us with him. . . He. . ." tears started to fall down my face and quickly following them were sobs.
I brought the pillow up to my face and buried my face into it, attempting to hide my crying from this near-stranger. I wasn't sad, I was just mad and upset. "I just don't understand . . . why . . . "
I hugged the pillow even tighter with no avail to muffle the sounds of my crying. Thunder reached out towards me, wrapping his forelegs gently around me. I didn't want to cry to a stranger, but at the moment, a stranger was all I had. I leaned into him, and rested my temple against his shoulder. We sat there for a long while and he just let me cry. And I was grateful.
He let me cry until the ship began to slow and it was getting time for us to land. He had to leave and stand guard among the other soldiers as we exited the ship. As he trotted off, I sat on that ship until the landing gear made contact with the ground, thinking about what exactly was in store for me and my friends. For all we knew, we could meet our end or set the nation on a path to a better future. And in that moment, I could not tell which was going to happen, and I almost wished that I could just vanish from the world and live on my own, away from this fighting.
But that was not the case. That was not the case at all. |
Observer | pre | "Would you believe me if I said I was invincible?" I asked back.
"No."
"I'm invincible," I answered with a shrug, "The suit protects me from all harmful attacks, but I still feel the pain."
Garrus stared at me for a while, which was unsettling. Really, having a Turian stare you down is not a comfortable experience. After which, he grunted, "Would explain why you were on the ground, squirming like a baby."
"Exactly!" I said pointing a finger at him.
"And another thing," Garrus said with a shake of his head, already becoming annoyed with me. He's still far off from the record. "Who are you, and how do you know who I am?"
"Name's Observer," I said, jabbing a thumb to my chest, "And I know you because I've seen multiple versions of yourself across the multiverse."
Garrus' eyes widened for a moment before he returned to his stoic expression, "Oh, well, if that's how."
"You're taking this rather calmly," Rainbow noted as she leaned forward.
"I guess I'm used to stuff like this by now," Garrus said with an indifferent shrug.
"Shepard giving ya a hard time, huh?" I asked with a hidden smirk. Another advantage of my helmet: hiding facial expressions. Garrus simply narrowed his eyes at me.
"Jesus!" I heard the Lone Wanderer behind me, and with quick glance, I could see him doubled over with his hands on his knees, breathing hard. For someone who walked around a lot, he sure seemed out of shape. "How are you so damn fast?"
"Practice," I stated, and oh the amount of practice I got. "Oh, and this is Garrus Vakarian."
Garrus walked forward a bit to stand out from everyone else... even though he was obviously an alien. Before Garrus could utter a word, the Lone Wanderer looked at him, and jumped back, his hand going for his laser rifle.
"Hey, whoa, calm down!" I yelled, rushing towards him with my hands outstretched. I stopped a short distance away, the Lone Wanderer's hand still hovering over his rifle. "Just-just stay calm! Just stay calm! Nobody panic! Deep breaths! Count to ten! Stay calm!"
"Observer," Celestia said calmly, knocking me out of my efforts to keep everyone calm. She flew through the air, landing beside the Lone Wanderer like she was landing on air. She can be real quiet when she wants to. The number of pranks she loved to play with that ability... incalculable.
"Yo," I greeted back with a wave. I had to wonder where Luna and the other ponies were, but I was sure she just told them to stay behind. Celestia always likes showing off her capabilities to negotiate.
"I'll take it from here," she said, looking over to the Lone Wanderer, who still hadn't moved a muscle. I hoped he didn't turn into a statue, they're hard to turn back to normal, and you have to be so fragile with them. Someone turning into ice is even worse.
Taking a deep breath, like I had recommended, the Lone Wanderer lowered his hands. Garrus merely raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as if he was expecting the Lone Wanderer to change his mind.
Celestia put a hoof on his shoulder, making him flinch from the contact, but not pull away. He was a real softy when he didn't want to be seen as one. "Are you alright?" Celestia asked.
"Yeah," the Lone Wanderer nodded hesitantly, his eyes trained to the floor, "He just reminded me of a Ghoul Reaver."
The Courier grunted, looking back at Garrus as if he finally saw the resemblance. Everyone else, however, were just plain baffled. "Should that be taken as an insult?" Garrus asked, looking around for someone to answer.
"Yes," I said confidently, "Yes, you should. Now then, let's all just take a moment and get buddy-buddy with each other. I'm not going to jinx it with words so let's just-"
A yellow, spiky grenade suddenly landed by my feet, catching my attention as I stared at it. "A Hedgehog Grenade..." I muttered, before it clicked that it was a Hedgehog Grenade.
"Hit the marble!" I shouted, diving for the marble floor. Everyone else merely took a few hasty steps back, covering their faces as the grenade suddenly jumped in the air and dispersing sharp needles in all directions, most of which stuck to the ground or miraculously hit the walls, avoiding everyone. That is, almost everyone.
"Ow," I groaned, rubbing my leg as I sat on the floor.
"What the hay was that?" Rainbow shouted in shock, staring at what remained of the grenade.
"Hedgehog Grenade," I said, scratching the top of my helmet, "equals Chimera, Chimera equals bad. Which means..."
"Company!" the Courier shouted, looking behind him at the hallway entrance they had walked through earlier. Strange beings that looked like mutated aliens with long, cylindrical packs stuck to their upper backs were pouring into the hallway, wielding black guns that fired yellow plasma balls. Man, those Chimera still look all gangly and slimy. I can never get used to their looks. Luckily, there were just the Hybrid variety.
Everyone ran behind the pillars, including myself for obvious reasons. The ones who had weapons took them out, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Everyone else stayed where they were, glad that they weren't hit by the ambush. I, on the other hand, was curious how the Chimera got to this Universe in the first place.
Heck, I wondered how any of these people got here in the first place! I'm sure it'll be explained in the future, it always seems to, one way or another.
Or maybe it won't, who knows? |
Observer | Chapter Three | Observer
Chapter Three
I was bored. The Lone Wanderer, the Courier, and Garrus were fighting an aggressive mutant enemy force - and winning - and I was bored. Who would have thought bullets and energy weapons whizzing by would be so bland? Of course, I was standing on the sidelines, so to speak. As were Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Celestia, though they seemed a bit more worried, watching the three heroes duke it out like any modern battle.
I needed to shake things up. I needed to make it interesting. I needed...
To intervene.
The good kind of intervention. Not the 'Louis, you have a problem' kind. ***
"Where the hell did these things even come from?" the Courier growled from behind his pillar, reloading his revolver with haste. The aliens, or Chimera as the Observer had called them, were firing on their position from their own row of pillars, tearing up the heroes' cover fairly quickly.
"From what I've learned so far," the Lone Wanderer said, shooting his laser rifle a few times before facing the Courier. "Magic."
"Now that's just a cop out," Garrus commented with a shake of his head, before shooting another one of the Chimera's body tanks, which were located on their backs. It caught fire, and the Chimera waved its arms around, attempting to reach it. Then the tank exploded, killing the Chimera instantly. The details would be far too grim to put into words. "Also, aim for their tanks. They're quite sensitive about them."
The Courier stepped out of cover, firing his revolver and hitting a Chimera in the groin, who reacted as one should: kneeling on the ground in pain, clutching it like a life line. The Courier turned his head to Garrus, his helmet hiding his shit eating grin perfectly. Garrus simply gave an exaggerated huff, "Well if you want to be unimaginative, that works too."
"He's got a point," Observer said, popping up as he rubbed his chin beside Garrus, who recoiled in shock, "Garrus is pretty smart when it comes to shooting. The Chimera can't handle the heat, so it makes you wonder why they're in the kitchen."
"We're not in a kitchen, dumbass," the Courier replied harshly, his previous happiness dropped instantly.
"Which is a shame," Observer said with a idle lift of his hand, "I think this fire fight would be a lot more interesting if it were in a kitchen."
"Are you just here to provide commentary?" the Lone Wanderer questioned, retrieving a plasma grenade - not the blue sticky kind - from a pocket. With a quick toss, he lobbed it over to the Chimera in an arc before it bounced off a pillar and landed where there was nobody at all. At least the explosion was pretty.
"Goddamn explosive skill," he muttered afterwards.
"And it goes left field!" Observer shouted, putting a hand on his head as he seemed to hold an invisible microphone under his helmet. "Who was he even throwing it to!?"
"I think that answers your question," Garrus remarked, making the Lone Wanderer slowly aim his rifle at Observer, looking down the sights.
"Oh, that's right!" Observer exclaimed, his body shifting suddenly like an idea had literally hit him, "I forgot what I was supposed to do for a moment."
Then he took off towards the Chimera, their yellow plasma shots missing miraculously. The Lone Wanderer lowered his weapon as he watched, and the Courier leaning towards him slightly. "You missed your chance, you know," he announced.
"I know..." the Lone Wanderer moped, his body visibly sagging.
Celestia, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, meanwhile, watched the exchange take place from behind their own pillar. With a bit of reluctance, Rainbow faced Celestia, a mildly confused expression on her face. "And we're trusting these guys to protect us, Princess?"
Celestia sighed exasperatedly, "Yes, unfortunately." ***
Considering I didn't want to feel like hot plasma was melting through my skin, I avoided the Chimera's shots like bullets, because that was basically what they were. A few sideways dodges here, a couple twisted flips there, and I was at the line of Chimera. They weren't the least bit awestruck by my excellent evasions, which was disappointing really. It wasn't like I learned those moves overnight!
Regardless, I jumped up to a pillar and pushed off of it, making it easily over the Chimera who watched me do so. When I landed behind them, they whipped their weapons towards me, taking aim as I stood with my back to them.
With a quick spin, I pointed my index finger at one with my thumb pointed up and said, "Bang!"
The Chimera were not amused.
Well, that is until a bullet ripped through the one I was pointing at, slumping to the floor, dead. That caused the others to look over to it, backing away slowly. It was too late for a retreat, suckers! With both hands, I used my finger guns to point at each Chimera while shouting other interjections like a loony. Each time I did so, however, a Chimera died by either a bullet, a blue laser, or a red laser. I was quite lucky that these Chimera were that stupid.
At last, only one was left, who frantically turned left and right at his fallen brethren. For this little fella, I gave him a thumbs up... before turning it upside down! That's when a large yellow magical beam incinerated him completely, leaving a nasty black mark on the ground. Celestia didn't mess around when it came to killin'.
Everyone stepped out of cover, and the Lone Wanderer charged forward holding his weapon like it was a club. When he got to the closest corpse of a Chimera, he started bashing on it like a pinata, though instead of candy popping out, it was something that shouldn't be described in detail.
All of us stared at him as he went at the Chimera, but eventually he stopped, or more like freezed like Bambi in a spotlight, as he looked up to me. I just stared at him, and when he turned to the others, he saw them looking at him with wide eyes.
He chuckled nervously, putting his weapon away, "I, uh, really don't like aliens."
Garrus took a good step back.
"Now that was gruesome," the Courier commented, looking between Celestia and the Lone Wanderer, who both looked a bit ashamed, "And I had my heart, spine, and brain removed."
"I could have lived my whole life without hearing that," Garrus grumbled, his rifle already back where it belonged as he rubbed his forehead.
"Well I had to live it," the Courier said casually, making the ponies gag. Even Celestia. Apparently, over a thousand years of living never prepared you for forced organ surgery.
Wanting to quickly change the subject, Rainbow hovered over the dead Chimera as she tilted her head at them. "What were these things anyway?" she questioned.
"The Chimera," I answered, hands in my pockets as I stared at the body closest to me. "They take the dead corpses of humans to change them and recreate their own army."
"Kinda like Super Mutants?" the Lone Wanderer asked, crouching down and retrieving one of their weapons.
"Sounds more like Reapers," Garrus interjected, walking over to the Lone Wanderer and examining the rifle as well.
"Or zombies!" I added, making everyone face me.
"Now you're just making up words," Rainbow said, pointing a hoof at me.
"Rick Grimes said the same thing to me..." I muttered thoughtfully.
"Regardless," Celestia said, catching all of our attention, "They only meant us harm and are gone now. I'll have the servants clean up the..." She trailed off, lifting a hoof as she gazed around the room. "Mess."
"Did I mention that you should give your maids a raise?" I asked, and Celestia rolled her eyes before nodding reluctantly. "Ah, jolly good then."
A silence fell in the room, with each of us looking at each other blankly. "Well, what do y'all reckon we do now?" Applejack asked.
"Heh, 'y'all'," the Lone Wanderer chuckled before the Courier slapped the back of his head. The Lone Wanderer rubbed where he was hit - which was really quite odd when you think about it - before facing the Courier. "What was that for?"
"Respect the cowgirl, virgin," the Courier said, with a cross of his arms, and the Lone Wanderer shook his head, not making sense of his actions
Applejack blinked before she turned to Rainbow, "Did he insult me after defending me?"
Rainbow only shrugged, and Garrus stifled a laugh as he put his hand over his mouth. "You're a virgin?" he questioned, his voice failing to hide the humor in it. The Lone Wanderer didn't even bother replying, turning away in a big huff. For a guy that survived in a harsh, violent environment, he sure was childish. I wasn't one to speak, but that was besides the point.
That's when a brilliant revelation came me.
"Hey here's a crazy idea!" I announced at last, holding my hands out in front of me, "How about we head back to the other ponies, hmm?"
"Ah shut the fu-" the Courier started before I threw my hand in front of of his head piece... I had to wonder how that stopped him from talking.
"Not in front of the ponies!" I whispered loudly, glancing over to the ponies in question, who were all tilting their head in the same direction, their faces pure confusion. Yes, let their innocence run free! May they never be tainted!
The Courier knocked my hand out of the way before saying slowly, "Fuck. You."
Well, so much for that.
Celestia shook her head, composing herself, "Observer is right. We must gather in the throne room once again."
"Just like in every other Universe," I said with a shrug, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
"Don't start getting philosophical on me," the Lone Wanderer said angrily as everyone began walking away from the carnage of the room. "I already got enough of that from dad." He sighed, "Rest in peace."
I froze in place, which wasn't caught on by anyone as they continued on. Giving a long sigh, I turned my gaze to the floor. "Yeah," I whispered solemnly, "Rest in peace."
I didn't bother trying to catch up with the others as I trailed along, my hands sliding into my pockets. My duster blew through the breeze that had made its way through the castle as my mind drifting to thoughts I would rather not dwell on. ***
Princess Luna didn't feel good letting Celestia run off after Observer and the Lone Wanderer. She had wanted to chase them too, maybe see a bit more action - since she actually had some fun in the last battle - but Celestia said no. She was the oldest, so she was the one who laid down the law. It may seem dominating from an uneducated point of view, but it was simply a sibling rule.
The oldest one was in charge.
Sweetie Belle understood Luna's pain pretty well. If it could be called pain. Nevertheless, Luna sat in her throne watching as Pinkie hopped around like Pinkie does as Rarity, Twilight, and Fluttershy fretted over the others' safety. It actually got quite annoying for her.
"Oh, I hope everypony's okay," Fluttershy said predictably, staring at the door that was opposite the thrones.
"Those humans seemed like they could handle themselves," Twilight noted, standing beside her doing the exact same thing. "I'm sure they're fine."
"It's fiiiiine," Pinkie said, hopping over the three other ponies, "If Observer said they're fine, then they must be fine, right?"
"Pinkie logic," Rarity muttered quietly, her hoof finding her face.
Luna had to sigh; there was the appearance of a new species, with a dimension hopping mad man, and she was stuck here foalsitting. What she wouldn't give to have something happen.
Apparently, she didn't learn from Twilight's wish that she made a while ago. Though, there was really no way she could have known about it.
It started with a small hiss, one that made Luna wonder when Celestia had a snake in the castle. Then came an explosion, a bizarrely blocky explosion. The detonation was confined to a wall, opposite of the stained glass windows, but the suddenness of the blast was enough to make Luna and other other ponies look away in case of flying debris. Since there was none, they all turned back to where the hole had appeared, seeing how perfectly square the explosion was. It was at that moment that these strange creatures came running through.
They were green in color, with no arms and four stubby legs to carry its tall body. The face of the creature was fairly frightening, at least in the eyes of Fluttershy, who was scared of everything. For Luna, Twilight, and Rarity they were simply creepy. And to top it all off, they were all perfectly square.
Luna had never seen an attack such as this.
In fact, she was so shocked that she could only stay still as she watched them approach the four other ponies. Twilight and Rarity had the insight to back away from the bizarre creatures, and Pinkie was already far enough away somehow. However, Fluttershy had taken the defensive option of lying down, covering her eyes, and shivering. It was a tactic that didn't pay off, as the creatures headed straight for her.
"Fluttershy!" Twilight exclaimed, "You've got to move!"
They were approaching so fast, and Luna knew she had to act quickly. Shaking off her shock, she spread her wings to fly over to assist. Or at least she would have, had there not been a sudden loud thud from the other side of the double doors. ***
As Forrest Gump had put it, I was not a smart man. I had started a race with the others to distract my mind about the earlier depressing thoughts, and lo and behold, I was suddenly at the throne room entrance, alone.
I should have probably clarified where we were racing to. Granted, Rainbow was the only one to accept my challenge. She was probably halfway to Ponyville, knowing her.
Either way, I had run as fast as my legs could carry me, straight at the door. But I failed to learn which way the doors opened - they always seemed to change every time in each Universe. So, running head first into the door was how I had ended up on the floor. And I thought I had gotten over the headshot pain that Garrus had so graciously provided.
As I rolled around on the floor, I had to wonder why I hadn't asked Garrus his reason for shooting me repeatedly. Probably for fun, he'd done it many, many times before. Too many times if you ask me.
With another groan, I pushed myself to my feet, rubbing my forehead as I pulled open the doors, revealing an interesting scene.
Many Creepers. Surprised Luna. Scared Rarity. Frightened Twilight. Pink Pinkie. Endangered Fluttershy...
"I leave you kids alone for ten minutes...!" I yelled jokingly. My voice was the only indicator for Rarity to growl as she closed her eyes in anger. As for Luna, she turned her attention to me, her eyes furrowing as her gaze landed on me.
"You were gone for half an hour, Observer," she said with a wave of her hoof. Incorrect, it was actually forty five minutes, but it wasn't the time to argue. The Creepers had found Fluttershy very interesting, and wanted to hug her. Since they didn't have arms, they would explode in frustration. Creepers were a confusing lot.
"Whoop!" I said, rushing over to Fluttershy as a Creeper stood beside her, already flashing white and expanding in size. Fluttershy turned away with her eyes shut tightly, waiting for the inevitable. That inevitable better be the image of a hero like me saving her life, because that was what was going to happen!
Sprinting, I was able to approach Fluttershy very quickly. Luckily, I reached her in time to stand between her and the Creeper. Unluckily, I was in the explosion.
The force of the blast knocked me forward, right into Fluttershy who 'eeped' so adorably, I was sure I had diabetes, again. Thankfully, my suit had insulin. At least I think it did, I still don't know how it works. Anyway, I clutched on to her as we tumbled away from the other Creepers, taking as many of the impacts with the ground as possible. When we finally slid to a halt near the line of mosaic picture windows - with Fluttershy on top of me - I briskly checked her over, finding nothing had harmed her.
Thank goodness for that, since I didn't know what I would do if anything happened to her. She's too flippin' cute to be hurt, and I would probably cry like a baby.
Sitting up, Fluttershy clinging to me like a long lost blankie, I saw that the group of Creepers was heading for Luna, Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie, which wasn't a good thing, in case anybody was confused. I wouldn't be able to protect them all. I may be invincible, but I wasn't a super hero!
"Ah cupcakes," I cursed, standing to my feet with Fluttershy still clutching to my stomach. It must have looked pretty weird, considering I wasn't holding her up. She wasn't light either, so my balance was going into questioning on why it wasn't losing itself sooner. How was a guy like me supposed to defend four ponies, with one pony stuck to me like glue?
The answer was simple: I don't, because the cavalry had arrived.
Figuratively as always, since Garrus, the Lone Wanderer, and the Courier weren't riding on horses. How cool and ironic would that had been though? They rushed right through the doors I had opened earlier, clearly out of oxygen as they heaved heavy breaths. They were still astonished and in disbelief when they saw the Creepers walking around.
Yet they still had the capacity to turn to me with hateful glares. "Can't you stay with us for one fucking minute!?" the Courier screamed, retrieving his shotgun.
"Well, where's the fun in that?" I remarked. Seriously, it was like the Courier didn't know the concept of fun. Was I out of touch? I glanced back to the Creepers, still moving towards the ponies as the three heroes got their weapons ready. No! It was the dummies who were wrong!
At any rate, the Creepers were going to get it. ***
With their weapons drawn, the Lone Wanderer, the Courier, and Garrus opened fire on the horde of monsters, tearing them apart in no time at all. Instead of exploding like the last one had done, they simply died. For Luna, it was far too simple. They just fell down and disappeared from the face of Equestria, leaving behind a pile of gray dirt. She would have concluded that they were incinerated, especially with the Lone Wanderer and Garrus using lasers. But with the Courier running up and shotgunning a few of the creatures in the face, it probably wasn't the case.
Spreading her wings, Luna flew over to Observer, who watched the battle unfold, with Fluttershy strapped to his chest like a foal, shivering uncontrollably. "What are these creatures of the explosive nature?" Luna questioned, lifting an eyebrow as she landed.
"Creepers," Observer replied nonchalantly, "They be creepin'."
"They don't seem like they are 'creepy'," Luna noted, tapping her chin with a hoof.
Just as the last Creeper was finished off by a laser shot from the Lone Wanderer, Observer gave a small chuckle. "They creep up from out of nowhere, hence the name."
Luna nodded in understanding before her eyes shot open, briskly looking behind her.
"Exactly," Observer said putting his hands on his hips.
"Okay, enough of this shit!" the Courier shouted, marching right up to Observer. When he was close enough, the Courier grabbed Observer's duster collar, pulling him close. It was pretty weird with Fluttershy still attached to Observer, but luckily she wasn't squished. "Tell me what the hell is going on. Why are random things just appearing? You know, and you're not telling us."
"I'm pretty sure if I knew, I would tell you," I explained without so much as moving, "And since I don't know, I can't tell you. See how that works?"
"Courier," Celestia said, finally walking through the double doors, with Rainbow and Applejack just behind her, "Calm yourself."
The Courier growled but obliged, taking a few steps back. This was the moment when Garrus was finally noticed, and everyone who hadn't met him yet stared at him. Except for Fluttershy, she was still stuck to Observer.
Feeling a bit off put, he cleared his throat intentionally before speaking, "As much fun as it is being the center of attention, I'd appreciate it if you'd not stare. I'm sensitive enough as it is."
Twilight shook out of her stupor, taking a few steps closer as her mouth hung open slightly. "You look so birdy," she commented, her brain not registering what she said.
"Uh, I believe the word you're looking for is avion," Garrus corrected reluctantly, looking off to the side, "The humans always said we looked like their birds."
"You also look like other things that shouldn't be mentioned," Observer spoke up, lifting a finger in the air.
"You just love shoving your foot in your mouth, don't you?" the Lone Wanderer said with a shake of his head.
Observer whipped his head at the Lone Wanderer, "All. The. Time."
Ignoring his comment, which had become pretty normal for everyone at that point, Twilight blushed a bit in embarrassment. "Sorry about that," she apologized to Garrus, "It's just... you're very different from the humans."
"I've been getting that a lot," Garrus said, crossing his arms.
"Let's start over," Celestia opted, stepping forward. "Let's begin with your name."
"Oh," Rarity put in, "but what about those awful green things that attacked us?" She turned to Garrus as she added, "Uh, no offense."
"It's understandable," Garrus shrugged off, "I think I would be more interested with who almost killed me too."
"It can wait," Celestia said, though not without a bit of hesitation, "We must first be at least a little civilized. So, if you would."
"Right," Garrus said, "Well, the name's Garrus Vakarian. I'm a Turian. And... I like sniping? How does this work?"
"Maybe bring up calibrations," Observer put in, "You always did in the Normandy."
"I swear," the Courier muttered, his head bowed down, "If you speak one more goddamn time, I'm going to shove my shotgun up your ass."
"Simmer down now," Applejack said, standing by his side, "He ain't worth that much trouble."
Observer silently chuckled, knowing a loud one would probably cause the Courier's threat to come true.
"Do you remember how you got here?" Twilight asked.
"Not a clue," Garrus sighed, "One moment I was gunning down Collectors, the next, I'm in this colorful place." He brought a hand up to his chin, "After appearing here, this black mist came up to me. Said he was Sun-bra."
Observer broke into hysterical laughter, throwing his head back in a guffaw. It was enough to cause Fluttershy to finally let go of him out of freight, sitting on the floor. "Oh man!" Observer wheezed before laughing some more, "Sun-bra! SUN-BRA!"
"Damn it," Garrus said, shaking his head in slight embarrassment, "I meant Sombra. That's what the orange and blue ones said his name was."
"Sombra?!" Twilight exclaimed, "But I thought he was gone!"
"As did I," Celestia said, narrowing her eyes. The other ponies had worried looks on their faces, but the heroes were completely lost. Eventually, the only sound was Observer still laughing uncontrollably, falling to the ground as he clutched his stomach.
"Oh gosh," he said, taking a few breaths, trying to calm down, "I'm going to use that from now on."
"If you're done," Luna said, glaring a bit at Observer before turning back to the three heroes, "I believe our vistors need a little explanation."
"That would be helpful," the Lone Wanderer agreed, with nods from the other two. ***
Standing there, listening to another long story about the Crystal Empire and such was so boring. Having experienced it multiple times already, one could only guess how riveted I was to the ponies' retelling. To pass the time, I messed with the name 'Sun-bra' for a while in my head. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to use it on Sombra. I wondered why I hadn't come up with that name sooner.
"...And then the Crystal Ponies were freed," Twilight concluded, before frowning, "But that doesn't explain how Sombra came back."
"Maybe it has something to do with all these appearances," Garrus said, "Like those Chimera and the tall green things."
"Creepers," I said, walking to the window, "and if that's the case, then you guys came here by the same means."
"But Sombra didn't contact us," the Courier said, looking to the Lone Wanderer, "We just appeared."
"Maybe he was figuring out his powers?" Rainbow suggested, turning her gaze to the ceiling as she hovered overhead. "Like, I don't know, testing the wind?"
"I like that theory," I called from the window, looking out it into the beautiful scenery, "Let's go with that theory."
"I'd have to agree," Garrus said, "It's like taking a few practice shots before going for the kill."
"I like that analogy," the Courier said, gesturing towards Garrus, "Let's go with that analogy."
Oh, he did not just steal my words and rearrange them to seem different!
"But if that's the case," Twilight said looking between the three heroes, "Then there'll be more, and they'll try to attack us like the others."
"But if they're like Garrus," Rainbow said with a bit of glee, quickly landing by his feet. "Then maybe a few of 'em will help us out."
"Things are about to get complicated," I stated, "And now would be a good point for a commercial break."
Everyone looked at me with half lidded looks, but I hardly noticed as I looked through the window and to the ground far below. "Hey, a Creeper," I said, seeing him hang out around the train tracks below. Considering no one replied to me, I figured they were ignoring me, which wouldn't be the first time. The Creeper itself, somehow being separated from its flock, wandered around aimlessly.
The whistle of a train caught my attention, and with as little energy as possible, I looked to see the train itself speeding along the track... and right towards the Creeper. Before I could even say Gobstopper, the Creeper saw the train coming, tried to hug it, failed, flashed white, and exploded as soon as the train was within range. Not only was the train track destroyed, but the train engine was trashed. But no train workers were harmed in the resulting explosion. I had to say that, otherwise the kiddies would be worried.
"Oh boy," I said, my arms hanging limply by my side.
"What the hay!?" Rainbow shouted suddenly from behind, causing me to jump back and fall to the ground with a yelp. That caught everyone's attention, whether it was the explosion or Rainbow's voice, I would never know, nor did I actually care. I lifted myself straight up to a sitting position as everyone ran over to the window, post haste.
All of them gawking at the carnage down below made me grunt dumbly in amusement. Sometimes I wished I had a camera.
"Why didn't you say anything, Observer?" Luna asked harshly, glaring at me.
"The thought just never occurred to me," I sighed dejectedly, leaning my head against my hand.
Celestia hummed to herself, "That 'Creeper' took out the main railroad out of Canterlot. The only way out now would be through the main roads." Sighing, she turned to Twilight, her expression one of apology, "I'm sorry, Twilight. But it seems you can't take the train back home. You'll have to make do with the carriages."
"You probably don't want to do that in the middle of the night," I added, hopping to my feet to point towards the sun, which slowly setting in horizon. The color that shined through was a very deep orange, and the clouds around the horizon gave a very unique look. "Almost looks like the world is burning."
Everyone did some gesture to show their feeling of annoyance towards myself; a hand or hoof to the forehead, a roll of the eyes, or a rub on the bridge of the nose. All except for the Courier, who stared at the sunset like he was in a trance.
"...World burning..." he said to himself.
"You're a friggin' nutjob," I commented, chuckling to myself from an old joke that I was told a while ago. "So, what we doin', princey-us?"
"Well, it is getting pretty late," Celestia noted, rubbing her chin, "And all of us must be a little hungry..."
"Dinner it is!" I exclaimed, "I'll pick you up at eight."
Despite everyone not liking my suggestions, they seemed to like my newest one. Garrus shook his head ever so slightly as he rubbed his stomach. "I hope you ponies have dextro-amino foods," he muttered, "Because I can't eat any food you can all eat."
"What do you mean?" the Lone Wanderer inquired, everyone showing the same interest as himself. Except for me.
"Turians can only eat certain foods," Garrus explained, "All of it being foods that you can't digest."
"I'm sure the ponies can magic something up," I said with roll of my hand, feigning ignorance in case they couldn't magic something up. "Alright! It's settled! Tonight, we feast in heck! Or at least in thy royal dining room!"
"You dare refer to the royal dining room as heck!?" Luna questioned angrily, getting up in my face.
"Oh, now you did it," Celestia said with a small smile, "I suppose we'll leave you two alone."
"What do you have to say for yourself?!" Luna shouted as I watched everyone leave the room, nearly everyone having a small smile on their face. Except for Fluttershy, because why would she?
"Oh, um," she spoke up, just outside the door, "Don't be too hard on him."
Then she left, leaving me alone with a peeved Luna. My luck just keeps getting better and better. "You seem very sensitive with what I call a single room in your castle," I commented dryly.
"Do not change the subject!" she ordered. Oh boy, this was going to be a while. |
Observer | Chapter 4 | Observer
Chapter 4
It may have seemed like an impossible feat, but Princess Luna didn't use the Royal Canterlot voice. Like at all. In fact, all she really did was scold me like a three-year-old with a finger in his nose. When I looked at it from that perspective, it was quite insulting, though voicing my concerns would probably just make matters worse. Besides, I had tuned Luna out fairly quickly, and after a few minutes, I was completely lost. One moment she's talking about responsibility, judgement, and all that jibber jabber, then suddenly it's about why broccoli was good for me...
Actually, I couldn't tell if she said that. I was still tuning her out.
If I didn't speak up soon, I was going to have to go through all those life lessons my dad had already told me. And let me say, it was pretty boring the first time.
I waited until she came to a pause, which had her mouth open to talk some more, before I spoke up. "You know," I said, my voice failing to hide my sarcasm, "I'd love to hear more about your complaints about me, but I'd rather mess with everyone else at the moment. Could we postpone this until, say, I'm not bored out of my mind?"
Luna gave a cold hard stare at me for a few seconds, then her gaze became quite intense as storm clouds suddenly formed above her, lightning shooting in all directions. This usually meant two things: One, she was turning back to Nightmare Moon, which was quite plausible, considering my shenanigans. Or two, she was going to use... ***
To say the dinner was awkward would be accurate on many levels. After arriving in the dining room, which was quite large, everyone took a seat at the surprisingly short table. The Lone Wanderer, having read a few medieval stories back when he was a kid, expected a table so long, servants would be required to pass the salt. Instead the table was compact, having six seats on the longer sides and two chairs at the heads of the table.
So it was pretty much a normal table. The Lone Wanderer had to admit, he was disappointed.
Princess Celestia moved at the far end of the table and sat at the head of it, right in front of a large stain glass window depicting herself. Everybody else took their seats as well, with the ponies sitting on one side and the visitors sitting across from them.
Then, everyone just stared at each other, unsure of where to go from there. A few minutes passed before Twilight cleared her throat, causing all eyes to land on her. The sudden attention made her blush a bit, swallowing a small lump in her throat before laughing uneasily.
"So..." she started, "Why don't you tell us a bit about yourselves?"
"Why don't you?" the Courier asked back, before two hands slapped the back of his head. The Courier growled from the impact provided by the Lone Wanderer and Garrus.
"What he meant to say," the Lone Wanderer emphasised, giving an unseen glare to the Courier, "was that we'd love to." He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts before speaking, "Well, you know a little about where we came from, right?"
Garrus grunted, leaning an elbow on the table, "I'm kind of out of the loop there, which is rather uncommon for me. Loops are comfortable."
Rainbow was the only one to giggle at his joke, which went undetected by the others as the Courier summed up, "Our place was blown up by nuclear warheads, and humans nearly went extinct but we survived and now we live in a wasteland where nearly everything is trying to kill us."
"Huh," Garrus said, not showing any sign of shock, "Well, that's why the Council banned those things."
"Council?" Pinkie and the two wastelanders said at the same time.
"Jinx!" Pinkie quipped happily, making the Courier swing his arm in annoyance for missing his opportunity.
"Ignoring that," Garrus went on, "The Council runs the galaxy where I'm from. They're a bit thick headed, but they do their job. It's made up of multiple races, my own included. The others are the Salarians, the Asari, and the-"
"SILENCE, YOU FOOL!" A female voice suddenly boomed through the castle, making everyone jerk back and cringe from the sudden volume increase. "YOU SHALL RESPECT A PRINCESS! NOW RETURN TO THE OTHERS, WE ARE FINISHED!"
The last word echoed through the castle for a few moments before dying down. Nobody was sure what to think about the sudden shout as they looked to each other like someone would answer. Eventually, everyone turned to Celestia for an explanation, who simply sighed as she rubbed a hoof against her forehead.
"Luna," she whispered to herself, "We talked about this."
"Was that... Luna?" the Lone Wanderer asked, looking over to the door that they had walked through. "Remind me not to get on her bad side."
"Which is what Observer probably did," the Courier laughed, a hand on top of his head, "Oh man, I hope she does it-"
"WE DO NOT SMELL OF STARS!" Luna shouted again, making the Courier fall on the table, laughing uncontrollably, "WHERE WOULD THOU GET SUCH AN IDEA!?"
Even the others had to laugh at that one, though everyone shut up instantly when the doors burst open, revealing Luna and Observer standing side by side. Luna had an furious look on her, entering first as she stomped behind the pony side of the table before sitting beside Celestia. Observer remained still a moment before walking forward, his motions suggesting he was a bit disoriented. When he finally found a seat at the opposite head of the table, he didn't move at all, staring straight ahead with proper posture.
"So how'd it go?" Rainbow asked as nonchalantly as possible, hiding her laughter through her hooves. Observer didn't say a word, he didn't even face her, making the others glance to each other.
"Hey!" Applejack shouted, "Are ya listenin'?"
Still no response.
"I think you blew out his eardrums, Luna," Celestia scolded lightly with a small shake of her head, "I've told you to watch your temper."
"But he started it!" Luna accused hotly, pointing a hoof at Observer as she bared her teeth at Celestia, who was unmoved by Luna.
"And now look at him," Celestia pointed out, her eyes on Observer, who still hadn't moved, "Who knows how long he'll be in such a state."
"Not too long actually," Observer commented suddenly and dryly, relaxing in his seat, and making everyone flinch from the sudden speech.
"Wha- Were you faking it!?" the Courier yelled, smacking his fists onto the table, rattling it. The Lone Wanderer and Garrus were just as peeved, though it was much more obvious on the latter. The ponies on the other hand were completely stunned, simply staring at him as if he was faking his ability to hear again.
"Nah," Observer waved off as he put his feet on the table and his hands on his stomach, getting into an even more comfortable position, "I still felt the very intense pain of having my eardrums blown out, but the pain subsided... eventually."
"I don't understand you, Observer," the Lone Wanderer said with a shake of his head.
"Ah, but I do understand you!" Observer countered, pointing a finger at him.
"God dammit," the Lone Wanderer swore with a shake of his head, "What the hell did I do to deserve this?"
"Saved countless lives and changed the very Wasteland itself?" Observer asked, though his voice made it sound like he already knew.
"The Wasteland is a lot more brutal than I thought it was," Garrus said aloud.
"You haven't even heard of Deathclaws yet," the Courier said with a shrug, before putting a hand to his chin, "Come to think of it, you kind of look like a Deathclaw."
"Thanks, I guess," Garrus said, scratching the top of his head.
"It wasn't a compliment."
"I figured as much." ***
Ah, nothing like hearing the quips of people from alternate universes. It's one of those things that pretty much everyone could enjoy, or at least me, which counts as everybody. Those three dummies went off in some tangent about weaponry afterwards. I could have sworn they were using innuendos, but considering the Lone Wanderer was talking animatedly with the other two, that idea was quickly kicked out the door.
A mere glance over to the ponies proved to be entertaining. They were trying to grasp what they were saying and failing remarkably. In fact, Twilight was speechless! I guess that doesn't really say much, but hey, it's Twilight. The Princesses looked like they had given up a while ago, the quitters. At least I knew what they were talking about, 'cause I'm a cheater like that!
"So all of your ammo is interchangeable with all of your other weapons?" the Lone Wanderer asked, sounding very interested.
"Yeah," Garrus said sadly with a sigh, "Our weapons used to just have a small cool down time, but that took a while, and it was pretty costly to make too."
"That's a shame," the Courier said, honestly crestfallen, "That would have saved a whole lotta cells."
"Cells?" Garrus asked, "Is that a type of ammunition for...?" He thought for a moment before finishing, "Your energy weapons?"
"Yeah," the Lone Wanderer responded, "How'd you know?"
"I know my way around a gun, if you know what I mean," Garrus said, leaning back in his seat.
"Welp," I interferred, drawing all eyes on me, "We need something to happen before the ponies and I die of boredom."
Pinkie gasped, "Is that possible?"
"Tis," I replied quickly, earning a hard glare from Luna. "Anyway, how 'bout-?"
The kitchen door opening up interrupted me as a line of pony servants walked in with silver trays and lids. And there I was just about to ask if we could raid the refrigerator. Not because of the food, but because raids are cool. The servants nimbly placed the foods in front of everyone, including myself, because I was the guest of honor. And as soon as they came, they left. They didn't even leave their phone numbers. How rude.
"Bon Appetit," Celestia chuckled, the lid in front of her lifting off from her magic, revealing... wait for it... bananas. It was always bananas.
"I fail to see how bones have anything to do with this," I noted, crossing my arms, "Unless you all suddenly had the hunger for meat... which would actually be very frightening."
The ponies all winced, suddenly afraid of their meals. Celestia gave me that motherly look that showed disappointment, while Luna gave her the most intense I-told-you-so look I've ever seen.
"Observer!" the Lone Wanderer hissed as he leaned towards me, keeping his voice low even though everyone could hear him. I leaned towards him to hear him better, or maybe to help him think our conversation was a secret. Whichever worked. "Mind your fucking manners!"
"Oh right," I whispered back, placing both of my hands on the table beside the lid and tray before saying monotonically, "We appreciate this lovely meal you have given to us out of the kindness of your heart because that's what ponies do best."
I finished off with a stiff thumbs up, and everyone sent me their half lidded looks. Ignoring them, per usual, I lifted the lid of my meal to show two slabs of fish meat...
I was still holding up the lid as I stared at the cooked food...
"Called it," I said weakly, slowly putting my lid back on.
The three other doofuses pulled back their own lids, also showing meat for all of them. The ponies mirrored my look of disgust, though I was disgusted by how accurate I was. I hate it when that happens. I gotta stop being right. Celestia, however, was rather calm. Too calm. Dun, dun, duuun.
"I figured you were all omnivores," she explained, her horn glowing as our plates levitated off the table. "Perhaps I was wrong about that assum-"
"No, no!" the Courier shouted, grabbing the meat and clutching it to his chest, "We love meat! Yum!"
"Wow," I said from the look of surprise from everyone else, "That was disturbing."
The Lone Wanderer gently put his hands on his plate, lowering it back on to the table. Seeing the gesture, Celestia released her magic, causing Garrus' and my plates to fall back down on their own.
"We..." the Lone Wanderer glanced to the Courier, who was still clutching the meat like it would go 'poof' and never be seen again. "can eat meat. He's just a psycho."
"I didn't want her to take the meat," the Courier whined, loosening his hold and putting the fish back on the plate. "When was the last time you had genuine meat?"
Garrus grunted, "I can't even eat this meat, for your information."
"Oh right," Twilight said, her horn glowing alongside his own meat, "You can only eat dextro-protein foods. Hold on."
A purple aurora enveloped Garrus' meat, and an audible pop could be heard, as if a bubble had been violently murdered. The steak didn't change at all, but Twilight's smile was a big enough message that it was a mission accomplished. Magic; something to be truly desired by all. However, Garrus was still skeptical about the food as he stared at the meat.
"Eat it, you wimp," I teased, my anticipation growing, "Come oooooon. Eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it-
"Alright, alright," Garrus relented, waving off my inspiring chant. Taking a deep breath, he tore off a bit of meat with no trouble at all and tossed it into his mouth.
The sudden explosion rocked the very earth we stood on! A crack in the ground tore up the ground as the hot molten magma spewed onto the surface! All the while the devil himself...
Heh. Naw, that didn't happen.
What did happen was that Garrus chewed the meat a few seconds before swallowing, after which he gave a content grunt. See? My version was better.
"As long as I get its nutrients," Garrus said with a slow nod that quickly picked up, "Yeah, I can eat this!"
"Good for you," I said with a shrug, propping an arm on the back of the chair, "Cause I can't."
Yet again, everyone was staring at me with confusion. At that point, I thought having a competition on who was most confused wouldn't be so bad. "You can't... eat?" Fluttershy whispered, giving me a sympathetic expression.
"Yep," I answered, though not as cheerily as usual, "I can't eat and I can't drink. All thanks to this suit."
Celestia and Luna glanced to each other, as if silently wondering if I really was some sort of god. If that were the case, we'd all be dancing to the macarena. "How are you alive?" Twilight asked, making me turn to her. I also noticed that all the Elements were giving me a pitiful look. A look I had seen far too many times.
"This suit," I said quietly, putting my hands behind my head as I gazed at the ceiling. "I never feel hungry, but not stuffed, and I never get dehydrated. Impossible? Yes. True...? completely."
The Courier stared at me a moment before facing his steak again, "If you're finished whining over practically being immortal, can we eat?"
"Well, I never said you couldn't," I said, sitting up in my seat as I leaned an arm on the table.
"Hallelujah," the Courier deadpanned, "Let's get to it then!"
The Courier and the Lone Wanderer reached their hands up to take off their helmets, and everyone else watched them do so. Probably to see what they looked like underneath. I, on the other hand, turned the other way, seeing an asparagus on Applejack's plate. I needed a distraction from my little reverie of personal information. Trust me, what I was doing was way more interesting.
"I've always liked the sound of asparagus," I mused, earning a few annoyed looks. It was amazing how fast they could drop their sad faces. "Like how Pinkie likes the word kumquat - which is pretty good too."
My hand grabbed one of the pieces of asparagus, flopping it back and forth as I watched. "But Asparagus sounds like a wicked cool spell. I mean, I can imagine Dumbledore swinging his wand around and shouting it."
As an imitation, I swung the vegetable in a line as I shouted, "Asparagus!"
An armored person crashed onto the table, scattering all the plates and food. Everyone froze completely: the wastelanders with their hands on their helmets, Garrus with his mouth open and a piece of meat in his hand, and the ponies with their jaws completely dropped. As for me, well, I was holding a piece of asparagus.
I looked down to the vegetable in question, before turning back to the armored figure, groaning on the table. "I have magic powers..." I concluded, "Sweeeeeet." ***
The figure slowly pushed himself up, completely revealing himself as he rubbed the top of his head. He was in some sort of sleek metal suit, having a few blue, horizontal lines on the front of his helmet. The suit he wore had scattered panels of metal, and a large piece of tech junting out of his chest, a blue display facing the figure.
Celestia sighed, "We can never catch a break."
The figure flinched from the voice, remaining still as if moving would cause an explosion. Moving anyway - and excruciatingly slowly too - the figure lifted up his head, scanning the many heads of ponies, all staring right back at him.
"Fucking shit!" the figure cursed, pushing himself to his feet as he aimed his pistol-like weapon. However, his foot landed on the Courier's steak, causing the figure to slip and tumble backward right off the table between the Courier and the Lone Wanderer.
The Courier was not happy with that as he stared unmoving at his squished steak.
"Two swear words in a row," Observer observed, tipping back in his seat, keeping a foot on the table for balance. "That's a record with this group so far."
The figure hurriedly got back to his feet, wildly firing two blue vertical lines around where the human visitors were, making them hunch behind their seats for protection. The shots missed completely, flying above the group and hitting the marble walls. The ponies were somewhat used to being fired at, but still recoiled as the shots went over their heads. Using the distraction, the figure took off, heading for the large double doors and taking a left around the corner, heading out of sight.
"Hold up, Isaac!" Observer shouted after him, hastily shoving his chair out of the way as he ran for the door. Unfortunately, a banana peel was on the floor, and Observer stepped on it, causing him to slip on it and fall directly on the back of his head. Observer threw his head up as he sat on the ground, pounding both of his hands against the floor.
"Darn cartoon physics!" he shouted as Celestia scrunched up her face, looking pretty guilty as she levitated her plate of bananas underneath the table.
Twilight blinked at him, still trying to understand what had just happened, "Cartoon? This isn't a cartoon!"
Observer slowly moved his head to gaze at Twilight, and stayed that way for a solid five seconds.
"I'm going to kill that bastard!" The Courier roared, making the ponies recoil from his sudden exclamation. He drew his revolver as he pushed his chair away in his haste. "First he destroys my first good meal in years, then he shoots at me!"
"Yeah," Observer said, leaning forward in his seated position as he rubbed the top of his head, "Isaac is a bit delusional."
"Isaac is his name, right?" the Lone Wanderer asked, eyeing the door the new human visitor had exited through.
"Yepperoini and cheese," Observer answered, standing to his feet, "An alien artifact was in his head for a while. Oh, and he had to fight off mutated, monstrous humans that may or may not resemble Garrus in some fashion."
"Another human that might shoot me on sight," Garrus concluded as he crossed his arms, "I have a feeling all humans just hate me."
"I didn't shoot at you," the Courier pointed out, before whispering, "yet..."
"We need to go after him!" Twilight announced, hopping off of her seat and trotting around the table.
"Well, duh," Observer commented with a small shrug, "That's what I was about to do."
"Whatever," Twilight muttered before turning to the group of ponies, "Observer and I will chase after him."
"I'll come with," Garrus said, retrieving his sniper rifle, "He may turn... violent. And Observer won't fight him if he does."
"I should be offended," Observer said, rubbing his chin, "but he is correct."
"We'll come to," the Lone Wanderer said, placing his hands on the table to push himself up.
"I don't think so," Observer said, holding up a hand to halt their movements, "I rather not have to run back into another Creeper incident like before. You two stay here and play hero, while me and Garrus go and play hero elsewhere."
"What about me?" Twilight snapped, standing next to him, having to look up to face him.
"Perhaps you can ride the Hero Train when you grow bigger," Observer said with a chuckle, holding his hand up in the air. Twilight, using her magic, grabbed his hand and made him slap himself across the face.
"Yeah," Observer said, tenderly rubbing where he was hit, "That was a pretty bad joke."
Rainbow shot out of her seat and hovered a little above the floor, pointing towards it with a hoof. "We should come too," she said, "Twilight isn't going alone after this crazy guy."
"I fail to see how you help anyone," the Courier said, crossing his arms, "You left me and AJ last time."
"And you're ponies..." Observer pointed out, still rubbing the side of his head, and having all the ponies stare at him with a mixture of confusion and anger, "You can fight off a Changeling invasion, but don't get your hopes up against Isaac Clark, Necromorph Slayer."
Rainbow growled but didn't argue, looking off to the side. Garrus took notice of her behavior as he shouldered his rifle. He could tell she didn't like being left behind; it reminded him of himself.
Shaking his head, Garrus looked between Twilight and Observer as he stepped beside them. "You two ready to go?"
"Well, considering I don't want her to slap me again," Observer said, still rubbing the side of his head, eyeing Twilight carefully, "then yes."
With a firm nod from Twilight, the three ran for the double doors, with Observer leading. The three filed through the doors and turned left as well. The room was left in silence, like it had many times before.
"Why is it we have ta wait on the sidelines all the time?" Applejack complained, glaring at the 'magical' asparagus in front of her. The ponies all looked to one another, but not one could give an answer. The Lone Wanderer and the Courier were in the same bout, remaining quiet as they watched the doors. Though they trusted Garrus to get Isaac - they refused to say the same with Observer - they were tense, ready to make a grab for their weapons if things didn't go how they planned.
In their experience, it was sort of expected.
"Tia," Luna whispered to Celestia, holding up a hoof to make sure no one overheard her. "As much as I hate to admit it, we must get Discord involved. He may be able to find Sombra and stop these appearances."
Celestia gave a steady nod, her eyes flickering over to the Courier and the Lone Wanderer, "He may also know more about Observer and the other visitors."
"It's agreed then," Luna said firmly, putting her hoof down as she closed her eyes. ***
Breathing hard, Isaac sat against a fallen pillar in a large, glamourous room. He was staring at the floor, shaking his head. He couldn't believe he was in another nightmare, no matter how abnormal or colorful it was. He thought he had rid himself of the Marker, the alien artifact that created the Necromorphs. However, in this world with talking ponies, he knew that it was still in his head. The question was, how was he going to survive this time?
He lifted up his Plasma Cutter, looking it over for anything that could cause a malfunction. At the moment, he needed to assess his weaponry and make a move. What that move would be, he'd figure out later. His faithful Plasma Cutter didn't seem any worse for wear, so he set it down and pulled out his Javelin Gun and Plasma Rifle.
All in all, his weapons were operational and ready for use. Isaac had to wonder if he could even use his deadly tools against those ponies. They didn't seem too bad. And they didn't really attack him either. If anything, he was the one to fire off a shot. Not only that, but there were other humans too...
Well, two guys in armor and a Necromorph. What an odd trio.
Giving a long sigh, Isaac leaned his head against the broken pillar, his helmet giving a small clunk when it hit it. Perhaps he did jump to conclusions, though he felt like they were warranted to some degree. He pushed himself to his feet, wondering what to do next. All of those ponies were probably looking for him, along with those other three humanoid figures.
Isaac hummed to himself, his memory coming back to him. There was actually one other person. Someone who called out his name if he recalled correctly. Did Isaac know him? Or maybe this person knew him instead. If Isaac went back, he could get some answers. He just had to-
"'Ello!" the person Isaac was thinking about popped from the side of the pillar, scaring the living daylights out of him. Giving a shout of shock, Isaac grabbed his Plasma Cutter, aimed, and fired. ***
Twilight sighed as she stood beside Garrus behind their own fallen pillar. Observer left them there, saying he would speak with Isaac. However, the two felt like it was just another excuse for Observer to strut his hypothetical stuff. They weren't happy with that part at all.
"How long do you think it'll take?" Twilight questioned like she was asking about the weather, which was what she was thinking about asking as well.
Garrus faced Twilight, his face unmoving, "For Observer to get shot, or for Observer to get shot?"
Despite how dark the humor was, Twilight had to chuckle. These new characters were influencing how she viewed violence, and whether it was for the better or for the worst was yet to be seen.
"'Ello!" the two heard from Observer, quickly followed by a shout of surprise and a gunshot. The two were unfazed as they glanced to each other knowingly as their previous humor was evaporated on the spot.
"That didn't take long," Twilight sighed, shaking her head. A few seconds later, they heard grunting, continually coming closer. They didn't bother to investigate as they remained where they were. Just as they predicted in their minds, Observer came crawling around the corner of the pillar, pulling himself along with his arms with his legs completely limp.
"So how'd it go?" Garrus asked like he hadn't heard a thing. Observer gave another grunt before flipping to his back, his arms spread to the side as he gave a breath of exhaustion.
"I feel the diplomatic process is beginning to break down," he expressed, before flinching. "Also, I can't feel my legs."
As Twilight and Garrus gazed at Observer as if he was the stupidest person they had ever met, which was pretty much the truth for them, Isaac popped around the corner with his Pulse Rifle. Garrus nimbly drew his own rifle, and the two aimed at each other in a stalemate. Twilight blinked in shock, forgetting that they were still dealing with someone who could and would kill them.
"Lower your weapon..." Isaac spat before trailing off, "Whatever you are."
"Human-necromorph hybrid..." Observer thought aloud.
"Shut up," Garrus snapped, his grip tightening on his weapon. If Isaac was as unpredictable as he presumed, then he couldn't afford to let Observer say more stupid stuff.
"If this is a hallucination," Isaac went on, ignoring the small interaction with the two, "then killing any of you won't put any guilt on my conscious."
"Think of it like this," I said, flinching from the pain in my abdomen, "You shot me in the gut and I survived, and I'm not a necromorph. What do you suppose that means?"
Isaac scoffed, "That you're a new breed of Necromorph."
Observer remained still, and Twilight had to stare at him with disrespect. She just couldn't take this guy seriously. "I should have seen that coming," Observer said, lifting up a hand in the air for no apparent reason. Twilight couldn't understand why he had his hand in the air. This wasn't school!
"Consider this," Observer went on, making Garrus and Twilight groan, "What if we are real? Then you'd be killing those that don't deserve to die!"
Isaac didn't move, but Twilight could almost see him contemplating those words. Based off what Observer had said - which wasn't much - Isaac might believe this was another trick. She had to hope he would trust them, because if he didn't, the other humans - minus Observer - would have to put him down. This was definitely Sombra's doing, and Twilight didn't want him to win.
Eventually, Isaac lowered his weapon, but still kept his gaze on Garrus. Twilight released a sigh of relief as Garrus did the same. Observer brought his other arm up, clenching both of his hands into fists.
"Yeah, magic of friendship, woo," Observer half cheered, his arms falling to his sides afterwards. "Now, someone drag me back to the dinner table, I still can't stand." |
Observer | Chapter V | Observer
Chapter V
Being dragged through the large halls of Canterlot Castle was only the ninety-ninth most degrading thing to ever happened to me. Right behind being beaten with my own hand and two ahead of losing an arm wrestle to a young girl. In my defense, she was a really strong girl. Also in my defense, my ratings are always skewed, so it could have been the three thousandth most degrading thing to ever happen to me.
And it was Isaac and Garrus who were dragging me too! Those guys were strong; they could have carried me. Although, I did ask them to drag me back. Ah, the fun with words. Meanwhile, Twilight just stared at me as I was pulled over every single bump on the way back to the dining room. And in a pristine castle where the floors were as smooth as silk, that was saying something.
"Observer?" Twilight questioned, tilting her head ever so slightly. I didn't even know if she tilted her head it was so slight.
"Wazz up?" I said, grunting when I was dragged over a tack. How did Isaac and Garrus even find a tack?
"If you've been to multiple versions of our Universes," she said, starting to look a little unsure of herself. "Then does that mean you know what'll happen in the future? Or what has happened in the past?"
"Sometimes, yes," I answered with a shrug, "Sometimes, no. Each Universe is different, and I could predict how each one of you live, but there are a lot of unknowns."
Garrus twisted his head slightly, eyeing me with interest, "Like...?"
"Like oui," I said, holding up my head like any arrogant royal person would do. "That's French for 'me'. It sounds different than how it's spelt too."
"Right, okay," Twilight nodded, looking to the side in thought. "Then, could you predict what could happen?"
"Do I look like a fortune teller?" I questioned before gesturing to my head, "I mean, sure, my head could look like a crystal ball and stuff."
Then a mega big question came to me, one that needed to be asked, "Why?"
My super complex and enigmatic question got to Twilight, as her ears splayed back in nervousness. Her face tensed up as she stared at the floor. "All this," she said quietly, even catching the attention of Garrus and Isaac. "With Sombra, the Lone Wanderer, the Courier, Garrus, Isaac, the monsters... I'm afraid that someone will get hurt or..."
"Wait, monsters?" Isaac asked, turning his head to Garrus, who narrowed his eyes at his implications. Ignoring it like the hardcore badass he was, Isaac turned back to Twilight.
"Not Necromorphs," I put in, "If that's what you're wondering. You always seem to think it's Necromorphs."
"Because it usually is, smartass," Isaac snapped before addressing Twilight, "But what other monsters have you faced?"
"The only ones I recognized were those mutated Timberwolves," Twilight replied back.
"And also Chimera, Creepers, and trolls," I added.
"We never faced trolls," Garrus stated flatly.
"I feel I'm due to confront some trolls," I said, "Might as well add it to the list."
Isaac growled, before taking a hold of my forearm with both of his hands. With strength that was only matched by his stomping power, Isaac swung me right through a nearby door, sending me inside. The room was pitch black, but the that didn't stop a whole shelf full of cleaning supplies from smashing right on top of me. Though I could say I was as clean as a whistle, I could also say I was an absolute mess. Funny how that worked.
"Huh," Garrus muttered, "Beat me to it." ***
"Wait, wait, wait," Rainbow said, holding up her hooves to halt the Courier, with his hands frozen in the air. "You talked to your own brain? How the hay does that even work?"
"That," the Courier said, pointing a finger at Rainbow, "is something I have never figured out. I mean after all, my brain is what allows me to speak, so speaking to it is like speaking to myself, so in actuality I was talking with myself, but at the same time, it had its own personality. A really bitchy personality. Seriously, that guy can't take a joke."
Applejack rubbed her head, "I think my brain is hurtin' right now."
Despite the somewhat gruesome story telling the Courier used, at least it was somewhat entertaining for Celestia. She had her history of encounters that did not end diplomatically, and hearing another soul having faced similar circumstances was welcoming. That still didn't stop her utter boredom, leaning a foreleg against the table as it propped up her head. Luna was the same way, through she showed it by resting against her seat as she blew her mane out of her eyes every once in awhile.
It had been several minutes since Luna had magically requested Discord's counsel, and as usual, he was as late. It didn't help that Twilight and the other visitors hadn't been heard from in a while, and the chance of their mortality was pretty high, even with Garrus with her.
She didn't really care for Observer, since one couldn't be sympathetic with someone who could not die, at all.
"I have a question for Princess Celestia," the Lone Wanderer spoke up, glancing to Celestia. Interested in what he had to ask, she lowered her foreleg and waited with rasp attention. "If this is a castle, and you're a princess, and your sister is a princess, then where are the guards? I kind of expected a few guards."
"Vacation," Luna answered simply, blowing another strand of her mane upward.
"All at the same time?" the Lone Wanderer asked incredulously.
"Unplanned vacations, to be precise," Celestia went on, "Every single one used their vacations on the same week, which so happens to be the same week in which we host a plethora of unique visitors."
"Plethora?" the Courier questioned, "Oh, I get it! Like sex!"
"It has nothing to do with sex!" Luna screamed, slamming her hooves onto the table, causing the Courier to shrink down and cower for the first time in forever. Rarity giggled at his reaction, as did Applejack and Discord, hovering just behind her.
Everyone's reaction was instant as they all faced Discord with both disbelief and shock. The Courier and the Lone Wanderer were completely baffled by such a creature, reaching for their weapons. If they knew anything, it was that any combination of two or more animals did not bode well at all. Not only that, but the creature could float in midair, without the use of his wings or any sort of propulsion system.
"Goodness, Luna!" Discord chortled, holding his stomach as he twisted his body midair, "When you summoned me, I thought you wanted to play a game of cat and mouse, but now I see there's nothing but cats here!"
He snapped his fingers, and with a flash, everyone in the room had cat ears on their heads, prompting the Courier and Lone Wanderer to jerk their head around in a frantic frenzy. Their cat ears had emerged on top of their helmets, making everyone else just as confused.
"Da fuck?" the Courier questioned, his head whipping around so much that it was a miracle he didn't break his neck.
"Da fudge indeed!" Discord said with another laugh. Celestia and Luna simultaneously sighed. They knew the risks in requesting Discord's help, and by his actions, it was completely justified.
"Courier, Lone Wanderer," Celestia said with a dainty voice, as if speaking to people that hadn't killed for a new pair of clothes. "This is Discord, the spirit of disharmony and chaos."
"Not to mention our used-to-be enemy," Rarity added with a grunt. Applejack and Pinkie shared the same sentiment as they both crossed their forelegs with a curt nod. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, gave a gentle wave over to him, to which Discord returned with a rather quaint smile. It was far too quaint for Celestia, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"Okay," the Lone Wanderer spoke up, rubbing his cat ears, "So this guy likes chaos and all that jazz."
"Especially jazz from Bessie Smith," Discord said, putting a hand on his forehead dramatically as he swooned, "That girl can sing the blues like no otter!"
A momentary silence pervaded the table as everyone tried to understand the words coming out of Discord's mouth. However, the Courier summed it up quite nicely for everyone, "What. The. Hell?"
"And he has magic?" the Lone Wanderer said, "Magic that looks pretty damn powerful."
"Well," Discord muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "I don't believe my magic is powered by a dam. But fear not, tin man!" Discord transformed into a cat, landing on the table with a pose. "We're all cats in this game of cat and mouse after all."
"I don't think you know what that game is," the Courier snapped, grabbing a hold of his cat ears and giving a hard yank. The pain that erupted made him cry out, making Discord giggle as he raised a paw to his mouth.
In that moment, the doors leading into the dining room burst open as Observer crashed through them. He landed onto the floor in a heap, groaning. Garrus and Isaac brushed their hands, glad to be rid of him.
"You know," Observer grumbled, uncoiling himself from his limbs, "you could have done the easier and energy saving solution of dropping me."
Garrus shrugged, "Think of it like this: you're invincible and we could use someone to get rid of some stress."
"Your logic is unquestionable," Observer said as he got himself to his feet. Discord hummed to himself, tilting his head several times before smiling widely. Leaping off the table he changed back to his old draconequus self as he clapped his hands together, both expressing his excitement and revealing himself to the new enterers.
"Oh my!" he said, "Now I know I've been missing out!"
"Ayo!" Observer shouted happily as he swung an arm, "It's... Discord!"
"The one and only!" Discord said with a bow before eyeing Observer warily, "Do I know you?"
Observer lifted up a finger as if to speak but stopped short. He waggled his finger, trying to find the right words, but remained silent for the longest time. Garrus and Isaac were still dumbfounded by such a creature standing before them.
"Possibly?" Observer said, "You tend to dimension jump, so it's sort of fifty-fifty."
"Dimension jump?" Discord repeated before realization dawned on him, "Ohhhhh, you must be that Observer figure I've heard so much about."
Observer puffed out his chest as he played fanfare in his head, "The true one and only!"
Everyone in the room gaped at Discord, stunned that he actually knew Observer. To have two people actually know each other, even though they came from completely separate universes, was almost too much of a coincidence. ***
And there I stood, thinking it would get so lonely without anyone knowing me, then suddenly Discord! Everything is interesting when Discord enters the fray! Or the Brawl. Ah, man, was he good in the Brawl. He showed Link what was up. Gazing up at the glorious - and good! - guy, I heaved a sigh of content, glad to see I wasn't the only dimension jumper in the room! Well, one of the few that actually did that as a profession. Everyone else was just cashing in on my success, the leeches.
"Discord," Celestia said, flying over to land next to him as she stared at him in disbelief, "You know Observer?"
"Here and there," Discord said with a wave of his head.
"Literally," I added.
"Never actually met the fellow," Discord said gazing dreamily at the wall. It was a pretty wall, I suppose. "Heard him cursed by everyone else's gods because of his silly antics."
"Picard never was one for humor," I agreed, crossing my arms with a sagely nod.
"Got that right," he said as he raised his hand for a high five. Suppressing a squee, I jumped up and gave it to him, pleased beyond measure that I was able to get a high five in this universe in the end. I told Jason I could do it, and I was still holding on to our little wager. He's definitely going to have to give me those respect points we bet on!
"This is makin' my head hurt even more..." Applejack grumbled, resting her head on the table. Luna glanced off into the stained-glass windows to see the sun still on the fringe of setting. Celestia had forgotten to take the sun down, again. She was never good at keeping track of that pesky ol' orb.
Celestia noted the sun's position as well as her horn glowed, allowing the sun to set completely and initiating the night sequence, which made Luna's horn glow. With the small distraction, I glanced around to everybody, seeing the Elements of Harmony, the Princesses, Discord, the Lone Wanderer, the Courier, Garrus, Isaac...
"Hot diggity dog!" I exclaimed with a small jump, "Everyone may be as confused as ticks, but I'm loving this adventure! I bet Master Chief will make an entrance next- No, no! I bet Sonic will! Or better yet, Harry Potter! Imagine magic with magic! The possibilities!"
"You are far chattier than I imagined," Discord commented with a frown, "And I'm yet undecided if that's a good thing."
Oh, how he jests. Giving a grunt of amusement, I looked to everyone again. It wasn't until that very precise moment that something completely out of place came to my attention. "Say," I said, scratching the top of my head, "Why do you guys have cat ears?" ***
With the cat ears finally being taken away by Discord, everyone was back to normal, except the circumstances wasn't normal at all. Four displaced Humans and a loud invincible Human were still stuck in Equestria. Everyone was mingling, speaking about technology and tactics and every other distracting thing that could come to mind. Celestia was able to get Luna and Discord together and huddled up like an American Football team.
Discord was the only one dressed for occasion. He was very disappointed that Luna and Celestia weren't wearing padding or helmets.
"It's the Colts!" he said with glee, "They put Ponies in a Super Bowl commercial, it only seems fair to return the favor."
"What in all that is Pony are you talking about?" Celestia deadpanned.
"We must not deviate from our reason for huddling," Luna said, stopping Discord from saying another word. Most likely a word that neither of the princesses would understand anyway. "First, Discord, can you sense Sombra's presence in Equestria? You were once a villain, were you not?"
"So, what are you implying?" Discord asked as he crossed his arms, "That all villains have each other's numbers on speed dial? But now that you mention it, it did feel pretty dark over by Ponyville."
"Then he must have hidden there," Celestia nodded, "If Garrus' story is correct, then he is merely in his gas state. With his focus on us, he won't attack my little ponies. It is better for us to be in danger than anyone else."
Luna nodded, eyeing the visitors, "These Humans do seem far better equipped to handle these monsters. And as much trouble as King Sombra is giving us, he is also delivering us allies in his wake."
"So to Ponyville in the morning," Discord summed up, wrapping his arms around Luna and Celestia, "Alright, break!"
Discord fazed into the ground and out of sight, leaving Luna and Celestia in surprise from his disappearance. Heaving a sigh, Celestia glanced back to the room of minglers. The six girls were fascinated with Garrus, Isaac, and the Lone Wanderer. Those three Humans, Celestia could say firmly, were good. Their actions may have been... gory. But she liked them.
"I like those three," Luna announced, gesturing to the three Humans Celestia was just thinking about. "Their actions are gory, but I-"
"Yes, yes, you like them," Celestia concurred, hurriedly. She had already thought the same exact words, she didn't need Luna saying them aloud.
"The Courier..." Luna trailed off, grimacing as she looked over to his direction. He was speaking with Observer, probably not by choice. In the Princesses minds, the two of them keeping each other occupied was the best possible solution.
"Yep," Celestia nodded, "The Courier has been looking at my little ponies a little too-"
"-seductively," Luna and Celestia said simultaneously. They had no idea why the Courier was the only one looking at the Ponies in a that matter, but from what they have learned from the Lone Wanderer, their world was lonely. Like, absurdly so. It didn't help that Celestia had caught more than a few quips on Applejack's looks.
"Are you hearing this, sister?" Luna asked with a smile, elbowing Celestia as she pointed to Observer and the Courier. Breaking out of her thoughts, she used her magic to get a better listen.
"...You're shitting me," the Courier said, hardly moving with his arms crossed.
"Ew, no," Observer replied, "Why would I... Oh! You mean you're in disbelief!"
"God damnit," the Courier grumbled, slapping a hand against his helmet's forehead, "Ow."
"What's there not to believe?" Observer asked.
The Courier held up his arms. If the sisters didn't know better, he was going to smack Observer upside the head. "Believe!?" the Courier repeated in a high voice, "How in everything in the Mojave am I supposed to believe that in some Universes, there's a plumber jumping three times his height, eating mushrooms while stomping turtles into the ground to save a princess from a talking dragon!?"
Observer was silent, as was the rest of the room as the Courier was anything but quiet. In fact, he was loud, loud enough for everyone to hear him, hence the silence. Observer stared at the Courier, leaned forward, and continued to stare at him.
"Do I need to bring up the time you had sex with-"
"Stop," the Courier said, holding up a hand, "Fine, I believe you. And how the hell do you know about that?!"
"I didn't until you said it happened!" Observer countered, with a fist in the air, "Oh, and uh, you really are a sex machine."
The punch that landed on Observer's face was predictable for everyone. He landed on the ground in a heap as the Courier shook his hand. As tough as he was, Observer's helmet was a lot harder than he had anticipated. Celestia and Luna looked to one another with a suppressed smirk. They didn't want to admit it aloud, but Observer and the Courier made things far more comical.
"I'm just going to lay here a moment..." Observer whined, splaying his body as if accepting the inevitable fate of staying on the floor. Everyone else didn't complain.
"Auntie!" an annoying voice rang through the hall, emitting from behind the double doors. The noise caused Celestia, Luna, and Observer to wince.
"Fudge cakes," Observer muttered, raising a brow from the Courier.
The double doors opened a crack to allow someone to poke their head in. He had a white coat and a yellow mane that looked like it had received too much gel. Just seeing the stallion made everyone shiver for a moment, though almost all of them had no idea why. The stallion froze as his eyes widened like someone had shined a bright light in his face.
Instantly, Observer sat up straight and bellowed, "Nope!"
Before anyone could say another word, Observer jumped to his feet, and fast walked over to the door while repeatedly saying, "No, nuh-uh, nope, definitely not."
When he reached the door, he pushed the stallion's head back out the hallway, while saying, "Noooooo."
And with the shut of the door all was silent. Observer kept his hands on the door like the stallion would attempt to burst through at any moment. The visitors were plain confused, but the Ponies were conflicted with Observer's actions, for reasons only the Observer knew of.
"I don't think anything good will come if Blueblood was involved," Observer grimaced, shivering again. Taking a deep breath he took a step away from the door as he clapped his hands. "Right! So, who's ready for bed?" ***
Blueblood was definitely someone to avoid at all costs, I found in my line of work. Sure, there was the few Universes where he was good - pretty absurd in my opinion - but overall he was a cactus; so prickly and annoying that everyone gives it a wide berth. I could only imagine him being incinerated on the spot within thirty seconds of him speaking to the other interdimensional visitors. Well, actually, that wasn't giving him enough credit. Probably fifteen seconds.
Nonetheless, I was pretty relaxed on the railing of Luna's bedroom's balcony, which was as big as that description. She was still speaking with Celestia - obviously about where everyone would sleep. They were on edge regarding another surprise birthday visit from, say, Megatron. Admittedly, I was the one who hoped he would make a visit, and in turn, everyone was dead against it. Megatron was undoubtedly evil, but darn it, he's cool!
Lying on the railing, with my arms resting behind my head and legs propped up, I was pretty comfy. Which was quickly taken away when blue magic enveloped me and threw me against floor.
"Ahhh," I said, looking up to Luna, eyeing me. She was so cruel when she wanted to. "I'm so tired of the floor, why don't you throw me against the wall for a change of pace."
She did exactly that, tossing my body right against the wall above the doorway. The pain, as always, was tremendous, but it was creative. It had been awhile since I had been thrown around like that.
"You will do well to keep your mouth shut," Luna warned, stepping towards the railing. "It is already bad enough I have to shelter you for the night, but your infernal yelling is bound to wake the entire castle."
I scoffed, peeling myself out of the wall as I grabbed a nearby ledge, "Please, you have Pinkie here. No one is getting sleep tonight."
"I can hear you!" Pinkie's voice echoed in the air.
"Sleep in heavenly peace!" I called back.
"Okay!" she said back, and with no further reply, I was content everyone could sleep soundly, as long as no one brought up parties. Luna shook her head, her tiredness seeping into me. I didn't like it when that happened, I get all guilty and stuff. Always felt like bugs crawling around my heart. And considering that has never happened to me - Me, the Universe hopping dummy - that was saying something.
"Look, I know I can be annoying," I admitted. I never liked saying that, but the truth was the truth, and by Applejack, I was sticking to it. "But I'm just trying to make some memories."
Luna looked up to me, seeing me sitting on the ledge I had grabbed onto. She raised a brow before looking off into the horizon. "I do not care of your intentions, Observer. I for one do not want to remember the person who said my mane smelt of stars."
"Oh, come on, that was funny," I quipped, pointing to her. Her death stare would have killed me if I wasn't immortal. Sighing, I got back on topic, holding my head up with an arm as my elbow rested against my lap. "Okay, think of it like this. I jump around all the time, seeing new and old people, getting into wacky and-slash-or grim adventures, and ultimately see people grow and change."
Luna nodded. I suppose that was pretty obvious, given I had already explained this before hand not two hours ago. I could get repetitive sometimes, but it was hard to tell if this Luna was forgetful or not. It didn't help what I had to say was hard to speak of. I took a deep breath; this was going to be painful, and not the kind that could disappear like usual.
"I've seen you die, Luna," I said, turning my gaze up to the stars, trying my hardest not to look to her, "Decapitation, drowning, burning, absolute vaporization... It hurts every time. And not just with you, everyone. From the people here to thousands of others across the Multiverse. Over and over and over again."
Shoot, those memories were coming back. The screams sounded all the same, calling out to me.
"Try as I might," I continued, "I can't save everyone. As invincible as I am, I have to watch it all, from the good to the bad."
"Observer..." Luna said, more on the note of my name than actually calling to me.
"So you caught on, huh?" I asked, finally looking to her. She was surprised, or maybe shocked. There was a difference somewhere, but I wasn't in the mood to explore it... There I go again, trying to put humor into something so somber. I thought I had promised myself never to do that. "Observer. That's me. Someone who inevitably only observes. I may joke a lot, Luna, but when it comes to death, I shut up and cry. May seem pathetic, but that's another good thing about my mask. No one can ever see my tears."
Luna looked to the floor, swallowing all that.
I sighed, hating the next part of my tale. I pushed off my ledge and landed on the floor, my hands slipping into my pockets. "And what's worse is that I see people die, people I liked and tried to save, and later on, see them again in the next Universe. A never ending cycle, life and death. And who do people blame? The person who can't die, anywhere. People starve, while I live. People are annihilated in the blink of an eye, while I remain. Who wouldn't blame me? A joker who seems to never take anything seriously."
"Do not hate me for this," Luna finally spoke up, pawing at the ground, "But I am glad I do not have your life. I may have the semblance of immortality, but-"
"You actually can only live for so long?" I assumed, walking forward to stand by her.
Luna shook her head, not berating me for my quick guess, "We can only be killed by another Alicorn."
"Right," I said, putting a hand on my face, "I guess this is a different Universe."
"Have assumptions like that ever been fatal?" Luna asked, turning to oversee the land.
"Yeah," I answered, stepping onto the railing before sitting down, my legs dangling over the side, "And it's killed a lot. A lot of good people."
The pain was so unbearable. I didn't think I could go on with the conversation. It didn't help that I already had tears in my eyes. Every time I brought all this up, I was reminded of those who had died, all those wonderful people, snuffed out like a candle in the wind. And to see those same people die again and again and again...
I gripped my head. I couldn't dwell on it, I couldn't lose myself like last time. How I got out of that terrible moment... I wish I knew.
I had to concentrate on the present, when no one had died yet. I saved Fluttershy from the Creepers, right? That was something. Though, I had known a good creeper that killed himself to save his friends...
Luna placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to flinch as I looked back to her. Her frown spoke volumes to me. She was still alive, and she was a good guy - baring the whole Nightmare Moon fiasco, if it happened in this Universe. I hadn't failed these Ponies yet. Nor those who had came here out of Sombra's will, who was the bad guy here.
Having things so black and white was far better than gray morality. I knew who to protect, who to save. I couldn't make a mistake. Taking a long breath, I ignored the pain in my heart. Time for a subject change.
"You know," I started, seeing the magnificent land of Equestria, with its forests and small little towns, grand meadows and rounded mountain tops. "In one Universe, you had glasses on, and you looked weird. Like really weird. And with socks! Heh, you'd think you would steer clear of those, but people love seeing you in socks! I guess they haven't seen you with socks on your ears."
I half expected her to push me off, but instead I got a soft giggle from her. Relaxing a bit, I smiled underneath my mask. I had told several hundred people about my experiences in the multiverse - which was a far cry to what other people had to go through - but having someone not only listen but sympathize a little... It was nice. |
Canterlot University: A guide to Friendship | pre | "Phew! Ah was worried you were gonna get mad."
"Anyway," you say, "I think I should be going now. Her dorm is all the way on the other side of the school."
"Be careful!" Applejack yells down the hall.
You knock on Trixie's door and to your surprise, Derpy answers the door. She was holding a muffin and dragging you in with her other hand. Trixie was on her bed and she pats a spot for you to sit on. Surprisingly, her room is really neat and organized, especially with Derpy in the room. She held up a book which read, "How to call your Mate".
"This is what we are studying in Life Science. It's supposed to be about animals finding their true love. Even when they 'accidentally' bump into each other, hint hint." Trixie said.
You feel as if this happened to you before, but you shrug it off and scratch your head.
"So, what is the test about?"
"Oh. Well, the teacher said something about the test being about how humans call their mate. I'm not even sure how we do that. You know, besides flirting."
"It says here that humans have about a few ways to summon a boyfriend/girlfriend. Flirting, flattery, what the? Getting drunk? Dafuq? Who wrote this book?"
"B-beats me!" Trixie stammered.
You look at her suspiciously, but continue anyway.
"So what are you supposed to do exactly?"
"Find the best way to call your mate." she replies.
Derpy yells, "Pirates!" You both look at her and roll your eyes.
"I think getting drunk is the best way! Oh would you look at the time? Trixie needs to go to sleep!" she pushes you out of the doorway.
"But why do you think- You're suppo-"
"Bye-bye now!"
She slams the door and you just stand there with a stupid look on your face. As you walk down the hallway, you try figure out what happened. You didn't even see Fluttershy and Rarity pass by you until they called our name.
"Dice! There you are!" Rarity exclaimed.
"Hey Rarity! Hi Fluttershy! Wassup?"
"We are inviting you to our Freshman Fall Party. Details are in the back. BTW, there will be drinking there. Don't get too drunk, if you know what I mean." Rarity giggled, handing you an invitation.
"Cool. How many chocolates did you sell?"
"Forty. We'll be selling the rest tomorrow hopefully," Fluttershy said.
"I sold 25. Applejack decided it would be best to save the chocolates for her very special friend, Tummy."
Rarity and Fluttershy looked confused at first, but then they realized it meant that she ate them. They started to laugh until Rarity realized they had to finish giving out invites.
"See you in chemistry tomorrow, Dice!" Rarity said.
You walk down the hall and find Applejack scurrying off somewhere. You have a decision: keep walking to your dorm or follow your roommate to wherever she was going. You look at the time, which was 8:47 p.m. You know you don't sleep until ten, so you decide to follow her instead.
When you turn in the corner, she seems to be knocking on Bon Bon and Lyra's door. They open it and she gives them something wrapped in a black cloth.
"Do not tell anyone about this- Ah hate for anyone to know ah gave it to you."
"We promise. Pinkie Promise."
"Good. If y'all tell anyone, you'll hear from ma lawyer."
"Okay."
They close the door. Applejack was walking in your direction. Quick, hide! Before she sees you! You hide behind a potted plant while she whistles a merry tune. You narrow your eyes as she turns left to walk back to her dorm. Then you hear her talking to someone. It sounded like Twilight.
"Did you give it to them?"
"Eeyup. Ah had to give it before Dice comes back into the room."
"Good. If he found it, he'd be very suspicious. Why do they need that stuff anyway? "
"They said that if they didn't raise enough money for the fundraiser, instead of giving money to Bon Bon's parents, they'd give..."
The voices faded. You had a million questions in your head. What are they hiding? What is Bon Bon sending to her parents? Why do they not want you to find out? You decided it would be best to keep your suspicions to yourself. You got up and didn't even notice Soarin was next to you.
"Hiya!" He exclaims.
"Dude! You scared me."
"Sorry. Why are you hiding here anyway? Your dorm is like 3 minutes away."
"I was spying on Applejack. She gave something to Bon Bon and Lyra, but I have no idea what. They don't want me finding out about it either. Why are you here? Isn't your dorm down there?"
"I wanted to buy some popcorn at the vending machine. I gotta go. My roommate wants his bag too."
You watch him walk down the hall and then you walk to your dorm. You didn't even realize Lyra was tip-toeing with the item as she walked across the hall behind you. Once you reach your dorm, you unlock the door. Applejack was reading a magazine and eating popcorn. When she saw you, she looked so confused.
"Back so soon? Ah knew she was tricking you for something."
"I'm not so sure about that. What were you doing while I was gone?"
"I talked to RD, delivered something to Bonnie and Clyde down there, then came back here."
"Bonnie and- Oh! You mean Bon Bon and Lyra?"
DUH!!!!
"Yeah."
"What was it?"
She put her magazine down and studied your face.
"None of your damn business. Why?"
"Just asking."
TRIXIE PART!!!!!!!!!
Lyra gives the item to Trixie, "Do you think you should put all of this into the punch at the party?"
"Trixie does not like to be questioned. She is going to get that Dice for herself, one way or another. Now go on! Shoo!"
Lyra mumbled some bad things under her breath as she left Trixie's sight. Trixie looked around and took the bottle out of the cloth and maniacally laughed.
"Once this drink is poured into the punch at Rarity's party, Dice will be so drunk, he'll have to hit on every girl. Once he hits on me, I'll make sure to give him my full attention."
She closed her door, not knowing a pair of magenta eyes was watching her the whole time... |
Canterlot University: A guide to Friendship | Chapter 6: Your first (real) study session | The next day is Friday. That means you have a study session with Trixie *shudder*. This should be interesting. But that's in 11 hours from now. All you have to do is focus: What did Applejack give to Bon Bon and Lyra? And why did they want to keep it a secret from you? Well, Rainbow Dash is AJ's best friend, you can ask her. You look around the room and see AJ was still sound alseep on the couch. You decided not to wake her up and left a note for her to read:
Went to breakfast. Saw you sleeping, but decided not to disturb you.
-Dice a.k.a Domino
You take your book-bag and leave the room. Some kids were up early selling chocolates to other students. Just as you're leaving your room, someone grabs your arms and pulls you into the closet.
"Hey! Who's here? Turn on the light!"
The kidnapper turns on the light and to your surprise (not), it's Rainbow Dash. She was wearing a black tank top that had her cutie mark on it. She was wearing dark blue skinny jeans and black Converse sneakers. Her eyes were bulging right out of her sockets.
"Why am I not surprised?"
"This is no times for jokes, Dice. I have something to tell you! Trixie-"
The bell rang. RD was frustrated. She opened the door and pushed you out.
"Whatever you do, do not drink the punch at the party tomorrow." she ran out the closet to get to her next class.
You get confused on why you should avoid punch at the party. But knowing it was Rainbow Dash, she was probably stopping you from getting drunk, which is something you didn't really want to do. But knowing Rarity, she wouldn't have it. Rainbow. Rarity. Rainbow. Rarity. You decide to make this decision later and you walk to gym for class. AJ rushed passed you, wearing a sweatshirt and short shorts with cowgirl boots. Maybe you should have woke her up...
After school, you and AJ walk back to your dorm. When you unlock it, something was wrong. Both your sheets were off and all your things were out of the room. Headmistress Celestia was standing in the corner, smiling.
"Sorry that your things are gone, guys. I got a complaint that the rooms were too small to fit two people with their things. So we moved them to the other building, you know the one that's never used? It was originally the dorm rooms, but years ago someone had the H1N1 flu, so the whole building had it. Good news, the flu is gone! Here's your room #. Have fun!"
She left the room so that she could make the announcement on her PA. You and Applejack walk outside to the other building and look for your room. Conveniently, it was on the first floor. When you opened the door, the room was ginormous. The walls were painted lavender and the windows look like the were from a master suite at a hotel. There was a balcony and a large bathroom with a walk-in closet. There was even a kitchen. The only problem was this: you had to SHARE the bed. AJ and you both gasp when you saw this.
"Look on the bright side... it's a king size bed."
"Ah don't want to look like I sleep in bed with someone ah'm not even MARRIED to!"
"With that accent? Are you serious? Come on, let's just fix our things. We'll figure something out later."
As you do this, you look out the window. A sea of students were walking outside and coming in for their new rooms. Applejack was frustrated that she had to set up her game equipment again, so you do it for her. She fixes the bed and the clothes, putting them away in the dressers and closet. You take the towels and put them in the bathroom and fix the couch in a nice position. Pretty soon, your new room was made.
"I'm going to the library now. Trixie might be waiting for me, ya know."
"Oh okay. Ah was going to watch 21 Jump street on my DVD, but ah'll just get RD instead."
"D-did you just say...? I've always to see that movie! Oh...well I guess I could watch some of it."
"Yeehaw! Have a seat, partner. Yer gonna have the time of yer life!"
You rush out your dorm after watching the movie. You, AJ and the girls were having so much fun that you forgot your study session. You run as fast as your long legs can take you. You look at your watch: 6:46 p.m. The library closes at nine, so you have plenty of time. Once you reach there, Trixie was tapping her foot, her arms folded, and she was PISSED.
"Heh heh, hey Trixie. Am I late?"
*smacks your face* "Trixie does not like to be kept waiting. When she says four, she means four! Got it?"
You nod your head like a crazed bull as she drags you into the library. You rub the side of her face that she smacked. Smart move, dumb ass. She pushed you into the seat and she shoves her math book in your face.
"We're studying the Pythagorean theorem in class. You better help me ace that test and homework or it won't end good for you."
"Geez, you're late to your first study session..." you mumble.
"What?"
"Nothing."
You explain what the theorem was about as she starts her homework. When you ask her if she understands, she says yes. Then she asks you to help her with a math problem. After about 30 minutes, you decide to let her figure out problems for herself and look for a book to read. You pass the Daring Do section until you walk back to see your favorite from the series, "Daring Do and the Griffon's Goblet." As you grab it, someone else from the other side was taking it.
"Dude! Hands off! I saw it first! It's not everyday a jock as awesome as me can settle down to read from her fav series!"
That voice...could it be?
"Rainbow Dash?" you asked, shocked.
The person lets go of the book as you tumble on the ground from her grip. She comes around to your side and has a shocked look on her face. Busted,you thought.
"W-what are you doing here?"
"I was about to ask you the same question." you say.
"I asked first," she said, trying to get out of the conversation.
"I'm on my study session with Trixie. She's a real pain, if you ask me."
She helps you up. As you get up, her face is as red as a stoplight. She brushes her hair out of her face and looks at the Daring Do section. You stare at her and then the books. Her. Books. Her. Books. Then you have a big goofy grin on your face.
"You like Daring Do?"
She grabs face and brings hers to it, "Don't you dare tell anyone about this! I will rip your head off, literally!"
"Okay, geez. I don't know why you're hiding it. Everyone loves to read."
"DICE! TRIXIE NEEDS YOUR HELP!" Trixie yells. Damn, she can yell.
"I have to go. See you around, Rainbow."
As you run, you shake your head. What a weird day this has been. |
Canterlot University: A guide to Friendship | Chapter 7: The Party | The next day was the party. You have exactly 12 hours to get ready and stuff. You read the back of the invite:
It's Girls ask Boys! Wear your fanciest dresses and suits. Girls, don't be shy and ask your lucky man out. Party this Saturday! Be there!
"Girls ask boys, huh?" you say.
Applejack, who was in bed next to you, groaned and said, tiredly," What er y'all goin' on about this mornin'?"
"Nothing. Just that the dance is Girls ask Boys."
*yawn* "Lemme see that."
You give her the invitation. She reads it then hands it back to you. She gets out of bed and heads to the bathroom.
"What are you doing, AJ?"
"Ah need to go to the mall and buy mahself a dress. Can't go to some fancy-schmancy party looking like ah just left the farm. Granny Smith would force me to wear formal attire if she weren't so lazy!"
As Applejack goes on rambling about the dance and why she has to wear formal attire all while walking to the bathroom, you throw some clothes on and look for Soarin's room. Which, coincidentally, was going to look for you for the same. You guys bump into each other.
"Hey Soarin. Can I freshen up in your dorm? AJ's using our bathroom."
"Sure. Why not? I was coming to ask you if you had any coffee ground."
"Well, no. AJ uses it as her midnight drink instead of the soda."
"Well, follow me if you want to live. Be warned- girls are at dude's dorms asking them out. Do not feel left out."
Soarin was right. As you pass by other dorms, there are girls either knocking, flirting, or hugging boys just for the dance. You even saw a Derpy making out with Whooves as you pass her dorm. You make sure Trixie was not around the doorway so that she wouldn't ask you. Finally, you reach Soarin's dorm. His roommate was putting on his sneakers when the door opened.
"Flash, I'd like you to meet my bud, Dice. Dice, this is my roomy Flash Sentry."
" Wassup?" you say.
"Nothing much. Any girl ask you out yet?"
"No, not yet anyway. What about you guys? Girls ask you out yet?"
"No, but there's this cute on with purple hair with a pink streak with the cutest purple eyes I've wanted to ask me out." Flash says.
"You mean Twi-"
*knock knock*
Soarin opens the door and to your surprise, it was RD and Twilight. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were across the hall, knocking on someone else's door as they waved to you. You wave back and return your attention on the two girls in front of you. They seemed to be nervous about something.
"Um Soarin, Flash, we'd like to ask you guys something..." Twilight started.
"Would you guys like to go to the Freshman Party with us, you know, if you're not busy?" Rainbow asked, without a care in the world.
"That depends. Who's taking who?" Soarin asks.
"Easy. Egghead here takes Flash and I take you. Simple as that." she said, folding her arms.
"Okay then. It's a date. I didn't think girls would start hitting on the Soarin Master until Valentine's," Soarin said, flexing his arm muscles.
"Whoa there, lover boy. It's only one date. That is... if you can't resist this," Rainbow said, as she turned her back to the boys and flipped her hair, turned her head and winked. Twilight followed her and saw Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie squeal with joy. They had also gotten dates with Big Mac and Pokey Pierce, two boys THEY had a crush on. Soarin closed the door.
"Wow. Flash got nerd. Soarin got jock. What are the odds?" you say.
"At least we got dates. Although, that was kinda quick. We weren't expecting girls to ask us until the afternoon. Not 9 in the morning." Flash stated.
"Can I just use your shower?" you say irritated.
You leave Soarin's dorm, trying to find a way to get back to your's. Once you do reach it, you hear the TV on. You open the door and find AJ eating pancakes and watching the Farmer's channel. She turns around and finishes what she was eating. Then she speaks:
"Howdy partner! Soarin and Flash get a date yet?"
"How do you know Flash? And how do you know they were getting dates?"
"Long story short. Never tell Twilight to confess her feelings fer a guy at Senior prom. So who's takin' them?"
"Rainbow and Twilight. RD wanted to get it over with. Geez, talk about impatient."
"That's RD fer ya. Never waits for anything." Applejack explained.
"So..."
"So?"
"Who are you going to ask?"
"No one really. Just thought ah'd go alone."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
This had hurt you. You both made out,twice, she flirted with you, and she licked chocolate off your finger! CHOCOLATE! Something romantic! How dare she?
"Thinkin' about somethin', sugarcube?"
"No, not really. I just..."
"Just what?"
"Nothing. Whattcha watching?"
"She did WHAT?!" everyone shouted.
You were talking to Twilight, Rarity, RD, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Soarin, and Flash. You had just told them what happened with you and AJ and they seemed pretty upset. Rarity, however, was pissed.
"I am not just going to let her sit on the bench while all her friends are dancing with bullshits they call dates!" she yelled.
"Hey!" Soarin and Flash said.
"No offense." she said, calming down a bit.
You roll your eyes and shake your head, looking away from the upset table. Rainbow saw this and did that Spongebob face.
"You like Applejack, don't you Dice?"
"Pssssh. Puh-leeze, girlfriend! As if!"
"I'm not taking that shit with you," she said, blankly.
"Sorry," you say.
"Oh, so you do like her! This calls for a party!" Pinkie yelled.
"NO!!!" everyone yelled. Her hair deflated.
"Oh..um.. we mean not now, Pinkie. Later...if it's okay with you," Fluttershy said.
Pinkie's hair inflated again and she said, "Okie-doki-loki!"
"Anyway," RD said, ignoring those two, "maybe you should ask her out. She might say no, but you can at least take her as a friend. I mean, who wouldn't take a friend?"
"I know I would!" Fluttershy said.
"But...what if she says no? What if she just doesn't feel the same? What if to her, I'm just a boy who sleeps in the same bed with her and is friends with?" you say.
"Aren't you also the boy who made out with her twice, she flirted with you, and licked chocolate off your finger?" Pinkie said.
Everyone just stared at her and your jaw dropped. How the hell does she know that?
"Um...how do you know all that?" you ask.
"Just a hunch!" *squee*
"Wait a book flipping second," Twilight said, "you made out with her twice?"
"She flirted with you?" Soarin asked.
"She licked chocolate off your finger?" Fluttershy asked.
You gulp and nod your head. Everyone just looked at you, shocked. RD finally spoke.
"That..is..."
'PIRATES!" Derpy, for some unknown reason, was sitting at your table.
"Get out of here," Rainbow said, irritated. Derpy hung her head and left the table.
"What was I saying? Oh yeah! *clears throat* That...is...AWESOME!!!"
At noon, you go back to your dorm when you see the door open. It was Caramel talking to Applejack! Oh no!you thought, I'm too late! You listen to their conversation:
"AJ, what's up?"
"What do you want, Caramel? I thought I dumped you two years ago."
She dated Caramel?
"I just wanted to ask you if you would like to go with me to the dance? We could end the night in my dorm. My roommate left for the week. It'll be just you and m-"
"Ah don't give a third chance, not after you played me like a banjo!"
"But baby-"
"Don't you baby me! Go away. Ah don't want to be seen with you again."
"But why? It's that Dice kid, isn't it? He saves your sorry ass one time!"
"At least he's a better friend than you! He should teach you a lesson or two-"
"Is it because I missed that one date, which is why you are so hard on me?"
"No! Just leave me alo-"
Next thing you knew, Caramel grabbed Applejack by the waist and started making out with her. After five seconds, she pushed him away and said one more thing:
"Fuck you. Have a nice life in hell."
Then- BAM! She slammed the door in his face. He kicked it and yelled.
"This isn't over AJ! I'll get you and that Dice kid! You're a lucky bitch this time, ya know!"
He left to go to his dorm. Thank goodness it wasn't in your direction. You didn't feel like asking AJ to the party anymore. Not after what happened to her anyway. You can know realize why she dumped him. He seems like the type of guy who would date hot chicks at multiple times.You stand in the hallway, trying to confirm the information in your brain. You then walk to your dorm and open it. The TV was off, the plate that held pancakes was washed, and... what's this? A crying blonde with her hat on the floor. You sit next to her, feeling awkward about the whole situation.
"You okay?" you finally say.
She looks at you and sniffs. She looks awful," Ya herd?"
You nod your head.
"I'm sorry, Dice. Ah didn't mean for all this to start a commotion."
"It's not your fault. Just me being nosy as ever."
"He just thought I would forgive him like that? He cheated on me twice during Junior year. Ah can't b-belie-" she bawled again.
You pat her hair. So soft.
Stop being such a pervert and comfort your roommate!
"I don't know what to say, Applejack. I was going to invite you to the party, but after seeing all this..."
"You were...gonna ask me out?"
Think, think, think, Dice! Think! What do you say?!
"Yeah...I guess. I like you AJ...as a friend. But after seeing what happened, you're not in perfect position for a party. Although, if I were you, I'd forget the past and be happy I have now. You never know what the future may hold."
AJ thought about it for a moment, then smiled. She hugged you tight.
"Thanks Dice! Not even RD would comfort me like that. Ah wish ah were as wise as you."
"Yeah, well-"
She kisses you (yes, on the lips, but only for like three seconds) and went to the bathroom to wash her face. Just then, Soarin opens the door. "Dude, we're going to buy suits for the party! Trixie was asking for you, BTW. We said you went grocery shopping or something. Now come on!"
You look at Applejack, who has just finished wiping her face with a towel. She nods her head to the door.
"You can go. Ah'm alright."
"You sure?"
"Definitely."
"Oh. Thanks AJ!"
You leave the room and close the door. Soarin, looking confused, scratched his head, "The fuck was that all about?"
"I'll explain it to you later."
It's 8 p.m. and the party has just begun. Everyone was dancing and talking and having fun. You and Soarin walk in together. Rainbow Dash was trying to get Pinkie out of their dorm room, which is why she didn't show up. AJ was watching the news. Poor girl. She sure had a jerky BF.
"Dude, this is it." Soarin finally says.
"Yes, yes it is."
"So...LETS GET OUR GROOVE ON!"
Soarin runs down to the dance floor, busting out some crazy dance moves. He looks like a... nevermind. Anyway, the girls show up with their dates and all say hi to you before proceeding to the dance floor. You sit down and see Trixie walking toward you.
"Hey." she says.
"Hey."
"Where's AJ?"
"Couldn't make it. Very emotional problems happened to her."
"Oh."
"Don't you have a date?"
"No. And I'd like to keep it at that. Trixie thinks the boys here only wanted the sexiest girl here at the school! They reject the Rejects and go for the good-lookers!" she complains.
"Oh."
"What about you? You have a date?"
"No. The girl I had in mind isn't here with me."
"Trixie will get us some punch."
Trixie walks over to the punch bowl, She kicks the leg of the table three times. Someone's hand had a bottle in it. When no one was looking, Trixie took the bottle and poured some of the stuff in.
"With this vodka, everyone will be very drunk! Even Dice! Muahahahaha!"
(HOLY FUCKING SHIT! IT WAS VODKA!!!)
Meanwhile
As everyone grabs their date for a slow dance, you took your slice of pizza and started to eat from it. Someone taps your shoulder. You assumed it was Trixie with the punch. When you turned around, your jaw dropped. That was NOT Trixie. Trixie doesn't have golden blonde hair with green eyes and freckles. The dress this girl was wearing was...WOW! You stand up and look at her top to bottom.
"Applejack?" you say.
"Yes sirree! Close your mouth, though. Yer gonna catch flies." she replied.
"How...Why? What are you doing here?"
"I thought about what you said. And you're right. I should forget the past and be happy that ah have now. Ah never know what the future may hold."
"I never thought I was so inspirational."
She giggled, "So are we gonna stand here and gawk or are we gonna dance?"
You hold her hand and pull her to the dance floor. She puts her arms around your neck and yours around her waist. You haven't danced with a girl since....well, prom. Meanwhile, Trixie had both your drinks. When she saw you dancing with AJ, she was so mad, the glass cups broke in her grip. Rainbow and Soarin were right next to you guys.
"Applejack? You made it! I'm glad you didn't spend eternity in that dorm of yours." she joked.
Everyone was having the time of their lives. Then something started to happen. Everyone was drinking so much of the darn punch that some people ended up saying random things, while others did random things. Rainbow had warned you about not drinking the punch. But it looked like she forgot, because she was like everyone else too. You decided to drink some of it. It's surprisingly good. Then you take another cup. Another. Another. Another. AJ limps next to you, all drunk. After a couple minutes or so, you are too. She speaks.
"Hey big boy. Do y'all have the guts to come with me to the *hic* bedroom?"
"Whatever *hic* you say, sexy. And might I add you look like the shit tonight?"
She drags your arm before all of you (the entire student body) pass out on the ground. Trixie has escaped...
And the bottle of vodka is in the trash... |
Canterlot University: A guide to Friendship | Chapter 8: Solve the Mystery | The next day, you hear moaning and groaning. When you open your eyes a bit, you see a whole bunch of students, passed out on the Gym floor. Even some are getting up and rubbing their heads. You look next to you. Applejack was on your left, still sleeping. On your right, it looked like Pinkie Pie, with a half-eaten cupcake in her hand. You get up too, but it wasn't easy. Once you sat up, you could see the entire student body, freshman that is. Half of them were getting up, some were vomiting outside, others still on the ground, sleeping. Rainbow Dash was about to vomit in the garbage can when she saw something peculiar. She took out a bottle. It was the half-empty vodka. She gasped.
When everyone else woke up, Rainbow Dash whistled to get everyone's attention.
"Listen up peeps! I don't know why everyone was still in here from the party. We should have been in our bedrooms, fast asleep. Anyway, I have evidence that someone put something in the punch."
"W-what is it?" Fluttershy yelled while speaking softly.
Rainbow held the bottle for everyone to see, "Vodka!"
"Everyone gasped. You can even see Rarity faint. Applejack was mad.
"That darn vodka! Because of it, nobody can remember what a good time we had! And the culprit knew not to drink it and probably left before anyone could find out!"
Rainbow Dash pointed to AJ, "Exactly! I have the invite list right here. Everyone say "Here" when I call your name. *clears throat* Applejack!"
"Here!"
"Dice."
"Here!"
This went on for about thirty minutes. Everyone kept saying here. Until she got down to the last 5 suspects.
"Snips!"
"..."
"Snails?"
"..."
"Bon Bon?"
"..."
"Lyra?"
"..."
"Finally, Trixie?"
"..."
Pinkie Pie gasped, "We found our suspects. Here's the plan everyone! We knock on their doors! If they won't answer our questions, we'll threaten them with pie! And I'll wear this mustache." she said, taking out a mustache and putting it on her face.
"Ah'm liking that idear, well except for the pie and mustache part," Applejack said.
"Can I still wear this mustache?" Pinkie said.
AJ rolled her eyes and took the mustache from Pinkie.
"Anyway, I think we can do Pinkie's idea..." RD started
"So that I can kill the person who sabotaged my party!" Rarity yelled. Everyone looked at her and she calmed down.
"Yes, but without the pie." you add.
"And the mustache." Applejack said.
"The rest of you, go get Celestia's and Luna's help! Even teachers if you have to. They must know about this! Who's with me?" RD said.
"YEAH!" everyone yells and runs out the gym. It was just you and your friends left there. Rainbow spoke up.
"Soarin and Flash, you get Snips and Snails, they're roommates. Twi, Rare, Flutters and Pinkie, you get Bon Bon and Lyra. AJ and Dice, you guys are with me. We get to whoop Trixie's ass."
"Awesome!" Aj said.
"We'll need to dress like detectives first, though." Rainbow thought.
Everyone (including yourself) started talking about how they have the perfect outfit for the investigation. Headmistress Celestia came running in the room.
"I just heard what happened! Do you have evidence?" she said, panting.
"You betcha yer...somethin that we do," AJ said.
Rainbow Dash gave Celestia the half-bottle of vodka. She let out a horrified gasp, and looked like she was about to faint. Then she regained her strength and sighed.
"Lemme guess: You guys know the suspects and you are going to hunt them down?"
Everyone nodded. Celestia nods and wishes you all good luck. Then you all go to your dorms, Rainbow giving the bottle to AJ. She studies it for a second then she almost fainted. Everyone looked at her with worried looks. She held the bottle.
"Ah recognize this bottle! Ah gave it to Bon Bon and Lyra the other day! So those two must be the main suspects. But then again, Snips and Snails work for Trixie like Bon Bon and Lyra do. Ah don't have a good feelin' 'bout this."
"Well what are waiting for? Let's do this!" Rainbow said, fist pumping in the air.
You all enter your dorms, dressing up like detectives. Well, the boys anyway. Since the girls don't really have much detective clothes, they either wore dresses or suits. As you were putting on your coat, AJ came out the bathroom. She was wearing a beautiful, long, strapless red dress. It showed off her curvy-curves, her perky tits, (oh man, I'm such a pervert!) and other things the author can't say right now. Your eyes were bulging out of their sockets.
"Do ya think it's...too much?"
"I...er...um...uh...you...look...I mean..." *gulp*
"I'm going to take that as a yes." she said, giggling.
"You look...wow!"
"Stop drooling and let's meet the others."
When you reach the cafeteria, all the other girls were dressed in elegant, sexy-looking, dresses. Even Rainbow Dash. The girls rushed over to AJ while the boys were huddled in their little group. You went over to them.
"Hey guys, what's up?"
"Damn dude. How could you stand:
1. Sleeping in bed with AJ
2. Being roommates with AJ
3. Seeing all 'that' about AJ
AND NOT GOING ON A FREAKING DATE WITH HER?!" Soarin yelled.
Everyone in the entire cafeteria was looking in your direction. Your face and Flash's were flushed red and Soarin was turning pale. RD comes over to tell you guys to get the investigation started. You follow her and AJ while you guys walk to Trixie's room. RD looks at you while you stare into space. She decides to have a little fun with you and starts talking.
"So, Dice...You like what you see?" she said, while doing a pose.
Damn that's hot, you thought.
"Rainbow! Stop it!" AJ snapped.
"What? It's not my fault he's stuck with two good-looking athletes like us wearing beautiful dresses. Oh wait...IT IS!"
She starts laughing hard and trying to regain her composure. You mumble something under your breathe and shake your head.
"Oh so you DO like it? Well, I am not all curves and definitely not all breast, but AJ here is. You guys could be like, friends with benefits, if you know what I mean. Plus you sleep in the same bed, so that's gotta be a sign."
"Oh look we're here!" AJ said, irritated by Rainbow's teasing.
"I have no comment to anything that you just said, Rainbow. And FYI, 'Friends with Benefits?' Really?"
"That's a comment, you know," Rainbow said.
"Shut up! Let's get this thing over with!" AJ growled.
"Rain on my parade, would ya?" Rainbow said as she rolled her eyes and knocked on the door.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie will be there in a moment!" Trixie yelled through the door.
"Well the Great and Powerful Trixie better get her ass out here, because y'all got some explainin' to do!" AJ sounded really pissed off.
Trixie opened the door and looked up and down. Her expression was confused and the girls looked at each other as if it was a bad idea. You took that thing out that blows bubbles and gave AJ your pen and notepad. You sighed and looked Trixie straight in the eye. Finally, you spoke.
"Miss Trixie, we are investigating what happened last night. There happened to be vodka in the punch which is why all the students were passed out on the floor. All except five students. You are one of them."
"Moi?" Trixie said, trying to look innocent.
"Save it for when you cheat on your boyfriend. We know you did it. I bet when no one was looking, you put it in there for everyone to get drunk," Rainbow growled.
"Not everyone intentionally," Trixie mumbled.
"What was that?!" Applejack snapped. Okay, she was really pissed off now.
"Fine. I did it alright. You will never find out why though, so you better back off," she said.
"What ah wanna know is how you got your grubby little hands on that vodka! Ah only gave it to Bon Bon and Lyra. They said they were gonna ship it off to their parents...dammit they made a fool outta me!" AJ gasped.
"Ya think?" Rainbow said, not surprised at all.
"Anyway," you interrupt, "we know who did it, so now we have to take you to Headmistress Celestia's office."
"Fine, whatever. Just make sure cowgirl over here doesn't beat me until I'm blue." she sneered.
As they started walking towards the office, Pinkie Pie had Lyra in one arm and Rarity got Bon Bon in the other. Pinkie Pie was happier than ever because she said this:
"Areyouexcitedcauseimexcitediveneverbeensoexcitedwellexceptforthetimeisawtwilightandiwasall*gasp*butimmeanreallywhocouldtopthat?"
"We found out Lyra and Bon Bon gave Trixie the vodka." Rarity said.
The boys came over, "Snips and Snails handed Trixie the vodka at the party," Flash said.
"Trixie, here, poured it in." AJ said, finally calming down.
"Soarin, take them to Headmistress Celestia's. The rest of us will change into regular clothes. Head to Dice's dorm, we'll have a meeting there." Rainbow said.
"Oh...um, if it's alright, Dice. You wouldn't want to...um...bother..." Fluttershy said.
"Sure, why not?" you reply.
So all of you head back to your dorms while Soarin takes those five to the office. As you change your clothes and stuff, Applejack comes out the bathroom from changing. She looks like she was confused about something.
"Dice, can ah talk to you?"
"Su-" you get a text from Soarin, saying that they got a month of after school detention.
"How about after the meeting? Maybe a restaurant or something?"
She nods her head and sits next to you, looking out the window.
What a day it's been. |
Canterlot University: A guide to Friendship | Chapter 9: The Meeting | An hour later, all your friends show up to your dorm, all getting ready for the meeting. Rainbow Dash had her gavel with her and she hit the nightstand with it.
"I now call this meeting to order!"
Everyone silenced and the only thing you can here is Soarin munching on his piece of pie. Applejack, however, didn't show interest in the meeting and only stared at you. You tried to ignore the feeling, but it was too awkward. Rainbow finally spoke up.
"Okay guys, we need to figure out why Trixie put the vodka in the punch. Any solutions?"
"Maybe she wants to sabotage my parties. You know she's always been jealous of my parties," Pinkie said.
"Pinkie, this was my party. And I believe that she was doing it to probably ruin my party!" Rarity argued.
"I think that she did it because she wanted to. I mean, people do these kind of things all the time," Twilight said.
"Oh...um...maybe she wants revenge on someone?" Fluttershy said.
"Or she's totally hitting on me and wants me to get drunk with me." Soarin said.
"Her? Hitting on you? That'll be the day." RD said.
"But Rainbow Dash, don't you have a crush on-" Fluttershy couldn't finish what she was saying before Rainbow covered her mouth.
"Anything else? What about you Flash?"
"Maybe she has a crush on someone and is trying to lure them to the dark side. Remember Big Mac? Boy was he trouble, right AJ?"
Everyone was looking at AJ, who was staring out the window now. She kind of looked worried about something. No one knew why, though. Finally, she turned around and sighed.
"Sure, whatever."
"Applejack, darling, are you alright?" Rarity asked.
"Sure, whatever."
"You don't sound alright. Is something bugging you?" Twilight asked.
"Sure, whatever."
"What is it AJ?" RD asked.
"Sure, whatev-"
"Cut the 'sure, whatever' crap. I'm sick of it," RD snapped.
AJ made a pouty face and looked out the window. RD turned to you, "What do you think, Dice?"
"I think that Flash maybe 50% correct. It seems like Trixie has done it before, so why not again?" you reply.
Rainbow rubs her chin and a lightbulb appears, "You maybe right, Dice! Maybe you're not a bad egghead after all. We are going to need proof though. Meeting is now closed. We'll investigate tomorrow. I have a date with a little guy and his name is PSP3." she said as she left the room. |
Canterlot University: A guide to Friendship | Chapter 10: Dat Discussion | When everyone left, you looked at AJ. She was finishing her pie and looked at you. "What?" she said, her mouth full. You roll your eyes and turn on the TV. Then she shuts it off.
"Hey! What gives?"
"Restaurant?" she asks.
You guys walk to the restaurants a couple blocks away. It was a chilly week in October. You had a jacket on, but AJ didn't. She doesn't look cold but that didn't stop you from not putting the jacket around her. She smiled and thanked you. After that, you guys didn't say much until you finally arrived at the restaurant. A pair of purple eyes like Twilight's was watching your every move.
When you guys sit down, the waiter comes over. And to your surprise, it was Snails. He didn't look like he was in the mood to talk to you guys, so he did whatever he was supposed to do: asked what you wanted from the menu and when you were getting it. When he left, AJ turned to you and sighed.
"Remember the conversation that RD was goin' on about 'good looking babes' earlier?"
Oh shit, not this conversation! Anything but that! you thought.
"Yes," you say, nervous about what she was going to say next.
"Do ya even like any girl at this school? Ah mean, it's late October and people usually have crushes on people from high school or if they just started. Take Rainbow for an example. She's had a crush on Soarin since 5th grade. Never really showed it, though. What about you?"
You hesitate for a moment and instead of answering, you ask her this: "Why'd you bring it up?"
It's her turn to pause and give some thought to her answer. But all she did was shrug as Snails brought your food: You had ordered rice with curry and chicken. AJ ordered a fruit salad. You both ate and she stared at you very frustrated.
"What?"
"Aren't ya gonna answer ma question?"
"Oh... we're still on that?"
"Dice! Ah was just curious. Just answer it."
You give up. She was just as nosy as Rarity and she would probably hurt you if you gave her a rude answer. You sighed and shook your head no.
"Never really liked a girl. Kissed only a couple of them. Turns out they only liked me because I was a jock, unfortunately... I don't mean to bring it up, but what did Caramel see in you that made you guys go out?"
Applejack hesitated and sat back in her chair and sighed, looking at her food. There was a sad look in her eyes, and you regret what you have just asked.
"I'm sorry," you say finally, "I really didn't mean to bring it up."
"Well since you asked, ah guess ah should answer it. He only went out with me 'cause ah was on the cheer squad, only for a month until ah found out they did some slutty things."
"Ew," you said, pushing your food away.
"Anyway, it was nice to finally have a boyfriend, although Rainbow Dash wanted me to drop him like a hot potato. He was on every team back in school, and he was a quarterback in football, which made all the girls jealous of me, including Rarity."
"Man I wish I was that lucky," you mutter under your breath. Applejack glares at you and continues.
"We started going out for three months. One night, he told me he was sick and couldn' come to our date. Ah knew something was up because he was in school earlier. But when I went over to his house and looked through the window, I saw him and another girl making out," she was holding back tears, "Dumped him the next day and never regretted it."
"I'm sorry, Applejack." you said, keeping your head low.
"Hey," she said softly, picking up your head with her index finger and smiling. Her emerald green eyes were soft and showing compassion, "Don't worry about it."
You smile back as she walks to the register to pay for the lunch. You feel a tingly feeling inside, something you haven't felt in a long time, probably not since kindergarten or something. She comes back and leaves a tip on the table, and you follow her out the door.
You guys continue talking about crushes and stuff until she asks you a question.
"Do you have a crush?" she asks.
"Didn't you already ask me this? No I don't have a crush on anyone." you huff.
"Come on, Ah know you like someone. So, spill the juicy details." she begged.
"Let's see...there's that vending machine across the hall. She's pretty," you tease.
"Ah mean something that can walk and talk." she said, getting annoyed.
"Oh...no, not really." you say, looking away.
"Come on, not one girl?" she asks.
"Guess I'm not the type of guy who digs girls so much," you mutter.
"Well you know what they say: There are plenty of fish in the sea." she says, smiling.
You look at her and smile, "I guess you're right. What about you? Know anyone you like?"
"To be honest, ah don't have a boy ah like. As a crush anyway. The boys I like are friends like Soarin, Flash," she paused and looks up at you, "You."
Your heart is beating out of your chest and that tingly feeling is back again. You remember the feeling was the type that everyone who liked someone more than just a friend. You have a mischievous smirk on your face as you put your arm around her shoulder.
"I think I might just have to change that," you say.
3 pairs of eyes: magenta, dark blue, and lavender were now watching your every move. |
KAMI: Malicious Edge | pre | Tayson, Maya and Steel Needle looked at String. Maya and Tayson shared a shocked expression at how far the Minotaur was willing to go to keep the secrets of his organisation. Meanwhile Steel looked in disappointment at the lost possibility to get some steps ahead of them.
As soon as the puppets had finished their job they lay beside their former master and after a few seconds String combusted in black and purple flames. The flames devoured String and his puppets until everything was reduced to ashes. A breeze carried the cremated remains of the Minotaur away and with that every trace of him perished into nothingness.
Steel Needle sighed. "Why do they have to be so radical?" He turned his gaze towards the stunned Tayson. "As soon as I knew that Maya disappeared I alarmed every god at the festival. They are now patrolling through the streets so it is safe for you to go home and get some rest."
"I-I want an explanation. What did they want from me? What is this Kami? Wh...." Tayson got cut off by Steel Needle.
"Look. I want you to get some rest, DON'T tell anypony what happened tonight! You get that?" Steel Needle glared at Tayson which made clear that this was no request but an order, his glare softened as he continued. "I want you to be at the central park at twelve o' clock. One of our members will pick you up there and bring you to our HQ and then you get the explanation you deserve."
Tayson looked uncomfortable at Steel's proposition to go home alone. "What if one of these brutes return?"
"Again, there are gods patrolling the streets now, if you get in trouble just shout for the help of KAMI. They will be with you in no time and don't forget DON'T tell anyone."
Tayson nodded and started his way home. After a few steps he looked back only to see that the two 'gods' had disappeared in thin air.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rest of the night was uneventful. Tayson hadn't bothered to look after his friends. Whatever had happened between the two could wait after he got some sleep.
He was home early considering that the festival lasted until sunrise and he wasted no time to get in bed.
Tayson woke up when a loud disturbing electrical sound filled his room.
His alarm clock, not being able to see that his master wanted to continue his sleep, just kept on cluttering.
Tayson wanted to smash the damn thing, but sanity regained control and he just stopped his alarm.
He groaned and rubbed the remaining sleep out of his eyes and threw his blanket out of bed. He took a few breaths and jumped out his bed.
He left his room and went towards the kitchen where he could heard the simmering of oil. He looked at the clock: 11:30.
"Good morning honey, how was the festival?" Crystal looked over from the frying pan.
Tayson froze at the question. He was a good liar... when it came to deceiving other ponies. Yet his grandmother was another story. She seemed to be able to see through every of his lies. So Tayson always told her the truth since lying seemed to be a futile attempt.
He remembered the glare of Steel Needle and decided that he could decide between having to lie to his grandmother and being killed by a metal summoning stallion. He chose the first.
"Oh fine, but I came home early. It got a little boring in the end."
Crystal stepped towards Tayson and her peaceful expression turned into a concerned frown. She touched Tayson's cheek which made Tayson wince and pull away from the painful touch.
"You're a terrible liar you know that? Just like your father. Your face is covered in bruises and so is your body." Crystal frowned. "Now tell me what really happened."
Tayson, now aware of the damage that his body suffered last night, tried to come up with a reasonable explanation of what happened.
"Well u-uh you see, I kind of got in involved in a fight... They broke my phone and, uhm, well..." Technically, Tayson was telling the truth. But after Crystal raised her brow in disbelief, he knew that it was useless.
"Ok." Crystal went back to monitoring the hay bacon and the conversation seemed to just die.
"Well uhm, I, have to leave... I was going to meet Silver and Lily at the park. If that's ok with you." Tayson gulped nervously as his grandmother just let the topic slip off. Normally it meant that she was disappointed if not angry with Tayson for lying to her. This however seemed not to be the case as she took a plate and put a slice of hay bacon on a sandwich.
"Of course not, but not before you eat something." She now had again a warm smile on her face.
She knows everything!! Tayson smiled sheepishly.
After he finished breakfast he started to go to the park where, hopefully, all his question would be answered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Tayson arrived at the park it was five to twelve.
He sat down at the nearest bench.
And now we wait.
For the next five minutes he just sat there, watching as the city came back to life after yesterday's festival.
The five minutes passed and nothing happened; no "god" arrived to pick him up. Well that's fine, maybe they're just running late? Ten minutes passed, fifteen, twenty and still nothing. Tayson grew impatient, his face now wore a frown and he had his forelegs crossed. Twenty-five, thirty. That's it, screw them, I'm going to catch up the rest of my sleep.
He stood up and started to take his leave home only to be stopped by the sound of a mare yelling at him. "HEY!" Tayson turned around to see the brown mare who had saved him yesterday. The mare sprinted towards Tayson and stopped right in front of his hooves. She was panting but still able to smile sheepishly. "Sorry to make you wait, I kind of overslept."
Tayson raised his eyebrow. "Overslept?"
"Yeah sorry, saving your flank and getting beaten by a puppeteer Minotaur who is able to shoot strings out of his fingertips tends to drain my powers."
"Touche."
"Well we should get going, luckily it isn't too far from here. Actually it is right around the corner."
The two started their way towards the HQ.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The turquoise Pegasus frowned at the chalk message that had formed on his desk.
To: Lieutenant Borealis.
Mission failed. Agents of KAMI interfered.
Pulling Strings failed his mission, as did agent 733, 859, 562 and 854.
All of the above were killed, except commander Pulling Strings who committed suicide.
Awaiting further orders.
From: Agent 745.
Borealis was more than afraid, only five minutes ago he had gotten a message from commander Pulling Strings that he was able to capture the colt Tai Ichi.
The Captain will kill me when he gets the news. But if he doesn't get informed he will kill me anyways.
With aversion the turquoise Pegasus left his writing desk and made his way to what would certainly be his death sentence.
Why did I even sign up for this?
He went down the hall, turned left, right and left again before he stopped in front of a large black double door. There wasn't much lighting and the few rays of light that permeated the hallway were only perceivable thanks to the golden ornaments that adorned the two black doors in what looked like some kind of magical circle.
"Ah, Lieutenant Borealis, how lovely of you to report back. I take the mission was a success?"
Borealis froze and turned towards the source of the sound, where he could see the gentle smile of his feared Captain. "C-Captain Two Face. I-I-I..."
"STOP STUTTERING AND SPEAK CLEARLY YOU WORTHELESS PIECE OF TRASH!" An ocean blue Pegasus stepped out of the shadows and the glare of his emerald eyes pierced the very essence of Borealis' soul.
The turquoise Pegasus took some anxious steps back and made peace with himself.
"I-I'm sorry sir, but the mission failed." Borealis swallowed, now sure that he won't see the next sunrise. He cowered closer to the ground and started to pray to whoever or whatever would listen to his pleas for a short and painless death.
"Oh my, are our agents safe? I hope they're not hurt, it would be a shame. They are always so loyal." Two Face's smile returned.
"W-Well they are dead..."
"Oh... well, can't be helped, how about you take off for the rest of the day? You must be tired of making all these extra hours. Don't worry; I'll tell the boss. We both know that he can be a little scary sometimes" Two face snickered and turned towards the black doors.
Borealis gulped. "U-Uhm sir? Agent 745 survived and asks for new orders."
"TELL HIM TO GO TO HELL." The manic glare of his emerald eyes pierced through the darkness as were his white gritting teeth. "HE IS GO TO THE LABORATORIUM TO SERVE AS TEST SUBJECT FOR NEW CHEMS, THAT COULD BE TO DANGEROUS FOR THE TEST ANIMALS!" He glared daggers at the cowering pony that lay in front of him.
Borealis wasted no more time and ran as fast as possible back to his office so he could give agent 745 his new orders. No wonder he got those two masks as cutie mark, I never know if I survive the next conversation with that guy.
When Borealis was gone Two Face knocked at the doors and entered the room.
The room was drenched in complete darkness, the only light entering the room coming from the hallway.
"My lord. Your agents have failed their mission." Two face bowed as he entered the room, leaving the doors open so he could see his master approaching.
There were steps echoing throughout the room yet their source wasn't traceable. After a few seconds, however, there was a manic chuckle audible through the room.
"Well, well, well." Right in front of him, Two Face could see his Malicious Edge stepping out of the shadows. The black coat and obsidian mane of his master were now visible. As were his yellow sunglasses with black frame. His black trenchcoat draped across the room. He was now next to Captain Two Face. Both facing opposing directions.
"Maybe, I should do it myself," The Malicious Edge chuckled again, "It's not often that I get a chance to visit my brother."
Malicious Edge stepped out of the room and closed the doors behind him.
Two face was now engulfed in complete darkness. He began to chuckle, his emerald eyes were still piercing through the void. His chuckle evolved into a manic laughter that filled the room and the rest of the hideout.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tayson and Maya stood in front of the Manehattan town hall.
"Seriously?" Tayson glanced at Maya.
"Yup." Maya said in a cheery voice. "Didn't see that one coming, now did you." She looked back at Tayson with a big smile.
"But why. I mean, isn't it dangerous to put the HQ of an entire secret organization in the most public building of one of the most crowded cities in Equestria?"
"Actually, our main building is in Canterlot."
"But... I mean... never mind, let's go inside."
The two went down the hall and entered an empty elevator. The door closed and Maya started to push what looked like a random sequence of buttons one and zero.
The elevator went two floors down and then started to go back for a while until resuming to go downwards. Except for an annoying elevator jingle there was complete silence.
After the elevator descended, what Tayson would estimate to be about five floors, the elevator doors opened. Tayson had to cover his eyes for the bright white light that burned on his retinas. Maya didn't seem to have that problem and just stepped outside and turned towards Tayson who was recovering from the sudden light.
"Welcome. To the Manehattan seat of KAMI." She gave Tayson an inviting smile and spread her forelegs in a welcoming gesture. "What do you think?"
Tayson left the elevator and looked around in awe. The walls were painted in the purest white, a few plants stood next to some black waiting seats and there was a secretary doing some paperwork.
"It is... white."
"No shit Sherlock." Maya gave Tayson an annoyed little glare.
"What?" He shrugged.
"Come on, this way."
Tayson followed Maya as they went through the building. The halls were all painted in the same white only to be occasionally interrupted by an oaken door, a potted plant or a painting.
"Isn't there any security?"
Maya stopped in her tracks and looked dumbfound at Tayson.
"Well I mean... This seems to be a very secret building, so I imagined that there would be a lot of security." Tayson shrugged.
"That's a weird question you know? But yes there are some guards here, but they mostly protect the entrance hall, the archive and the prison. However, we don't have to deal with intruders very often. You can think of us like some sort of guard. No sane criminal would break into the guard. However, in Canterlot you would be right. Our main archive lies there so there is a lot of protection there."
"Oh, well ok."
The two resumed their trot until they stood in front of a large wooden double door.
Maya knocked at the door and waited.
"Come in." A muffled voice resounded from the other side of the door.
Maya opened the door and the two entered the room.
It was a large circular room with three doors, each on the same distance from each other and something that looked like a stage between two of the entrances; a portion of the floor stood higher than the rest of the floor.
There were some cushion laying in the middle of the room, forming a circle with on one of the cushions Steel Needle sitting. He turned his head towards Tayson and Maya and smiled. In the middle of the circle lay a fancy tray with a steaming teapot and some cups.
Maya sat next to her adoptive father and Tayson took a seat in front of his two life saviours.
"Good to see you again," Steel Needle filled Tayson's cup with tea, "I take that you had no trouble getting home?"
Tayson took the cup and nodded. "Thank you." He took a sip from the tea.
"Wasn't the boss coming today?" Maya asked Steel Needle as he filled her cup.
"He will be here in a second. In the mean time, we have some time to talk."
Maya looked at the tray and saw five cups standing on it. "Are we expecting somepony else?"
"No, that is just in case I'm right with something. But never mind that."
"Why is your boss coming?" Tayson looked a little nervous, not sure why. It's not like there was a link between him being abducted and their boss coming.
Steel Needle put his cup back on the tray and took a more formal stance, the smile he had just carried now made place for a serious face. "Because I invited him. What happened yesterday was out of the ordinary, even for us."
Maya looked in confusion at Steel Needle. "But we deal with these guys at a regular basis, why is this time so strange? Yes they tried to kidnap a random pony and we had. To. Deal with a commander... Oooooh I see where you're coming from."
Steel Needle nodded. "Exactly, normally they only act against other gods and even then it is rare to see that they send a commander."
"But why do they need me? I'm not special, I'm not..."
"A god?" Steel Needle interjected.
Tayson froze at the sudden implication of the grey earthpony. "C-Come again?"
Steel Needle took a long thoughtful sip from his tea before he spoke again. "A god."
"Well that would explain a lot." Maya said.
"But I'm not a god, I don't even know what that actually means."
"Look, Tayson. These guys aren't normal criminals, they are very dangerous and very careful in their actions and in who they send. They are one of the most notorious criminal organisation that are known to the KAMI organisation and I can reassure you that they'd never waste time and resources on kidnapping a normal colt. The Lotus Dragon would never be interested in you unless, you're a god."
"A... god." Tayson looked in disbelief.
"And one with a great potential, after what I've heard yesterday."
"Huh?"
"Well after you were gone, I asked my daughter to tell me what she meant with that you were a god. She told me about the flash and that it felt like a raw burst of pure energy."
Maya nodded. "It surprised me that that brute actually survived your technique."
"B-But I don't know what happened! I didn't..." Tayson was cut off by a waving hoof of Steel Needle.
"Don't worry about that, we'll discuss that after our boss arrived. For now I would like to ask you a question," Tayson calmed himself and prepared himself for the next question, "what's the name of your grandmother?"
Of all questions, this was the one he would've never expected to be asked in this conversation. "U-Uhm, Crystal Clear, but I don't see why that's relevant?"
Steel Needle sighed at Tayson's answer and started to fill the fifth cup. "Yeah, I was afraid that you'd say that." As soon as the cup was filled the same door where Tayson and Maya had entered the room, was sent flying across the room.
"YOU FILTHY LYING CLANDESTINE GOOD-FOR-NOTHING IGNORAMUS..."
The train of insults went on until Tayson recognised who was yelling them. "G-Grandma?" What came after those words was a sequence of incomprehensible gibberish as a result of a mental blue screen of death.
Behind the rampaging mare came the secretary. "I'm so sorry sir," she bowed, "I tried to stop her but she didn't want to hear anything of it."
"I told you to NOT, I repeat NOT, to even try to initiate him into KAMI."
Steel Needle waved a dismissive hoof at the secretary. "It's ok Lyra, I'll handle it." Lyra nodded, looking at the doors that were catapulted through the room and muttered something about that she already had enough paperwork to handle. He then tried to smile as sincerely as possible at the light grey mare.
"I'm so sorry Crystal, but yesterday some brutes of the Lotus Dragon tried to kidnap your grandson. If it wasn't for my daughter, they would have succeeded. Afterwards I had to save both when they had to deal with Pulling Strings." Steel Needle tried to force himself not to flinch from the glare of Crystal Clear, "He wanted an explanation and since I didn't know of his heritage I just told him to come here and to not tell anypony. The boss will be here soon and then we can discuss what to do. What do you think of it?" He smiled sheepishly. "I got some tea, and it is your favourite flavour."
"DON'T. EVEN. TRY TO LIE TO ME!" Crystal Shot Steel the angriest of glares in recorded history, a glare strong enough to pierce through hardened steel.
Steel Needle tried to maintain his posture but his coat started to darken as the result of the quantity of fear induced sweating. "OK YES!" He finally cringed. "But come on, the cutie mark, the colour pattern and the mere fact that Malicious Edge wanted him. Only one clan in recorded history had those characterizing features. It was obvious!" He threw his hooves in the air from desperation.
"Then why didn't you erase his memories and report to me like I ordered you to do." Her glare only intensified as she leaned in, narrowing the space between her and Steel's face.
"Because, whatever my brother's up to, he needs to be stopped and if he wants that colt, then we're going to prevent him from taking him." A new voice rang through the room.
Steel Needle's and Maya's ears perked up at the voice, both turned around and saluted at the White unicorn. He stood at the entrance where the door, that Crystal Clear had catapulted through the room, lay. His right eye, which wasn't covered by his light-brown-reddish mane, coldly analyzed the current situation and his stoic face showed no sign of any emotion as. He lowered his gaze in an elegant manner where he closed his eyes and spoke. "At ease, we have no time for formalities."
Maya and Steel Needle relaxed. Meanwhile Tayson's blue screen of death was fixed and his mind rebooted, now able again to process new information. Only Crystal Cleared seemed not amused to see the, taller than a normal pony, unicorn.
"Time Gale! What is the meaning of this? I've told you to leave my grandson alone!"
"Miss Clear, I understand that you're upset. But if my brother gets what he wants then we're in bigger troubles than your little family affair."
Crystal stomped at the floor. "Then have at least the decency to inform me!"
"Hey it's not my fault that you're overprotecting your grandson!" Steel Needle interrupted.
"DON'T EVEN DARE TO LECTURE ME! WHIPPER-SNAPPER!"
"LISTEN OLD HAG, I TRIED TO BE REASONABLE! BUT YOU'RE WASTING HIS POTENTIAL!"
"HOW DID YOU..."
"ENOUGH!!" The amplified voice of Time Gale boomed through the room, much like the Royal Canterlot voice. The gust sent the tea and the tray it was on flying. The two arguing gods became quiet and decided to choose their next words with proper care. Time Gale returned to his calm and stoic expression. "How about we let the colt decide for himself." He turned his expression to Tayson who sat perplexed on his cushion.
"I'm not going to talk around the subject, you're in danger. My brother wants you for Celestia knows what and we can assume that it is bad. I'm giving you two choices. You can either choose to resume your daily life, we'll erase your memories and set you under constant supervision. OR you can join the KAMI organisation, we'll train you and you'll be strong enough to defend yourself."
"But why me?"
Time Gale sighed and turned his gaze towards Crystal. "I think you owe your grandson an explanation. We'll leave the two of you alone." He nodded at Steel Needle and Maya who left the room at command. Time Gale followed shortly after and shut the doors with telekinesis.
Only Tayson and Crystal remained in the room.
"G-Grandma?"
"I'm so sorry Tai Ichi." She lowered her gaze.
"Why... why didn't you tell me?"
She sighed. "I wanted to keep you safe. After what happened to our family..."
"They, they didn't die in an airship crash... did they?" Now it was Tayson's turn to lower his gaze.
"No... I-I'm afraid not... They fell prey to that monster..." A tear rolled from Crystal's cheek.
There was a silence for a few minutes until Tayson opened his mouth again.
"C-Can you tell me? Tell me what happened, I mean."
She made herself comfortable on the cushion in front of Tayson and began her story.
"It was sixteen years ago. You were still a foal of course. Every member of our little family worked for KAMI, well except your sister, she was still too young. The night it happened I was on a mission and..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The council was talking for an hour straight and the diplomats were still arguing about whatever matter they had to decide on. It was Crystal's first mission in a while, but she had hoped for a little more exciting job than playing the escort for an presumptuous noble.
"And with that I am sure, gentlecolts, you will agree with me that we should limit the Zebrican emigration."
Crystal bonked her head against the table. Oh my Celestia, who the hay cares!!!
The diplomats in the room huffed at the sudden outburst of the escort of the equestrian noble. The noble himself threw an annoyed glare at Crystal. "Is there a problem Miss Clear?"
Crystal gritted her teeth. "Misses. And yes, there is a problem, why don't you take your oversized e..."
She was cut off when the doors of the conference room went open, a Zebrican guard stood there with a scroll in his hooves. "Misses Clear," His Zebrican accent gave an exotic tone to his Equestrianese, "There is an urgent letter for you here." He went to her and gave her the letter. There was a white seal with a green ring around it. A message from KAMI. She unfurled the roll and read it, and completely ignored the other diplomats in the room. When she finished the letter she froze.
"I'm also here to inform that there's an airship for you ready on the platform." The guard saluted and left the room.
The noble cleared his throat and spoke. "Is there a problem Misses Clear?"
"I need to go..." She stormed out the room and headed for the airport.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It was then that I've learned that our family house was invaded by Malicious Edge and his gang..." Crystal was now silently crying. "There were no survivors."
Tayson gave his grandmother a few minutes to calm herself before asking. "What happened then? Where was I?"
"Well, I left Stone-Water city and returned to Canterlot..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crystal ran through the streets of Canterlot. She exited the city gates and went for the forest near the city. Crystal ran as fast as she could until she could see the family house of her clan.
The mansion was roped off and some Pegasus guards were stationed near the entrance.
"Halt! Who goes..." the guards crossed their wing to block the entrance until they saw who was nearing, "Misses Clear, we're so sorry. Please continue."
Crystal Clear slowed down to a trot. "How very kind of you to allow me to enter my own home." She sneered and glared at the guards.
The guards gulped. "We're sorry about what happened. Time Gale is waiting inside."
Crystal ignored the two guards on their last statement and just entered the family estate. She walked through the garden until she reached the devastated front of the house. There hung a scent of burnt wood. The once white walls were black and the roof was filled with holes and broken tiles.
The inside wasn't a better sight, the wooden floors were covered in dirt and blood.
Every piece of furniture was broken, every window shattered and every wall cracked.
Crystal walked through her home, on the verge of crying, but no tear escaped her eye.
She reached the main hall where she saw Time Gale sitting at one of the tables. He was drinking some tea while looking through some paperwork. As soon as he saw that Crystal was in the room he put the papers away and turned to her. "Misses Clear. I'm so sorry for what happened."
Crystal didn't respond, she walked over to the table and sat on the opposite side of the table. Time Gale poured her some tea in a cup and looked through the papers.
"The attack happened three days ago. The forensics have detected remnants of energy codes that are identical of my brother... They probably attacked at night and took them by surprise." Time gale fell silent for a few moments before resuming his report. "There were no bodies found, so we assume that he has taken them to get information..."
Two streams of liquid ran from Crystal's face. She didn't look at Time Gale.
"Crystal, I..."
"You sent me away." She cut Time Gale off, there was a tremor in her voice and she spoke these words with an unusual high tone.
He recoiled a bit. "S-Sorry?"
"YOU SENT ME AWAY!" She slammed her hooves at the table. "FOR A STUPID DIPLOMATIC MISSION!"
"Crystal, please I didn't..."
"SHUT UP!" She send the tray flying through the room. "I SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE, I SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED THEM! BUT NO! I HAD TO ESCORT ONE OF THOSE UNGRATEFULL SPOILED NOBLES SO THEY COULD DISCUSS ABOUT IMMIGRATION LAWS! I-I..." She glared daggers at Time Gale and clenched her teeth while tears streamed down her face.
"Crystal, I-I'm..."
"NO YOU'RE NOT! GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
Time Gale sat there for a moments, completely lost until he got up and started to walk out of the room. He stopped at the door and turned his face at Crystal. "If you ever need anything, just let me know. I'll let my guards here to watch over you... I'm sorry..." With that he left the room.
Crystal sat at the same spot for a few minutes, her face still filled with anger. She let out a scream of rage and sorrow which decayed into a weep and lastly into a sob.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, as Crystal was telling her story, she too was crying at the memories of loss and sorrow.
Tayson sat in front of her, not sure what to say. "But I don't understand..." he finally spoke, "There were no survivors... then... what about me?"
Crystal interrupted her sob to smile at her grandson. She wiped the stream of tears out of her face and continued. "You have to thank your sister." She was still crying, but it seemed that those were tears of joy. "She was a smart filly..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was hours after Time Gale had left, the guards were patrolling the estate. Some gods had come to give their condolences. Even the princesses had come. However, she sent them all away. She didn't wan't their apologies, she wanted her family back.
She was now strolling through the broken halls of the mansion. Every trace of memories was replaced by the feelings of pain and grief. The once warm corridors now only were empty and the rooms all had lost their colours, their warmth. The gardens were unrecognisable, most of it had been burned or in another way destroyed.
This wasn't her home anymore...
She now headed for the room of her grandchildren. A sign on the door announced the room of her granddaughter. Mirage's room. A smiley was drawn on the door and some paper stars were attached to it giving it the flair of the room of a young filly. She entered the room. Toys and books littered the floor and her bed and desk were destroyed. Crystal sighed at the sight, she wanted to cry yet all her tears were already spend. She sat on the demolished mattress bed and picked a copy of Perception filters for advanced up. She was such a smart little filly... Crystal looked around, with the hope of finding a memento. However everything of emotional value had been destroyed, except for the book in her hooves. She put it in the saddlebag which she hadn't bothered to take of yet.
She moved on and went towards the room of her grandson. Tai Ichi's room.
This room was no exception. The crib had been completely demolished, the baby supplies had been thrown through the room. The only thing that was in a halfway acceptable state was the cupboard on which laid a scroll. For Granny Clear. Love Mirage.
She touched the scroll, but before she could attempt to open the scroll it exploded in a smoke cloud. Crystal coughed as the smoke entered her lungs. As soon as she realised that there was another sound, the sound of a foal crying, adrenaline shot in her blood. She sprinted towards the nearest window and opened it. The smoke lifted until it was completely vanished, Crystal searched for where the sound came and cried in happiness as she saw a foal, wrapped in a red cloth, laying on the intact cupboard. She sprinted towards the foal to be sure that it was really Tai Ichi who laid on the cupboard. When she was completely sure that it was her grandson, she took the crying foal in her arms and started comforting it. With tears in her eyes she shushed the foal to sleep. "Don't worry Tai Ichi... It will be alright... You're safe now..." She took the mattress and tapped the ground. Soon the mattress was embraced by a new glass crib. She laid the foal in bed and smiled. "I'm... Thank you... Thank you for being alright." The foal had calmed and was now drifting away to sleep. Crystal stood at the crib and thanked the sun and the moon for this wonder. As soon as the foal slept, she grabbed a piece of chalk out of her pocket and started writing on the wall.
To: Time Gale.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I sent Time Gale a request, in which I asked to be re-stationed somewhere safe and for you to be kept in the dark about your heritage and abilities. I know it sounded stupid but I was afraid that if word spread that a member of our clan had survived that he would come after you. I didn't want to lose you too." She said the last sentence with a wince.
It was silent for a few moments, Crystal's gaze was lowered in sorrow and shame. Tayson just sat there, not sure what to think, what to say.
"However, it seemed I was wrong... In the end it didn't matter, he has found you." Crystal lifted her gaze to meet Tayson's. "In a minute now, Time Gale will come through that door... and he will ask you if you want to join KAMI or if you want to resume your normal life," Tayson gulped, "no matter what you answer. I... I will support you..." With that she stood up and let the waiting gods in. She didn't look them in the eyes, she just made a gesture to tell them to enter. Everypony gathered at the circle and looked at Tayson. Time Gale cleared his throat and began to speak.
"I take that you've gotten your explanation?"
Tayson just nodded absently.
"Then you already know what I want to ask you?"
Again, Tayson just nodded.
"I see... Well then, it's up to you. You can return to you old life or you can enter the service of KAMI. Of course you don't have to join. You can also just become a member of the god society."
Tayson looked up, he opened his mouth but it took him a minute to form a coherent sentence. "I-I would like t-to go back to my old life." As those hollow words left Tayson's mouth, he cried a bit. "I-I'm..."
Crystal laid a hoof around her grandson's neck and drew him closer. "It's ok Tayson..."
Steel Needle looked a bit disappointed and sighed. "A shame, you would have made a good soldier... Well it's your choice."
Time Gale just nodded. "Do you wish that we erase your memories?"
Tayson shook his head. "No I... I'd like to remember everything... please... I don't want to live in a lie."
Steel Needle smiled. "I like your attitude colt. If you ever need anything or you want to know more about, well about anything. Then you can always ask me. I will also teach you how to use your abilities if you're interested."
Maya smiled too. "I can show you the city if you'd like. Well the part of it that you haven't seen yet." She winked.
Crystal hugged her grandson. "And I promise to never keep a secret from you again...." She chuckled a bit. "By Celestia that sounded cheesy."
Tayson returned the hug smiled. "Thank you." He released the grip and turned back to the other ponies in the room.
"And you too, again, thank you for saving me last night," He smiled at Steel Needle and Maya and then to Time Gale, "And thank you for giving me a choice."
Time Gale, who hadn't shown any emotion throughout the whole conversation, now just laughed at the last statement. "Well, you could thank Celestia for that. You can't be friends with her for a thousand years and still be the same harsh leader, whose will is absolute."
"Celestia knows about this?" Tayson rubbed the last tears out his eyes.
"Of course, but that will be a story for another day. I think that it has been enough commotion for today." Everypony nodded in unison stood up ready to leave the room.
"READY OR NOT, BUT HERE I COME!" Before anypony could react, Steel Needle was cut in half by black clouds, Crystal was pinned to the floor and Time Gale and Maya were smashed against the walls covered in black clouds.
"Night Sky?! How did you..." Time Gale was cut off when the clouds, that chained him against the wall, discharged. He spasm in pain and went limp for a moment until he found the strength again to lift his gaze.
"Hehehe, well it is nice to see you too brother, but you seem to mistake me for somepony else." Malicious Edge gave his brother a fake sulk.
"Stop this, Night, or I'll..." Another shock silenced Time Gale.
"You're the older one, so you should be the wiser one. Yet you seem to be unable to remember your brother's name. Tsk tsk tsk." Malicious shook disappointed his head. "Well, never mind, I'm here for something else." His manic gaze turned to Tayson who cowered against the nearest wall.
"Don't you dare to TOUCH him!"
Malicious Edge looked at the raging grandmother with an uninterested look. As he turned his head back towards Tayson the yelling grandmother was silenced by a shock of her cloud.
"Granny!" Tayson cried out.
"Oh don't worry about her," Malicious spat, "I think you're in bigger troubles. Well then, where were we?" Malicious tapped his chin. "Oh right, Tai Ichi, the colt who lived. Wait no... that's from a book..." He facehooved and groaned. "I can't quote a book when I'm trying to fullfill my evil masterplan. Well never mind, I did it and we'll have to live with it," he chuckled a bit as he returned his attention towards Tayson, "you can't imagine what a pain you were to find. I had to look everywhere." His rambling came to an end as a wooden stake went right through his head.
Malicious just stood there for a moment looking around, at the same time Tayson could see the hole at the side of Malicious' head. The hole quickly closed as dark clouds seemed to bind the ends of the hole together, and as soon as the hole was covered, the clouds fused to his head, which made it look like nothing had happened at all. Meanwhile, Malicious had found the source of his disturbance. Maya had somehow managed to free her hoof, and one could see where the stake had shot out.
Malicious just sighed.
"Really?" He shrugged. "Cuz, I thought my brother had at least told you that you can't kill me like that. I just come here to get something that belongs to me and you just attack me? I even spared the guards and that mint green chick at the entrance, I think that I'm actually more than reasonable for the moment. Also, I thought you'd be cleverer than that." He flicked his tail which caused Maya to spasm in pain as electric currents flowed through her body. "You see that? I can do that all day." He proved his point by letting the room fill with the screams of agony and pain. Malicious laughed.
"Shocking isn't it." He chuckled manically and returned to the terrified colt. "Enough bad puns for today, back to business."
"Please..." Was the only word that escaped his mouth.
"Ohoohoh, don't be scared. I won't hurt you," He grinned and placed his hoof over his chest, "I have ponies who do that for me." Malicious took a few intimidating steps towards Tayson until he stood right in front of him. He brought his face closer, close enough that Tayson could smell his greasy mane that covered his right eye. "You look a lot like your mother you know that?" He just kept on smiling. "The same eyes... Your mother's eyes" He booped Tayson's nose, "those eyes, were the same eyes that looked at me. Normally, I would have taken you that same day. But we could. Not. Find. You."
"MALICIOUS I SWEAR..." Malicious' face fell, he disappeared in black clouds and reappeared in front of Crystal Clear.
"I told you to be quiet." He slapped her face.
At that moment something snapped in Tayson. His fear just vanished in thin air, he stood up and cried out in pain. All the colours in the room disappeared, the tiles under his hooves cracked and air started rushing towards him. Naturally this attracted the attention of everypony in the room. Malicious turned around and smiled a smile that soon turned into a grin and finally in manic laughter.
"WONDERFUL, kyahahaha."
Tayson too started to smile in a manic way. His pupils and irises were replaced by two taijitu. He took a step forward; and where his hoof touched the ground, a pulse started to flow through the room, returning the stolen colours.
"Oh, I love it. The chaos mode is such a rare sight lately." Malicious admired the sight of Tayson's rage, Crystal however was not so happy to see her grandson in such a state and neither was Time Gale.
"TAYSON, DON'T! PLEASE, TRY TO REMAIN STABLE!" Time Gale cried out in a futile attempt to inhibit the anger induced rage.
Crystal just looked and a tear rolled from her cheek. "Tayson..."
Their concern fell on deaf ears as Tayson opened his mouth and stuck his tongue straight out.
At the tip started to form a sphere of white energy, and a smaller marble of black energy formed as such that the tip of his tongue, the white orb and the black marble stood on one line. The marble started to accelerate towards the white orb and as soon as it touched, a beam of energy shot out.
Malicious dodged the beam by turning into clouds and forming a hole through which the beam shot. The clouds rushed towards Tayson and fused together into a Malicious Edge, ready to crush his face with an overhand punch.
The punch hit and the blow catapulted Tayson across the room, he didn't reach the wall as his image disappeared like a fading picture and reappeared in the exact same fashion above Malicious. Tayson rushed at Malicious and used his momentum to crush him into the floor. Tiles shattered and Tayson stood on top of his, almost, defeated enemy. He formed white spears of pure, untainted energy and used them to pin down the limbs of his enemy. He brought his hoof on one line with Malicious' head. Black packets of energy started to form around his hoof and rushed towards the tip of his hoof, where they assembled into a black orb. However, before Tayson could blast his bloody head of, a muffled sound interrupted his attack. "Backdoor."
Malicious escaped the grip of his opponent, not with the usual 'transforming into black clouds, disperse and reassemble somewhere else' fashion instead he just vanished from one second to another. The black beam shot, it pierced several layers of concrete, yet what it didn't pierce was his opponent's head.
Malicious just reappeared in front of Tayson, completely unharmed. His trenchcoat, however, wasn't that lucky.
"Ethereal attacks. Gehehe, smart. Only way to kill an elemental user isn't it." Malicious kept laughing for a few moments until resuming his ramble. "But I guess I don't have to waste my breath on you, you can't hear me anyways."
Tayson jumped on his hind legs and pointed both his hooves at his opponent, and released a barrage of white and dark energy. Malicious dodged every last of the energy orbs, by using the same technique he had used to dodge the energy beam. He then materialized in front of Tayson but before he could start a counterattack, he was tackled by Time Gale.
Malicious stumbled a bit but succeeded in landing on his hoofs and quickly regained his posture.
"How did you?"
The question died as he saw his brother's left eye. Malicious couldn't do other than grin. "Ohooh, of course. Completely forgot about the sun eye. Have you finally managed to control the power?" His question was answered when Time Gale coughed up some blood. "Hmm, maybe you should try..."
"Shut up."
Malicious shrugged. "Your choice. As you can see, I have managed to channel the power of the moon eye and..." His boasting was interrupted when an orb of black energy smashed him at the nearest wall.
"LUNADAMMIT! DO YOU GUYS HAVE TO KEEP INTERUPTING ME?" since Tayson didn't seem to listen to reason he just ignored the question and charged the wall with both his hooves who were surrounded in white and black energy.
Malicious was able to dodge that attack just in time and reappeared in front of his brother, the manic grin he had worn through the whole battle had vanished and had been replaced by an expression of frustration. "Fine, you've won this time brother dear. Backdoor."
"DON'T YOU..." Before Time Gale could end his sentence, his brother already had vanished in black clouds. Maya and Crystal Clear were released from their chains and Steel Needle's remains were freed. Time Gale sighed. "Every single time...."
The peace was of short while as Tayson started to resume his rampage, however before he could shoot another beam or deliver another blow, one look of Time Gale's left eye silenced his rage. Tayson's screams ceased, his eyes became dull, and his body limp. Eventually gravity took over and Tayson fell to the ground. Everypony else sighed, and that was the last sound that resounded through the room. |
KAMI: Malicious Edge | Chapter two: Starting Training | Chapter Two:
Starting Training
The chill wind of the night air blew over the cemetery of Manehattan. Tayson was wandering aimlessly around the graveyard; not paying attention to his surroundings. Everywhere were blank tombstones. An owl occasionally disturbed the quiet of the cemetery as did the occasional laughter of foals. Shadows walked past the fields and over the tombstones, but never coming near Tayson.
Time seemed not to progress, and neither did Tayson. He was still walking on the same spot--he moved but it was not by his own actions. His surroundings moved on their own--whirling around Tayson and pushing him forwards like a river carrying a leaf towards the ocean. No matter if he tried to turn right or left, he always moved towards a hill in the middle of the cemetery.
On the top of the hill stood a mirror with the image of a pony on it; and as Tayson came closer he could make out that the pony in the mirror was his image. However, instead of the dull eyes and emotionless expression his reflection wore bright eyes and a warm and gentle smile. The two looked at each other for a few moments, until the surroundings shifted. The graveyard made place for a taiga, the tombstones were substituted by snowed trees and the hooting of owls was replaced by the howling of timber wolf.
The smile of Tayson's reflection now shifted into a manic grin, while behind him Malicious Edge emerged from the shadows of the forest. Tayson turned his head to look where Malicious stood, but he was nowhere to be found. As he turned his head both his reflection and Malicious Edge had vanished, instead, now facing him was a light-green horse with a bone-white mask which looked like the head of a dragon. His turquoise mane went all over his back and his breath even permeated the mirror and enveloped Tayson in a dusky haze.
His mouth opened and showed some teeth and saliva dripping from his mouth. "You will free me!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" Tayson's eyes shot open. He was covered in sweat and struggled to get grip on what just had happened. Crystal ran towards Tayson and tried to calm him.
"Tayson, don't worry, it's alright. It was just a nightmare." She shushed him, Tayson's heartbeat normalized and his breathing stabilized. That was until his gaze shifted and caught a face he hadn't expected to see anymore. "YOU!"
In front of him, on a chair, sat a steel-colour coated stallion; eating--unbothered by the colt staring at him--a bowl of noodles. He looked up with a dumbfound face. He looked right, then left, then back right, trying to check if the accusation was directed at somepony else. When he was sure that he was meant he pointed at himself. "Me?" He asked with a bundle of noodles still hanging from his mouth.
"YES, YOU! YOU WERE DEAD! CUT IN HALF BY THAT PSYCHO. What was his name?" He looked questioningly at his grandmother.
"Malicious Edge," Crystal responded flatly."
"YEAH, THAT GUY." He threw his glare back at the Stallion in front of him.
Steel Needle swallowed the noodles, looked up and thought about what Tayson had said for a few minutes.
"Huh, yeah. Completely forgot about that." He turned his attention back at the bowl of noodles and slurped another bundle of the wheaty deliciousness.
Tayson groaned in agony, first because of the obliviousness of the metal god (let's call him like that since he is a god who does stuff with metal) and--after a few seconds--as a response to the headache that was tearing his brain apart.
"Are you alright?" There was a tone of concern in Crystal's voice as was there an undertone that stated that she knew the answer.
"Yes... just a little dizzy... what happened... yesterday? Was it yesterday? How long was I out? What happened to that psycho?"
"There, there," Crystal interrupted the train of questions, "it's still Saturday, you were just out for a few hours." This was confirmed by the orange light of the setting sun that streamed through the windows. "And about Steel Needle, let's say that we call him the "Iron Will" for a reason, but that is a story for another day."
"Indeed it is." A new voice entered the room.
"Good evening Doctor Tender Daze, nurse Anne Sthetics," Steel Needle Greeted the doctor and nurse.
"Hello Mister Needle, are the injuries healing?" He gave a warm doctor-like smile to Steel Needle.
"Sure."
"Well that is good to hear, now let's head to our new patient shall we?" The nurse gave an absent nod while she looked over some papers.
"Good evening Miss Clear, haven't seen you here for a while."
"It's good to see you too, doctor." She gave a warm smile.
Doctor Tender Daze turned his attention towards Tayson. "And you must be Tayson? Right?"
Tayson nodded. Anne Sthetics gave the doctor Tayson's dossier. Tender Daze looked through the pages with the occasional "hmm" and "aha" and after a few minutes he gave the dossier back to nurse Anne Sthetics and gave Tayson and Crystal a warm smile. "Looks good, completely healthy. But we'd like to keep you in for one night to see if your energy flow has regulated."
Tayson looked worried at his grandmother, who in her turn just gave a comforting smile. "Don't worry about that, it's just routine." This,--slightly--calmed Tayson's nerves. "I'll be here tomorrow to pick you up, ok?"
"I hate to interrupt this emotional family thingy, but the visiting hours are over. So could you..." Tender Daze waved his hoof at the direction of the door. Crystal frowned at first but the frown vanished as she understood that the doctor was just doing his job.
"Of course," She replied with a smile. She gave Tayson a kiss on the forehead and left the room together with the nurse, doctor and the metal god.
Tayson let his head fall in his cushion and stared at the ceiling. The image of the dragon helmet kept reappearing before his eyes. YOU WILL FREE ME! Tayson cringed at those words, but wasn't sure why. It was just a dream...just... a dream...
He looked at his hoof and noticed that it was bruised, as were his head and other parts of his body all were covered in bandages. At first he thought that those were remains from the rough handling of the brutes but after he looked a little closer he noticed that some were new and especially sore and covered in bandages which had darkened brown stains on it. What the fudge happened? His head hurt as he tried to conjure the memories of what had transpired hours ago. After a while; however, he decided that it wasn't worth the headache and just let the matter rest and kept on staring at the ceiling.
So... I'm a god... my family consisted of gods... and of course my grandma is a god too... I have really no idea what to think of all of this. Malicious' face reappeared before his inner eye and he could see him hit Crystal in the face. A burst of anger went through his body. That piece of filth. Tayson felt the same snapping sensation he had felt then. He saw the clouds cutting through Steel Needle and cringed. Why does he want me? He saw Maya spasm in agonizing pain as she got electrocuted by the dark clouds. Why does he go through all that trouble just to get me? Now he saw what could happen, he saw Octavia and Vinyl being tortured while Melody had to watch, he saw Lily and Silver being beaten to death by those brutes, Pick Up being killed on the street, Greymane being pushed into an alley where he would never get out. All his friends were in danger. Everypony he had ever known, they weren't safe as long as that psycho roamed free; and this was all his fault, because he was too much of a coward to learn how to defend himself and his friends. Tayson got angry, all the anger flowed through him and made a gear turn, and with every rotation of that wheel he got more and more angry; and all of anger was turned towards one specific pony.
Himself.
He wanted to tear this room to bits, he wanted to find Malicious and end him for being a threat to his friends. It's his fault! I could have had a family, a normal life, a life where I shouldn't be afraid to lose everything I've ever loved. The gear started to spin and spin until it risked to break apart--but instead--it stopped.
I guess I've made up my mind, haven't I?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, Tayson was up early. He now just waited for his grandmother to pick him up.
There was a knocking on his door, followed by the entering of Doctor Tender Daze and Crystal Clear. Doctor Tender Daze looked through Tayson's file and spoke, "Well looks fine to me, there was a little excitement in the energy flow around ten o' clock but nothing to be worried about." He showed the graph to state his point and smiled.
"So, I can go home now?"
"Of course. Now if you excuse me, I have non-god patients to attend too and, well, let's say they're not as durable." He gave an awkward smile and left the room.
The two thanked the doctor for his time and smiled. Now Crystal turned to Tayson. "Ready?"
Tayson shifted his weight awkwardly and bit his lip, this made Crystal worry. "Is there something wrong?"
Tayson left the bed and took a deep breath. Come on, yesterday I was so convinced. "I've been thinking and... I would like to talk to Time Gale a second time."
Crystal's face fell and there was an awkward silence for a few seconds.
"You want... to... talk to him?" There was an uneasy pace in which she said those words.
"Yes." Tayson nodded.
"I... But..." Crystal forced a smile. "Of course. If you want to..."
Tayson smiled and gave his grandmother a hug. "Thank you, granny."
The two left the hospital and made their way towards the town hall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a knock on Steel Needle's door. "Come in." He said absently while going through some paperwork. The door went open and on the other side stood Crystal Clear and Tayson. Steel Needle looked up and put his glasses aside. "Hello, come in, how can I help you?" He gave a warm smile.
Tayson looked around the office. "You're an official?"
Steel Needle shrugged, "I'm in charge of KAMI in Manehattan, and somepony has to do the paperwork. But never mind that, what brings you here?"
"Have you seen Time Gale? He wasn't down in the KAMI building," Crystal said.
"Time Gale?" Steel Needle cocked his head. "Why? Do you need to talk to him?"
"I would like to talk to him about yesterday," Tayson said.
"Oh, well, he was only here because I asked him to come over to discuss your kidnapping. It is possible that he has already left for Canterlot."
Tayson face fell. "But I really have to talk to him..."
"Don't worry, I can always send him a chalk message. I think he could be here again next week if that is ok with you?"
"That won't be necessary." Time Gale's voice entered the room, as did Time Gale, however he had to duck, so he didn't hit his head. "I was just taking a walk through Manehattan, it has been a long time since I was here last time." He smiled in nostalgia. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
Tayson gulped and took a more assertive posture. He took a deep breath in. "I would like to reconsider your offer to join KAMI."
Time Gale's face was stoic as ever, however, there was a hint of surprise in it. "Miss Clear, Steel Needle, could you leave the two of us alone?" The two looked at each other for a while until they nodded and left the room without saying a word. Time Gale took a seat in Steel Needles chair and motioned for Tayson to take a seat too.
"So..." Time Gale began, "you want to join KAMI?"
Tayson nodded. "Yes, sir."
"You know that it will be dangerous? We're handling more than just other gods."
Tayson nodded. "Yes, I know."
"You also know that you have to get very strong very fast?"
Again, Tayson nodded. "Yes, and I am certain that that won't be a problem."
Time Gale cocked an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"You wouldn't have asked me if it wasn't possible in the first place." Tayson grinned a little for a second until regaining his serious face.
Time Gale chuckled. "I guess that is true. Very well then, may I ask what made change your mind?"
Tayson dragged a hoof nervously across the floor. "My friends."
"Your... friends," Time gale said sceptically. "Do you care to explain?"
Tayson's ears perked up. "Well, you see... uhm... well..." Tayson inhaled and gave a long, calming sigh, "After what happened yesterday, I couldn't stop thinking about Malicious Edge, and what he was willing to do to ponies that I didn't even know just to get to me; and after a while I couldn't stop thinking about the things he would do to the ponies I really care about." His eyes began glistening with a film of tears as he continued. "And I don't want to rely on anypony else to save my friends from the danger I bring upon them." He winked the tears out his eyes and replaced his face with one of sheer determination. "I want to get stronger to protect anypony who is important to me!"
After that it was quiet for a few minutes. Time Gale stood up and sighed. "Very well." He then walked towards the door and opened it with telekinesis. On the other side was an eavesdropping Maya and the two other gods. Maya fell as the door she rested on was pulled away and fell in front of Time Gale. She shook her head and rubbed the sore spot of her head for a few seconds until she noticed the shadow over her. She looked up and gave a little squeak as she saw her boss looking with a disappointed gaze. Maya sprung up and made place for her boss to walk through, she saluted and tried her best to not give an awkward grin. Time Gale looked at Steel Needle.
"I'll be staying for another day," he said, "Please send a message to inform Circadian Rhythm. She is to inform the princesses that our dinner has been postponed−" He walked past Steel Needle. "−We have a little rescheduling to attend to."
Steel Needle saluted. "Yes, sir!" He then turned towards Crystal Clear. "Well, I guess you should leave now. Unless you anything else to discuss?"
Crystal looked at her grandson. "No... we're fine. Thank you." She gave Steel Needle a smile and left the building together with Tayson.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was Monday and Littlehorn academy was once again filled with uninterested adolescents. Well not all of them were uninterested, but a lot of them were. Tayson, however, was one of the interested adolescents since it was nice to have a regular day after all he had been through. The weekend, which was supposed to be peaceful had turned into the biggest plot twist of his entire life. Not only had he been beaten, kidnapped and almost killed, no, he also seemed to be a godlike being who's family was a clan who had pledged their services to a secret organisation that stretched over the whole planet... so yeah. The only thing he wanted to see now was the smile of his two best friends--who now, hopefully--were in love with each other. Well, at least one of the two was. Tayson smiled as he saw Silver Breeze walking towards him.
"And there he is, our little Casanova. How did..." His playful tease ended as he read Silver's body language. His gaze was cast down, he walked slowly and there wasn't any sign of happiness in his trot. "Oh no, don't tell me... I'm so sorry..." He stretched his front leg in an attempt to comfort his emotionally broken friend. But he got stopped as Silver grabbed him in the tightest hug in recorded history.
"SHE SAID YES!"
"Hubajewah?"
"Lily, she said yes. I got a fillyfriend! A fillyfriend!" The glee in Silver's face was so intense that Silver had to utter a fanfilly scream. Otherwise he would have suffered an intern meltdown of happiness.
"You flankhole! You had me worried for a second. You looked like she--I don't know--had laughed you in the face."
"Oh, but she did." The glee intensified.
"Come again?"
"Well at first she though it was a joke and it was like super awkward but after I explained what my feelings were for her, she was like super serious she just blushed and it was awkward for another five minutes and then she just kissed me and..."
"Breath!" Tayson punched Silver's shoulder in an attempt to get the--now blue--Pegasus to breath. Which he did, he inhaled a few litres of air, which made his chest expand three times its original size and exhaled and grinned. "I'm so happy."
"I can see that." Tayson nodded sarcastically.
"There was also a pink pony who just appeared, gave her congratulations and then just disappeared."
"Well, that is weird." Tayson shrugged.
"Yeah, I know. BUT WHO CARES! I GOT A FILLYFRIEND!" The shouting attracted some annoyed glares but Silver was in a too big euphoria to care.
"♪Hey guys.♪" Lily's sing-song voice travelled from the front gate towards the ears of the two colts.
"LILY!" Silver moved so fast towards his new fillyfriend that one could have sworn that he had broken the spectrum barrier and performed a mini-sonic rainboom. He then grabbed Lily, in what would now be the new tightest hug in recorded history.
"Whoa, calm down, Casanova. You don't want to crush her barrel, now do you?" Tayson said.
Silver released Lily, who gasped a little for air. After that, she gave him a nuzzle. The two then turned towards Tayson.
Lilly's face fell as she looked at the bandages that covered Tayson's body. "Talking about crushed ribcages. What the fudge happened to your face?" Lily pointed at the several bandages that covered Tayson's face.
"Your face looks lovely too," Tayson replied sarcastically.
Lily's face drooped in an unamused fashion. "You know what I mean, Zweistein."
"Yeah dude, looks like you were in a fight," Silver said in a worried fashion.
"Well, that is partially because I was in a fight. Some drunks at the festival were bothering me after I left you two lovebirds alone"− The two blushed a bit at the notion of lovebirds − "They took my phone and broke it. Luckily a guard found us. Those drunks were arrested and I was brought to the hospital."
The two looked a bit guilty for not knowing that their friend was beaten up at the festival, while they were--well--doing couple stuff. "Well that explains why you didn't reply on my message." Silver pointed out. "You sure you're ok?"
"Yes, don't worry about me. It's just a scratch." He gave a reassuring smile.
The school bell ended their chat.
"Whoops, looks like we're out of time."
"Indeed.−" Silver turned towards Lily "− I see you during lunch break, sweetie?"
"Yes, honey." She gave Silver a kiss.
Tayson looked at his friends and did his best to not throw up at their public expression of affection. "Oh, get a room you two."
The two interrupted their kiss and turned a bit embarrassed away from each other. Lily galloped towards her class and waved at her two friends. "See you later!" She winked at Silver.
Silver just flushed, and the two trotted off towards their class.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rest of the day was an ordinary school day. Well, except that Tayson had to explain to every teacher and classmate where he got those injuries. And during lunch break, he had to deal with his friends/lovebirds.
Ok they are cute together, but still, it is icky to see my friends being all smoochie woochie.
After school the two came together at the school gate.
"Tayson, do you want to come with us? We want to watch a movie at the theatre," Silver asked.
"Sure, why not? What movie is running now?"
"Oh, I wanted to see the filming of hard reset," Lily said with a glee.
"Oi, Tayson!" A new voice entered the conversation.
"Uhm, Tayson, do you know that filly?" Silver looked sceptically.
Tayson looked around to see who was calling, only to see Maya with a glee trotting towards the group. "Oh hey, Maya, what are you doing, here."
Maya wanted to answer but saw Lily and Silver staring at her. "Oh, sorry, am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all." Silver reassured the mare. "Uh, Tayson? Who is she?"
Tayson thought quickly for a fitting lie. Let's see, she knows me. I haven't ever told my friends about her. Family? No, they know that my family is dead. Got it!
"I--" Maya wanted to introduce herself but was cut off but Tayson.
"She's Melody's cousin. Octavia and Vinyl were visiting Octavia's mother in Canterlot. She is from Ponyville and wanted to see Manehattan, so now she takes care of Octavia and Vinyl's flat and in return she can stay in Manehattan for a while, and she is probably here because I promised her a tour through Manehattan. Am I right?" He gave Maya a just-roll-with-me-for-a-minute smile.
Maya frowned for a while at Tayson and then gave Silver and Lily--who were waiting for confirmation--a smile. "What he said."
"Oh, well, I didn't know you had a date today Tayson." Silver gave Tayson a conspicuous smile.
"WHAT? NO! I'm just doing her a favour."
"Yeah, right--she can join us--I heard the book was awesome, but I'm not the reading type."
Maya shook her, head. "No, sorry, I prefer to read. Tayson," she turned towards Tayson, "the tour can wait. And--if you want--I can always send you a message."
"That would be nice, but my phone is broken."
"Oh, well, in that case, I'll leave Crystal a message."
"That would be nice, I'll see you soon then?" Tayson gave an awkward smile.
"Sure, have fun at the movie." She said goodbye to everypony and then left.
"Well, she sure is cute." Silver gave Tayson a grin.
"Keep on smiling, I dare you! I double dare you!" Tayson glared daggers at his friend and then tried to use the most feared weapon of wars between friends... his fillyfriend. "Did you hear what he said? He said that she looked cute!"
Silver gulped, but Lily just smiled slyly. "Don't even try to do that. Besides, he is allowed to look at it, as long as he doesn't touch it." Lily walked past Silver and smacked her tail in his face and gave him a little seductive smile.
"Fine," he groaned, "sorry. But she is just a friend."
"Yeah, right." This time it was Lily's turn to taunt Tayson.
"ARGH!"
The two laughed a bit at their friend's misery and after a while Tayson couldn't help but to join the laughter. After a few minutes they realized they were later for the movie and started to gallop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was late when Tayson came back home. He had a good relaxing afternoon with his friends.
"I'm home." Tayson didn't supress his voice, since there was no little filly above their flat who could have woken up, and neither was there a temperamental white unicorn who would have kicked his flank for waking her up.
"Ah, Tayson, welcome back. How was the movie?" Crystal was reading something in the living room and looked up from the page she was reading, so she could see him entering the room.
Tayson gave his grandmother a synopsis of his afternoon with his friends, and asked if Maya had left a message for him.
"Oh it is on the chalkboard," she said nonchalantly and looked back at her book.
"We have a chalkboard?" Tayson cocked an eyebrow.
"Yes, of course." Crystal didn't look up.
"Since when?"
"Since we moved in."
"Come again?" He turned around and cocked his eyebrow even further as he saw that a chalkboard hung at the wall.
"Yeah I put a little perception filter on it." She put the book aside and walked next to Tayson who tried to solve the riddle of the sudden chalkboard.
"Perception what now?"
"Oh don't mind it, it just means that if you don't look for it, you won't find it." She pointed at the chalkboard. "This is how KAMI communicates with its agents," She continued, "and how gods in general communicate with each other. You just take the piece of chalk, write to whom you want to send it, the message and then the sender. After that you draw a circle around it all and the chalk will burst into green flames and appear on a surface where the receiver will see it. You can do the same with ink and pencils, but you'll learn that soon enough."
"And why did you keep this board a secret?"
"Well I didn't want to explain why there was a message on it that stated that I have to take out an assassin, or something like that."
"Point taken." He shrugged.
To: Tai Ichi.
You are hereby officially a member of the KAMI organisation.
You have been assigned a team and teacher and you will get a message from a member of KAMI--who is stationed in Manehattan--with further information.
Please confirm that you have received this message after reading.
Welcome amongst our midst
Sincerely,
Circadian Rhythm, Secretary of Canterlot HQ.
From: Circadian Rhythm
"So, I should reply to it now..." He took a piece of chalk, followed the instructions of his grandmother and started to scribble under the message from Circadian Rhythm.
To: Circadian Rhythm.
Thank you for informing me, I have received your message.
From: Tai Ichi.
He drew a circle around the short confirmation and waited... and waited... and waited. And after an awkward five minutes--in which Crystal had walked over to the kitchen where her kettle with tea had started boiling--he looked at the piece of chalk and started inspecting it. "Hmmmm..."
"Is something the matter, my dear?" Crystal left the kitchen with a tray with tea on it on her back.
He hold the piece of chalk into the light to see if there was some hidden switch. "I think this piece of chalk is broken..."
Crystal put the tray on the coffee table and chuckled at the reaction of her grandson. "No my dear, you're not infusing any energy into it."
Tayson looked in confusion at Crystal. "And, how do I do that?"
"Well, it is one of those standard techniques that every god can learn. Let me think, it has been a while since I taught somepony how to do that −" She rubbed her chin in a thinking manner. "− Ok, focus on the piece of chalk."
Tayson did as told and focused all his attention at the piece of chalk in his hooves, a few vanes started to become visible on his forehead as were a few drops of sweat. In the meantime Crystal wiped the former circle from the board. "You have to do this until you feel a little spark coming from the chalk, or whatever medium you're writing with."
It went on for a few seconds until Tayson felt a weird tingling sensation coming from the chalk. "Ok... I think it is ready."
Crystal nodded. "Ok, you can relax now." − This is what Tayson did − "Now energy alone doesn't make a technique, you have to give the energy a purpose," Crystal continued. "Just imagine how the letters will ignite in green flames and that it will be sent. Sent towards Canterlot," She now stood behind Tayson, looking expectantly. "Sent towards Circadian Rhythm."
Tayson focused on the imaginary road the message had to take, of course he didn't know the real road, but that seemed to be irrelevant, what now counted was to imagine that it will be sent somewhere. He put the chalk on top of the message and continued to think of Canterlot. It went on until he had Canterlot in front of his inner eye, the mountain castle in all his glory. He then drew a circle again in a fluid and rapid motion, almost forming a perfect circle around the message.
Now he waited again... and waited... and waited... and waited... and then looked back at the piece of chalk. "You sure that it isn't broken?"
Crystal let loose of an exuberant laughter and wiped a tear out her eyes. "Well, the message said that you'll be assigned a teacher." − She patted Tayson's shoulder − "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it quite soon."
Tayson showed a defeated grin. "Hehehe, well Canterlot wasn't built in a day, am I right?"
Crystal took the chalk piece and drew with a loose hoof a circle around the message, and after two seconds the letters burst into flames. Tayson's ears now drooped. "Well..."
"Don't let it bother you, it took your sister a month to learn this, and even that was considered to be fast. Well she was five back then but never mind that, she was also just introduced into the world of gods."
Tayson smiled warmly and looked at the other message.
To: Tayson. (Oh, so it also works with nicknames too.)
How was the movie?
By the way, you never guess who's team you've been assigned to, don't worry I'll give you a second or two to figure out.
Ok time is up. It is mine :-D, and Steel Needle is your teacher/team leader.
Isn't that awesome?
Anyways, I'll meet you tomorrow at school to pick you up for your first training session.
Cya.
From: Maya.
"Looks like you made a new friend." Crystal chuckled.
Tayson spun around. "She is just a friend!"
Crystal looked confused back. "Did I say something else?"
Tayson gulped. "No... It's just, I'm a bit startled. She came to my school to tell me the news, and since I couldn't tell my friends who she really is--I had to come up with a lie; and well, you can imagine how they reacted to it. They were teasing me the entire afternoon." Tayson rubbed his neck in awkwardness.
"Oh, I see..." She walked back to her seat and picked her book and resumed reading. "I think you two would make a cute pair though." She chortled.
Tayson sighed, "Excuse me, for I have to bonk my head against the wall for the next five hours."
"As long as you don't damage your wall, my dear," Crystal said--again--without looking up from her page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had been four days since Malicious Edge returned from his failed mission; and his anger hadn't cooled down yet.
Borealis was looking over some paperwork concerning new missions for the agents, like drugs transactions, theft, you name it. However, his concentration was constantly interrupted by the sound of something breaking and/or exploding.
In the rare case that the boss did a mission himself and in the even rarer case that he actually failed, he had the habit to destroy everything in his office (which included the office itself) and since Borealis didn't want to be considered part of the office, he stayed as far away from it as possible.
To: agent 465.
Make sur--
Borealis' writing was interrupted by another explosion. He closed his eyes and massaged his temples in an attempt to dull his frustration.
"Is he going to keep doing this?" He asked rhetorically (since the answer was more than obvious).
There was a green flash, and as he opened his eyes he could see a new message on a paper on his desk together with a scroll with the label of the research facility on it.
To: Lieutenant Borealis.
Test results were more than satisfying. Agent 745 is still alive and well, we managed to infuse the new chems without any major health problems. Please report this to Captain Two Face.
From: Bunsen Burner.
Borealis crunched his teeth. "Oh, no problem, of course I will report to Two Face," he said to no one in particular, "it's not like I had some major business to attend to, like--oh, I don't know--having my intestines NOT removed for rope skipping!" He sighed. "Well at least it is good news... in the worst case the death will be at least short and hopefully painless."
He took the letter and made his way towards what might be his certain doom... again. Maybe I should ask... no, beg... no, let's stick to ask to be replaced to, I don't know, somewhere away from those two freaks. Borealis stood now again in front of the black double door with the golden circles on it.
It was weird. No matter where he looked, Two Face didn't seem to own his own office, and no matter who he asked, nopony seemed to be able to answer where his office was or why he didn't have one. If you looked for him--and that was never in free will--then you found him around Malicious' office.
Borealis also found it weird that he worked in an office. They were criminals, not bureaucrats. Of course he had heard of organized crime, but this was ridiculous. At least it helped to be, relatively, safe. Remember you're doing it for her.
What was also annoying was how you found Two Face. Well, if you could call it that; in fact you searched for him, but he was the one who found you.
"Oh Lieutenant Borealis, how lovely of you to visit us again." If you speak about the nightmare, you'll hear her wings flap.
Two Face had the annoying habit of stepping out of the shadows and scaring the crap out of you with that gentle tone of his. Borealis, who was confident... no hoped... no, who was in a sense confident that he would survive, tried his best to salute in a way that he didn't look like he was waving at the mad Pegasus. He still trembled though, but at least it looked like he wasn't peeing in his pants. Not that he wore any.
"H-Hello Captain. I have a letter concerning the tests you had ordered on agent 745." He gave a little smile.
"Oh, is he still alive?" Two face looked interested. But Borealis couldn't make out if his concern was genuine or artificial.
"Y-Yes, you can read the full report." He handed the report over.
"WELL, TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE TO TEST EVEN MORE ON THAT PIECE OF FILTH!" He slammed the scroll out of Borealis' hooves.
"Y-Yes sir."
"Well fine then, you're dismissed Borealis." Two Face gave Borealis a warm smile. Borealis didn't question it and ran away as fast as possible.
Two face sighed, picked the report up and smiled slyly. He then walked towards the black doors, knocked and entered. "My lord--" A vase was thrown and scattered next to his face.
"WHAT IS IT?!" A dark cloud materialised in front of him. Two Face didn't even flinch at the sudden appearance of his master. He kept his composure and handed over the scroll which Malicious then suspended in a levitation field. He opened the scroll and read it, suddenly all the anger and rage were replaced by a manic grin.
"Well it was about time that they fixed that formula. Let that brave agent of mine come over here, I have to reward him for his loyal sacrifice for our purpose." He chuckled a bit.
"I will personally send the message my lord." Two Face made a mental note to visit Borealis' office after this.
"Good... very good..." He kept looking and smiling at the paper, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention Captain..."
Two face bowed in a humble way. "It was my pleasure my lord."
"You're dismissed, Two Face."
"Thank you, my lord." He opened the door and left the room.
Malicious looked at the paper and grinned, the grin slowly transformed into a chuckle and gradually turned into a manic laughter.
"Looks like my plans are just a little bit delayed." His laughter eventually resonated throughout the entire hideout.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday was like any other school day. The last bell had rang a few minutes ago and released the students of their daily 'torment'.
At the school gates, Tayson was talking with his friends about today's events. Lily had learned about the 'want-it-need-it' spell and why to never use it. Tayson and Silver had gotten their results of their last tests and... well...
"HOW DID I GET A "D" IN MAGIC?!" Silver mourned about his grades.
Lily patted his back. "There there, it's not that bad. I mean, you just have to review the part about the Ponything-vector and, well, maybe review maretricess. -" She gave a forced smile. "-- I could help you with that?
Silver smiled at her and nuzzled her. "Thank you. -" he looked back at the paper. "- But why do I have to learn this stuff? I'm a Pegasus for Celestia's sake!"
"Well, a lot of earthpony engineering depends on magical aspects as does almost every Pegasus device and--of course--every piece of arcane technology," Tayson said flatly. "Like the rainbow factory majorly depends on the working of the Ponything-vector, if they don't get the right amount of friendship in it, then the rainbow won't be intense enough to be seen at big distances."
Silver took the argument and sighed. "I guess you're right..."
"Oi, Tayson!" A familiar voice rung in his ear. He turned around and saw Maya approaching, he quickly stared at Silver to silence his chuckling and then turned his attention back at Maya.
"Hey, Maya."
"Are you ready for your--I mean, my tour through the city?" She smiled nervously and glanced at Tayson's friends. "Oh hey, sorry we haven't been introduced yet. I'm Maya."
Both Lily and Silver introduced each other and tried to start a little conversation to elicit some information about the brown mare. Yet, Maya just smiled and nodded awkwardly at everything.
After a few awkward minutes Tayson finally decided to stop his friends' subtle interrogation. "Ok guys, we have to go now. I'll see you tomorrow."
The three said their goodbyes and waved goodbye as Tayson and Maya trotted off.
"Have fun you two!" was the last thing Tayson heard as they rounded a corner. He tried his best to not to facehoof at his friend's snicker.
"So... where are we going?"
"Well, it is your first training session. so we're going to meet up with Steel Needle at the gym."
"And what are we going to do there? Stamina building?"
Maya grinned. "Yeah, you could say call it like that."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the gym the two were waiting for Steel Needle. In the meantime, Tayson had the opportunity to see some balloon animals--I mean body builders--working out.
"So, where exactly is he?" Tayson asked as he saw another body builder with obese muscles enter the gym.
"He'll be here any second."
"The two of you don't take punctuality serious, am I right?"
"I said! He'll be here any second!" Maya hissed.
"I can see that."
"Remember, that I'm the girl who finished those brutes without even flinching!" She took an intimidating step towards Tayson, who in his turn took a step back.
"Hehehe." He forced a smile. "That is actually a pretty good point."
Right before Maya could physically harm Tayson, Steel Needle entered the gym.
"Maya!" Steel Needle scolded. "Didn't I tell you that hurting the weak is cowardly!"
Tayson--who was happy that his flank was saved from the rage of the forest goddess--couldn't help but feel a bit offended. I'm not that weak.
"Wait and punch him when he is stronger!"
Tayson ignored that last remark of his deferred doom.
"Do we finally have the room?" Maya asked.
"Yes, sorry that it took so long, there was some paperwork related to last minute reservations of the dojo -" Steel Needle sighed. "- Stupid bureaucracy! Why do they need five papers on why I want the dojo when nopony else wants to have it? Anyways let's go."
The three walked across the building until they stood in front of a door with a big red 'NO ENTRY - AUTHORISED PONIES ONLY"
"Err, Steel Needle? It says only authorised ponies only." Tayson pointed at the sign.
Steel Needle smiled slyly. "Oh, but we are authorised." Steel Needle opened the door and motioned Tayson to enter.
Instead of four grey walls and tatami mats--what one would expect of a dojo--there only was the one wall--where the door he just entered was--and a big meadow with some trees and a lake. There were birds twitching and real sunshine instead of the artificial magical light. Instead of the smell of sweat, blood and other body fluids, there was a smell of flowers and clean fresh air--the kind you normally didn't breath in the city. Tayson looked around, analysing what was wrong with this picture. "Steel Needle?"
"Yes?" He smiled.
"We were on the second floor, right?"
"Yup." Maya grinned.
"Is there a particular reason why there is a whole meadow here?"
"In fact there is--I can't give you the technical details but it was a gift from a friend. This is the fourth dimension. You could say that the room is bigger on the inside."
Tayson stared for five seconds at Steel Needle but then just decided to shrug. "Ok."
Maya looked confused. "Ok? That's not the normal reaction! You should be astonished, your mouth wide agape! You should stutter or start rambling nonsense!"
"Yeah, because getting kidnapped by a criminal organization, rescued, invited by a secret organization, getting to know that I'm a godlike being and that some kind of mad god--who does stuff with clouds, while being a unicorn--wants me for Celestia knows why. Isn't weird enough. And did I mention the puppeteer minotaur? Seriously, I would call this one of the normal things that has happened lately."
Maya's ears drooped a bit in dull disappointment. "Fine..."
Tayson spun around so he faced Steel Needle. "So, what are we going to do?"
Steel Needle whistled--which made a cloud float towards him. He jumped on the cloud and smiled. "Our first lesson will consist of learning how to walk on clouds."
Three smaller clouds floated down and formed a makeshift staircase. Steel Needle nodded. "Now you try. All you have to do is making the energy exit your hooves at a constant and controlled rate, that way you create a layer of energy that will exert an upwards force on you. In other words, you'll be walking on clouds."
Tayson looked sceptically, but none the less tried. He jumped and his hooves touched the moist fluffiness of the clouds. He balanced for a second or two and stood on the cloud like a foal for the first time on a frozen lake. One of his hooves lashed out, which made him lose balance and fall straight through the cloud.
Maya giggled and helped Tayson back to his hooves. "Well, that didn't work."
"At least you've seen that you can stand on clouds. However, energy alone--"
"Doesn't make a technique. I know."
"Exactly!" - Steel Needle nodded - "However you had your purpose, so you got the same problem like most foals when they start training. You need to remember that you just have to use enough energy so you can stand on the clouds. Use too much and you hover, use too little and--well--you fall. However you also have to make sure that you make your energy flow at a regular rate. And that is exactly why this exercise is perfect to learn it. We can completely focus on how to control the flow, since the purpose is already there. If you do it wrong you fall, and to make your training more effective -"He nodded towards the nearest lake and flicked his tail, which made the clouds float towards it, "- we're going to practice here." He gave a big gleeful smile.
Maya chuckled at the juvenile joy of her father. "You're way too happy to be tormenting him."
"Wouldn't you?" He threw his hooves in the air. "I hadn't a new student with who I could start from zero since--well--you. I'm a teacher Maya, so it is completely normal for me to take joy in teaching."
He jumped of the cloud. "Maya, please go and fetch every last towel you can find." Steel Needle stomped his hooves and made a metal staircase shoot out of the ground - which led towards the cloud. "And Tayson, you start training!"
Tayson was unsure at the beginning but didn't question it. He ascended the staircase and looked down at the lake. He looked back at Steel Needle--who just nodded--and took a deep breath. He jumped and plummeted straight towards the lake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Celestia walked through the halls of the castle. The day court had just been finished for today and she was completely worn out from still having to deal with issues from the Tirek incident. There were complaints from the mountaineering club, due to the increase of inaccessible mountain sides due to landslides. The nature reserve committee, who wanted to plant more trees to restore the forests around Ponyville.
Ponyville also wanted a bigger budget to restore the library where her student had resided until lately.
Also the nobles--who were suddenly very interested in Discord's reformation--kept demanding that Discord should be sealed in stone again. But telling them that they had to propose their worries--concerning Discord--to princess Twilight Sparkle fell on deaf ears.
The only thing Celestia wanted to do now was to spend some of the rare moments with her sister during her dinner and Luna's breakfast. She entered the dining hall and saw Luna already sitting there, absently munching on an apple.
"Good morning, sunshine," Celestia said with a grin so big that it threatened to tear her face apart.
Luna looked up with a deadpan face and didn't say a word.
"Oh come on sister, you need to lighten up a bit."
Luna let her head thump against the table and grumbled a bit.
"Excuse me, but I couldn't quite catch that."
Luna shot up. "I'm sorry sister, but the last few nights were more draining than I had anticipated. I still have things to catch up with since we went to the Moon Fest. And the clan fight is coming up in a few months and Time Gale has asked me to plan this year's tournament." She let her face fall again.
Celestia chuckled. "I'm sure you will be able to fulfil everything, dearest sister."
"But why do we still have to organize this tournament. I mean there are no wars between the different clan houses, why do they seek battle? And why is there more fuss around it than a thousand years ago?"
"For the same reason we still organize the Equestria games, sister. Prestige."
Luna sighed, "It can't be helped then."
"Your majesties!" A new voice entered the conversation. Both princesses turned their heads to see a khaki-coloured unicorn with a short pitch-black mane and a setting sun as cutie mark. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I got a message from Manehattan." She floated the scroll towards Celestia and bowed.
"Thank you, Circadian." Celestia gave her usual warm smile and dismissed Circadian Rhythm.
Circadian Rhythm bowed and left the room.
Celestia sighed to which Luna cocked an eyebrow. "What is it, sister? I thought you'd be more enthusiast to get a letter from your friend."
Celestia frowned a bit. "Normally I am, Luna. But I know that when Time Gale sends a message via Circadian Rhythm, then it most likely is something unpleasant."
She unfurled the scroll and began to read. Her eyes opened wide in shock. "Malicious Edge has become active again."
Luna looked quizzical. "Malicious E...-" She slammed her hooves at the table. "- You mean Night Sky? Is he ok?"
"If you redefine ok, then yes."
"Where is he?" Luna pressed
Celestia sighed, "I'm sorry Luna, we don't know. All we know is that he has laid his eyes upon the last blood-member of the clan of light and dark. And that he recently has attacked the HQ in Manehattan."
"He attacked? But why would he--" Luna's ears dropped.
"I'm sorry Luna, but he isn't the colt you once used to spend time in the laboratory with I'm afraid." Celestia cringed at having to break the news of Luna's best friends... once again.
"But we were just experimenting that day. I just don't know what happened that he snapped." Tears were forming in Luna's eyes but she quickly dismissed them.
"Luna, we've talked about this," Celestia said in a comforting tone. "What matters now is that we have to stop him."
"But we can still help him. I mean there is a chance that whatever turned me into Nightmare Moon has affected him in some way too."
Celestia shook her head. "I'm afraid that won't be the case Luna." She immediately regretted saying those words.
"WE CAN STILL SAVE HIM!" Luna bellowed through the room. Though she calmed herself as soon as she realized that she was using the Royal Canterlot Tone against her sister.
"Luna, please... I didn't say that I don't hope that we can save him. But I've seen him, he doesn't seem to have the same symptoms as you did during your time as the Nightmare."
"I'm sorry."
Celestia gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. I understand that you have a lot to do. We all get overburdened from time to time. We'll do our best to save your friend, but first we have to protect the poor colt he has laid his eyes on." Celestia teleported a feather and an inkwell out of her study along with some parchment.
"Are you going to reply already?"
"Of course. And it looks like there will be a sudden increase of guards around the site of Manehattan. That should keep Malicious Edge away for a while." She turned her head towards Luna. "Say, sister. Could you spare some of your night guards?"
"Of course!" Luna exclaimed. "Everything to save Night Sky." She stood up and walked for the door. "Anyways, good luck with that. I'll go and explain to the dignitaries of the clan houses that we can't just let anypony fumble around with the seals of Tartarus."
"Why do they want to look at the seals." Celestia cocked an eyebrow.
Luna shrugged. "They're afraid that--since Tirek was able to escape Tartarus--something stronger might try to escape too."
"You're not going to tell me that actually believe in the fairy tale of the twelve demons." Celestia chuckled until she noticed Luna's iron look.
"Celestia, we both are old enough to know that those stories have a core of truth."
"But even if the legends are true, they're imprisoned by Hades herself. There is literally no way that they could escape her."
Luna shook her head. "Celestia, even if Tirek's escape was an accident. I share the worry of the clan houses, we have to avoid another prison break. Or at least we have to defer it." With that she left the room.
Celestia thought about what Luna had said for a while. Another prison break, huh.
She then looked back at the piece of paper. She drenched her quill in ink and started scribbling.
To: Time Gale...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was late in the night when Tayson came home after--what was his seventh training session, and it looked like he had made little progress. The last six trainings sessions had consisted out of running, balancing on clouds, kata's and--strangely enough--learning how to stand on two legs.
Steel Needle had also brought him a weighted hoody. And it was heavy--like humongously heavy--first time Tayson had tried it on, he thought he'd never move again. However, after six days it felt like a second layer of skin. Yet it didn't help with balancing on clouds. Steel Needle had said something about letting more energy flow through the hooves, but Tayson didn't really get what he meant with that.
And that is what the next session was for. But instead of going to the gym, Maya would drag him to the library. Of course not the normal one, but the one he hadn't seen yet. Tayson had planned on seeing it earlier. but aching limbs, joints and energy conduits--of which Tayson wasn't aware that he even had them--withheld him from doing so. It was a miracle that he was able to pay attention in class, despite feeling like being run over by a train-pony squad.
"I'm home," Tayson mumbled throughout the apartment--his nose picked up a wonderful mouth-watering scent. Ever since he started training, Crystal had made the habit out of it to make a nutritious meal for him after training; for which he was ever thankful. Since Steel Needle's training redefined the concept of draining.
Crystal came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron and balancing a tray with a few bowls of rice with goulash.
"I hope you're hungry." - A question that was answered with the drool escaping Tayson's mouth. - "Because I've cooked enough to sustain Celestia's entire guard with food for a while."
Tayson rubbed away the drool and smiled sheepishly. "Thank you. I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse... figuratively speaking of course."
Crystal set the tray on the table and Tayson almost dived in the food. He took some chopsticks and began eating.
"How was the training?" Crystal asked while she took herself a little bowl of rice.
Tayson swallowed. "Good, actually. I mean, there hasn't been a lot of progress but I can feel that I'm getting stronger." - He looked at his hoodie. - "And you got to admit. The hoodie looks nice. It is heavy though."
"I can believe that. I used to train with those too, you know?" Crystal smiled proudly.
"You did?"
"Why yes. Of course. Wearing weighted clothes was a common training technique back in my days. But it isn't that used anymore."
Tayson cocked his head, to which Crystal raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter, my dear?"
"I never really thought of it before now. But--if you don't mind--Maya is a forest god and Steel Needle is a metal god, But I still don't know what kind of god you are."
Crystal looked dumbfounded at the notion of Tayson's question. "Oops, completely forgot about that." She gave a sheepish grin. "Well, I am a glass god."
"A... glass god?"
"Yes."
Tayson cocked an eyebrow. "And... what does that mean?"
"Well, mostly summoning glass objects like lenses. But I managed to use it in a more metaphorical sense, I'm able to see through lies."
"I KNEW IT WAS MAGIC!"
Crystal startled by the sudden outburst. "Sorry, what?"
"You could always see through my lies, and I knew that you had to use some kind of magic!" Tayson said with a juvenile glee.
Crystal looked for a few moments at Tayson and began chuckling. "No, you're just a terrible liar."
Tayson raised his hoof in protest but was unable to find a counterargument. Instead he just focused back on his food.
Tayson finished his meal and yawned. "Damn, I think I'm going to hit the hay now. It will be a long day tomorrow; Maya is going to show me the 'part of the city I don't know yet' and after that Steel Needle is going to torture me for another six hours." Tayson sighed until he noticed how Crystal stared at him. She looked worried but she didn't want to show it, which made it even more obvious as she stared at Tayson. "Grandma?"
Crystal was snapped out of her stare, she shook her head and her frown was replaced with a--slightly--forced smile. "Of course. Figuratively speaking I hope." She chuckled awkwardly and started to clear the table. Tayson cocked an eyebrow and let his gaze follow Crystal.
"Sure..." he said sceptically. "Is there any reason to think otherwise?"
There was a long silence coming out of the kitchen. "Of course not. You said you had a date with Maya tomorrow?"
Tayson startled and blushed a bit. "It's not a date, grandma! She is just going to show me the city!"
"I'm just saying that it is completely normal to having feelings for a mare." It didn't matter that Tayson couldn't see her face, he knew that his grandmother had a wide teasing grin on her face. He bonked his face on the table and groaned.
"You're evil you know that."
"Oh don't be so sensitive~ I just like to see that my grandson gets his first fillyfriend."
Tayson groaned again. "I'm going to hit the hay, though. Sleep well." With that he went for his bedroom and went to bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Why are we in front of a confectionery?" Tayson looked sceptically at Maya as the two stood in front of Bon Bon's Confectionery.
"Because, I need new equipment for our next mission."
There was a little awkward silence until Tayson spoke again. "Again, why are we in front of a confectionery?"
Maya facehooved. "Just come inside, I'll show you." The two entered the confectionery.
Even though the two were in the city, the confectionary had a mountain styled theme and a strong aroma of candy and wood went through the room. At the end of the room was the counter, with a glass showcase--framed in wood--to show the latest artesan created candies. Maya looked around to see if the shop was empty and walked for the counter and rang the counter-bell. After five seconds a pink unicorn with a cupcake as cutie mark popped up behind the counter. "Hello and welcome by Bon Bon's confectionary and--" She looked at Tayson and inhaled a few liters of air while hovering a meter above the ground. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! You're the new one." Her face wore a giant smile.
Tayson took a step back. "Um... hi?" He awkwardly waved his hoof.
"HimynameisBubblePiebuteveryponycallesmeBubblesandIwanttowelcomeyoudoyoulikecupcakesmyauntiellooooovesthemyouprobablywanttoknowwhythisshopissoimportanttoKAMI--"
"Bubbles?!" Maya interrupted the rambling of the pink unicorn.
"Whoops, sorry." She smiled sheepish. "I got that from my auntie. Anyways, here's a free sample." She put a candie--wrapped in a yellow paper--on the counter.
"A bonbon? Um, thanks? I guess."
"It isn't a bonbon. It's a BOEMBOEM!" She said with a bit of a manic grin. "You chew on it for about three seconds and infuse some energy in it. Then you spit it out or throw it, and after five seconds contact with the air it goes BOEM!"
"So, this is made out of explosives?"
"And sugar!" She grinned.
Hoof steps were heard from behind the door and through it a light-yellow mare with a candy coloured mane entered the room "Bubble, dear, who's there?" She then noticed Maya and Tayson standing there. "Oh hi, Maya, how is Steel Needle?"
"Hi, Bon Bon. He's fine, we're here to pick up our order."
"Of course. Bubble, dear, would you mind getting Maya's order." Bubble saluted, zipped of and came back with two boxes on her back.
"Here they are, two boxes containing combat candy, weapon-keychains, and health licorice." She put the boxes on the counter.
"The usual price I assume -" Bon Bon just nodded so Maya took a pouch and threw it on the counter, took the two boxes, balanced it on her back and she and Tayson left the shop. "- See ya."
"Bye-bye, new one!" Bubbles yelled after them as she waved at them.
Tayson gulped, "is she always like that?"
"Yes, but you get used to it. She is actually very nice if you know her better."
"So, where are we going next?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"OI! LOGARITHM, WHERE ARE YOU?!" Maya yelled through the Manehattan library--which resulted in an angry librarian almost threatening to throw her and Tayson out and some more glares as they walked through the bookshelves. After a few minutes they found a grey unicorn--with a short blue mane and a Mobius strip as cutie mark--reading between the bookshelves, sitting on a pile of books, suspending two books in a levitation field. "Logarithm?!"
The unicorn didn't look up which caused Maya to grit her teeth. "LOGA!" She yelled again but got quickly shushed by nearby readers.
"I'm not deaf, Maya. I can hear you."
"Well, normal ponies would be so polite to answer!"
"What do you need?" He looked around and his eyes started to gleam. "Oh, you must be the new one, right?" He stood up and spurted towards Tayson and started inspecting him. "I've never seen somepony from the clan of light and dark."
"Dude! Ever heard of personal space?"
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. But you see, your energy is a special kind. Since it is divided in two parts. And since your family is dead--which makes you the last one with that special energy--I could only study it in books. And I was dying to measure the energies inside of you."
Tayson stared with a frown at Logarithm, and then turned towards Maya. "Can I hit him in the face?"
"You can try, but he is stronger than me. So recommend not."
Logarithm cocked his head. "Why would you want to hit me in the face?" He looked at Maya questioningly until he noticed how she looked at him. "Oh, don't tell me that I crossed the line again."
"A tinie-tiny bit, I'm afraid." She said while awkwardly biting her lip.
Logarithm quickly looked at Tayson and bowed. "I'm so sorry, you see. I am a genius when it comes to advanced magical theorems and alchemy and every other art of pure logic. But when it comes to social interactions, I'm a..." His face distorted while he looked for the word.
"An idiot, moron, cretin, imbecile, bone head? A beginner?" Maya finished his sentence, the last word saying with a taunting smile on her face.
"I wouldn't call it like that." Logarithm flung back.
"But I would."
Logarithm's ears dropped and he glared annoyed at Maya until looking back at Tayson. "You could say that I have my problems when it comes to social interaction. But, please let me be clear that I didn't mean to offend you or your family."
Tayson just looked at him for a few seconds. "Fine, apology accepted. So, you're going to help me with my energy flow?"
Logarithm smiled gleeful at Tayson. "Yes, of course. When it comes to explain the properties of energy and how to use it right, you'll find nopony who is better fit explain it. Please follow me." Logarithm trotted of with a hint of genuine happiness.
"He sure seems sure of himself," Tayson said with an annoyed undertone in his voice.
Maya just shook her head. "Don't worry, he is as smart as he thinks he is. He can be rude sometimes, but he never means to offend anypony. He is actually very nice as soon as you know him better."
"Are all members of KAMI weird?"
"I'm not weird!"
"Yes you are." Tayson said flatly.
"OI! WATCH IT!" Maya leaned in to smack him in the face, only to be interrupted as the shadow of the librarian casted over her.
The librarian shushed the two as nopony had ever shushed anypony before.
"Quiet! Or leave!" She huffed and went back to her desk.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"And if those two react with each other, they'll cancel each other out and produce humongous amounts of energy." Logarithm cited while pointing at the blackboard that stood in the middle of the KAMI public library. In the meantime, a few other gods had gathered around and sat in front of Logarithm's lecture. But not in front, they sat two rows back. Since in the front there sat a confused Tayson, looking with a dumbfounded face at the chalk drawings of circles that should represent energy packets called quanta.
Logarithm had explained to them that he was explaining to the last member of the clan of light and dark, how to use his powers. However, this only boosted the popularity of his lecture, as everypony wanted to know how one of the most powerful clans in history got their tremendous power.
Tayson massaged his temples. "So you're telling me... that if light energy and dark energy react with each other... they create more energy?"
"NO!" Logarithm groaned. "Come on, I just explained that every god has alchemic attributes assigned to their energy. Take Maya as an example, she is a forest god, so her energy has attributes like life, earth, and plants. Which is also useful since she's an earthpony, so she is also able to transform her earthpony magic into combat ready energy when needed."
"Ok? So, why don't they cancel each other out?"
"Because they're not opposites of each other! -" He pointed at a confusing diagram. "- I just told you that only complete opposites of each other cancel each other out."
"But, doesn't that mean that I shouldn't have any energy at all? I mean, they're in me. How can they not react with each other?"
"Ok, maybe I didn't explain that part right. First off, you're confusing them with waves. They're not waves, so forget everything you've ever learned about waves, ever! Next, ever heard of antimatter? -" Tayson just nodded "- Like antimatter, if the two react with each other, they annihilate each other and everything that is left is energy. But the difference is that opposite attributes don't destroy each other, they just cancel each other's effects. And the attributes itself become energy. And we're talking about massive quantities of energy."
"But why don't I then just burst into flames. I mean, if I got that much energy then I should burst from energy, why isn't that so?"
Logarithm sighed, "Well one of the problems is... that we don't really know. Light and dark act very strange. They never appear alone, that's why you'll never find a light god or a dark god. But what we do know is that you're clan has a safety mechanism built in. A dam--if you like--that keeps the two separated, only to react in small quantities."
"O...K... I think I begin to understand what you're saying. In fact I only get as much energy as I can handle."
"No! That's no true either, it's not a physical barrier. In fact, right now, light and dark are fighting inside your body to get the upper hand. Releasing massive amounts of energy."
"Look, you keep explaining things but revoke them as soon as I start to understand them."
"OK! Forget the dam, there is no dam, there never was! Dams are stupid!" Logarithm yelled, "What's happening inside is that your clan uses the energy it gets from the reaction to control the reaction itself. Luckily you get more energy from it than you use to control the process."
"Good, now I see where you're coming from. But I still have a question."
"Yes?" Logarithm asked skeptically.
"What happens when--theoretically--that limitation falls away. Like in, I suddenly get all the energy." As he asked the question, the whole library fell silent. Even more quiet than it should be. Tayson looked around and saw that everypony was looking at him. "Did I say something wrong?"
Logarithm quickly broke the silence and attracted all the attention while doing so. "That--my friend--is an excellent question."
"Why, I mean, it's just theoretically. It's not like it could actually happen, right?" He looked at Maya who cringed a bit. "What?"
"Well, you know how I told you that the main hall has to be renovated after the fight with Malicious Edge?"
"Yes," Tayson said, not sure what would come next.
"Well, most of the damage was done by you..." She cringed a bit.
"Come again? I can't even walk on clouds properly. How--in Celestia's name--would I be able to destroy an entire room. Besides, wouldn't I remember that?"
"And that's what our next topic will be about." Logarithm smiled in a determined fashion. "Rage shifts." |
KAMI: Malicious Edge | Chapter Three: Rage shifts | Chapter Three:
Rage Shifts
"Rage shifts?"
"A rage shift is a state of body and mind in which a god releases the boundaries that keeps him from accessing his full potential. It can be accompanied by a loss of rational thought and/or health damage due to overstraining of the energy conduits or the muscles," Logarithm cited.
Tayson looked at Logarithm with a confused frown for a few seconds. Before he could re-ask his question, Maya interrupted by jumping in front of Logarithm. "Ever hear of the urban legend that a pony can access only ten percent of his full brain capacity because, if he could access all of it at once, he would overstrain his body?"
"Yes?" Tayson replied, cocking an eyebrow in uncertainty.
"Well--when applied to gods--that myth becomes reality. Some gods can access really great amounts of energy, your clan being an example of this. However, thanks to evolution, we haven't destroyed ourselves yet. We have security protocols in our genes that regulate the amount of energy we can access. If we didn't, most of us would have blown up by now. And it is by shutting these down that we can access our full potential."
"So... kind of like a restriction spell?"
"Yes, you can put it like that, a natural restriction spell. But, sometimes it just manifests as technique. An example of this is a clan in the gryphon kingdom. They have a technique that enables them to eavesdrop on their enemies from kilometres away," Maya lectured, "However, we don't always inherit a rage shift. Some gods train to the point that they put a restriction on themselves out of fear that they would use too much power in daily life and some gods never get one."
"But your clan-" Logarithm continued as he pushed himself back in front of Maya "-has one of the most powerful and feared inheritable rage shifts ever seen: The chaos mode."
"Could you define 'powerful'?" Tayson asked nervously, not sure if he really wanted to know.
"In its heyday, your clan consisted of twenty members, five of which were related through marriage. Take into account that a normal clan consists of about a hundred blood members at any time."
"Ok. Very powerful. Got it. But, wouldn't that mean that the 'chaos mode' would destroy their bodies as soon as it gets used?"
"Well, that is the scary part." Logarithm replied with a shrug, "It didn't. They just released their boundaries and let the energy flow. However, using it did tend to cause the user to lose their sanity and their memories for the duration of the shift."
Maya gave Tayson a pained look. "Yeah... remember your little outburst?"
Tayson massaged his temples. "So, I can just lose control any minute now? At school, at home, anywhere. Lovely..."
"No," Logarithm assured him, "For an instable chaos mode to occur, the shifter has to be brought out of mental or emotional balance. Something devastating has to occur, like seeing a how loved one was hurt or when the shifter was losing a battle. You know, major stuff. It was mostly used as a last resort in battle against monsters. A god would be considered world-weary if he tried to induce a chaos mode."
Tayson kept massaging his temples until he processed what Logarithm had said. "Wait... you said, instable chaos mode?"
"Of course," Logarithm stated, the look on his face clearly stating that he was enjoying sharing his knowledge. "Your clan wasn't one of the strongest because they were ticking time bombs. They were considered one of the strongest because they learned how to control it. At any given point in time, they could induce the chaos mode in a controlled fashion. As an extra precaution, your family tended to stick together so they could fight a rampaging member when needed."
"So... I can learn to control it?"
"If you can find a teacher, sure," Logarithm replied with a shrug.
Tayson looked at the bookcases around him with searching eyes. "Are there any books on that topic?"
Maya tapped her chin thoughtfully as she tried to think of a place where Tayson could start searching. "There might be some in the archives. You should ask my dad or your grandmother if they know anything about those."
"I know one!" The librarian answered excitedly. Apparently she had abandoned her post of re-shelving books a while ago to attend Logarithm's lecture. She was smiling proudly as she demonstrated her organizing skills by floating a quill and a small piece of paper over to her. After she scribbled some words on it, the paper burst into green flames and a blue book with a circular shoji-window on it appeared where the paper had burned. She blew the thick layer of dust from it and floated it over to Tayson.
"You can have it. It's a copy I once got from your father." She said with a wink.
Tayson looked at the title.
A Guide Towards Inner Harmony:
A Collection of Techniques of the Clan of Light and Dark.
"Thanks," Tayson replied, looking at the book with amazement. His amazement was short lived when his face shifted to a frown. "But, I can't just take it. I mean it's property of the library. Won't you get in trouble if you just give it to me?"
The librarian chuckled at his response. "Oh don't be silly. Your father gave it to us as a sign of trust. He said that their secrets weren't meant to be used as a weapon. Anyway, it's not like we can do much with it." She leaned in closer to him to whisper. "Besides, I don't think anypony would mention it if you just took it." Tayson found the other gods nodding in agreement.
Unsure of what to say,Tayson gave an awkward, but sincere, grin. "Thank you, everypony."
Logarithm gave a small cough trying to get the attention. "I think we can conclude our session on this note."
"Of course. Thank you for your help, Logarithm."
"Oh, you can thank me as soon as you're able to control your energy," he said, smiling gleefully, "I would love to do some testing!"
Tayson gave a small chuckle. "Deal."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tayson stood once again on top of the staircase to heaven. In front of him floated the cloud that had been mocking him for two weeks now. But today, everything would change. He had been training like crazy and today, he would be walking on clouds. He took a step forward, letting one of his hooves carefully rest on the moist fluffiness of the cloud.
Now let the energy flow.
The way that energy flowed through the body had become much clearer after a few sessions with Logarithm. It was mostly just staying calm, then the energy would flow by itself and keep you on the right side of the cloud.
Tayson took a step back and prepared himself mentally.
I just have to jump... the cloud will catch me. I won't fall. I can do this!
He closed his eyes and jumped. Now he waited for his body to hit the surface of the lake and to feel the pain that would result from the impact. Yet, nothing came. He slowly opened his eyes, feeling the moist fluffiness of the cloud permeate his coat.
"I did it..." he whispered, his smile growing wider by the second. "I DID IT!" Unable to restrain his enthusiasm, he jumped up and cheered. "Whoohoo! I did it! I did--"
One of his legs lashed out, which made him lose his balance and fall through the cloud. He desperately grabbed the side of the cloud and could hold onto it.
Steel Needle watched and smiled at the success of his student. "Good job, Tayson."
Tayson crawled back on the cloud and sighed in relief as he let himself fall into the soft cloud.
"Well, it was about time after two weeks."
"Indeed, you have trained hard and your stamina has increased a lot. I guess that we can start with some basic techniques now."
Tayson smiled in glee. "Am I finally going to learn how to do one of those techniques in that book?"
Steel Needle flicked his tail to command the cloud to come down and chuckled. "No. That is still a bit too early for that."
Tayson's glee deflated. "Oh, come on! I would like to do more than just this." He brought his hoof next to his head and formed a small ball of white energy, which flickered and died almost instantly.
"Impressive..." Maya stomped her hooves in teasing sarcasm. Tayson, opting to ignore her, grabbed his saddlebag, removed his father's book, and flipped through the pages until he found what he was looking for.
"Look at this."
Steel Needle leaned in to look at the page. "'The Taijitu-no-me:'-" he frowned a bit as he mumbled those words "-'A visual technique of qilinesian origin...' I'm not sure if I can teach you this."
"Why not? I mean, it probably has something to do with those energy conduits and mixing chakras and I don't know..."
"I'm sorry Tayson, but I'm afraid that I can't teach you your clan techniques. These are very complicated and I'm not an expert on light and dark energy..."
"So, I'll never learn them?" Tayson concluded, not bothering to hide his disappointment. Even though he didn't feel a real connection with his family, he had hoped that he would have been able to learn the techniques that his family had spent generations to perfect.
"No, I said that I can't teach them to you. And besides, you'll never be able to learn all of them. That is not how your clan worked."
"They didn't?"
"Of course not, no clan works like that. Trying to master every technique is like trying to read every book. One life time is just not sufficient, even with our extended lives. It's just too much."
"Then what am I supposed to do? I should at least learn a few of them. I mean, I can't keep on forming little balls of energy and throw them at my enemies."
"Don't worry about that. Most gods create new techniques instead of recycling the old ones. Just learn the basics and create your own style from there. Now catch your breath and drink something. We continue in five minutes."
Tayson stuffed the book back in his saddlebag and checked his phone.
1 New message
From: Silver.
Open.
Dude, where are you?! We were supposed to meet each other at the bowling alley, remember?
Shit... Tayson's eyes widened as he remembered that he was supposed to meet Silver and Lily. Panic overcame him a little and he started to mash the buttons of his phone as quickly as possible.
Sorry guys! Completely forgot about that! I'm still helping my grandma in the shop so I'm not gonna make it. I'll make up to you. ^^" I promise!
Send.
But as Tayson put his phone away, the tension still remained. How could I've forgotten about them? I always remember what they tell me. I cannot possibly... Ok, pace yourself pace yourself. It just happened once, I'm going through a lot of change the last time so it can be that I have problems to bring my two lives in sync. Tayson facehooved. And now I'm making up excuses.... I'm going to apologise tomorrow....
"Tayson, get ready! We're going to continue." Steel Needle stomped his hooves to get Tayson's attention. Tayson jumped up and turned towards Steel Needle.
The lesson continued, but Tayson's mind was everywhere, except on the training.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tayson got to school early. He was completely worked up due to not getting much sleep the night before. He had to meet his friends and apologize for not showing up, living with the guilt wasn't an option.
Every visible street from the school gate had been under his severe observation for the last half hour. He had walked around the block about five times in the hope that they had decided to take another route to school today.
I would give everything I got just to have those eyes from that book! I mean, what if they're so angry with me that they decided to skip school today?! Tayson smacked his own face in frustration. Ok, now I'm getting ridiculous. I mean this isn't the first time I've forgotten about them. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. Just as he finished, he looked to the right where he saw a familiar grey Pegasus hovering above a green Unicorn.
Tayson smiled. See, everything is ok! I just have to go over there and apologise and then everything is fine again. He started to trot over to them, but stopped as his nerves began to tingle again. What if they are angry with me? I mean, they haven't answered my message... Ok, here goes nothing. He gulped and waved at the two. "Hey, Silver, Lily!"
The two looked in his direction and cantered towards him. "Hey, Tayson! How was your date?" Silver asked, his expression shifting to one of smugness.
"Guys, I'm so sorry--date?" Tayson's asked, his apology getting stuck on its way out.
"Yeah, with Maya." Lily grinned teasingly.
"I-I--"
"Oh, don't be so shy. You don't have to act like that." Lily punched Tayson's shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"But, really I--" Tayson tried his best to interrupt his friends thoughts, but got cut off again by Silver.
"Nah, don't worry about yesterday. But, you have to promise that we go on a double date. Deal?"
Tayson was completely lost. His two friends were now smiling as if they had a cramp in their mouth muscles. Tayson feared for what he had to do now. They can't be serious thinking that... Oh dear Celestia...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"BWHAHAHAHAHAHA..." Maya--who had been rolling on the floor of the local cafe for the last ten minutes--had now attracted every set of eyes in the cafe.
She slowly tried to push herself up and sit back on her chair. "THEY REALLY THINK... THAT YOU.... AND I.... BWAHAHAHAHA!" This brought another round of raucous laughter as she continued to laugh her flank off and wiping away laughter induced tears while rolling on the floor like a newborn foal.
While this was going on, Tayson had become as red as a ripe tomato. He kept his gaze down, trying his best to avoid all the curious looks of the other customers and to not falter under the curious gazes and the soft snickers of the other customers. "Yes..." He said weakly.
Maya's laughter intensified as she heard that fact for the third time today.
"Could you please stop?! It's not funny!" Tayson hissed in a futile attempt not to get any more looks.
"YOU'RE RIGHT! IT'S HILARIOUS!"
"No it is not! I have a serious problem and I really need your help."
In the meantime the cafe-chef had come over to their table. Despite Coffee Cream's surly face and deep voice, he was always friendly to his guests and, of course, wanted them to enjoy their coffee in peace and relative silence. "Could you keep it a bit quiet over here? You're bothering the other customers!"
Maya managed to calm herself a bit and looked around. "Whoopsie..." She came back on her hooves and grinned awkwardly. "I think I lost myself a bit."
"I noticed," Coffee said sarcastically, "as did the other customers." He gestured to the combination of annoyed glares and soft chuckling of the makeshift audience.
After apologizing openly, Maya took back her seat. She looked absently outside and sighed. "Well I must say... I'm surprised and that I... I feel the same for you..." Maya blushed and faked the embarrassed look of a qilinesian schoolfilly.
Tayson gave her an even glare. "Die in a fire..."
Maya huffed, "And I thought you were a gentlecolt!"
Tayson bonked his head on the table. "Are you done yet?"
Maya took a sip from her coffee and grinned. "Yeah, that was the last one. So, I'm practically going to play your fillyfriend, right?"
Tayson sighed, "Yes.... And I can completely understand if you'd decline, but I really--"
"Sure, why not?" Maya shrugged.
"You'll do it?" Tayson's eyes narrowed in skepticism. "What do you want?"
"Nothing, I'm just trying to be a good friend," Maya answered with a smile.
"Bullshit!" Tayson spat a little too loud, since the Minotaur lady at the next table looked a bit disturbed. Tayson noticed this and apologized quietly with an embarrassed grin. Turning back to Maya, he gave her an accusing look.
"Hey, don't look at me like that! I need something to keep myself busy."
"Fine, thank you." Tayson waved at the waiter for the bill, but cocked an eyebrow as Maya stood up and walked for the door. "Where are you going?"
Maya blinked in confusion. "Home, of course."
"We still have to pay you know?" He looked confused as Maya chuckled.
"I thought that the coltfriend had to pay the bill?" She smiled teasingly and left the cafe.
Tayson sat there dumbfounded. "Evil..." He took his wallet, but as he looked at the bill, his eyes shot open. In a futile attempt, he turned towards the door and yelled, "Wait! Maya, I don't have enough bits...!" As expected, his words reached no ears as Maya was already out of hearing range. His ears drooped as he looked back at the waiter and gulped.
"No bits, eh?" The waiter arched an eyebrow with a steely silence.
Tayson shook his head as the shadow of the waiter spread over him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Saturday night arrived without preamble, Tayson found himself walking to Silver's to meet his friends and Maya. After meeting up there, the four of them would go to the theatre and then to a local restaurant afterwards. Seeing how his evening had started with trying to explain to his grandmother that this was a plan to convince his friends that he wasn't evading them and not a date, it didn't look promising.
"I will never hear the end of this," Tayson complained, crunching his teeth. "Why did they have to assume that I was dating Maya? Why couldn't they just assume that I was evading them or was feeling like the third wheel? I swear, ponies' minds get rewired when they're in a relationship."
Tayson's grumbling continued until he finally reached the Silver's place. When knocking on the door caused it to open slightly, he lifted his eyebrows in surprise. Tayson pushed on the door and looked carefully through the opening.
"Guys?"
As nopony replied, Tayson carefully entered Silver's home. He noticed that there were no lights burning, some plates laid scattered around the room, and a few chairs were turned over. Tayson felt his eyes widened as he began fearing the worst. "GUYS?!"
He removed his hoodie, letting it fall unceremoniously to the ground with a heavy thump. Now that the extra weight was gone, Tayson felt lighter on his hooves. He cleared his mind of everything that was irrelevant and let all the information he got from his environment flow in.
It was obvious from the chaos that a fight took place. Given their history and current relationship status, it was possible that they might've had a quarrel that got out of hoof. However, he knew that they wouldn't leave the house unattended when Silver's parents weren't home. Of course, all this might have been the results of their rewired thinking.
Moving to the living room, he saw a piece of paper laying on the table. He picked it up to read it, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.
Hello, little god of chaos,
I'm sure you're smart enough to realise that your friends are not home. They didn't resist much; as soon as we had the filly, the colt just surrendered. Not very strong friends you've got there.
Don't worry, they're safe... for now. Now, you're probably asking yourself why we would kidnap your petty little friends, am I right? Well, I would like to propose a little transaction. We won't kill your friends and, in return, you hand yourself over to the Inquisition.
Meet us at the train station and please don't dawdle.
Signed. The Inquisition.
Tayson ripped the paper to shreds, feeling his heart pump faster as adrenaline coursed through his system. "Those." His breath became faster and faster. "Filthy." His eyes shot wide as he glared at the shreds. "BASTARDS!"
As energy raged inside his body, he wanted to rip off the faces of those ponies. Seeing the energy manifest around him to form little spheres of light and dark, he forced himself to calm, realising that he was slipping into a rage shift. "I can't wait on Maya, who knows what could happen if I show up too late."
Tayson pressed himself to find a solution as quick as possible. He knew that he wasn't ready to face those ponies alone, but it could take maybe fifteen minutes for Maya to come here, and it would take another thirty minutes to walk towards the train station.
Tayson rushed towards the kitchen and pulled out everything in every drawer to find a writing utensil. Finding a pen and a piece of paper, he prayed to the stars that this would work.
To: Steel Needle
Come to the train station. Friends got kidnapped. They call themselves the Inquisition. Need help.
From: Tai Ichi
He drew a circle around the words and waited for the magic to work. "Come on come on come on! BURN!"
Yet, no matter how hard he yelled or how hard he shook the paper, the ink wouldn't catch fire.
"Buck it!" He took some tape and attached it to the front door so that Maya knew where he went and started running towards the train station.
As Tayson ran down the streets, the paper was dangling in the air of the night. After a few minutes the first letter took a green shine, smoke forming around the paper as the letters smouldered. After a few seconds, the letters burst into green flames and vanished, leaving only a white paper with a blue circle on it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Tayson arrived at the train station, he was breathing heavily. However, thanks to Steel Needle's training, it wasn't because he was out of breath. He could've run through half the island of Manehattan and not be out of breath. He was now breathing out of pure unadulterated rage.
He stared into the empty train station with his teeth gritted and a glare that would turn even a cockatrice into solid stone. It just screamed 'trap,' however there was one benefit: he didn't have to hide his true nature.
"HEY!" he screamed into the oppressive silence, "I'M HERE NOW! COME OUT AND LET MY FRIENDS GO, YOU BUCKBUCKETS!"
Silence stretched for a few second before a small giggle pierced it.
"The little god thinks he can command the mortals," the soft voice of a mare answered, resonating through the station, "Now, if that isn't cute." Due to the echo, it was difficult to tell where it was coming from.
"Mortals?! Oh for buck's sake, show yourself! I know that you're gods, so why not come and get me! I'm no match for you!"
"Oh, the haughtiness. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You gods think that you're oh so secret."
Tayson didn't care for the nonsense of that mare. "Where are my friends?"
The mare chuckled again. "Somewhere safe. We would never kill some ponies for the sake of a god. However, it is late and I think that young ponies should go to sleep now."
"What the--" Tayson didn't get the chance to finish that line of thought as a spring sound filled the air.He jumped to the side as two syringes shattered against the ground. A small frustrated growl was audible and the tapping of hooves resonated through the train station.
"COWARD! WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?!" Before Tayson knew what he was doing, he was following the sound of hoofsteps. He saw the door of a nearby warehouse slam close and smiled confidently. "Gotcha!"
He ran over and burst into the warehouse. "Come out! I know you're in here!"
No reply.
"What do you want from me?!"
"Nothing in particular. We just want to avoid having to deal with a god of chaos when the time comes."
Tayson gritted his teeth. "Then why don't you kill me at the spot?! It's not like I'm any danger at the moment!"
No reply.
"Where are my friends!?"
Hearing the sound of a snap, Tayson looked up as a net fell from the ceiling, wrapping around his form. As he struggled to get out, a Pegasus mare stepped out of the shadows wearing a jumpsuit and a proud smile. "Well, well, well... looks like we got you distracted for a while."
Tayson glared daggers at the mare and pointed a hoof towards her. As an orb of darkness formed, the mare took a step back and covered her face as though she were waiting for a blow to send her flying. When nothing happened, she looked back to see Tayson cursing at his hoof.
"COME ON! ONE LITTLE BLAST! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?!"
The mare's proud smile returned and she stepped towards Tayson. She chuckled and pressed Tayson's face to the floor. "Not so strong now, are we?" she asked tauntingly.
"What are you deaf and stupid?! I never said I was! I was constantly pointing out that I was no match for another god, but the only thing you did was talk, talk, talk, and not make any sense at all! I mean, what kind of villain are you?!" Tayson spat as his face got crushed under the force of the mare's hoof.
"Must be embarrassing to lose against a normal pony, am I right?" The mare leaned in and grinned.
"You're what?"
The mare snickered, letting go of Tayson's face. She turned around and began walking towards the crates behind her."You should listen to your enemy, foolish god!" she answered dramatically, "I'm a mortal, a normal pony, not a blasphemous being like you!"
Tayson groaned. "Fine, whatever. Now that you got me, let my friends go!"
The mare tsked disappointedly, removing a syringe from her pocket. "No can do I'm afraid," she answered, tapping it to release any trapped air.
"BUT YOU SAID--"
"We said that we wouldn't kill your friends and we won't," she interrupted, turning back to Tayson and smiling manically. "We'll even teach them to be free... as soon as we've disposed of you."
The mare began to slowly approach Tayson, the needle giving an evil gleam in her hoof. As she got closer, Tayson became more and more terrified of what would happen. Time seemed to slow down, his breath became laboured and pulse became uncontrolled.
If I die now, my friends will be lost!
Right when the needle touched his skin, a pulse went through Tayson. Feeling empowered, he glared to the mare and shouted, "BUCK OFF!" A massive wave of energy propagated through the warehouse, ripping the net to shreds and sending the mare crashing into a pile of crates.
Tayson got to his hooves and and shook his head clear. He brought a hoof up to inspect the spot where the needle touched his skin. No blood, so there shouldn't be any of the drug in my body.
Tayson's attention got pulled back to the battlefield when a rumbling came from under the broken planks. As the mare pushed the debris aside, she glared daggers at Tayson. Tayson met that glare with an icy-cold gaze. "You're not going to tell me where they are, are you?"
The mare pulled another syringe and charged at Tayson. "WHAT GAVE IT AWAY?!"
Tayson jumped up and kicked the syringe out of her hoof, sending the mare flying with a second kick to her face. "The fact that you weren't polite enough to tell me your name," he answered landing on his hooves.
The mare managed to recover right before she hit another pile of crates. She then used her momentum to rebound and charge again at Tayson. Tayson jumped onto his hind legs and pointed his front leg towards the mare--stabilizing it with his other hoof like a gun barrel--and let out a rage-fuelled scream as more black energy formed at the tip. But, instead of blasting into a beam and sending the mare crashing into a pile of crates, it scattered as though it couldn't stabilize its form.
Tayson's eyes widened as the mare crashed into him and sent him flying into the next wall. The mare stood atop of him, smiling triumphantly.
The mare reached for another syringe, but Tayson smashed her face with a head-butt before she could attempt to stab him with it. Letting go of the syringe, the mare stumbled back and covered her sore face. Tayson took advantage of this and sent his hoof flying towards her face.
The blow caused the mare to roll along the floor, trying to get a grasp on her situation. Tayson picked up the syringe and walked calmly towards her. "Let's see how you like your own medicine..."
The mare chuckled. "You won't be able to kill me with that, pesky god. It's a narcotic, not a poison. We wanted you captured, not killed. You're too precious--"
Tayson's face was blank of all emotion as he kicked the mare in the ribs. "Shut up..." He then jabbed her in the leg with the syringe, emptying the contents into her veins. The mare's face became distorted as though she were in pain.
"Idiot... I'm nat ahone heeee..." The mare's voice became more and more stretched as the drug paralyzed one muscle after the other. "HUUUUUUUUUYS HET HAT HILTH!"
Tayson took a battle-ready stance and looked around expecting more enemies to show up. At that moment several unconscious bodies fell to the floor with an audible thump. He then heard a chirping voice cheering, "NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A FIRST DATE!" Maya then lowered herself from one of the crates.
"You're late!" Tayson grumbled.
"Well, I would have been on time if I had known where you had headed." Maya replied with a shrug.
"I left a note on the front door! How could you not have seen it?!"
Maya snorted as she grabbed into her pocket. "You mean this one?" She showed a paper with a blue circle on it.
"Wait, where did--"
"You should practice your hoofwriting a bit, Tayson. I could hardly tell whether you needed help or you wanted to play polka on a rodeo." Steel Needle stepped out of the shadows and looked at the mare that had given up the fight to get back on her hooves and now looked like a bag of potatoes with a tongue sticking out. "But I have to say that you handled the situation pretty well."
"No, I didn't..." Tayson said quietly, glaring hatefully at the mare. A dark aura formed around his hoof. "My friends are gone, AND IT IS HER FAULT!" Tayson punched his hoof with immense force towards the paralyzed mare, but his blow was blocked by an iron wall that shot out of the ground between them. Tayson looked to Steel Needle, tears cascading down his face and teeth gritted in frustration.
"Tai Ichi, we're not going to find them if you kill our only source of information!" Steel scolded.
"Do you really think that that mad mare is even able to form even one sentence that makes sense?! THAT PIECE OF FILTH SHOULD PERISH JUST LIKE THE REST OF THEM."
When Steel Needle smiled, Tayson looked at him in disbelief. "IT'S NOT FUNNY," he screamed, his voice filled with rage, "I WAS UNABLE TO SAVE THEM, IN SPITE OF ALL THE TRAINING I'VE BEEN DOING!"
Steel's face fell back into a neutral expression as he looked upon Tayson. He walked past Tayson and hefted the mare onto his back. "I'll get the necessary information out of her. When it comes to information, I'm an expert at getting people to talk. In the meantime, you get yourself checked out at the hospital. Maya, you take the others to the prison and make sure Tayson gets to the medical wing. Doctor Stable is to do a whole check-up, got it?" When Maya nodded her response, he trotted out of the building.
After Needle left, Maya stomped a hoof causing several tendrils to submerge the other captives into the floor. She then turned to face Tayson with worry on her features. "We'll find them... you can trust us..."
"And then what?!" Tayson spat hatefully, "Erase their memory? This whole night was planned around deceiving my friends... what point is there in training to protect my friends if I have to lie to them and might lose them as a result anyway?"
Maya looked away in pain. "Tayson, you've trained a lot and thanks to that--"
"You know what, don't even bother," he said curtly, "Thank you for saving my flank. Let's just get me to the hospital."
With that, Tayson turned around to leave, not seeing Maya as she frowned and shook her head. She followed after him, both leaving the warehouse in complete silence. |
KAMI: Malicious Edge | Chapter Four: Meet the Inquisition | Chapter 4
Meet the Inquisition
"PAX CHRISTI!"
Steel Needle slowly closed the door behind himself as he left one of the interrogation rooms in the Manehattan HQ. He looked to the right where a guard stood. "Nopony is to enter this room unless I say so!" He stressed.
The guard saluted and took a stoic position in front of the door.
With that Steel Needle walked through the halls until he arrived at a large, empty room, with a row of pillars at each side. He looked at the clock at the other side of the room and took a deep, calming breath. He took his wallet, opened it and took a bit out of it. As he looked at the coin he infused it with more and more energy until it was about to burst. He threw it at the floor and clapped his hooves, making air surge towards the coin.
"GATE THROUGH HEAVEN!"
A lighting struck and a portal opened mid-air. From it Time Gale emerged looking cold and stoic as ever.
"Good evening, Steel Needle." He said, waving his mane to the side, covering his left eye.
"Sir." Steel saluted and followed him as the two walked down the halls. "The prisoner is in the interrogation room. She should talk in about thirty minutes."
Time Gale nodded. "I take you have found out who she is by now?"
Steel Needle shook his head. "We have run her data multiple times through our databases and always got multiple matches, all of whom are confirmed taxpayers, have medical records. In short, all who are real ponies but appear to be the same pony..."
"So we have no idea."
"I'm afraid not..."
Time Gale sighed. "What did you feel during the interrogation?"
"Sir, I--"
"Answer the question, Steel." Time Gale insisted.
Steel Needle became quiet for a while, casting his gaze down for a while before looking back at Time Gale. "Nothing..."
Time Gale nodded. "You know why I ask this, Steel."
"Yes, Sir..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Now arriving on track number six, local service stopping at Canterlot, Cambraya, Cincinneighti, Fillydelphia, and Manehattan."
A violet unicorn mare brushed away the bangs of her navy blue mane from her eyes, putting away the book she had been engrossed in to hop onto the train. She had been looking forward to this trip for months, her job as CEO leaving little in the way of 'personal time.' Now though, she was finally going to see her parents, who were as anxious to see her as she was to see them. Gathering her luggage into her magical aura, she made her way to the platform where her train was arriving.
She arrived at the scarcely populated platform before the train, the platform becoming more crowded as the train approached. The mare took a few steps closer to the edge of the platform so that she might simply step onto the train when she felt a sudden constricting in her chest. Setting her luggage down, she placed a hoof onto her chest and hoped the sensation would pass.
She then felt a foreign sensation pass through her body, as though a cold wind had picked up and had pierced her core. Her body shivered in reaction, unable to warm itself. Then, much to her own surprise, she found herself taking a step towards the rails and the approaching locomotive.
Not understanding this reaction, she frowned and willed her body to step backwards. When her body ignored her, she tried to force herself to step backwards, finding herself taking another step forward.
Not understanding this at all, she tried to turn her head to the side, finding that only her eyes would oblige her request. "Help me..." she whispered, drawing only momentary attention from the bystanders around her, "Please help me!"
She vainly struggled against herself as she approached the oncoming train, her body rebelling against her commands. Silent tears began to streak down her cheeks as the train's warning whistle sounded. She flung herself unwillingly onto the tracks as the sounds of screaming and squealing brakes filling her ears were the last sounds she ever heard.
As ponies crowded around in a worried, muttering herd, one figure stood unmoving. He leaned impassively against a pillar, witnessing the scene as it had played out in front of him. He gave a small smile and turned to leave, unnoticed by anyone.
Tayson had been staring at the ceiling for the last two hours while undergoing one test after the other. Blood had been taken from him, his eyes were checked along with pulse, mouth, legs, throat, everything. All while Maya's eyes looked with concern at him.
After the last test Dr. Stable came back with the results. He took a deep breath and checked a last time the dossier. "Everything looks fine. But you might want to eat some more bananas, you're low on Potassium."
Tayson had been quiet till now, he sighed without even bothering to look at Dr. Stable. "That's the least of my worries right now..."
Dr. Stable frowned and sighed. "Listen, I know you've been through a lot but--"
"Please stop there," - Tayson interrupted - "Because you don't!"
Dr. Stable bit his tongue to not retaliate on that statement. He took a professional stance and looked with cool indifferent eyes at Tayson. "Fine. But promise me that you won't try to rush things. We'll be able to help you." With that Stable left the room, closing the door firmly.
As soon as Tayson and Maya were alone, Maya jumped up. "Stop it!"
It was the first time since they had entered the room that Tayson moved more than he needed to. "What do you mean?" His voice was still filled with an undertone of sadness, but was hidden deep under a thick layer of growing indifference.
"The way you just acted towards Dr. Stable was not ok!"
"So?"
Maya blinked a few times as if she couldn't believe what she just heard. "SO?!" She stomped towards Tayson and came dangerously close to him. "He comes in, tries to comfort you and all you do is cut him off and act like you're the only one who has lost something!"
"I--"
"Don't you DARE to interrupt me!" She bellowed, silencing Tayson's objection before it could be spoken. "Let me make you something very, VERY clear! Everypony in KAMI has lost at least someone dear to him. And the difference between them and you is that they won't get those loved ones back!"
"And who did you lose then?!" Tayson spat back, trying to get back in the conversation. But instead got a smack in the face by Maya who was on the verge of tears.
"THAT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" With that she stomped out of the room, leaving Tayson alone with a sore cheek which he carefully touched.
He closed his eyes took a deep breath and lowered his gaze. "Well done, Tayson..."
It has been about an hour since Maya had left the room. Tayson was looking at the ceiling, lost in thoughts.
"How the buck--"
He got cut of as the door suddenly opened. Steel Needle and Time Gale entered the room.
"Tayson--" Steel Needle stopped abruptly as he saw how he shot up, "Are you alright?"
Tayson calmed his nerves quickly and just nodded
Steel Needle looked unsure but took Tayson for his word. "Ok... I got some good and some bad news."
Tayson sighed. "With all respect, but just spit it out already..."
Steel Needle scrunched his muzzle, but just decided to not reply. "Fine, I guess... The bad news is that we're not able to get the necessary information in time, so we're making this thing public."
"And that means." Tayson asked in a tired, sarcastic voice.
"Well, it means that the mortal officials are now considering this a crime and are helping us in some way. The good news on the other hoof is that there is a way to get some more information out of the mare we captured since we have another... informant."
"Splendid, so my friends are still captured."
Steel Needle sighed, but nodded in the end. "I'm afraid they'll be for a while, but we can change that!"
Tayson's eyes shot open. "How?!"
Steel Needle motioned Tayson to follow him. "Let's call it, persuasion..."
A chill went down Tayson's spine. Hearing this words come out of Steel Needle's mouth had an ominous undertone. Tayson gulped nervously as they walked down the halls.
They arrived at the interrogation room that Steel Needle had left his prisoner. Steel Needle dismissed the guard and the three of them entered the room.
It was a room in which a single-shaded glass separated the actual interrogation room and the room in which other ponies could follow the interrogation. The lights in the interrogation room were dimmed, which added to Tayson's unease. Inside the room Maya was sitting, staring at the black window. She looked at the incoming ponies, but her eyes quickly darted back as she saw Tayson amongst them.
Her eyes were red and her mane was a mess. Her lips were curled into a small frown as if she were on the verge of tears, yet her posture was stoic and disciplined. Like she was supposed to.
As everypony sat down, Steel explained that the previous interrogation was without fruits and that he had to use some more... drastic measures in order to make her speak. He then pressed a button which made the lights in the other room go on and reveal the mare.
She was battered and broken, dried blood covered her coat while she was attached to a crucifix.
Steel Needle looked away, Time Gale and Maya just looked indifferent at the mare. Tayson didn't even blink.
"Are you willing to talk now?" Time Gale asked in a calm but demanding voice. "If you do so, you'll be free the moment you agree. You'll get medical treatment, and there won't any longterm effects neither from us nor the injuries. Your memory will be erased and you will be given a new identity. This whole thing will, at least for you, literally never have happened."
The mare looked up with a twisted smile. "Tempting, but I'm afraid that I have to decline."
"You know that we can keep you here as long as we want, right. Blackmailing a god is against the mortal law."
"I know the law. This whole conspiracy won't be enough to break me, you freaking buckbucket!"
"Conspiracy?" Time Gale's eyes narrowed curiously.
"Oh, please. Do you really believe that nopony notices? After all, you guys are always involved whenever something big happens. The return of the Nightmare, Discord's resurrection, Sombra's siege. So many innocent lives were lost at those days." The mare looked up with a manic smile on her face. "But did you ever stop them? No! You just wait till thousands of ponies die and watch while we have to fight the monsters YOU summoned upon us!"
Time gale leaned towards Steel and whispered. "No wonder you didn't get anything out of her. She has already planned what she would say to us, her arguments don't flow out normally."
Steel nodded in agreement. "She has been like that since she came here. She felt rather enthusiast back then. Like it was some kind of reward that she got to talk to us."
"We'll continue this for a few more minutes, if that doesn't work, I'll contact Circadian Rhythm."
Time Gale looked back at the mare and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but we're not allowed to intervene in mortal affairs. Neither did we cause those events. They simply happened. Familiar with the term 'accident' or maybe better 'natural disaster'? We don't control you, we're not even allowed to watch over you anymore. That with Luna was an experiment that went wrong. Celestia lost her sister that day, as did I lose somepony very precious to me. Discord is the manifestation of entropy. We got tons of them, the Qilins have Sacred crystal bells, the Gryphons wake over the power of Honour. Given that they don't move and cause that much havoc, but they're parts of nature and you can't fight nature. And that with Sombra." Time Gale snorted. "He was a king that got corrupted by power." Time Gale stood up, getting more assertive as he gave more arguments. "Given, they were gods too, two of them were Divine rulers, something we're not allowed to deal with! That's part of a treaty that was mad generations before your ancestors' ancestors were even conceived, after a war fought for a cause, that puts the petty cause of that little club of yours to shame." Time Gale spat. "This conspiracy was made because you mortals demanded it! But you forgot, and we remembered. And now you want to blame us?"
"LIES!" The mare struggled to get off the cross, but it only caused her to yank back in pain. "MY WHOLE LIFE GOT RUINED BY YOUR KIND! ONE OF YOU JUST CAME BY ONE NIGHT AND MURDERED MY WHOLE FAMILY! BUT YOU MADE ME FORGET! I GOT PLACED IN AN ORPHANAGE WHERE I GOT BULLIED AND ABUSED!" The mare panted as her anger slowly cooled off. "But He made me remember. He was my saviour. He helped me get strong. And He will help your friends to become strong too." The eyes of the mare burned right through my eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A knock on the door pierced the silence of the Howling Moon's library.
"Come in." Howling Moon laid the book, he was studying, aside.
Malachite entered the room respectfully, gaze cast down as to never look right in his master's eyes. "Milord, the new... trainees have arrived."
"Excellent. And... what about her?"
Malachite hesitated. "She went after the chaos god... And got captured... As is the squad that she had with her..."
Howling Moon sighed. He stood up and went to the desk of his office. On top of the desk laid a deck of cards which he levitated in the air and began to shuffle. "That is very unfortunate." He looked through the cards, took the ones he needed and spread them on the desk. On each was the face of a pony, and on the one in the middle was the face of the mare. "She was very useful. Maybe a little to impulsive, but she has contributed a lot." Howling dipped his quill in his inkpot. "Oh well, she can be replaced." He then drew a cross over the mare's face. From where the ink touched the card, the colours slowly faded away until only the cross remained. The ink then combusted, burning the card in purple and black fire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The eyes of the mare shot open as she screamed in agony. Everypony startled at the sudden outburst of the prisoner.
"RELEASE HER!" Time gale commanded almost immediately.
Steel Needle looked confused. "But Si--"
"THAT IS AN ORDER, STEEL!" Time Gale's voice cracked, on the brink of being amplified.
Steel Needle obeyed and stomped his hooves, making the needles that held the mare on the crucifix dissipate.
"Get a doctor, prepare to wipe her mind and get her a new identity! We're done with her." Time Gale walked for the door. "After that I expect you at your office, Steel."
Steel Needle saluted, took a piece of chalk and started writing on the wall. After a few minutes Doctor Stable arrived. The mare got carried to the medical wing. Maya and I got dismissed. In the hallway I tried to apologise to her. She listened, but didn't reply, and after I was done she simply left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Much had happened. His friends got abducted, he had his first real fight, he had angered his teammate and had seen a mare being tortured. At the moment Tayson had a lot to think about. What would he do if his friends couldn't be saved in time... or even at all? What is he going to say to their parents? How is he going to act in school? What will he say to his friends when they are saved? How is he going to make up with Maya? And above all, will he stay in KAMI?
Tayson didn't want to leave the safety of his bed, outside shone the sun, but Tayson was oblivious to that and to the thousands of lives that were cherishing the light of day. For now, the only thing Tayson wanted was to forget this day and what had happened in the interrogation room. He hadn't said a word when he returned home. He couldn't think of anything to say. All that was in his mind were the eyes of the mare that had burned down upon him with unrefined hatred.
A soft knock on the door was followed by Crystal slowly opening the door, making light pierce the pitch black of Tayson's room. "Tayson...?"
No reaction.
Crystal now completely opened the door, making Tayson pull his covers over his head to shield them from the light. "Honey, I understand that a lot has happened, but--"
"I've never seen so much hatred..." Tayson slowly got up and looked at Crystal with exhausted eyes. "I'm scared, granny..."
Crystal walked to the window opened the curtains, making Tayson cringe at the now bright room. Crystal sighed and sat next to him in bed. "You have every right to be scared, you're friends are in danger... But remember that you chose for this."
"But--"
"No buts, Tayson. When you chose to join KAMI you knew that it would be dangerous, you knew that your friends would be in danger. And right now, you have to be stronger than you've ever been."
Tayson let his head down. "I don't know if I can do that, granny..."
Crystal frowned. "I'm afraid that this isn't a matter of can or can't. You have to... if not, your friends might die."
Tayson's body got tense. "D-Die?"
Crystal nodded. "It is time to grow up, Tayson. You're now in a world where you can't depend on the elements of harmony to save the day. You have to survive yourself."
Tayson got quiet. Crystal gave him a hug and left the room. "Now, get ready. Steel Needle has sent a message."
Tayson took a deep breath. The thoughts weren't gone, and he felt far from better. But his grandmother did have a point. He chose for this, it was his responsibility now. If Silver and Lily were to die, then he would be to blame. He threw the covers from his bed and jumped out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A knock on the door disturbed the conversation of Steel Needle and Dr. Stable.
"Come in, Tayson."
Tayson carefully entered the room, a nod of Steel Needle gave him the permission to sit down as he waited for the conversation to end. With a last document, Steel Needle thanked Dr. Stable for his time, who then left. Steel Needle turned over to Tayson. "So, how are you feeling?"
"A little tired..."
Steel Needle nodded to that. "Understandable."
"What happened to that mare?"
Steel Needle sighed. "She has been wiped..."
"No, I mean, what happened in the interrogation room. After she, well, started to scream."
Steel Needle looked confused for a while, but he then understood what Tayson meant. "Exactly what I said. Her entire memory has been wiped... spontaneously."
"Oh, I see... and my friends?" Tayson looked a bit worried.
"From what she told us we know that they have no intention to hurt your friends. But she has been set back to a prior moment in her life. I'm afraid that there isn't anything to recover from her."
"So, we have no clue where they are?"
Steel Needle smiled knowingly. "I didn't say that. It is true that she can't give us any more information. But since we're clearly dealing with a large organised group. The chances that she was our last lead are slim." Steel Needle grinned. "I'm very sure a particular friend of mine will be more than willing to help us with this problem."
Tayson almost jumped up. "And where does he live?!"
"I hope you don't have a fine nose."
Tayson cocked an eyebrow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tayson looked at the manhole cover with a mix of curiosity and resent. "So when you were talking about an underground network..."
"I meant an underground network, yes."
"This idea stinks..." Maya grumbled.
Steel Needle lifted the manhole cover and climbed down the ladder. "Probably not as much as the sewers." A slight chuckle could be heard from the dark pit into which the manhole lead.
"Is he always like that?"
Maya shrugged. "He is probably just excited that he can take out some frustration on the poor guy we're about to meet."
Tayson took a deep breath and jumped in the manhole.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Scruffy! Where are you, you old bastard!"
Scruffy's eyes widened. That voice, that terrible, terrible voice. The voice that brought trouble with it. Trouble and pain. Scruffy gulped. "Oh no..."
Steel Needle entered Alligator Alley's 'finest' bar. The place where the scum of the underground would come to handle of deals, get drunk and find some accomplices to plan some robbery.
Steel Needle went to ask the bartender if he had seen his old friend. Scruffy tried to make himself as small possible and sneak out of the bar without being seen by Steel. He was almost out of the door when his rat-like tail got trapped under Maya's hooves. "Eager to leave, are we?" Maya asked dull.
Scruffy stuttered, sweat forming on his brow. "O-Oh, Maya, how are you? Look how you have grown." Scruffy got up and wiped the slug of his fuzzy rat belly. He hugged Maya like an uncle would hug his niece. To which Maya pulled away like a niece would do with her least favourite uncle. "How old were you when we last met? You were so cute back then. Oh I have some pictures of that time, but they are at my home. I will go and grab them." Scruffy started to sprint and disappeared behind the first corner, where he got stuck in some vines which carried him back to Maya. Scruffy struggled to get out but gave up and gulped as he stood eye to eye with Steel Needle who had a content smile on his face.
"Hello, Scruffy."
"H-Hello, Steel..."
"You weren't intending to just leave without helping your old friend with something, where you?" Meanwhile the vines had put Scruffy back on the floor and was Steel guiding Scruffy to a free table. "I mean it must be ages ago since we saw each other for the last time. We have a lot to talk about."
Scruffy sat down and looked sceptically at the new face. "And who are you?"
"May I introduce, this is Tayson, my newest student and the reason why we came to visit you."
Scruffy crossed his arms. "I have nothing to do with it!"
Steel smiled. "I know, but I also know that you know a lot more about what happens in the underground than I do. So tell, ever heard of 'The Inquisition'?"
It became silent as everypony in the bar turned over to look at Steel Needle. "I take that as a yes."
Maya gritted her teeth and slammed her hooves at the table. "What the buck are y'all looking at?! Mind your own business or I will make you!"
Everypony was suddenly eager to mind their own business after the outrage.
"You've become quite the temperamental mare, haven't you, Maya?"
Steel nodded. "Guess where she got it from."
Scruffy gulped. "Look, Steel, we've known each other for a long time. Would I ever lie to you?"
"Yes."
Scruffy deadpanned. "Look, I don't know what you're talking about. Sure I have heard about them. But who hasn't, why do you even need that info?"
"They have kidnapped two teenagers and are holding them hostage."
"So?" Scruffy shrugged. "Not my problem."
Tayson crunched his teeth, which made Scruffy regret what he just said. "Ooooh, I get it. They are blackmailing this little god colt."
Steel nodded. "Exactly."
Scruffy shrugged. "I'm sorry Steel, I have nothing. I've never had contact with them."
"You know that ..."
The conversation of Steel and Scruffy faded into the background as Maya checked out some crates that were stashed in the back of the bar. She subtly poked Tayson "Psst. Imma go check something over there. Just act normal and pretend that you're not seeing anything."
"Huh?" Tayson looked unsure at Maya.
Maya tapped the floor with her hooves and made some vines sprout. They slithered through the bar stools and the tables until they arrived at the crates. They quietly slithered into the crates. Scruffy couldn't help but notice how Tayson and Maya were staring at the crates. He looked over his shoulders. "What are you two looking a-- NO!"
Maya's eyes shot open. "HOW DARE YOU!!" Vines erupted from the floor and wrapped around Scruffy.
"Maya, what are you doing?!" Steel was taken by aback by the violent reaction of his daughter.
"Take a look at the crates!"
Steel walked towards the crates. Meanwhile it became tense in the bar. Everypony was waiting for some final drop to make the situation escalate. Steel formed a crowbar in mid-air and opened the crates. Inside he found documents labelled with the sign of the Lotus Dragon imprinted on them. He took one of the documents and as he opened it the air in the bar froze. Through the silence, the only thing audible was Steel violently looking through the pages. He took another document, and another, and another. As he had looked through the last of them he turned around with cool anger all over his face. He took a deep breath and amplified his voice. "EVERYONE, OUT!!"
No sooner had those words left his mouth had the bar been emptied. Maya threw Scruffy at the hooves of Steel whose eyes burned with anger.
"L-Listen, S-Steel--"
"Tell me, how in Celestia's name, do you happen to be in possession of crates, filled with documents, about every agent that KAMI employs?!"
"I-I--"
"DO YOU REALIZE WHAT I AM JUSTIFIED TO DO TO YOU RIGHT NOW?!"
"S-Steel, I swear, I didn't--"
"Listen, Scruffy, I give you exactly one chance to tell me everything I want to know. I do this because you are my friend and you have helped often in the past. But if I don't get satisfied with whatever comes out of your mouth next, then this dirty hole beneath the ground will become your grave!"
Scruffy gulped. "Please, S-Steel, I swear I didn't know what was inside."
Steel's face deadpanned. "Seems like I will get the chance to use a new technique." He took a step back and thought of the right execution of the technique. "Let's see. I just need to walk past you and then turn to you. Quite easy." Steel concentrated energy in his hooves and took some steps forwards until his back was turned to Scruffy. He turned around and smiled. "Last chance Scruffy."
"NO WAIT! STEEL, PLEASE, YOU KNOW THAT I'M NOT ALLOWED TO LOOK WHAT'S INSIDE!"
"Kiri--"
"Please, let me think!" Terror was now over his face.
"-Sute-"
"YESTERDAY"
Steel Smiled. "Let him go."
Maya huffed and let the vines contract a little before letting him go, all while giving a 'whoopsie' from her.
Steel lend Scruffy his hoof. "You were saying."
"Listen, Steel, if I tell you this, then I'm not safe anymore."
"Not my problem. But depending on what you say, I might be able to help you."
"Fine... It started... let's think... a few months ago. A blue Pegasus called 'Borealis' contacted me. He gave me a letter and insisted that I didn't open it under any circumstances. If you know what I mean. And he asked me to deliver the letter to some weird extremist mare who always wore a jumpsuit, I forgot her name..."
Steel sighed. "I know who you mean. Nevertheless, go on."
"Well when I first tried to contact her, she almost killed me. She was rambling some things of filthy gods and wanted to stab me with a syringe. It was only after I showed her the letter that she stopped. From there on I have been going back and forth delivering this and that to both sides."
"What did you transport
"I told you, I did not look inside. I delivered some letters, some crates, I swear I don't know what I was transporting." Scruffy pleaded.
"Did you know that you were working for the Lotus Dragon?"
"No! I swear! Steel, I'm greedy, a thief and a dealer, but I'm not stupid enough to knowingly work together with that shadow lunatic."
Steel sighed. "Fine, anything else? Some more names?"
Scruffy looked with pleading eyes. "I'm sorry, but that was all they told this rat here. I swear." He drew a cross over his heart and raised his hand like he was under oath.
Steel shook his head. "Maya, take him to the HQ."
"P-Please, Steel, I don't wanna die!"
Steel groaned. "You're fine, but we can't let you walk around freely, you'd be dead within days." He spat.
Scruffy gulped. "I-I--thank you."
"Oh, I'm not done with you yet. Pray that you know some more things, or your future will be dark, if not non-existent."
The vines pulled him underground as Maya transported Scruffy to the cells of KAMI.
Tayson went to the crates and took one of the files. He flipped through them. Seeing many familiar faces. "What does this mean, Steel?" He pointed at the page. "Why is this so important to them?"
Steel took the file out of Tayson's hooves. "Knowing your enemy is the biggest advantage you can have over him. And as of right now, they now know us. They know our resources and the strengths and weaknesses of each single one of us." He put the file back in the crate and gave Maya a sign to get them to the HQ too. "The one who kidnapped your friends has most likely a file like this but with your name on it."
Tayson ran a frustrated hoof over his face. "But those are just medical records, right?"
"Medical records, relationships, CV, you name it." Steel put a hoof on Tayson's shoulder. "We need to know our members so we can find the right god for the job."
"So, Silver and Lily got kidnapped, because you knew this information."
Steel nodded apologetic. "I'm afraid so."
After that Steel, Tayson and Maya left Alligator Alley.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steel thought back to the events of the previous day. Scruffy... Scruffy, Scruffy, Scruffy, Scruffy, Scruffy... You've done some nasty little deals. But this just topples them all. Steel shook his head. But, how? And more importantly: why? Why would the Lotus Dragon work together with the Inquisition? Clearly they have different interest. Just the part that the Lotus Dragon consists mostly of gods should make the Inquisition despise them. Steel took a deep breath, looked from his window down at the plaza in front of the town hall. That doesn't make any sense... Pfffft... an alliance. But why'd they choose Scruffy as messenger? It isn't that big of a secret that I know him... I mean, let's be honest. The amount I've looked him up at Alligator Alley should have made at least somepony realise that I know him better than is good for him... Did they want me to find him? But why go through all the trouble--
A knock on the door disturbed Steel's train of thoughts. "In!" Steel yelled absentmindedly. Time Gale entered the room and cleared his throat. This startled Steel and made him turn around and salute almost immediately. "Goodmorning, Sir!"
Time gale smiled at the awkward reaction of Steel. "Goodmorning, Steel. You wanted to see me?"
Steel nodded and took one of the files out of the crate. "Look at this."
Time Gale suspended the file in a levitation field and hovered it over to himself. He flipped through the pages. With a dull expression he put the file aside. "I take that you didn't go through all the trouble summoning me here, only to show me files on our members."
Steel shook his head. "Yesterday I paid an acquaintance of mine a visit. I wanted to ask him if he knew something about the inquisition. Turned out --" Steel pointed at the crate. "-- He knew more than he wanted to admit."
"I take that you executed him on the spot, then?"
"Sir, I know the protocol. But he has nothing to do with it."
Time Gale cocked an eyebrow. "How so?"
Steel put the file away. "I know him for some time now, he has helped with some shady deals." He looked Time Gale deep in the eyes. "He is a criminal, a liar, a dealer, he has a strong fragrance. But no amount of money would make him risk his life, for he is the biggest coward I've ever known."
"I see, so you think he didn't steal the files."
Steel snorted. "He wouldn't even dare." Steel shook his head, getting rid of his grin. "No Sir, when we were at Alligator Alley, he told us he had been delivering numerous letters, packages and crates to the Lotus Dragon as well as the Inquisition. But not even once was he aware to whom nor what he was delivering." Steel had a sly smile on his face. "OR, he knew it exactly, and they wiped him every time."
"What do you intend to do?"
"I asked you to bring Circadian Rhythm?"
Time Gale nodded. "She'll be here after she has helped fixing a security hole in the file storage."
Steel Needle was baffled. "Sir, you knew that there was a breach?"
"The hole was discovered a few days ago by accident. Files were missing, security cameras had some blackouts, oh and the night guard was found passed out on the floor..." Time Gale's face was blank as ever. "At least now we know where they are, and who had them... We only need to find the mole. So, where is your 'friend' now?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The door of the interrogation room flew open, making Scruffy fall from his chair he'd been napping on for the last few hours.
"CHEEDDAARR!" Scruffy fell on his face, grumbled a bit and looked over at the door. "Oh, it is just you..."
Steel smiled. "Slept well, Scruffy?"
"I just had such a nice dream about chedar... And you ruined it." Scruffy got back on his feet, wiped some dust from his rat belly and took a seat back on the chair he had fallen off prior. "Rather uncomfortable, but at least it doesn't stink as much as the sewers. So what brings you here? I've already told you everything I know."
Steel took a seat in front of Scruffy, behind him Time Gale entered the room together with Circadian Rhythm. Scruffy's eyes widened. He leaned towards Steel. "Steel, buddy, that isn't perchance --"
Steel looked over his shoulder. "Scruffy, may I introduce to you, the big boss of the KAMI organisation in Equestria, Time Gale."
Scruffy jumped up and threw himself at Time Gale's hooves. "Oh please, great god of time. Please, I've already told you all I know! PLEASE DON'T BURN MY SOUL!!" Scruffy got suspended in a levitation field and hovered in front of Time Gale's face.
"Please sit down." The words were firm. Scruffy shielded his eyes and fell to the floor. Like bitten by dogs he rushed back to his chair and started praying.
Steel facehooved. "Scruffy, listen, we believe you."
"You do?" Scruffy blinked. Relieved he wiped his forehead.
Steel nodded. "We aren't here for the things you know, but for the things you've forgotten."
"NO! I swear, I've told everything--"
"Mister Scruffy!" Time Gale bellowed rather annoyed. "As you probably can imagine, I'm a very busy pony."
Scruffy gulped. "Y-Yes, Mister Gale."
Steel sighed and motioned to Circadian Rhythm to come over. "This is Circadian Rhythm, she is here to scan your mind in order to recover any information that has been wiped. This procedure will tickle a little, but is completely save."
Scruffy nodded, and gulped as the Khaki coloured Unicorn created a green aura around her horn. She came closer and touched Scruffy's head. Who then started to scream in agony. "THIS DOESN'T TICKLE, YOU FUCK!"
Steel nodded in agreement. "I know, I lied, but try to get someone to do this when you tell him that it will feel like getting your tongue ripped out via your skull."
"BASTARD!"
Steel chuckled. "Oh you, stop."
Circadian began sweating and pulled a purple fabric out of Scruffy's skull. As the last piece left his skull, Scruffy collapsed. Circadian took the purple fabric and suspended it like a screen in mid-air.
"Shall I get doctor Stable to tend to him?"
Steel waved his hoof dismissivly. "Nah, I think it is his free day anyways. Besides, the strain isn't that bad. I'll let Doctor Tender Daze see after him when we finish here."
Random pictures whizzed around on the screen. Circadian waved her horn around to get the pictures to stop and get a more coherent movement of Scruffy's thoughts. "The Lotus Dragon was careful. No faces, no locations, the inquisition on the other hoof..." She fast forwarded. "And stop." The screen now showed Alligator Alley from the perspective of Scruffy. The blue Pegasus, he was talking about, showed Scruffy a map with two locations marked. One was East from Canterlot. The other north from Manehattan.
"No sound?" Steel asked.
"Give me a second." Circadian's horn flared up. First there was a static sound, followed by crackling voices. Circadian was moving her horn as if she were tuning an old radio until she got a rather decent sound.
"-- the north of Manehattan is one of their training grounds. They're using some strong Unicorns to make the place invisible. Normally if you get closer to it, you'll feel an urge to go back. That is completely normal. The closer you get to it the more you'll feel threatened. Do know that there is not threat as long as you can recite the formula we thought you."
The screen bobbed as Scruffy nodded.
Borealis folded the map and put it away. He took the package and a bag filled with bits. "Here is a part of your payment in advance. The rest you'll receive in a week when we meet back here."
Scruffy greedily grabbed the bag and caressed it.
"Mister Scruffy, I know that you're known for your ability to not care about what you're transporting as long as you get paid. But - " And this is where Borealis' expression hardened. " - I want to emphasize what we would do to you if you were to look inside the package." Borealis's expression was serious.
Scruffy gulped, making the screen shake a little. "Of course, Mister Borealis. You can be assured that nopony except the receiver will know what is inside the package."
Borealis smiled. "Well then, I look forward to work with you, Mister Scruffy." A handshake sealed the deal. Shortly after the screen went black. The screen went black.
Circadian looked at Steel and Time Gale "That is all there really is. We already know what he was carrying, and the rest he didn't look at."
Steel nodded. "Could you show us the map again?"
Circadian's horn flared up. She quickly rushed through several images until the map was once again visible.
Steel stood up and walked to the map. He looked at Time Gale. "Looks like we now know where to look."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tayson was absentmindedly flipping through the pages of his textbook. Greymane's lecture had become a background noise that only made him look up when the tone changed. That he was daydreaming was an understatement. The events of the last few days were stuck in a loop in his head.
That two students were missing meanwhile had become common knowledge. The headmaster had given a speech in which he wished family and friends of Silver Breeze and Lily Petal the strength to deal with the situation, and that the two may return unharmed to their homes. According to the papers the couple was at home when they were surprised by the kidnapper. How or why the kidnapper entered the house was a complete mystery to the guards who had been examining the crime scene.
In the paper there even was a part where the parents begged the kidnapper to let their children go. The one they let do the talking during the interview in the paper was Silver's father, Silver Wind. Maybe for the best. Lily's parents are rather impulsive ponies, they quickly would say something that would insult the kidnapper than making him release their children. Silver's mother on the other hoof is a very sensitive mare. Tayson could imagine that she wasn't in the state of mind to converse with anypony except her beloved husband. From the four, Silver Wind was the most rational one. He knew how to analyse a situation, and stay calm while doing so. That, of course, didn't mean that he wasn't afraid of what could happen to his son. He just had a different way of dealing with it.
The picture in the papers of him holding his weeping wife, while having a deep frown was proof of that. He had to be strong for both his son and his wife.
Tayson sighed. Come on, dude, focus a little! KAMI is working on finding them. It will all work out. I hope...
Tayson closed his book in an attempt to listen to the remaining lecture. After five minutes however his book rumbled, and from between two pages a green flame erupted, causing a burping sound and his book to fly open.
Taken by surprise dropped Greymane his piece of chalk and turned around as to find out what just happened. "Was that you, Tayson?"
Tayson sweated and nervously ran a hoof over his mane. "No--I mean, yes. I'm sorry. I-I, you see, I'm a little sick... and well, my grandmother gave me some eastern medicine to fight the symptoms."
Greymane frowned.
He's not buying it, quick, think of something! "Th-They're called Dragon Drops." Tayson chuckled nervously. "And boy, do they work. But the side-effects are... a little... bizarre?"
Greymane's frown persisted, but in the end he just shrugged. "Well, bless you then."
Tayson wiped the sweat off his frown in relief. Who in Celestia's name sends me a text during class?! As if it weren't bad enough when your phone rings in class!
To: Tai Ichi
Come to the HQ as soon as possible, we know where your friends might be!
From: Maya
Tayson shot up immediately and almost yelled. "Sir!"
Greymane dropped both his book and chalk in surprise by the sudden outburst of his student. "By Luna, what is the matter, boy?"
Tayson quickly noticed that he had now the attention of everypony in the class. "I-I... Ahem... I forgot another side effect of the drops."
"And that would be?" Greymane cocked an eyebrow in subtle annoyance.
"Nausea, and, well, " Tayson sighed. "Can I just be dismissed? Please?"
The cocked eyebrow turned into a kind smile. "Of course, Tayson."
Tayson grabbed his textbook and saddlebag and left as fast as possible. When he was gone, Greymane shook his head. "Poor boy, he must be worried as hell about his friends."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maya was waiting in front of the Manehattan town hall. Tayson came just around the corner when he saw her looking around absentmindedly. Oh, sweet sweet revenge. He took his textbook in his hoof and prepared to throw it. "Hey, Maya! Think fast!" He threw the book, by that time Maya had looked towards Tayson, just in time for the book to hit her face.
"Hey?! What was that for?" Maya rubbed her sore nose.
"For texting me in class! Explaining your phone is ringing is easy, but now I had to make some shit up about some kind of medicine I'm not even sure exists!"
Maya huffed. "Not my problem! I thought you'd be happy that we could finally save your friends! So I sent it right away. I didn't know that you had school today."
"It's Monday, Maya." Tayson ran a frustrated hoof over his face. "Ok, look, I'm sorry I threw the book at you. I am happy, and grateful, but don't you have a phone? I mean, I can't use that excuse a second time."
"Nope. Never had one, never needed one."
Tayson deadpanned. "Ok, fine, we'll figure something out later. Now, I need also a doctor's note since I left school early today because of symptoms even a blind pony could see I don't have."
"And they believed you?"
Tayson snorted. "Oh hell no, but I can sugar-coat a lot of stuff."
Maya giggled at that. "In that case, you'll hear from me when I need something from Steel."
"You're not using me as a lying machine against your dad!" Tayson grumbled.
Maya winked. "We'll see about that. Also, if you ask doctor Stable, and apologise to him (if you haven't already) for your behaviour the other day, I'm sure he'll make a fake one for you."
Tayson gazed embarrassed at the floor. "Sorry again..."
Maya shrugged. "Look, Tayson, you need to calm down. I promise that you'll have to deal with even worse situations in the future. And with such an attitude I promise you that even more things will go wrong."
Tayson nodded. "I know, I... I don't know what I was thinking."
"I tell you, you were thinking too much. And it clogged up your mind. Analysing the situation is good, but if you try to analyse everything at once you won't be able to analyse anything at all."
With that the conversation died and the two entered the town hall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With a knock on the door Maya and Tayson entered Steel's office. Steel motioned the two to sit down until he had finished sending some messages. A final circle made the letters vanish in green flames and Steel shift his attention to the two in front of him. "So, Tayson--"
"Where are my friends?" Tayson nearly jumped at Steel.
"Whoah, easy there."
"My friends are in danger!"
Maya punched Tayson in the ribs. "Did you even listen to me?!"
Tayson rubbed the sore spot and frowned at Maya. "Yeah, I listened. This is why we are here right? You know where my friends are, now I'd like to know myself."
Maya facehooved. "You're an idiot."
Tayson nodded. "I'm glad that we've finally settled that. Could we now get back on topic?"
Steel cleared his throat. "Tayson, I know you're worried, but if we act too rash now we might lose them. So, calm down and sit back while I explain you two what we are going to do."
Tayson was clearly not amused by that, but he calmed down and focussed. Steel nodded. He grabbed a file, took a photo out of it and showed it to Tayson and Maya. "This is the map we got from Scruffy's hidden memories. On it there are two locations marked. The one to the north of Manehattan is, according to some of the recordings we got from Scruffy's memories, a training ground for recruits. We suspect that your friends are hold here."
Tayson crossed his forelegs. "So? What are we waiting for? Let's charge the building, kick some flanks and get my friends back! Easy job, easy done!"
Steel deadpanned. "Yeah, sure, let's do that. Let's charge the building without a plan, trigger a few alarms and give them enough time to flee with your friends. Hell, let's send them a letter, that way they'll even have time to inform other hideouts."
Hearing the sarcastic venom dripping from Steel's reply, Tayson decided to keep his mouth shut.
"Charging head first isn't the thing that we want to do right now. What we want to do is to get a small squad in, free your friends and gather as much information as possible before leaving." He put the photo back in the file. "Preferably without being noticed." He looked at his daughter.
"Oh, come on, Steel! I can be sneaky too!"
"I have to see that before I believe you, young lady."
Maya grumbled.
Tayson looked at both of them. "Am I missing something."
Steel chuckled as he got to tell a story. "Well, a few years ago we had the mission to free a family that was held hostage by a rogue god and his companions."
Tayson cocked an eyebrow. "A rogue god?"
"A god that thinks he is a god of something else, and who gets mental in believing so." Maya murmured.
Steel nodded. "Take for instance that Maya would not be pleased by being a god of the forests. She'd rather be a god of metal, like me. Then she would use her own powers to imitate my techniques. Believing that she would actually move metals."
"Like in, she would summon plants, and take a piece of iron and throw it at somepony?" Tayson guessed.
"Hey! Don't you underestimate me!" She tapped the metal bars of the table and from it sprouted a metallic flower. Which died as soon as she stopped touching the metal. "See!"
Steel chuckled. "You see, gods can use their powers in many ways. Sometimes being creative can work wonders in a situation. But anyways, don't let us forget the story I was telling."
Maya pouted in discontent.
"So, Maya's job was it to sneak in, free the family and get them out alive as quick as possible, so we could charge the building and take out the rogue god before he would hurt anyone. Turned out that it wasn't that easy, because our sneaky lady here, what did she do?"
*mumble mumble*
"What was that?" Steel perked his ears.
"I tripped!" Maya hid her face in shame. "I tripped, got all the attention I didn't want and wasn't stealthy at all."
"And what had we to do then?"
"Please don't make me say it..." She motioned to Tayson. "Not in front of him! Not in front of the newbie!"
Tayson huffed. "Excuse me?!"
"Oh don't be so sensitive, you know what I mean." She spat.
"Maya!" Steel insisted with a parental undertone.
Maya hid her face back in her hooves. "You had to save me too..."
Steel erupted in laughter.
"It's not funny!!"
"Then why am I laughing?" Steel wiped a tear from his eyes.
Tayson cleared his throat. "I do thank you for the story, but if we could go back to the whole 'saving my friends from a bunch of fanatics' that would be nice."
Steel nodded. "Of course. It is very simple, Maya, you and I are going to form the Alpha team, we're going to infiltrate the hideout with the recruits. Another team from Canterlot is going to infiltrate the hideout near Canterlot, and do the same there."
Tayson and Maya nodded in unison. "When are we moving out?"
"The day after tomorrow, we wait till the team from Canterlot is ready to move. Then the mission starts."
Tayson didn't like to wait another day, but he simply nodded.
Steel clapped his hooves and motioned the two to leave. "Prepare yourself well, especially you, Tayson. This will be your first mission. Don't let it be your last." With a serious look in his face he dismissed the two and returned back to his work. |
The Fortune Cookie and Other Tales | pre | Filthy sat up and gave him his full attention. "Out with it."
The butler seemed nervous. He'd had to do some questionable things for the Rich family in all his years of service, but he was normally unflappable. This time, however, was different. "You will think me mad, Sir."
A feeling of dread came over Filthy. "Tell me."
The butler stared down at his hooves, then pulled up his tattered sleeve, exposing a wound.
"The doll, Sir. It...it bit me..." |
The Fortune Cookie and Other Tales | Soft Rains | "If this drought doesn't clear up soon, it's going to be a hungry winter," said the unicorn farmer. He wiped his brow and looked at his wife, who bore an equally worried expression as they both stared out over their fields. Their crops had all but wilted, though they'd spent every working hour giving them what water they could dredge up from the local creek. Which itself was drying up.
They two, Corn Shucks and his wife Wheaty, were some of the lucky ones, as they only had to go a few hundred yards to a water source. Still, it was hard work dragging bucket after bucket to their fields, even with their magic, only to have the thirsty ground swallow up their offerings as soon as they were poured.
As Corn Shucks poured the last bucket over their plants they heard movement and looked up to see the town's mayor approaching.
"Howdy do, neighbors," said he as he trotted up. They both just nodded, each too tired and too worn out for a proper greeting. The unicorn mayor adjusted his glasses and said, "I see your crops ain't doin' much better than anypony else's." He looked up at them and added, "Come to the town hall tomorrow afternoon. We may have a solution."
Corn Shucks frowned. "Unless you got some pegasi hidden away somewhere that can make it rain, I don't see what else can help."
The Mayor grimly smiled. "Now, now...you know we ain't got no truck with their kind...them earth ponies neither. Just come to the town hall tomorrow."
Corn Shucks looked at his wife and sighed. "Sure, why not. Can we bring the fillies?"
"A-course! Bring the whole family; they'll be needed."
The farmer raised an eyebrow. " 'Needed'? What do you mean?"
The Mayor just smiled and said, "You'll see." With that, he tipped his hat to the missus and left.
The next day, bright and early, the farmer and his family made their way to the Town Hall. There, everypony in town had gathered, and the Mayor was just stepping forward to the impromptu stage and cleared his throat.
"Greetings, everypony. I'm sure you're all wondering why I asked you here." He took a moment and stared around at the assembled gathering, then cleared his throat again. "It's very simple: we need to do something about this drought, or we'll all starve this winter." He paused again, then took a step forward. "Who here wants things to change?"
This was met with a chorus of affirmations, then one cried, "What can we do?"
The Mayor held up a hoof for silence, then said, "Our ancestors were laughed at by the other tribes, Nopony thought a bunch of unicorns could ever be good farmers, but we showed 'em! My great-great grandfather started this community, and I'll be damned if I let it just fade away! We need to return to the old ways, and they had a way to guarantee good rain when we most need it! That time is now."
"But"...and here he paused, "we need a volunteer. One pony and his family who love this town more than anything, who won't let us starve." He paused and took off his glasses and looked down, and a hush fell over the assembled. He raised his head and said, "Who will come forward?"
Some of the eldest ponies blanched but held their tongues. All others murmured among themselves until one pony stepped forward.
Corn Shucks raised his voice and said, "I and my family will volunteer. Just tell us what we have to do."
The Mayor looked down at him, then smiled. "You're a good neighbor, friend. We'll meet you all at midnight, at your farm." He smiled again. "It's a fine thing you all are doing for this community."
Corn Shucks exchanged a look with his wife. "What exactly are we doing?"
"You'll see."
Under a full Moon Corn Shucks and his family waited for the Mayor to show up. They were all filled with curiosity as to how exactly meeting at their farm could do anything to stop the drought, but they did not have long to wait. Soon, through the trees and down the path, they could just make out the forms of the Mayor and several other townsponies bearing large bags in thier magic making their slow way onto his farm. The Mayor smiled as he trotted up, then turned to look at the Moon.
"Just a few minutes before midnight...right on time." He smiled again.
Corn Shucks came forward. "Well, we're all here. Just what are we supposed to do?"
The Mayor made no answer as he motioned the ponies behind him forward. They came swiftly, bearing ropes, and despite their protests, soon had the family trussed and helpless.
"What's going on?! Why are you doing this?!" cried Corn Shucks. He looked around frantically as he noticed the ponies with the bags set them down, and all began removing large stones. "What are those for?!"
The Mayor betrayed a look of sadness, but his voice was steady. "I just want to thank you and your family for what you're about to do," he slowly said. He turned and looked at the ponies behind him, then nodded.
Corn Shucks screamed, "Wait!!" but it was too late. Using the stones again and again, the family was soon reduced to bloody pulps. Only when they were all quivering messes did they stop.
As the Mayor and the townsponies stopped to catch their breath, the Moon was obscured by thick clouds.
Soon, it began to rain. |
The Fortune Cookie and Other Tales | Let us in... | It was Nightmare Night, and Melody had just given out the last of her treats. All the colts and fillies had been so adorable in their costumes this year, but she was glad it was over. She blew out the candle in the pumpkin on her porch, closed the door, and settled in front of her fire for a bit of reading before going to bed.
An hour later, there was a knock on her door. Now, who could that be? She glanced over at the clock sitting on her mantle. It was after ten, so all the trick or treaters should be in bed by now. Annoyed, she went to the door and opened it.
There stood two fillies, their faces shadowed in the cloaks and hoods they wore. Melody smiled.
"It's a little late for you two to still be out, isn't it?" She held out the empty bowl and added, "I'm afraid I'm all out of treats."
The two did not look up at her as one said in a low whisper, "Let us in."
Melody frowned. "I'm sorry, but you two should go home. It's late."
The one repeated herself. "Let us in." Then they both raised their heads and looked straight at her.
Melody ran through her house, checking all her doors and windows, making sure they were all locked. She was still in shock over what she'd seen, and the intense feeling of horror she'd felt when she'd realized the two children had only black, empty pits where their eyes should have been. All of a sudden that dread intensified, and she slowly turned to the window. There, staring in at her, were those two...things.
"Let us in."
"Noo! Go away, both of you!" She ran upstairs to her bedroom and slammed the door. Jumping onto her bed, she pulled the covers over her head and shut her eyes. "Go away...go away...go away..." she whispered to herself. Then she heard a tapping on her bedroom window. New horror seized her as she heard the sound. How could they be outside her upstairs window?! She wasn't sure, but she thought they'd both been Earth ponies. Then a new thought took over. Had she locked that window?
There was a creak as the window slowly came open.
The next day, Melody's boss Mr. Rich looked up at the clock and frowned. "Where is that mare? It's not like her to be late." Going around to the supervisor, he asked, "Have you seen Melody this morning?"
The supervisor replied, "No, sir. She didn't call in either."
"Well, that's damn peculiar. One of you check up on her, she may be sick."
"Yes, sir...I'll go."
Soon, the supervisor made it to her absent employee's house. She stopped. The front door was standing open. so she went to it, stuck her head inside and called out, "Hello?" The entire house seemed unnaturally still, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up.
Cautiously, she made her way inside. She called out again, "Melody? Are you in here?" No answer.
At first.
Then, she heard what sounded like soft laughter, but there was something odd about the sound. The pony started to climb the stairs, legs trembling with every step. Making her way to the bedroom, she slowly pushed open the door...and froze.
There, sitting on the floor, with her mane gone completely white, was Melody. She looked up at the pony staring in at her, then let out an insane cackle. The pony gave a loud yelp of fear and turned to run, but not before she heard Melody madly scream, "They got in! They got in! They got in!"
The next Nightmare Night, two little fillies, dressed in hoods and cloaks, knocked on the door of Carousel Boutique.
It was time once again. |
Devourer | pre | The Devourer broke out into a sprint, breaking its way through the doors to the room with ease and knocking aside several guards on the other side that had come to investigate the earlier noise. It turned and took off down a hallway as Shining Armor and the Princesses gave pursuit.
A speck appeared on the horizon. The scouts focused their attention to it, hoping it was who they thought it was. Their suspicions and hopes were filled when it got close enough that they could make out its blue helmet.
"Commander Dapul has returned!" they collectively called out over the village. There was much cheering in the crowd outside, as well as from those emerging from the structures.
Queen Chrysalis rose from her resting place and walked among her swarm to greet Dapul. He had almost reached the village by now, with the scouts calling out his estimated distance every few seconds to keep the crowd going. When Dapul finally reached the village boundaries, the crowd erupted in one final bout of cheering and swarmed over him, patting him on the back and hugging him. Ironically, he was nearly crushed in their joy before a green glow set about him and he rose into the air.
"Calm down, my swarm," Queen Chrysalis said as she levitated Dapul over to the podium the swarm had made for her to give commands from some time back. They'd even done it without her asking.
Queen Chrysalis set Dapul down next to her and allowed him to bow before she spoke. "Dapul, what news do you bring of the hive? Is it safe?"
"Yes, your majesty," he answered. Queen Chrysalis noticed that he had a few cuts on his back and more dents in his armor than when he left.
"What happened to you, Dapul?" She asked.
"Your majesty, a pride of manticores had taken up residence in the hive in our absence. Many were killed by the traps, but some had survived and were making a den out of it. I lured them into the remaining traps, though I had a little trouble."
"And did you reset the traps when they were done with?"
"Yes, and I moved their corpses to the food pods. I made sure everything was in order: the food pods were still closed, the traps cleaned and in peak condition, and even made sure none of the beasts had hidden themselves in the Devourer's den."
Queen Chrysalis smiled. "Well done, Commander Dapul! When we reach the hive together, you may be looking forward to a promotion!"
Dapul smiled with glee and did a little dance, too happy at having survived the journey and having gotten a compliment from the queen herself to contain his joy. It didn't last long, though, once he realized he was doing it in front of her. He stopped, saluted, and then joined the ranks of his siblings.
Queen Chrysalis stepped up to the podium. She began to speak, but closed her mouth and listened intently before she said a word. A confused look washed over the crowd, but then they sensed it to. There was a magical signal coming. A few seconds later, a voice boomed over the crowd, shocking many of them.
"I'M EATING AT THE MOMENT. CALL AGAIN LATER."
Queen Chrysalis smiled as the crowd had a variety of quiet reactions to hearing the Devourer's voice. "My swarm, we have one more thing to do before we depart for the nest..."
The swarm knew what she meant. They parted their way to the locus that they used to send out signals as she hovered over to it. They gathered and concentrated their power into it as she readied the message to send back to the Devourer. After a few brief moments, she sent the signal through the locus, which then formed the collected energy into a communication spell and sent it towards Canterlot. Just as before, there was a small *boom* sound as it breached the banishing spell's boundary. The swarm watched it travel out of view as Chrysalis turned to Dapul.
"Dapul, did you leave the teleport beacon on a timer?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Appropriately timed?"
"It should be active here in a few hours, your majesty."
"Good." |
Devourer | Chapter Seven: Unseen | Darkness. There was nothing but inky black darkness. He opened his eyes... there was still darkness. Huh. He shook his head and then began to rise to his feet before bumping his head on a very low ceiling of some sort. He instinctually looked up in confusion before groaning, realizing that it was too dark to make out his surroundings anyways. There he stood, crouched down, confused, and blind. He heard a groaning noise, similar to his nearby.
"...Gold? Gold Hoof, is that you? Are you there?" He said softly towards the noise.
After a moment a response came from the darkness accompanied by shuffling and a thump. "Yeah, I'm here Brass Shield. My head hurts... I can't see anything, where a--*thump* OW. Owowow, I didn't need that....."
Brass Shield let out a sigh of relief, partially in that his friend was still there with him and partially to cover up his laugh. "I don't know where we are," he replied after swallowing the laugh completely. "It's just... dark."
"See if you can light this up, you were always better with light spells than me."
Brass Shield nodded, and then contemplated why he did so while they were both still blind. Then, he concentrated magic into his horn and cast a basic light spell. Strangely enough, the spell barely had any effect and cast a glow barely bright enough to see Gold Hoof's white coat, which reflected the light better than the surrounding tunnel.
"Is that really all you can do?" Gold laughed. "You must have been hit on the head harder than I was!"
"Oh shut up," Brass replied. "I don't know why my magic's not working here. It looks like we're in a low tunnel."
"Duh. But how did we get--"
Both of them suddenly remembered what had happened just before they woke up. Then, they both panicked with such synchronization it was as though they had practiced.
"DID THAT REALLY JUST--"
"DID YOU SEE THE--"
"WHAT WAS--"
"ARE WE IN--"
"--AND THEN POW--"
"--BUT I TRIED TO--"
"--IT WAS SO--"
"*THUD* MY HEAD OWOWOWOW--"
*scratch*
"............"
"............"
"Gold?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you hear that?"
"Yeah. Brass?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you make that noise?"
"No."
The two stopped and listened intently. They had heard a loud scratching noise, echoing through the tunnels they were in. They looked at each other and lowered their voices.
"Brass, did you see that thing?"
"Well duh, it kind of nearly threw me through the throne room door... what did it do to you?"
"It punched me in the side of the head. My helmet didn't help... I blacked out right there."
"Right... so...... are we......?
"Dead? I, um..."
"My magic isn't working right, and it's so dark..."
"......hey Brass, come here."
Brass moved over to Gold, where he promptly received a knock to the head from one of Gold Hoof's hooves. "Ow! What was that for?"
"We can still feel things, so I don't think we're dead."
"We hit our heads! We already knew we could feel things!"
"I know, hee hee."
Brass rolled his eyes. He gathered some more power and focused it into his horn, supplementing the light spell. The light shining from the tip of his horn brightened a bit, enough for them to see the walls of the tunnel they were in as well as a short distance in either direction.
"...Gold, I think we're looking at how it's been getting around the castle without being detected."
"You think?"
"I wonder if... I wonder if it forgot to come back at us. It looked like it wanted into the throne room, so maybe it left us here once it was done."
"...You really think so?" Gold asked, without sarcasm.
"Yeah, it's the only thing I can think might have happened."
There was a sudden cracking sound, echoing through the tunnels from a distant passage. Brass Shield and Gold Hoof both turned towards it and crouched next to each other. When it died down, they began speaking again.
"...what do you think that was, Gold?"
"What do YOU think it was!? That had to have been the monster!"
".......oh dear Celestia, you don't think it'll find us here!?"
"Don't you dare freaking jinx it, Brass!"
The sound of crackling electricity echoed through the tunnels as the previous sounds did, this time accompanied by another strange sound. This sound seemed to be someone... eating?
"Nahhh, ahm, nyahmam.... Amnomahm....... Ahhhhh......."
"That's... scary, Brass. I want out of here."
"Me too. It sounded satisfied with whatever it ate... maybe if it finds us, it won't--"
"NYYAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH"
A horrible scream travelled through the passages, and both Gold and Brass could feel the tunnels shaking. A gurgling, grating voice followed: "SIX!? SIX TYPES OF MAGIC HERE!?!"
Brass and Gold remained motionless. Was it talking about...?
"AGH, THIS MAGIC IS INTENSE. VERY, VERY INTENSE...... ugh, I did not suspect that there were SIX types of magic, all combined into one aura past the wards...... are these? These.... These are......... ah. Ah yes, she told me about these... heheheh......"
There was suddenly a steady skittering noise moving throughout the tunnels. It took Gold and Brass but a moment to figure out that the creature was now on the move... but to where? The skittering noise was getting noticeably closer.
"Oh crap, Gold, what now? It's coming this way!"
"It's cool, I've got this. Turn out the light and get close to the wall."
Brass hesitated for a brief moment before he heard a dark chuckle from down the passage as it drew closer. He cut off the spell and they were cloaked in darkness once again. He felt a weak wave of magic wash over him, a wave he recognized as Gold's signature invisibility shell spell. He heard Gold signal for him to be quiet as they saw a dazzling light approaching from another tunnel.
When the light turned into the passage they were in, they saw the Devourer once more, crawling in their direction. The lights were coming from the necklace around its neck, consisting of a bunch of linked-together gold chains with different-colored, glowing gems on each chain. It was wearing all six Elements of Harmony as one big necklace for transportation. The two guard ponies suppressed their gasps of surprise out of fear as it crawled ever-closer to them.
Time seemed to slow down as it passed them; they hugged the wall while it travelled down the middle. The motion range of its arms and legs just barely allowed them to get close enough to possibly touch them, and it came extremely close to doing so. It felt like an eternity before it was halfway between them, its arms having passed them harmlessly and the magical aura of the Elements around its neck masking the much smaller aura of the minor invisibility spell. To their horror, it stopped for a second between them.
"Yes, yes..." it said in a low voice while holding up the Element of Generosity, which just happened to be the front-most on the necklace. "The Queen told me about you six artifacts... you will make an excellent addition to the ransom deal, heheh..."
It let go of the Element, allowing it to dangle free again. It then began to--one of its legs touched Brass.
"...Eh?" it said in suspicion. Brass's heart stopped. "What was--"*clonk*
As if lady luck herself had stomped on the floor above, a small rock fell from the ceiling and bounced off of its head. It looked up in annoyance, and then back down the tunnel it had come through (its neck allowing it to move its head in a creepy, owl-like turn). A rumbling reached the guards' less sensitive ears, and then there was a massive crashing as dirt and large rocks fell from the ceiling in the direction it had come from. When the cave-in had finished, the trio looked on in shock/irritation (depending on whose eyes you're seeing through).
"BLAST IT," the creature cried out, almost making the guards jump. "I'll have to remember to NOT scream so loud the next time my un-magical aura is overcome. That will be troublesome to clean up later... bah."
It turned its head back forward and began to move away, having chalked up its brush with Brass Shield as debris from the coming cave-in. As it began to move on, Gold moved silently behind it, following. Brass knew he couldn't ask why in all of Equestria Gold would be following the monster.
They followed it for several minutes, catching up with its quick pace whenever it stopped at cross-roads to decide which way to go. The two guards were able to eventually stand and even keep careful pace with the creature as the tunnels grew taller and went lower into the ground. When it finally reached its destination, the two managed to just barely stifle their surprise.
The tunnel narrowed down to a low, tight entrance that the creature then crawled through. The two guards looked through the hole before proceeding and saw a large room that had been dug out... filled with servants and guards, all tied with rope that had presumably gone missing before. The creature looked across its prisoners and smiled at their expressions of shock at its necklace.
"Do you like it?" it crooned softly to the group.
The color drained from the faces of many of the ponies in the room, while some of the servants (and one guard) fainted. The creature grinned and moved into the middle of the room, where it took off the necklace and set it down on the ground beneath it. Was it going to try and destroy them?
The creature turned to smoke, which Brass and Gold recognized as the form it had initially attacked them in. Then, a green light erupted within it, seemingly catching even it off guard. It stared forward, hearing words that were only audible to it.
"Devourer, this is your queen," it heard Queen Chrysalis say through the message. "We received your message, and we are sorry to have interrupted your meal. Do as much damage you can, and call for a teleport out when you need it or when you see fit; send the call to the hive. Destroy their walls and possessions, and feel free to devour the flesh of the ponies themselves if you feel that it would be good to do so. If you can, get a hold of the Elements of Harmony, the objects I told you about before we were banished. Devourer, we are counting on you for revenge. I trust your judgment. We will be awaiting the call for teleportation."
The creature had been silent with its eyes closed the entire time, leading Brass and Gold to wonder if it had fallen asleep. They had almost begun to contemplate entering the den when it suddenly let out a long, gruesome laugh and opened its eyes.
"HAAAAhahahaaaaa, well, my little ponies," it said, turning to the now-squirming prisoners. "It seems that you may just be my next meal!"
The tied-up ponies began to panic, squirming harder and a few seemed to be screaming through their gags.
"But...... I am not ready to eat you just yet," It spoke slowly. It seemed to be relishing in their fear of it. "First, I must contact someone... and then I must contact another. Those tasks are, regrettably, more important than simply feasting on your flesh, blood, and bones. Yes, my little ponies, you were not my main focus during my stay here. I hope you've lived pure-enough lives to not have much regret, though, because you have a very short time to get over it..."
The creature turned away from its prisoners and raised its smoky head. It closed its eyes and opened its mouth, emitting a low droning noise for several seconds before smoke similar to its body began to rise from the rough ground in front of it. This green smoke twisted into the air and slowly molded its shape into that of the Devourer, and then shifted into a near-perfect copy of its corporeal form. It revealed the only difference when the copy opened its eyes, revealing glossy blue-green orbs similar to that of a normal changeling rather than the white sclera and green iris of its normal eyes.
The copy turned, appearing to look around the room as the Devourer itself ceased the droning but didn't open its eyes. The copy moved to the entrance of the den and past Gold and Brass by passing straight through the wall restricting the passage's opening; it was an illusion. It moved through the passages and out of sight on some unknown task. After a moment of silence, Brass turned and began whispering to Gold.
"Why did you follow it here!?" he asked.
"Why do you think? We found the prisoners, and we can rescue both them and the Elements of Harmony! Think about it, we'll be heroes!"
"And if we buck it up? What then!? We'll be as well-off as the ponies that are trapped in there with that thing!"
"Look, Brass Shield, you've known me for how long? Since childhood. Trust me, this is going to work."
"This isn't a children's game, Gold Hoof."
"I know, but this is better than just running, isn't it?"
"No, we could go get one of the princesses, or Shining Armor! That's why they brought him here, to deal with this!"
"And what if--"
Their whispering was suddenly interrupted as the Devourer began to speak. They both instantly grew silent, almost having forgotten that it was even there.
"Ah, there you are--"
The guards froze.
"--darker of the sisters..."
The guards unfroze.
"You may notice a change... no, no, do not bother. This is an illusion that you cannot harm. Darker sister, where is your--"
It paused for a moment before continuing. "Oh, there she is. Brighter sister, darker sister, and..." The Devourer flinched to the side. "...your noble knight, sneaking up behind me. Good. I just wanted to tell you all..... thank you!"
The Devourer smiled, apparently seeing their reactions through the copy's eyes. "Why? Why, you ask? Why, for providing me with so little challenge in obtaining six little artifacts that you treasure so dearly!"
Its smile grew much, much wider as Brass and Gold shivered, knowing that Celestia, Luna, and Shining Armor were... reacting to the statement.
"Ah-ah-ah! I told you, the illusion cannot be harmed! Oh look, you put a hole in your own wall. Tisk-tisk. Heheh... you know what my possession of the artifacts entails, don't you?"
It paused for a moment, a look of expectation briefly on its face before the grin resumed, making it look more satisfied than ever.
"Haha, that's right, Knight! You can say goodbye to your missing friends shortly! AHAAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHA--"
The Devourer opened its eyes, apparently having dispelled the illusionary copy, but it didn't stop laughing. It turned to its captives, still bellowing and howling with taunting laughter. Several ponies began crying, while many of the guards in the room vainly attempted offensive magic. The Devourer laughed and laughed, until even some of the guards were crying either in frustration, sheer terror, or hopelessness. The Devourer suddenly took off, passing through the passageway past Gold and Brass and speeding down the tunnel.
The Devourer called back to the room as it disappeared into the darkness, "ENJOY YOUR LAST FEW MINUTES, IT'S ALMOST TIME!"
Then, there was silence. Gold and Brass looked at each other. Brass was the first to speak.
"We don't have much of a choice then. You start at one end, I'll start untying at the other and we'll grab the elements once they're all free. We'll find our way out on our own."
A black cloud hovered over the tip of the tallest tower on Canterlot Castle. It opened its mouth and let forth a message, headed for a destination far beyond the boundaries of Equestria where it was to be received by a queen and her swarm.
"I HAVE THE ELEMENTS: BRING ME HOME." |
Devourer | Final Chapter, Chapter Eight: Sudden | Running. Guards were sent flying aside, and any that came to investigate the screaming of either the guards or the source of the guards' screaming was sent flying as well if they were in the way, but their presence or attacks were otherwise ignored.
One. One pony was being sought, with all the desperation, panic, and hatred that one eldritch abomination could muster. A fate of untold horror awaited them if they were found.
Fear. The target felt the hatred as though it were a mist in the air, feeling it grow ever-thicker as the hunter drew closer and closer in its search, led by the unseen hand of Fate herself.
Haste. Doors were smashed open and less-elegant ones had their doorframes wrecked as well as one desperate pair of eyes scanned each room, ignoring anything that wasn't its target.
Magic. Six separate sources of different-yet-similar types of magic, all in a single iron box and held cleverly above the doorway with a persistent levitation spell; they must not fall into the creature's hands at any cost.
Fire. Wisps of green fire had already begun to cling to the seeker; though the banishing spell targeted a particular type creature it was not quite as effective on that creature's magic, a feature that the seeker ever-so-wished had been a fluke and that this single spell would be delayed or would fail altogether.
Shock. The right room had been found, its occupant having refused to leave the castle and abandon their subjects.
Air. Claws, teeth, and muscle ripped through the air towards their target as a mighty beast leapt, filled with rage.
Glow.
Flash.
Silence.
There was a heavy thud and a wide but short cloud of dust as it hit the ground in a familiar place. There was a sound... it couldn't make it out through the ringing in its ears. There were shapes as well... as much a mystery to it as the sound thanks to the flash.
Yet... the shapes were not a mystery. Its mind had blanked out for but a few seconds before what had happened came back to it, as it lay there on the waxen floor. Memories of a hunt... memories of prey... memories of what could have been vengeance on at least the single foe that was the greatest threat to its ensuing happiness thanks to what they knew.
Its vision began to clear, but it closed its eyes. Its hearing cleared, and it was able to make out mass cheering of familiar voices. It put its hands on the floor on each side of itself and very slowly rose off of the ground. As it got one foot upright beneath itself, it raised a claw to its nose and sniffed... it did not smell of blood.
It stayed in its kneeling position as the cheering slowly came to a halt. There was suddenly dead silence... the surrounding crowd had not stopped cheering for lack of breath. There wasn't so much as a whisper for several moments, and then it heard a few hoofsteps indicate the approach of someone. A familiar, beloved voice followed.
"Devourer..." the voice said softly. "Are... are you o--"
"GRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--"
The monumental bellow interrupted the voice mid-sentence as the Devourer raised its head and let out a roar that was more of a bestial shriek than a scream. The noise seemed to rip through the air as though the creature itself were standing and flailing its claws, and the floor shook violently. There were inaudible cries of fear from more than one observer as the shaking in the floor extended past the bounds of the crowd and into the walls, and then into the surrounding rooms, and then into the rest of the entire hive.
Traps that were stored safely out of public traffic-ways went off from being jarred violently, flames spewing from changeling fire traps and spears launching from their spring-loaded chambers. The gate made of twisted metal that hung over the main ground entrance to the hive dropped out of the hooks that held it in place and landed with a loud clang that was completely unheard in the squall of noise. Walls that had unseen cracks in them crumbled instantly as though having been hit with a wrecking ball coming from the direction of the source of the sound.
The noise continued; the Devourer did not stop. Queen Chrysalis screamed for it to stop, but even her voice did not reach its ears through its own rage. It slowly rose and stood on its other foot as changelings that were too close passed out and those farther out had either fled or were stunned. It rose to its full height over the course of ten seconds of continual screaming, neither pitch nor tone changing as its rage released itself from the creature's throat in one hatred-filled cry of pain, sorrow, and frustration.
Chrysalis saw it open its eyes, though she could tell that it saw nothing. Standing at its full nine-foot height, it towered over even her and she felt threatened for her life. It slowly began to raise its arms as Chrysalis tried to concentrate through the immense noise. She cringed as magic began to gather in the tip of her horn, the process slowed to a crawl through both lack of concentration and hesitation. The changeling stunning spell completed itself, changeling magic being one of the very few types of magic that it did not naturally resist. She readied the spell for firing and then called out one final plea:
"Devourer! You must stop or I will have to--"
*BOOM*
The Devourer brought both of its arms down on the ground in front of it in a godly display of anger and power. The force of the blow knocked away everything nearby, including the unconscious changelings and Chrysalis herself; her spell fired off into the air, dissipating on the ceiling harmlessly. When the dust cleared, Chrysalis stood and looked to the Devourer.
It still stood in the same place it had been teleported in at. It seemed to have stopped screaming, and was now on its elbows and knees; its arms had embedded themselves deep into the ground and would require some prying to get loose if it had used up all of its strength. If they had been on any floor of the hive other than the ground floor, the blow very well may have collapsed the entire place.
As the ringing in her ears began to die down, Chrysalis heard a few sounds; thankfully, changeling bodies were resilient and her ears were recovering quickly from the scream without lasting damage. Whimpering of her swarmlings as they crawled away from the scene was one sound. Cracking, possibly from a room in a far corner of the hive as it collapsed. A swarmling somewhere else in the hive was both crying and screaming. And... there a dripping noise.
She carefully took a few steps closer. She could see its chest heaving so heavily that its flesh was clearly visible between the plates at each breath's peak. The dripping sound was a purple liquid coming from its eyes and several points on its body, all of which were visible when it took a breath. Chrysalis had seen this liquid once before, when she was very young.
It was in the first days that she was being allowed to wander the hive on her own (with guards of course, as she had not mastered her defensive magic yet). She had wandered into the Devourer's den out of curiosity, since she did not share the instinctual fear of it that her swarmlings did. The den, much to her surprise, did not smell any different than the rest of the hive, and even looked like it had been taking pieces of discarded walls and embedding them into the walls of the den instead of eating them, making it look similar to the hive as well. She had wandered all the way to the middle of the den in wonder at rocky surface beyond the hive pieces, having never been out of the hive before. So entranced by the dull-grey surface as opposed to the white or green hues she was used to, that she nearly bumped into the Devourer.
She was startled, but calmed herself as she realized that it was asleep and had not woken up at her touch. It seemed to be rhythmically shuddering as it slumbered, and released a small noise from time to time that was similar to the ones her mother made whenever a swarmling died. It was leaking this same purple liquid through some points on its armor, but it was turned to the wall and she hadn't seen its eyes. A few seconds later, her guards convinced her to leave it alone and leave the den.
Now she understood.
".........Devourer........." Chrysalis said carefully as she got near.
The Devourer remained in silence. It did not seem like it was going to scream again.
"Devourer..............." She said again, having lost what it was that she was going to say. A soft voice reached her ears.
"I... I failed."
"Devourer, I..."
"I failed. I failed you, and the swarm. I failed your cause, and I failed the memory of every member of the swarm that ever existed. I... I failed..."
"You didn't fail us, Devourer."
"But I did. I had the chance, your majesty! I had the chance! I had the chance to destroy them! I... I could have done it! I could have killed the prisoners, or-or I could have eaten the artifacts! I could have collapsed the castle, or I could have--"
"No."
The Devourer stumbled over its words and grew quiet. It raised its head to its queen and made bleary eye contact, the purple liquid having clouded over its eyes.
"Devourer... you did not fail us."
"But I--"
"You did NOT fail us. Devourer... my mother taught me something."
The Devourer remained in silence.
"My mother taught me that... things will happen. Some we can influence, and some we cannot. The banishing spell will keep us out of Equestria, possibly for long after I have passed away and you will be serving my daughter. We cannot penetrate it with our bodies, and only harmless magic seems to be capable of penetrating it: we cannot launch fire mortars into its boundaries. If we are to ever exact revenge on Equestria... Fate will allow us to do so. We will perhaps cross paths with Celestia outside of Equestria. Maybe the banishing spell will dissipate for no reason much earlier than expected. Hell, a meteor may hit Canterlot too fast for the princesses to react."
Chrysalis smiled, and she could have sworn she caught a brief flicker of a grin in the Devourer's expression.
"Devourer, if you did not exact the entirety of our revenge on them, then it was unavoidable. We will get our revenge with time... maybe not soon, but I guarantee we will. This world will exist for a long enough time, a time long enough that we cannot NOT get revenge at some point or another. Now..."
She nodded and the Devourer wrenched its arms free of the ground before slowly standing, shaky on its legs.
"Tell me of what you DID do...!" Chrysalis said as she turned and walked away. "I imagine that even without bringing back the Elements of Harmony or killing one of the princesses, you certainly left your mark!"
The Devourer wiped its snout and sniffed before catching up and walking closely behind her to help gather the scattered changelings.
"Well......... there is a rather nasty set of tunnels all through the walls that might be filled with vermin soon..."
Chrysalis laughed and shook her head.
"And there were many delicious things they had. Art, tables, I ate a portion of the library... and of course I went through the trouble of eating every single one of their--"
And so the beast told of the exploits it performed in Castle Canterlot.
A beast once crushed beneath the force a floating castle, cracking its shell and forevermore allowing it to squeeze into passages thinner than it should.
A beast that was a victim of a transfiguration spell of intent to turn it into a harmless cloud, which backfired and instead gave it the ability to turn into mist and back at will.
A beast once captured and pierced from many angles at once in what were perceived to be weak spots, forevermore causing it to leak blood through the holes in its eyes and body when it could hold its tears no more.
A beast given immunity to most magic and unending hunger by the forces that made it.
A beast that screamed its own vocal chords to shreds at its creator in an expression of the sheer amount of fury it had had at being created in such a way and then at having been subsequently shunned by its father.
A beast whose hide and shell were permanently stained ashen from its original white after having been hit with a fireball larger than the wizard who conjured it could handle.
A beast whose very existence struck fear and uneasiness into those that witnessed its grim shape, whether they knew why or not.
A beast shunned and abhorred by virtually every race created by any force other than chaos itself.
A best shunned and abhorred by every race but one.
A beast with a swarm and a queen.
A beast with a family.
"...Luna?"
Celestia walked into the bedroom. Luna had been pacing in there ever since the Devourer's disappearance, and rather than come out to eat dinner she had sent one of the guards she ordered to stay outside her door to bring her food from the table. This had gone on for the past few hours, after everypony had recovered from the Devourer's final assault.
Luna looked up at her sister from her pacing, almost seeming to be startled for a second. She nodded to acknowledge her sister, remaining unusually silent and continuing to walk around.
"Luna..." Celestia continued. "...ever since it proclaimed its threat towards you in the throne room, you refused to tell us what it was. I can understand why you wouldn't tell us then, but..."
Celestia looked around the room awkwardly. Asking this question felt incredibly strange for some reason.
"...what was it that it didn't want you to tell us?" She finished after a moment.
Luna stopped pacing and stood in silence for another moment before looking back to her sister. Her gaze was one of a pony unsure of how to handle a conflict.
"...Luna?" Celestia said again, more worried than before.
Luna sighed before answering. "Sister... you know I would never do something to intentionally harm somepony that didn't deserve it. I am not cruel like I was when I... I am not cruel like in the time of Nightmare Moon," she said.
"Yes. I am your sister after all, Luna." Celestia said with a small smile, happy to have at least gotten her speaking again.
Luna turned to face her sister entirely. "Sister... I feel like..." She trailed off. Another moment of silence before she continued. "I... I do not believe that you, nor I, nor anypony here in Equestria would gain from knowing what I know about the creature."
It was Celestia's turn to go silent for a moment. This was turning out to be a conversation with plenty of time between sentences.
"...very well, Luna," Celestia replied. Luna smiled before answering.
"So... how have things in the castle been after... it left?"
"Well, we never found the informant. Nopony is missing, not after Gold Hoof and Brass Shield brought the prisoners and the Elements back safely, so they can't have fled the castle or have been killed by the creature. I can't believe Gold and Brass turned down the promotion Shining Armor offered them..."
"They turned down the promotion?"
"Yes... said something about how the personal guards of us princesses tend to go missing more often in situations like this. They were content to remain the door guards for the throne room. Shining Armor did not argue with them, as he was eager to return to Cadence; he has already left for the crystal kingdom, and I assume this ordeal made him long for her presence more than usual, "
"...I see."
The conversation briefly returned to its initial nature as Celestia paused again.
"You know, Luna... there are a lot of things I don't understand about the... recent events. It disturbs me some... what the creature was capable of, how it was immune to magic, what Discord's involvement in all of this was, and just how suddenly it all ended."
"I know, sister. There are things that even I did not find out."
"Yes, well......... are you sure you can't tell me anything?"
"I am sure."
Celestia turned to the doorway. "Alright. Let's go get you something decent to eat, I imagine the food you had the guards bring you got cold before it reached your room."
Luna chuckled as she moved to follow her sister. "Quite."
I cannot BELIEVE that cretin!
Shows up one day, out of the bright Equestrian blue, and asks a favor of me! Of ME!
I didn't owe him anything, but he promised a chance that I would escape for helping him!
And then what happens? He TELEPORTS OUT! He completely abandoned the deal!
That crybaby just up and RAN away! Just like that!
He even managed to free me a bit right at the beginning, I assume to get me to do his task and to get my hopes up.
I can't believe I actually had FAITH in him!
"Oh Discord, I'm sorry but I can't go into Canterlot. Could you use your telepathy and send a message somewhere?"
"Oh Discord, please oh please do this for me! Get the press riled up about what I'm doing here so ponies down in Canterlot know! It'll give Celestia a HUGE headache, I promise!"
.............
Okay, so that last one I did sort of willingly. But still, my point stands.
He's out gallivanting around his hive, presumably using his near-omnipotence to impress all the females of that accursed species, and I'm still HERE.
Trapped in stone.
In this INFERNAL GARDEN. .........
................
.....................................
*sigh*, what I wouldn't give just to turn the dirt in this hedge circle into chewed bubble gum. |
Devourer | Bloopers | Prologue:
Chrysalis herself did the same, cloaking herself in the signature green flames that indicated a changeling's dive. Her trajectory changed from a gentle slope downwards to a rapid, intense fall head-first into the ground... but she wasn't going to clear the trees of the far-end of the Everfree Forest. Just as she was about to collide with the uppermost branches in a spectacular clash of fire and nature, she heard a voice of one of her swarmlings to her right.
"DO A BARREL ROLL!"
Chrysalis turned mid-air in surprise to see what changeling could speak in the middle of the dive, but she caught sight of nobody. Ironically, the turning motion continued and turned the dive into a drill, helping her shake her way through the branches with more ease than she would have just diving straight through. The impact was jarring, but no more so than any other dive she had ever done and a quick glance around after recovering proved that it was the same for the swarmlings that surrounded her. She looked around carefully; the voice was unfamiliar, and she couldn't find the source. She passed it off as being a side-effect of flying for so long as she turned to her gathering swarm as they recovered.
Chapter One:
The princess turned and looked towards a particular stained glass window; the one depicting a white unicorn and a pink alicorn casting a love-based spell against a pony-like creature that fed off of love. The window that was made in honor of Shining Armor and Cadence's triumph over the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis, though the sheer power of their pure love.
Just then, there was a screaming outside the window. Children screaming. Celestia and Shining armor rushed to the window to try and look through the stained glass, but found themselves under a protection spell cast by Shining Armor on reflex when the glass suddenly burst inward, showing the shield with colorful glass shards.
Celestia and Shining Armor gaped at the massive hole in the glass, and followed the trail of brittle, see-through carnage with their eyes until they came to rest upon a single round object near the far edge of the field of glass: a baseball.
The two looked out the hole in the window to see three familiar fillies, one holding a baseball mit awkwardly in her mouth and another holding the handle of a baseball bat. Scootaloo dropped the bat at seeing the princess herself looking back at her through the important historical window.
The three ran off into the gardens panicking. Shining Armor turned to Celestia.
"What are they doing here in...?"
"That's... a mystery for another time, I think. There are more important things to worry about at this moment," she said, keeping her gaze out the window.
"This creature is reported to be covered in a hard black exoskeleton, exactly like...." she turned back to him, "exactly like Queen Chrysalis and her changelings."
Chapter Two:
The crowd began murmuring yet again, many of them nodding.
...except for two. A changeling commander and a normal one seemed to be having a disagreement; whether it was on the matter at hand or not was debatable. The two began yelling at each other oblivious to the stunned silence that surrounded them, including from their queen.
After a few more moments, the two broke out in a hoof-fight. The changelings that surrounded them in the crowd made a circle around them, chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Amidst the wooden mallets and other out-of-place and completely inappropriate objects for a changeling to have that they seemed to be procuring from nowhere to aid in their endeavors to flatten their opponent, Queen Chrysalis face-hoofed.
Perhaps directing the swarm after a flight like that was going to be harder than she anticipated.
Chapter Three:
Ohoho, I did not expect that. They searched both possibilities.
Oh, would you two quit struggling! I can only hold you safely if you stay either still or limp!
They're probably panicking because they can't see through this darkness like I can. Oh well.
So now I've got two more..... very nice, my first double-takedown hee hee!
The darker sister now has fewer guards with her.... Maybe I could--
STOP. THAT.
*sounds of struggling*
GAAAAAAAGH. AAAAGHH, HAAAAAGHAGHHHHH.
You little... HAGH...... THE BOOK IS STUCK IN MY THROAT, GAGH!!
*thud*
Chapter Four:
Celestia levitated a newspaper to Luna that she had been keeping next to the throne. Luna took it and read the headline.
THE SHIPPING OF SHIPS
Can there actually be love between Albert Neighton's new inventions, the Land Boats?
Luna stared in utter bewilderment at what she was seeing. There was an illustration of a boat with wheels, and for some reason there was another one on top of--
Seeing the expression on Luna's face, Celestia quickly reached over and pointed out the headline below it.
THE CANTERLOT CASTLE MONSTER
Is there something in Canterlot Castle that even the Princesses can't best?
Luna threw the newspaper to the floor. "Who would do this!?" she said, nearly yelling.
Chapter Five:
Luna waited for the glow through her eyelids to recede before she opened them. She was surrounded by a dark void again, but this time there were objects floating around. Some objects were small while others were large, while the range of the numerous objects' natures varied: some objects were fairly normal, like a chair here or a flower there; others were strange, such as a large gray cylinder of some sort filled with holes or a small whirlpool made of what looked to be stone. Luna recognized that she was not fully in the dream yet, as it sometimes happened: instead, her being was still aligning with it, basically "loading" the dream, and until then she could glimpse little bits and pieces of the dreamer's psyche. Of course, what she saw was very rarely of any use but it was still usually interesting.
Chapter Six:
A total of eight elite guards in the room, all of them firing at the Devourer... and not a single f*** was given.
Chapter Seven:
Just reread it until you get to the Devourer with the Elements.
Chapter Eight:
One. One pony was being sought, with all the desperation, panic, and hatred that one eldritch abomination could muster. A fate of untold horror awaited them if they were found involving an unending tide of feathers, twelve liters of tar, and an excited horde blindfolded colts and fillies wielding long, sturdy sticks.
Fun Facts:
- I originally planned to write in my pony self as the informant to the press in Canterlot, using my fanaticism for the Changelings as a motive!
-I really, REALLY wanted to tie in the very end of Chapter Eight into another story here on this site, but suddenly realized that there was one detail that would ruin the whole thing!
-I was tempted to use the Chapter Six blooper line in the actual story!
And now... FIGURE OUT MY NEXT STORY!
(by this cryptic riddle!)
(a name is emitted to prevent... things! Just trust me.)
Sorceress _______ eats her favorite food
In her cave with all of her brood
And their names are:
Hot, Tot, Jin, Jod,
Fie, Fly, Zan, Zod,
Pik, Snik, Lun, Lod
And the dreaded Ichabod.
Each child holds a slimy toad.
On each toad squirm two fat grubs.
On each grub ride two fleas brave.
How many living in _______'s cave?
Good Luck! |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | pre | Juniper Montage:2400
" Shave away at my points all you want but your toast no matter what," Juniper said.
" Nothing is set in stone and to prove it I will have Galaxy-Eyes attack Infernal Queen. Galaxy-Eyes unleashed his attack only for Juniper to counter.
" I reveal my Trap Cardiac Arrest," Juniper said as a trap with an image of a man suffering from severe pain flipped face up. I can only activate this Trap while Pandemonium is in play it not only stops your attack but half of your monster's attack points are inflicted to you as damage. Galaxy-Eyes stopped and felt like it was in severe pain and coughed up crystalized blood on Silver.
Turquoise Dusk:2500
Juniper Montage:2400
" Let's see you dodge this the Spell Galaxy Hole," Silver said as a spell with an image of Galaxy-Eyes blasting a black hole appeared. While I control a Galaxy monster I can destroy two monsters on the field so say goodbye to Terrorking and InfornalQueen. Two holes opened up above both monsters.
" Did you forget about my Roulette of fate if either of them lands on a two or five then I will still have monster left. Twelve orbs appeared and formed two circles the flames spun around and then stopped the one for infernal queen stopped on three and the one for Terrorking stopped on four.
" Looks like I win this round. Both monsters were sucked in but Juniper looked unfazed.
" You may have destroyed my queen but my King is going nowhere I discard my Desrook Archfiend to bring Terrorking back from my GY. As soon as Juniper discarded her card Terrorking Archfiend rose back onto the field ready to fight.
Terrorking Archfiend
LV:4
ATK:2000
" I end my turn," Silver said reluctantly.
" My turn I draw," Juniper said as she drew her second card. Juniper smiled at what she drew and made her move.
" I sacrifice my Terrorking to Tribute Summon Skull Archfiend of Lightning. A darker version of (Summoned Skull) appeared and unleashed bolts of lightning before taking his place on the field.
Skull Archfiend of Lightning
LV:6
ATK:2500
" Next I activate my own Star Trade and since the combined levels are now fourteen I draw seven cards. Juniper drew her seven cards and was happy to see he drew some good ones.
" Next I Activate the Spell King's Gambit This allows me to Special Summon Terrorking Archfiend from my GY in attack mode with an extra 800 attack points. Terrorking rose from the ground with a stronger sword.
Terrorking Archfiend
LV:4
ATK:2000 + 800 = 2800
" Next I activate the Spell Archfiend Assemble this allows me to Special Summon two more archfiend monsters from my hand in Defense mode so I will Special Summon two Vilepawn Archfiends in defense mode. Two smaller fiends with swords fused into their left hands appeared and flanked the other two monsters.
Vilepawn Archfiend x2
LV:2
DEF:200
" When I have one Vilepawn on my field you can't attack any other monsters," Juniper said before Silver picked up on what she was saying.
" And with two of them, you just created an attack lock I seen it several times," Silver said.
" Well then here is something new I activate the Equip Spell Orb of the Underworld this can only be equipped to a Fiend-Type Monster and it gives that monster an extra 300 attack points for each Fiend-Type Monster I control so with four monsters out that's 1200 attack points. Terror king powered up as a black orb embedded itself into his chest.
2800 + 1200 = 4000
" Now to end this TerrorKing Attack Galaxy-Eyes with Locust Storm Barrage. Terrorking unleashed another swarm of locusts and just as they were about to reach Galaxy-Eyes Silver reacted.
" I activate the Effect of Galaxy Child from my hand when One of my Galaxy Monsters is about to be destroyed I can discard this card to negate its destruction. A boy dressed in a Chinese style outfit projected a barrier around Galaxy-Eyes thus saving it from destruction.
" Yeah well, you still take the damage from my attack. Silver felt the impact of the attack.
Turquoise Dusk:1500
Juniper Montage:2400
" With that, I end my Turn," Juniper said.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his fourth card.
" Let me guess that's Galaxy Expedition," Juniper said shocking Silver with her surprisingly accurate guess.
" We reached the fifth turn and here how it goes First you will use Galaxy Expedition to Summon Galaxy Knight then overlay into Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon hoping to break through my wall well it won,t work. Juniper was sure Silver would follow the prediction and watched.
" First I activate Galaxy Expedition Since I control A level five or Higher Galaxy Monster I can Special Summon a Level Five or Higher Photon or Galaxy Monster from my Deck in defense mode so from my Deck I summon Galaxy Knight in Defense Mode. A knight in silver armor riding a hoverboard flew onto the field and took its position next to Galaxy-Eyes.
Galaxy Knight
LV:8
DEF:2600
Silver thought he was stuck doing exactly what Juniper told him until he saw another option in his hand.
" I activate the Spell Risky Strike in exchange for letting you draw two cards I destroy all of your monsters. Juniper drew her two cards and then pulled one from her hand.
" I activate the Effect of Archfiend Vanguard from my hand by discarding this card I can protect one Fiend-Type Monster from destruction so my Skull Archfiend of Lightning is going nowhere. A fiend with a shield appeared and kept Skull Archfiend safe while the rest of Juniper's Monsters bit the dust.
" Your lucky on the turn I use Risky Strike I can't attack so I end my turn with one card Face-Down," Silver shouted to Juniper's shock about her prediction being wrong.
" Your still dead and I will prove it," Juniper said as she drew her third card. Juniper followed her prediction despite the new circumstances.
" First since I control a Fiend-Type Monster I can Special Summon Archfiend Archer in Attack mode. A fiend with a bow made of bones flew onto the field and took aim.
Archfiend Archer
LV:6
ATK:2000
" Next I overlay my Level Six Skull Archfiend of Lightning and Archfiend Archer to build the overlay network. Both Skull Archfiend and Archer turned into streams of purple energy that entered a galaxy-like portal and exploded.
" Mighty lens that photographs the future take form and shows me the demise of my opponent! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 25 Force Focus!
A camera appeared before transforming into an even bigger and stronger one.
Number 25 Force Focus
RANK:6
ATK:2800
UNITS:2
" Now for Force Focus's effect by detaching one overlay unit I can Negate Galaxy-Eyes effect so you won,t be using your little escape act as you did with Wallflower. Force Focus absorbed one of its units into its lens and then fired a beam at Galaxy-Eyes thus causing its glow to dim.
2 - 1 = 1
" And since the monster, I detached was Archfiend Archer you are in more trouble because when Archer is sent to the GY I can destroy one card on the field so say goodbye to your Knight. An arrow was fired out of a portal and destroy Galaxy Knight.
" Next I activate the Equip Spell Megamorph and equip it on to your Dragon. Galaxy-Eyes began to shrink in size as its attack was cut in half.
3000 - 1500 = 1500
" You have altered your fate slightly but I will still beat you Force Focus attack Galaxy-Eyes with Money Making Shot. Force Focus sent a beam of light at Galaxy-Eyes and clicked before destroying it. Juniper thought she won but as soon as the smoke cleared Silver was still standing.
Turquoise Dusk:750
Juniper Montage:2400
" How are you still standing that attack should have finished you?" Juniper asked.
" I have the Trap Iron Resolve to thank for that by paying half my Life points not only did I reduce the damage to zero but also ended the Battle Phase," Silver said making Juniper angry.
" No matter I will just finish you on my next turn so, for now, I end my turn," Juniper said.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his second card. Silver suddenly saw a new future unfold in front of him with the card he drew.
" I activate the Spell Message In A Bottle This allows me to Special Summon three monsters from my GY with different Levels So come on back Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, Photon Thrasher, and Galaxy Child however their attack is reduced to zero and their effects are negated. All three of Silver's monsters came back with a vengeance.
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon
LV:8
ATK:3000 - 3000 = 0
Photon Thrasher
LV:4
ATK:2100 - 2100 = 0
Galaxy Child
LV:3
ATK:1000 - 1000 = 0
"Let's not forget my Photon World is still in play so now you take 1200 points of damage thanks to my dragon and Thrasher. Juniper was pelted by more meteors as soon as Silver mentioned it.
Turquoise Dusk:750
Juniper Montage:1200
" So what your monsters may be back but they are useless to you in this state," Juniper pointed out.
" Want a bet I activate the Spell Upshift by Targeting my Galaxy-Eyes my other monsters become the same level as him. A light shined around Galaxy Child and Thrasher.
3 + 5 = 8
4 + 4 = 8
" And now I overlay my level eight Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon with my Photon Thrash and Galaxy Child in order to build the Overlay Network. All three of Silver's monsters turned into streams of yellow energy and orbited around the center one before entering a black hole like portal and exploding. Then a pike appeared in Silver's hand.
"Here comes a monster with more fury than ten black holes put together! Watch as he rips your hope to shreds! Xyz Summon! Roar! Rank Eight! Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" A three-headed dragon made of a deep crimson energy roared fiercely as it flew onto Silver's field.
Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon
RANK: 8
ATK: 4500
UNITS: 3
" Now for Neo Galaxy-Eyes's first effect Photon Howling when Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon is used as Xyz Material for this card all other card effects on the field are negated. A pink shockwave ran across the field and shut everything down including Force Focus.
" You may have stop effect's on the field but not in my hand so I discard Overlay Supplier to increase my Force Focus's attack points by 800 for each overlay unit it has since it has one thats 3600 attack points. Force Focus gained strength.
2800 + 800 = 3600
Nice Try I activate Overlay Sentinel's effect from my GY by banishing it I target your monster and it loses 500 attack points for each Overlay Unit my Xyz Monster Has so that 1500 attack points down. The spirit of Overlay Sentinel fired a shot a Force Focus and cracked its lens.
3600 - 1500 = 2100
" Now to end this Neo Galaxy-Eyes attack Force Focus with Ultimate Photon Stream of Destruction. Neo Galaxy-Eyes unleashed its ultimate attack and destroy Force Focus along with the rest of Juniper's Life Points.
Turquoise Dusk:750
Juniper Montage:0
WINNER: Turquoise Dusk
Silver took Juniper's number before she got up with no memory of what happened.
" Two wins in a row not bad New Girl but can you handle The Great and Powerful Ttttrixie," Trixie said before a purple puff of smoke appeared and A blue girl wearing a purple magician's outfit appeared while Juniper was mysteriously moved to the sidelines. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Magician's Trickery | Last time on Yugioh EG Silver went through a horrifying duel with Juniper Montage and despite the creepy fiends and a giant camera that opposed him Silver demonstrated that the future is not set in stone and managed to win the duel and now faces the great and Powerful Trixie. Will Silver win this one or will this be the final act.
Trixie took her position and with a snap of her fingers, the spotlight shined onto her.
" All right Ladies lets see if our new girl can take Trixie down," Trixie said dramatically.
DUEL
Turquoise Dusk:4000
Trixie Lulamoon:4000
" Trixie will start," Trixie said as she pulled a card from her hand. To start things off Trixie Summons Berry Magician Girl in attack mode. A baby girl with fairy wings wearing a plum magician hat with a matching jumper and a light green onesie under it appeared and waved her wand.
Berry Magician Girl
LV:1
ATK:400
" When Berry Magician Girl is Normal Summoned Trixie can add a Magician Girl Monster from her Deck to her Hand so Trixie will add Chocolate Magician Girl to her hand. Trixie added her card from her deck to her hand and then pulled another card from her hand.
" Next Trixie will activate the Field Spell Secret Village of The Spellcasters good luck activating Spell Cards now since Trixie knows for a fact you don,t run any Spellcaster-Type monsters in that Deck of yours. The entire field was replaced with a forest with huts all over the place.
" Great this is just what I need is it just too much to ask for someone to fight me without changing the Scenery first?" Silver asked irritated after seeing this strategy three times now.
" Like that will make a difference Trixie sets two cards Face-down and ends her turn," Trixie said as two set cards appeared behind her monster.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver was in a jam now thanks to Trixie's Feild Spell due to the fact he had only one monster in his hand along with five Spell cards.
" First I set a monster Face-Down," Silver said as a set monster appeared on Silver's field.
" Anything else?" Trixie asked.
" No I end my Turn," Silver said dejectedly.
" Trixie's turn Trixie Draws," Trixie said as she drew her third card. Trixie smiled evilly after seeing what she drew.
" Time for Trixie to lock you down further with the Continuous Spell Forbidden Entry," Trixie said as a Spell with an image of a man entering an Amazonian village only to be stopped by a woman appeared. Trixie declares one Monster Type and as long as this card is on the field you're not allowed to Normal or Special Summon any monsters of that type so Trixie declares Spellcaster just so you don,t try and break Trixie's lockdown. Five magic circles appeared on Silver's field specifically his monster zones and glowed green.
" Next Trixie Summons Chocolate Magician Girl in attack mode. A white-skinned girl with long light green wearing a black skimpy magician's outfit with pink trim appeared and spun her wand before pointing it at Silver.
Chocolate Magician Girl
LV:4
ATK:1600
" Now Trixie activates Chocolate Magician Girl's effect by discarding a Spellcaster-Type monster from Trixie's hand Trixie can draw one card. Trixie discarded her card and drew one card from her deck.
" Time to battle Chocolate Magician Girl attack that set monster. Chocolate Magician Girl fired a blast of black energy at Silver's set monster causing it to flip face up revealing a man wearing a white robe with a cobalt cloak and projected a barrier.
Galaxy Wizard
LV:4
DEF:1800
" You fell for my trap the monster you just attack is Galaxy Wizard which has more Defense Points than your monster so you take damage. The energy blast was deflected back at Chocolate Magician Girl and sent her flying a few feet.
Turquoise Dusk:4000
Trixie Lulamoon:3800
" Also one more thing you should know Galaxy Wizard is a Spellcaster-Type Monster and since he was already on the field before you activated that spell of yours you can,t get rid of him. Trixie looked pissed after Silver outsmarted her.
" Trixie ends her turn," Trixie said reluctantly.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver was glad he drew something useful.
" First I will use Galaxy Wizard's effect to raise his level by four so now he is level eight. Galaxy Wizard raised his wand and cast a spell on himself increasing his level.
4 + 4 = 8
" Next I activate the Spell Galaxy Expedition While I control a level five or higher Galaxy or Photon monster I can Special a level five or higher Galaxy or Photon Monster from my Deck in defense mode so I will summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon in defense mode. Galaxy-Eyes appeared and took a defensive stance.
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon
LV:8
DEF:2500
" Next I activate the Quick-Play Spell Photon Stream of Destruction while I control a Galaxy-Eyes monster this card allows me to target and banish one card on the field so say goodbye to your Secret Village. Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon unleashed a blast of photon energy into the sky and caused it to rain down on the village causing it to vanish.
" Next I activate another Spell called Galaxy Rewind If I used a Spell card containing the word Galaxy-Eyes in its text this turn I can add it back to my hand however I will take 1000 points of damage if I use the card I added with this effect so Photon Stream of Destruction returns to my hand. Silver added his card back to his hand and pulled it out ready to use it again.
" Now if you don,t mind Trixie I will play my Photon Stream of Destruction again. As soon as Silver activated his card jolts of electricity hit him and he showed a painful expression.
Turquoise Dusk:3000
Trixie Lulamoon:3800
" I may have felt intense pain from that but it is worth it to banish Forbidden Entry from your field. Trixie Spell card vanished along with the magic circles on Silver's Field.
" Now that I have broken your lock I summon another Galaxy Wizard in attack mode. Another wizard appeared and took his position next to Galaxy-Eyes.
Galaxy Wizard
LV:4
ATK:0
" Ha, Trixie was hoping you would do that because Trixie activates the Trap Dark Renewal when you summon a monster Trixie can send it and one of her monsters to the GY to Special Summon a Dark Attribute Spellcaster-Type monster from her GY so Galaxy Wizard and Chocolate Magician Girl make some room for Dark Magician. A red coffin appeared and opened up sucking both monsters into it and caused the Dark Magician to leap onto the field.
Dark Magician
LV:7
ATK:2500
" I activate the other effect of my Galaxy Wizard by tributing this card I can add a Galaxy card from my deck to my hand so with this effect I add Galaxy Zero to my hand. Silver added his card to his hand before continuing his turn.
" I end my turn With one card face-down," Silver said as a set card appeared on his field.
" Trixie's turn Trixie draws," Trixie said as she drew her second card. Trixie smiled after what she drew.
" Trixie equips Berry Magician Girl with the Equip Spell Decoy Wand Trixie can only equip this card to a level four or lower Spellcaster-Type Monster and while its Equipped not only does the equipped monster gain 500 attack points you can only attack that monster during battle," Berry Magician Girls's wand was replaced with a red wand with a heart-shaped ruby on the end of it.
400 + 500 = 900
" Next Trixie activates another Equip Spell Axe of Fools and equips it onto your Galaxy-Eyes. Silver looked confused as to why Trixie would give his monster more attack points until he remembered the drawback to using that spell.
" Your monster may gain 1000 attack points but its effects are negated so there will be no disappearing acts from you," Trixie said as said ax appeared in Galaxy-Eye's hand.
3000 + 1000 = 4000
" With that Trixie ends her turn," Trixie said.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his second card. Before Silver could do anything Trixie interrupted him.
" Trixie activates the Trap Battle Mania this not only changes your Dragon to attack mode but forces it to attack this turn if able. Galaxy-Eyes switched battle modes and unleashed a mighty roar.
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon
LV:8
ATK:4000
" I have no idea what you are up to but if its a fight you want than brace yourself Galaxy-Eyes attack Berry Magician Girl with Photon Stream of Destruction. Galaxy-Eyes unleashed its attack only for Trixie to smile.
" You fool you just triggered Berry Magician Girl's effect when she is targeted for an attack I can change her battle mode and Special Summon a Magician Girl Monster from my Deck so from my Deck I special Summon Master Dark Magician Girl in attack mode. Berry Magician Girl took a defensive stance and opened a portal and out of the portal came Dark Magician Girl wearing a purple version of her original outfit along with her master's staff.
Berry Magician Girl
LV:1
DEF:400
Master Dark Magician Girl
LV:7
ATK:2500 + 1000 = 3500
" Master Dark Magician Girl gains 500 attack points for each Magician Girl Monster on the field and in either of our GYs so with one on my field and another in my GY that is 1000 attack points.
" Even so my attack continues. Galaxy-Eyes continued its attack and blew Berry Magician Girl clean off the field.
" I end my turn with one card face down," Silver said as a set card appeared next to his other one.
" Trixie's Turn Trixie Draws," Trixie said as she drew her card. Trixie suddenly had a glowing red eleven mark appear on her left hand before she raised it.
" First During Trixie's Stand By Phase Axe of Fools deals 500 points of damage to you since your the one controlling it. Silver felt a shockwave hit him after Trixie said that.
Turquoise Dusk:2500
Trixie Lulamoon:3800
" Now its time Trixie showed you her number Trixie overlays her Dark Magician and Master Dark Magician Girl to build the overlay network. Dark Magician and Master Dark Magician Girl turned into purple streams of energy then entered a galaxy like portal then exploded.
" Mighty seer of the future bend those who see into your mighty pupil to your will and my side! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 11 Big Eye!"
A silver spike with a yellow ring around it with a red eleven printed on it stabbed into the ground and floated off the ground before a big yellow eye with red sclera opened up and looked like it was staring into Silver's soul.
Number 11 Big Eye
RANK:7
ATK:2600
UNITS:2
" That is one of the creepiest monsters I ever saw," Silver said.
" If you think its looks are scary than Trixie knows your going to hate its effect which Trixie will activate now by Detaching one overlay unit Trixie gains control of a monster on your field. go, Temptation Glance. One of Big Eye's overlay units went into its eye and began to mesmerize Galaxy-Eyes into switching to Trixie's side of the field.
2 - 1 =1
" Now that Trixie has your monster Trixie finds it very appropriate to use it to finish you Galaxy-Eyes why don,t you unleash all your fury on your friend. Galaxy-Eyes prepared to unleash its attack on Silver until Silver went for one of his set cards.
" I activate the Trap Photon Rescue when my opponent attacks me directly I draw one card and reveal it and if it's a Photon Monster I can Special Summon it in attack mode and change the attack to that monster. Silver closed his eyes and focused his mind while drawing his card. After seeing what he drew he smiled.
" Just what I needed your new target is Photon Caesar. Photon Caesar appeared in front of Silver ready to take the hit for him.
Photon Caesar
LV:8
ATK:2000
" Either way you still take damage from the attack. Galaxy-Eyes continued until Silver went for his other set card.
" I also activate the Trap Battle Simulation when our monsters battle not only are their attack points halved but neither of them is destroyed in battle. Both monsters were hit by a shockwave that cut their attack points in half.
4000/2 = 2000
2000/2 = 1000
Silver took the damage and managed to survive.
Turquoise Dusk:1500
Trixie Lulamoon:3800
" Your lucky Big Eye can,t attack on the turn it uses its effect so Trixie ends her turn.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his second card. Silver needed a way to get his dragon back and saw he drew something that could help.
" First I activate the Spell Card of Yggdrasil If I control a Light Attribute monster I draw two cards. Silver drew his two cards and was glad to see he drew his game-changer.
" Next I Activate the Spell Destruction Draw by destroying a monster on the field I can draw two more cards and the monster I destroy is Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. After Galaxy-Eyes was dragged into the ground Silver drew his two cards.
" Since I control a Photon Monster I can Summon Galaxy Knight without any tributes and when summoned this way I can special summon Galaxy-Eyes from my GY in defense mode. Galaxy Knight appeared and stabbed his sword into the ground and Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon came back.
Galaxy Knight
LV:8
ATK:2800 - 1000 = 1800
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon
LV:8
DEF:2500
" Next I overlay my Level Eight Galaxy-Eyes, Galaxy Knight and Photon Caesar in order to build the overlay network. All three of Silver's monsters turned into streams of yellow energy that entered a galaxy like portal and caused a pike to appear in Silver's hand.
"Here comes a monster with more fury than ten black holes put together! Watch as he rips your hope to shreds! Xyz Summon! Roar! Rank Eight! Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!"
Neo Galaxy-Eyes appeared and unleashed a mighty roar.
Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon
RANK:8
ATK:4500
UNITS:3
" Since I used Galaxy-Eyes as material all face-up cards currently on the field have their effects negated. Neo Galaxy-Eyes unleashed a pink shockwave that shut down everything currently on the field except for itself.
" Next I activate the Spell Different Dimension Overlay this card allows me to attach two banished cards to a face-up Xyz Monster on the field and I chose your Big Eye. A portal opened and two overlay units came out and attached themselves to Trixie's monster.
1 + 2 = 3
" I use Neo Galaxy-Eye's effect by detaching one overlay unit he can absorb all of your monster's overlay units and not only gain 500 attack points per unit but can also attack that many times this turn. After absorbing its unit Neo Galaxy-Eyes swallowed all of Big Eye's overlay units and powered up.
3 - 1 = 2
3 - 3 = 0
4500 + 1500 = 6000
" Before I battle I activate the Spell Galaxy Chain by banishing a Galaxy Monster from my GY your monster lose attack points equal to the banished monster's attack or defense depending on which is higher so I banish Galaxy Wizard from my GY to have Big Eye lose 1800 attack points. A glowing chain appeared and weighed Big Eye down.
2600 - 1800 = 800
" Time to finish this Neo Galaxy-Eyes Attack Big Eye with Ultimate Photon Stream of Destruction. Neo Galaxy-Eyes unleashed a mighty blast of pink energy and not only obliterated Big Eye but sent Trixie flying.
Turquoise Dusk:1500
Trixie Lulamoon:0
WINNER:Turquoise Dusk
Silver took Trixie's number and Trixie woke up with no memory of what just happened.
" Impressive work Ms.Turquoise but let's see how you handle a two on one match," Cinch said as Lyra and Lightning took the field.
Silver sensed that something was wrong with Lyra.
" Hope you're ready to be my newest plaything new girl cause when we win you will make a perfect doll for me," Lyra said in a creepy tone.
Silver sensed that whatever numbers possessed Lyra took away the sweet and caring girl he fell in love with. Lightning, on the other hand, looked like she just wanted to break stuff.
" Don,t think you can beat us so easily like the others cause when we are done you will be leaving this tower in a body bag," Lightning said with her voice full of rage. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Silver's New Resolve | Last time on Yugioh EG Trixie was putting Silver on lockdown but Silver managed to sneak by it and turn the tables. Just when Silver thought he was home free Trixie summoned her Ace Big Eye and steal Galaxy-Eyes. Just when all hope seemed lost Silver managed to reach what he needed and won and soon afterward his Teammates were pitted as his next opponents in a two on one match. Will Silver win this one or will he end up in the hospital?.
Before the duel started Cinch took a moment to explain the rules of this duel.
" Since this is a two on one match Turquoise will start with 8000 life points while Lyra and Lightning will each have 4000 and neither player will be permitted to attack until each player has taken a turn. There will be no sharing of strategy and no sharing of cards that are not in play but you may use what is on your partner's field," Cinch said before the duel began.
DUEL
Turquoise Dusk:8000
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Lightning Dust:4000
" I will start," Lyra said before pulling a card from her hand. To start things off I activate the Field Spell Xyz Colosseum not only do face-up Xyz Monsters gain 200 attack points but only Xyz monsters are allowed to attack as long as this spell is in play. The entire field was replaced with a wrecked colosseum with broken pillars and gravestones.
" Next I summon Gimmick Puppet Egghead in attack mode. An orange wooden egg with wooden limbs, a green wig, and a creepy face appeared and then bounced around before taking a bow.
Gimmick Puppet Egg Head
LV:4
ATK:1600
Silver was shocked to see Lyra not using her Melodious Deck.
" I may not be able to attack during the first turn but I can still Activate Egg Head's effect by discarding a Gimmick Puppet Monster from my hand I can inflict 800 points of damage to you. Lyra discarded her card and Egg Head opened up and fired a barrage of blasts at Silver.
Turquoise Dusk:7200
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Lightning Dust:4000
" With that, I end my turn," Lyra said.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her sixth card. Lightning looked ready to unleash her ultimate power. First I summon Blackwing Shura the Blue Flame in attack mode. Shura flew onto the field and unleashed a light screech.
Blackwing - Shura the Blue flame
LV:4
ATK: 1800
" Since I now control a Blackwing Monster I can Special Summon these, Two Bora the Spears. Two Bora the Spears flew onto the field and crossed their lances in front of Shura.
Blackwing - Bora the Spear x2
LV:4
ATK:1700
" Now that the field is set I overlay my two-level four boras with my level four Shura to build the overlay network. Shura along with both Boras turned into streams of purple energy that entered a galaxy like portal and exploded.
" Dragon that summons the mightiest of thunder come forth and zap my foes to the core! Xyz Summon! Rise! Number 91 Thunder Spark Dragon!
A blue helix appeared and then unfolded into a blue dragon with light yellow wings and a purple 91 on the right side of its head.
Number 91 Thunder Spark Dragon
RANK:4
ATK:2400 + 200 = 2600
UNITS:3
" As much as I would love to let my dragon tear you and your fancy outfit to shreds I must wait until next turn to do so but for now I end my turn," Lightning said with a hint of rage.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver looked at his hand and was already stuck. First I activate my own Field Spell Photon World. The sky above the arena was replaced with outer space while the ground turned into blue rock indicating everyone was on one of the meteors that make up Jupiter's rings.
" Big deal you changed our surroundings slightly you're still not able to attack," Lightning pointed out.
" Maybe but I can still do this I Special Summon Photon Thrasher in attack mode. Photon Thrasher appeared and readied his sword.
Photon Thrasher
LV:4
ATK:2100
" Now my Photon World's effect Activates whenever I Normal or Special Summon Photon Monsters you take 100 points of damage times those monster's levels to any players with no Photon monsters on their field and since Thrasher is level four you two take 400 points of damage. A bunch of Meteors rained down and nailed both Lyra and Lightning thus damaging them.
Turquoise Dusk:7200
Lyra Heartstrings:3600
Lightning Dust:3600
" Next I summon Photon Crusher in attack mode. Photon Crusher appeared and then spun his club around before taking a fighting stance.
Photon Crusher
LV:4
ATK:2000
" And my World activates once again so you two take another 400 points of damage. More meteors rained down on Lyra and Lightning thus damaging them again.
Turquoise Dusk:7200
Lyra Heartstrings:3200
Lightning Dust:3200
" And let me guess this is the part where you summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon?" Lightning said acting like she already knew what Silver was going to do.
" Not this time Lightning this Time I am going for something different I overlay my Level Four Photon Thrasher and Photon Crusher to build the overlay network. Both Thrasher and Crusher turned into streams of yellow energy and entered a red portal and exploded.
" Mighty starfaring warrior cloaked in the light of the cosmos descend on to this world and administer justice upon my foes! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank Four! Starliege Paladynamo!
A warrior wearing white armor landed on the field and drew his sword before it started glowing with photon energy.
Starliege Paladynamo
RANK:4
ATK:2000 + 200 = 2200
UNITS:2
" I end my turn by setting two cards face-down," Silver said as two set cards appeared behind Starliege.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her third card. Lyra smiled after drawing something good.
" First I activate Egg Head's effect by discarding a Gimmick Puppet monster from my hand and can make EggHead level eight. Lyra discarded her card and Egg Head grew to level eight.
4 + 4 = 8
" Next I activate Dreary Doll's effect from my GY by banishing another Gimmick Puppet monster from my GY I can special Summon Dreary Doll from my GY so say good-bye to my Scissor Arms. After Lyra banished her card a black box with a red ribbon on it appeared and then opened revealing a doll with blonde hair wearing a pink dress and was wrapped in bandages.
Gimmick Puppet Dreary Doll
LV:8
ATK:0
Before Lyra made her next move a yellow fifteen appeared on her hand.
" Hope you're ready for playtime new girl because I overlay my level eight Gimmick Puppet Egg Head and Dreary Doll to build the overlay network. Egg head turned into a stream of orange energy while Dreary Doll turned into purple energy before both of them entered a galaxy like portal and exploded.
" Mighty strings of insanity take form and sent my foe to hades! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 15 Gimmick Puppet Giant Grinder!
A huge sphere made of toy parts attached to a controller began to unfold and the gears inside aligned properly before turning into a giant black puppet with a fifteen on its headdress and green eyes.
Number 15 Gimmick Puppet Giant Grinder
RANK:8
DEF:2500
UNITS:2
" Time to inflict some damage I activate Giant Grinder's effect by detaching one overlay unit I can target one Special Summoned Monster on your field and destroy it and if it was an Xyz Monster you take damage equal to its original attack points and the monster I am destroying is Paladynamo.
2 - 1 = 1
Giant Grinder absorbed one of its overlay units into its headdress and then fired a bunch of strings that attached to Paladynamo then began to pull him closer while opening its chest revealing a wood chipper. As soon as Paladynamo made contact with it he was sent through like a piece of wood and as soon as he was completely mulched a cannon came out and blasted Silver for 2000 points of damage.
Turquoise Dusk:5200
Lyra Heartstrings:3200
Lightning Dust:3200
" When Paladynamo is destroyed by my opponent's card effect I can draw one card," Silver said as he drew his card.
" Don,t think I am done with you yet new girl because next, I activate the Spell Parasite String," Lyra said as a spell with an image of Egg Head manipulating a king with strings attached to him appeared. During the turn, A monster was destroyed by a card effect this card brings that monster back to the owner's field in attack mode. A bunch of strings shot down from the sky and went into a portal then pulled out Paladynamo and hung him like a toy.
Starliege Paladynamo
RANK:4
ATK:2000 + 200 = 2200
UNITS:0
" Why would you bring my monster back?" Silver asked.
" Destroying it was so fun and I want to do it again and since Giant Grinder can use its effect twice per turn I can. Giant Grinder absorbed its other overlay unit and repeated what it did the first time until Silver did something this time.
1 - 1 = 0
" I won't let you I reveal my Trap Xyz Quasar Shield this trap equips onto an Xyz Monster I control and prevents it from being destroyed twice per turn. A medium-sized round black shield with a constellation pattern on it appeared in Paladynamo's free hand and he used it to block the strings.
" Fine, I end my turn with one card Face-Down," Lyra said reluctantly as a set card appeared.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her fourth card. Lightning was annoyed that Silver managed to stop her from using her dragon's effect until she saw something that could help.
" First I activate Thunder Spark Dragon's effect by detaching all three of its overlay units I can destroy all other face-up monsters on the field. Thunder Spark swallowed all three of its units before unleashing a powerful pulse of lightning.
3 - 3 = 0
The pulse nailed Giant Grinder and caused it to explode while Silver's Paladynamo blocked the shockwave which caused half of its shield to break off.
" Did you forget my Quasar Shield prevents my monster from being destroyed all you did was wipe out your partner's monster," Silver pointed out.
" I remember and I remember you said you can only use that protection twice per turn," Lightning said before continuing.
" Next I Summon Blackwing Blizzard the Far North in attack mode. Blizzard flew onto the field and unleashed a light squeak.
Blackwing Blizzard the Far North
LV:2
ATK: 1300
" When Blizzard is Normal Summoned I can bring back a level four or lower Blackwing Monster from my GY in defense mode so welcome back Blackwing Shura the Blue Flame. Shura leaped out of a portal and took a defensive stance.
Blackwing Shura the Blue Flame
LV:4
DEF: 1200
" Next I tune my Level Two Blizzard with my Level Four Shura to Synchro Summon a bird that will help me out. Blizzard turned into two stars and then two green rings that encircled Shura and turned him into four stars that fell into alignment.
4 + 2 = 6
" Mighty bird of prey aim and strike down my foes! Synchro Summon! Take Flight! Level Six! Blackwing Armed Wing!
A Birdman wearing a black mask with metal wings wielding a musket with a blade on the end took flight and landed on Lightning's Field.
Blackwing Armed Wing
LV:6
ATK:2300
" I also activate the Spell Blackwing Force," Lightning said as a spell with an image of Gale the Whirlwind looking intimidating appeared. While I control a Blackwing Monster this forces all monsters on your field in attack mode to Defense mode. Armed Wing unleashed a powerful force that put Paladynamo on its knees.
Starliege Paladynamo
RANK:4
DEF:1000
UNITS:0
" Next I activate the Equip Spell Xyz Transformation Cloak this treats the equipped monster as an Xyz monster so now my Armed Wing is free to attack. Armed Wing was suddenly coated in a cloak of darkness making it look more deadly.
2300 + 200 = 2500
" Enter battle Armed Wing attack Paladynamo with Rapid Fire Strike. Armed Wing charged at Paladynamo while glowing.
" When Armed Wing attacks a monster in defense mode he gains 500 attack points.
2500 + 500 = 3000
Armed Wing fired the blade on the end of his musket at Paladynamo only for him to deflect it and destroy his shield.
" You may have broken my shield but Paladynamo is still alive," Silver pointed out.
" Maybe but my Armed Wing can inflict piercing damage. The blade suddenly boomeranged and nailed Silver in the back.
Turquoise Dusk:3200
Lyra Heartstrings:3200
Lightning Dust:3200
" Now that your shield is gone time for my Dragon to take a crack at you Thunder Spark Dragon attack Paladynamo with Thunderbolt Rampage. Thunder Spark Dragon summoned a bunch of Thunderbolts which nailed Paladynamo and destroyed him.
" When Paladynamo is destroyed I draw another card," Silver said as he drew his card.
" You are going to need it because next turn your dead but for now I end my turn," Lightning said.
3000 - 500 = 2500
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his fourth card. Silver was cornered until he saw hope in his hand. Before Silver made his move a red 38 mark appeared on his hand as if his desire to save his teammates manifested into a new number monster for him.
" I activate the Spell Rank Up Magic Freedom Force," Silver said as a spell with an image of an American Flag with xyz rank stars instead of its usual ones appeared. This not only brings Paladynamo back but also ranks him up into an Xyz Monster whose rank is twice that of Paladynamo as long as it's the same Attribute. Paladynamo came back and then turned into a stream of yellow energy that entered a Galaxy like portal and exploded.
" Mighty Dragon born from the twilight's last glimmer and the rocket's red glare take flight and fight for the land of the free and the home of the brave! Rank Up Xyz Evolution! Take Flight! Number 38 Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy!
A White core with gold trim and a red 38 mark on it appeared and unfolded into a blue dragon with the white parts as its armor and started flowing with photon energy.
Number 38 Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy
RANK:8
ATK:3000 + 200 = 3200
UNITS:1
" A number monster impossible where did you get that?" Lightning asked.
" I just got it but before I go into more detail my Freedom Force has another effect Any monsters you control have their attack reduced to zero until the end phase. A blast of red, white, and blue was fired at Lightning's field reducing her monster's attack points to zero.
2500 - 2500 = 0
2600 - 2600 = 0
" Time to battle Hope Harbinger attack Armed Wing with Galaxy Freedom Burst. Hope Harbinger unleashed a stream of white energy on Armed Wing destroying it and covering Lighting and Lyra's side of the field in smoke. Silver was sure that attack beat Lightning until Lyra began to laugh creepily. Suddenly the smoke cleared and a face made of gears and clockwork appeared on Lyra's field.
" You did not think we would be done playing with you silly girl before your dragon did any damage I activated the Trap Gimmick Box when one of us takes battle damage not only does this trap negate that damage but it also becomes a monster whose attack points are equal to the negated damage. The face absorbed the smoke and began to laugh.
Gimmick Box
LV:8
ATK:3200
" I set two cards Face-Down and end my turn," Silver said as two set cards appeared behind his dragon.
0 + 2600 = 2600
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her card. Lyra suddenly looked more insane after a blue 40 mark appeared on her cheek. First, since I control a Level Eight Monster I can Special Summon Gimmick Puppet Clairvoyant Marionette from my hand. A woman who looked like a creepy mannequin with a giant revolver appeared and leaned back creepily.
Gimmick Puppet Clairvoyant Marionette
LV:8
ATK:2000
" Next I overlay my Level Eight Gimmick Box and Clairvoyant Marionette to build the overlay network. Both of Lyra's monsters turned into streams of purple energy that entered a galaxy like portal and exploded.
" Heavenly fiend that guides the strings of fate play your requiem of doom and guide my foes to their demise! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 40 Gimmick Puppet of Strings!
Another folded body appeared and unfolded into a warrior with a single wing and harp strings connecting the right side of his body.
Number 40 Gimmick Puppet of Strings
RANK:8
ATK:3000 + 200 = 3200
UNITS:2
" What do you plan to do with that monster?" Silver asked.
" You will see soon enough but first since I used Clairvoyant Marionette as Xyz Material for a Gimmick Puppet Xyz Monster I get to draw two cards. Lyra drew her two cards and smiled at what she drew.
" Time to get rid of that monster of yours and to do so I activate the Spell Bullet String," Lyra said as a spell with an image of Clairvoyant Marionette shooting a razor-sharp string appeared. While I control A Gimmick Puppet Xyz Monster I can destroy one monster on the field so say goodbye to your Hope Harbinger. Strings fired a white string from his finger at Hope Harbinger only for the string to vanish.
" What is going on that should have destroyed your monster?" Lyra asked in shock.
" I never mentioned Hope Harbinger's effect When you activate a Spell Card or the effect of a Spell card Hope Harbinger can absorb that card and turn it into an overlay unit for itself. Hope Harbinger sucked in Lyra's Spell card and created a new overlay unit for itself.
1 + 1 = 2
" You may have dodged that bullet but let's see you dodge this I activate Strings effect by detaching an overlay unit I add one string counter to every monster on the field except for strings himself and during your next end phase all monster's with string counters are destroyed and you take 500 points of damage for each one. Strings absorbed one of its units into his sword and pointed it at the sky thus opening it up and a bunch of red strings came raining down and attached themselves to all the monsters on the field except for Strings himself.
" With that, I end my turn," Lyra said.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her second card. Lightning was disappointed with her draw after seeing she drew a spell card.
" I have no choice but to end my turn," Lightning said reluctantly.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his second card. Silver saw his path to victory flash before him.
" First I Activate my Trap Overlay Surge," Silver said as a Trap with an image of an xyz monster with its overlay units burning flipped face up. This raises my Hope Harbinger's attack points by 1000 for each overlay units he has until the End Phase so since he has two that's 2000 attack points. Hope Harbinger unleashed a roar as it grew stronger.
3200 + 2000 = 5200
" Next I activate the Equip Spell Rocket Wing not only does this give Hope Harbinger another 1000 attack points he can also attack twice. A pair of wings with rockets attached to them appeared on Hope Harbinger's back which caused him to grow stronger.
5200 + 1000 = 6200
" Enter Battle Hope Harbinger attack Thunder Spark Dragon with Galaxy Freedom Burst. Hope Harbinger unleashed another breath of white energy and not only destroyed Thunder Spark but the rest of Lightning's Life points but not before Lightning pulled one last trick.
" I may be going down but not before taking some of your points with me since I took Battle Damage I can discard Blackwing Jiyū the Brave Wind from my hand to inflict half of that damage to you. As Lightning was sent flying an eagle wearing a top hat charged at Silver leaving a red, White and Blue vapor trail behind it and nailed Silver.
Turquoise Dusk:1400
Lyra Heartstrings:3200
Lightning Dust:0
" Now attack Gimmick Puppet of Strings. Hope Harbinger unleashed another attack but this one was blue instead of white which not only burned Strings but most of Lyra's points too.
Turquoise Dusk:1400
Lyra Heartstrings:200
" Your dead now since you Destroyed my Xyz monster I activate the Trap Superior Necro Xyz this card allows me to immediately Xyz Summon using the destroyed monster along with two monsters in my GY whose levels are equal to the destroyed monster's rank So I overlay my Gimmick Puppet of Strings with my Dreary Doll and Clairvoyant Marionette in order to build the overlay network. All three of Lyra's monsters came out of a portal and turned into purple streams of energy and entered a galaxy like portal and exploded.
" Mighty king of beasts watching the destiny of every living creature in this world arise from your throne and render your verdict on my foes! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 88 Gimmick Puppet of Leo!
A giant anthropomorphic lion puppet sitting on his throne appeared and stabbed his sword into the ground while watching Silver.
Number 88 Gimmick Puppet of Leo
RANK:8
ATK:3200 + 200 = 3400
UNITS:3
" I end my turn and during the End Phase Overlay Surge's effect ends. Hope Harbinger's attack points went down by 2000 after Silver mentioned it.
6200 - 2000 = 4200
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her card. Lyra looked at what she drew and went into action.
" By destroying my Xyz Colosseum I can Special Summon Gimmick Puppet Voodoo Doll from my hand. As the ruins of the colosseum began to crumble a puppet dressed as a shaman landed on the field and looked ready to do something wicked.
Gimmick Puppet Voodoo Doll
LV:8
ATK:2800
3400 - 200 = 3200
4200 - 200 = 4000
" Why would you destroy your Field Spell?" Silver asked.
" So I can use Gimmick Puppet of Leo's effect once per turn if I control no cards in my Spell and Trap zones I can detach one overlay unit to place a destiny counter on him and when he has three of them I automatically win. Leo absorbed one of his units into his sword and caused part of it to glow yellow.
3 - 1 = 2
Destiny Counter: 1
" Great an instant win condition and just when I thought things couldn't get any worse," Silver said.
" Relax I can't conduct my Battle Phase when I use this effect so I end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his second card. Silver needed a way to end this before Lyra's Leo gained its third counter and saw he drew something he could use.
" Enter Battle Hope Harbinger attack Gimmick Puppet of Leo. Harbinger unleashed its attack only for Lyra to do something.
" I activate Voodoo Doll's effect when one of my monsters is targeted for an attack I can switch the target to this card and you take the battle damage I would have. Harbinger's attack hit Voodoo Doll and Silver felt the pain from it.
Turquoise Dusk:200
Lyra Heartstrings:200
" No matter My Harbinger can attack twice thanks to Rocket Wing and he will do so. Harbinger unleashed a breath of red energy that not only destroyed Leo but also the rest of Lyra Life points.
Turquoise Dusk:200
Lyra Heartstrings:0
WINNER: Turquoise Dusk
While Silver was absorbing Lyra and Lightning's Numbers the wind from the explosion blew Silver's wig off exposing his identity. Everyone was shocked to see that their newest recruit was a boy and the one they were expecting.
" We were expecting you Silver but I never thought you would go this far," Cinch said.
" Enough games Cinch tell me what did you do to my friends?" Silver shouted with the intent to kill Cinch after what she made him do until he noticed that Lyra and Lightning were not wearing their elements.
" Looking for these Silver," Cinch said while holding Lyra and Lightning's elements in her hand.
Silver was about to run up and take them back until Cinch ran off but not before shouting something.
" Adagio, Aria, Sonata keep Mr. Chance occupied while I deposit the magic into the Spectrometer. The dazzling appeared as instructed and pulled out their duel disks.
" Oh I have been waiting to do this since I didn't get to fight you last time," Adagio said while preparing to fight.
Suddenly the door burst open and Indigo rushed in and threw something at Silver.
" Well you won't get the chance this time either Silver catch," Indigo shouted.
Silver caught the object which was his real deck. After inserting it into the duel disk he had on he tossed Indigo her deck.
" Leave these three to me you get your elements back from Cinch before she tries to tear our reality apart," Indigo shouted.
" Thanks, Indigo," Silver said before going after Cinch.
Cinch made it to the roof of the building thinking she escaped from Silver until he busted through the door.
" How did you get past the Dazzlings so quickly?" Cinch asked frantically.
" A friend who lent me her strength for this mission tagged in for me now give me back the Elements," Silver said.
" You want these back so badly then duel me for them but don,t think you can beat me so easily I studied your matches so there is nothing you can do to surprise me," Cinch said as she prepared her duel disk.
" We shall see about that," Silver said as he prepared his Duel Disk as well. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Reclaim the Stolen Card | As soon as Silver ran after Cinch Lyra and Lightning regained their senses and noticed Indigo about to take on the Dazzlings by herself.
" Hold it three on one seems a bit unfair so Lyra and I will be joining in," Lightning said.
" Can you girls even still duel?" Indigo asked.
" I will once I switch back to my normal deck," Lyra said as she swapped out the Gimmick Puppet deck she was using for her Melodious Deck.
" Than you are going to need this," Indigo said while giving Lyra her Ace monster back.
" My Mozarta where did you find it," Lyra asked.
" Silver found it after you went missing and added it to my deck hoping to bring you to your senses if he drew it," Indigo said.
" Blah blah blah, are we doing this or not?" Sonata said impatiently.
" We so are," Indigo said as all six Duelists activated their duel disks.
DUEL
Indigo Zap: 4000
Lyra Heartstrings: 4000
Lightning Dust: 4000
Adagio Dazzle: 4000
Aria Blaze: 4000
Sonata Dusk: 4000
" I will start," Adagio said as she pulled a card from her hand. To start things off I activate the Field Spell A Legendary Ocean. A giant tidal wave flooded the room and a representation of Atlantis appeared behind the Dazzlings. While this card is in play all WATER Attribute monsters in both our hands and on our field have their levels reduced by one which makes it easier for me to summon this my Eagle Shark. A shark with six wings by its head and a beak-like face swam onto the field and roared.
Eagle Shark
LV:5 -1 = 4
ATK:1000 + 200 = 1200
" Did I mention WATER Attribute monsters also gain 200 attack and defense points. Adagio pulled another card from her hand. Since I control Eagle Shark I can Special Summon his friend Panther Shark from my hand. A yellow shark with purple spots swam onto the field and stopped right next to Eagle Shark.
Panther Shark
LV:5 - 1 = 4
ATK:1100 + 200 = 1300
" Next I activate another Field Spell Lemuria, The Forgotten City. The city behind the Dazzlings began to change into a bunch of white buildings that turned the whole field into a city before rising above the water. With A Legendary Ocean gone my monsters return to their original levels and keep the power boost. Both of Adagio's monsters glowed as their levels returned to normal.
4 + 1 = 5
4 + 1 = 5
" Now that the stage is set I overlay my Level Five Eagle Shark and Panther Shark to build the overlay network. Both of Adagio's sharks turned into blue streams of energy that orbited each other before entering a galaxy like portal and exploding.
" Mighty ruler of the sea rises from the deep and render your verdict on my foes! Xyz Summon! Rise from the deep! Number 73 Abyss Splash! A sphere made of water surrounded by a blue armored casing appeared and then transformed into a warrior with blue and yellow armor wielding a mighty trident ready for battle.
Number 73 Abyss Splash
RANK:5
ATK:2400 + 200 = 2600
UNITS:2
" With that, I end my Turn," Adagio said.
" My turn I draw," Indigo said as she drew her sixth card. Indigo looked pleased with what she drew and made her move.
" First since I control no monsters I can Special Summon Photon Thrasher in attack mode. Photon Thrasher appeared and readied his sword for battle.
Photon Thrasher
LV:4
ATK:2100
" Next since you control an Xyz Monster I can Special Summon Xyz Gunner from my hand. A futuristic bounty hunter wearing black armor appeared and pointed his blaster at Adagio.
Xyz Gunner
LV:4
ATK:2000
" Now it's my turn to Xyz Summon I overlay my Level four Photon Thrasher and Xyz Gunner to build the overlay network. Both Photon Thrasher and Xyz Gunner turned into streams of yellow energy that orbited each other and entered a red portal before exploding.
" Mighty starfaring warrior cloaked in the light of the cosmos descend on to this world and administer justice upon my foes! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank Four! Starliege Paladynamo!
Paladynamo appeared and readied his sword for battle.
Starliege Paladynamo
RANK:4
ATK:2000
UNITS:2
" Since I used my gunner as Xyz Material his effect now activates I target one Xyz Monster you control and detach all of its Overlay Units so you're Abyss Splash can't use its effect. Abyss Splash's overlay units suddenly shattered as if they were shot by bullets.
2 - 2 = 0
" I set one card face down and end my turn," Indigo said as a single set card appeared behind Paladynamo.
" My turn I draw," Aria said as she drew her sixth card. Aria smiled after seeing what she drew.
" First I activate the Continuous spell Fire Formation - Tensu while this is in play I can Normal Summon a Beast-Warrior Type monster in addition to my primary normal Summon but I will do that later but now since I have no monsters and a Fire Formation Spell out I can Special Summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Coyote from my hand. Coyote took his position while his Coyote familiar looked ready to fight.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Coyote
LV:5
ATK:2000 + 100 = 2100
" Next since I control a FIRE Attribute monster I can Special Summon Tiger Warrior in Attack Mode. A white Anthropomorphic tiger wearing gold armor with red trim wielding a flaming battle ax appeared and unleashed a mighty roar.
Tiger Warrior
LV:5
ATK: 2400 + 100 = 2500
" Two-Level five Monsters? Don,t tell me," Lighting said.
" That's right I overlay my Level Five Coyote and Tiger Warrior to build the overlay network. Both Coyote and Tiger Warrior turned into streams of red energy before orbiting each other and entering a galaxy like portal and exploding.
" Mighty dinosaur forged from the mightiest volcano come forth and reduce my foes to cinders! Xyz Summon! Roar! Number 61 Volcasaurus!
A red volcanic core with two lava spikes on it appeared before transforming into a red and orange dinosaur that unleashed a mighty roar.
Number 61 Volcasaurus
RANK:5
ATK:2500
UNITS:2
" Next I will set a monster and then use Tensu's effect to Normal Summon Brother of the Fire Fist - Hawk in attack mode. An archer wearing Chinese style armor appeared and aimed Indigo while a hawk made of fire appeared behind him.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Hawk
LV:3
ATK: 200 + 100 + 500 = 800
" Hawk's effect gives all my Fire Fist Monsters an extra 500 attack and defense as long as I control a Fire Formation Spell or Trap and with that, I end my turn," Aria said.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her sixth card. Lyra was still feeling out of it after her duel with Silver but kept fighting.
" First I activate the Continuous Spell Valhalla Hall of the Fallen. Lyra's Bifrost appeared ready to call forth her monster. While I control no monsters this spell allows me to Special Summon a Fairy-Type monster from my hand once per turn so with this effect I Special Summon my Ace, Mozarta the Melodious Maestra. Mozarta slid down the Bifrost and waved her baton ready for battle.
Mozarta the Melodious Maestra
LV:8
ATK:2600
" I activate Mozarta's effect to Special Summon Queen of Elysium from my Hand. Queen of Elysium took her position next to Mozarta and began channeling something.
Queen of Elysium
LV:8
ATK:3000
" When my queen is summoned she allows me to add the Field Spell Land of Salvation Elysium from my Deck to my hand. Lyra added her declared card to her hand before pulling it from her hand.
" And now I activate Land of Salvation Elysium. Part of the room transformed into a wide field of grass with some trees and Adagio's ocean being reduced to a pond while her, Aria, and Indigo's monsters Monsters began to feel afflicted with something. All non-Fairy-Type monsters who dare to stand on this holy land cannot attack and have their effects negated but I am not stopping there Next I overlay my Level Eight Mozarta and Queen of Elysium to build the overlay network. Mozarta and Queen of Elysium turned into streams of yellow energy and entered a red portal before exploding.
" Mighty queen of the land of fairies render your verdict on my foes and uphold your decree! Xyz Summon! Rise! Rank Eight! Titania the Fairy Queen!
Titania took her position on the field and spun her scythe around ready to fight.
Titania the Fairy Queen
RANK:8
ATK:4500
UNITS:2
" With that, I end my turn," Lyra said.
" My turn I draw," Sonata said as she drew her sixth card. Sonata looked at her options and pulled two cards from her hand. First I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale one Lunalight Wolf and Scale five Lunalight Tiger. Two pillars of light appeared on Sonata's Field and Lunalight Wolf appeared in the left one over a stylized one while in the right one Lunalight Tiger appeared over a stylized five.
Sonata: ♦1________5♦
" Now I can Pendulum Summon simultaneous monsters between level two through four all at the same time. Sonata pulled two more cards from her hand before a pink portal opened between Sonata's scales and two streams of purple light came out. I pendulum Summon my two-level three Lunalight Purple Butterflies in attack mode. Two Purple Butterflies fluttered around each other like they were dancing in mid-air before landing on the field elegantly.
Lunalight Purple Butterfly x2
LV:3
ATK:1000
" Now it's my turn to call a number so I overlay my two Level three Lunalight Butterflies to build the overlay network. Both Butterflies turned into streams of purple energy then orbited each other before entering a galaxy like portal and exploding.
" Mighty sea dragon that guards the gates of Atlantis take form and blast my foes with all you got! Xyz Summon! Rise! Number 17 Leviathan Dragon!
A black core appeared and then began to unfold into a blue dragon with black scales and three sets of wings before unleashing a great roar.
Number 17 Leviathan Dragon
RANK:3
ATK:2000
UNITS:2
" With that, I end my turn," Sonata said.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her sixth card. Lightning was getting very impatient and noticed she drew the exact cards she needed to end this quickly. First I activate the Spell Feather of the Raven by discarding a Winged-Beast Type Monster from my hand with 1500 or fewer attack points I can draw two cards so I discard my Blackwing - Kasei the Black Flame from my hand so I draw two cards. After drawing her two cards Lightning saw her strategy manifest before her now all she needed was a whole lot of luck. Sorry Lyra but I must do this I activate the Quick-Play Spell Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Elysium. Lyra's Field Spell was completely blown away and Adagio's city expanded again. Now it's time for me to take a huge risk I activate the Spell Lullaby of Obedience by paying 2000 life points I declare the name of a monster card and if my opponent happens to have it in their Deck I can either add it to my hand or summon it ignoring the summoning conditions. Lightning felt like she was hit by a divine force as her life points went down.
Indigo Zap: 4000
Lyra Heartstrings: 4000
Lightning Dust: 2000
Adagio Dazzle: 4000
Aria Blaze: 4000
Sonata Dusk: 4000
" Now for the person I choose, Sonata I know you have Silver's Chaos Emperor Dragon Envoy of the End in your Deck so I am taking it back. Sonata was shocked while her whole Deck was on display and the card Lightning declared glowed. Now I summon it to my field. Chaos Emperor Dragon emerged and unleashed its roar.
Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End
LV:8
ATK:3000
" Now I activate Chaos Emperor Dragon's effect by paying 1000 life points I can send all the cards on the field and in everyone's hand to the GY and inflict 300 points of damage to my opponent for every card sent to my opponent's GY by this effect so if my math is correct between the five of you that makes twenty-three cards so everyone but me takes 6900 points of damage.
Indigo Zap: 4000
Lyra Heartstrings: 4000
Lightning Dust: 1000
Adagio Dazzle: 4000
Aria Blaze: 4000
Sonata Dusk: 4000
Chaos Emperor Dragon covered the whole room in a massive orange sphere of fire and when the flames cleared the whole field was wiped clean and everyone but Lightning was down to zero life points.
Indigo Zap: 0
Lyra Heartstrings: 0
Lightning Dust: 1000
Adagio Dazzle: 0
Aria Blaze: 0
Sonata Dusk: 0
WINNER: Lightning Dust
After the duel ended Lightning took back Silver's card and her along with Lyra and Indigo ran for the roof to see how Silver is doing.
" Next time warn us when you're going to do something that extreme," Indigo said.
" Sorry about that but those thieves were stalling us and besides I got Silver's card back didn't I?" Lightning said.
As soon as they reached the roof they saw Silver in a bind with three number monsters staring him down.
Silver Chance:1000
Abacus Cinch:1000
Number 8 Heraldic King Genome Heritage
RANK:4
ATK:2400
UNITS:0
Number 18 Heraldry Patriarch
RANK:4
ATK:2200
UNITS:0
Number 69 Heraldry Crest
RANK:4
ATK:2600
UNITS:0
Lyra looked real worried that Silver would lose and so did Indigo and Lightning. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Hatred Rising | Silver and Cinch activated their duel disks and drew their opening hands.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Abacus Cinch:4000
" Since this is my tower I will start," Cinch said. Cinch looked over her hand before pulling a single card from it. First I Summon Heraldic Beast Aberconway from my hand in attack mode. A red and white dragon appeared on Cinch's field ready for battle.
Heraldic Beast Aberconway
LV:4
ATK:1800
" Next I activate the Spell Heraldry Charge by tributing my Aberconway I can Special Summon Two more Heraldic Beast monsters from my Deck in Defense Mode so say goodbye to Aberconway and from my Deck, I summon two Heraldic Beast Unicorns in Defense Mode. Aberconway vanished into a portal and out of galloped two white unicorns with purple manes and tails along with black armor that then took a defensive stance.
Heraldic Beast Unicorn x2
LV:4
DEF:1600
" Next I overlay my two-level four Unicorns to build the Overlay Network. Both unicorns turned into streams of yellow energy and entered a galaxy like portal before exploding.
" Mighty steed that inherits the genes of its adversaries gallop onto the battlefield and assist me in this fight! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 8 Heraldic King Genom-Heritage!"
A mask with yellow hair appeared before it began to transform into a regal looking steed with royal garb and four ponytails and then unleashed its cry.
Number 8 Heraldic King Genom-Heritage
RANK:4
ATK:2400
UNITS:2
" Finally I activate the Field Spell Augmented Heraldry. A pink crest appeared and then expanded until both Cinch and Silver were standing on opposite ends of it. As long as this crest is in play Psychic-Type Xyz Monsters on the field cannot be targeted by the effects of Spells and Traps and it has another effect but I will use its other effect later but for now it's your move.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver looked nervous since he was dealing with something he never saw before and made his move carefully. First I Summon Buster Whelp in attack mode. Buster Whelp appeared ready to help Silver however he could.
Buster Whelp
LV:1
ATK:400
" When my Whelp is Normal Summoned he allows me to add a Destruction Sword card from my Deck to my hand so I will attempt to add Dragon Buster to my hand. Silver added his declared card to his hand before continuing his move. Next, I tribute my Whelp to Summon Buster Blader in attack mode. Buster Blader appeared and ready his sword.
Buster Blader
LV:7
ATK:2600
" Next I activate the Spell Soldier Cloning," Silver said as a Spell with an image of a scientist experimenting on a man appeared. While I control a face-up Warrior-Type monster I target that monster and this card becomes a Warrior-Type monster with the same Attack, Defense, And Level as the targeted monster. An explosion occurred on the field and out of it came an exact copy of Buster Blader with red armor.
Soldiers Cloning
LV:7
ATK:2600
" Next I overlay my Buster Blader and Shouldier's Cloning to build the Overlay Network. Both of Silver's monsters turned into streams of energy Buster Blader being orange and Souldier's Cloning being green and entered a galaxy like portal before exploding.
" Mighty seer of the future bend those who see into your mighty pupil to your will and my side! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 11 Big Eye!"
Big Eye appeared and looked right at Cinch as if it were looking into her soul.
Number 11 Big Eye
RANK:7
ATK:2600
UNITS:2
" How did you get a hold of Big Eye that belonged to ms. Lulamoon?" Cinch asked shocked to see it.
" While you were busy gauging my abilities I have been snatching the Numbers you used to brainwash everyone and this is just the one to help me win this duel. I may not be able to target your Number with Spells or Traps but Monster effects are another story so I will detach one overlay unit to have Big Eye take control of your monster. Big Eye absorbed one of its overlay units into its eye and began staring intently at Genom-Heritage trying to control it only for Cinch to counter it.
2 - 1 = 1
" Nice try Mr.Chance but I saw this coming I discard my Effect Veiler to negate that effect. Cinch discarded her card and Big Eyes effect was halted before Genom-Heritage gave in.
" In that case, I enter Battle and will have Big Eye attack Genom-Heritage and since you negated Big Eye's effects the stipulation to using its effect is also negated so it is free to attack. Big Eye charged in and was about to attack until Cinch pulled the last card from her hand.
" That won't work either because when one of my Heraldic monsters is targeted for an attack I can Special Summon Heraldic Beast Pegasus to negate that attack. A blue pegasus wearing a black mask and armor appeared and rammed into Big Eye sending it back to Silver's side of the field before landing on Cinch's field.
Heraldic Beast Pegasus
LV:4
DEF:2000
" Fine, I end my turn with two cards face-down," Silver said as two set cards appeared behind Big Eye.
" My turn I draw," Cinch said as she drew her card. Cinch looked pleased with what she drew and considered if using it was a good idea or not since the chances were this move could help Silver as well. Cinch figured the risk was worth it if she got what she needed.
" I activate the Spell Card of Sanctity as I am sure you know this allows us both to draw until we both have six cards in our hand. Cinch drew her six cards while Silver drew four. Cinch smiled at the number of options she now had in her hand. Next, I activate Gemon-Heritage's effect by detaching one overlay unit I can target one Xyz Monster you control and not only does Genom-Heritage steal that monster's original attack points and effects but the targeted monster's attack becomes zero with its effects negated. until the end phase. As Gemon-Heritage absorbed its overlay unit and sent its tendrils towards Big Eye Silver went for one of his set cards.
2 - 1 = 1
" I Activate the Counter Trap Xyz Tag," Silver said as a trap with an image of (Heroic Champion Excalibur) tagging in for (Heroic Champion Kusanagi). When one of my Xyz Monsters is targeted by the effect of one of my opponent's Xyz Monsters this card banishes my monster and allows me to summon another Xyz monster from my Extra Deck with the same Rank so say goodbye to my Big Eye and hello to my Buster Wyvern. Big Eye vanished and in its place appeared a white dragon with green eyes along with an x shaped scar on its chest and wings as sharp as the sword it's master wields.
Buster Wyvern
RANK:7
ATK:2800
UNITS:0
" Makes no difference to me because next, I equip your Wyvern with the Equip Spell Heraldry Blast now when your monster is destroyed you take damage equal to half its attack points. Buster Wyvern was suddenly chained up and a plate with the crest of the Heraldry on it appeared. Next, I Summon Heraldic Beast Basilisk in attack mode. A chicken-lizard hybrid suddenly flew onto the field and unleashed a light cluck.
Heraldic Beast Basilisk
LV:4
ATK:1000
" Next I overlay my Level Four Pegasus and Basilisk to build the overlay network. Both Pegasus and Basilisk turned into streams of energy Pegasus being green and Basilisk being orange before entering a galaxy like portal and exploding.
" Gateway to the realm of the noblest of beasts manifest before me and unleash your fury on my foe! Xyz Summon! Rise! Number 18 Heraldry Patriarch!
An Icicle with a blue ring around it appeared before the ice broke and formed what looked like a gateway with a red portal and ring with a yellow 18 mark on it appeared.
Number 18 Heraldry Patriarch
RANK:4
ATK:2200
UNITS:2
" I end my turn by setting two cards face-down,' Cinch said as two set cards appeared behind her monsters.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his seventh card. Silver was about to do something until Cinch interrupted him.
" During your Stand-By Phase, I activate the Trap Heraldry Buster by Tributing a face-up Xyz Monster I control I can destroy one card on the field for each of the tributed monster's overlay units so I tribute my Heraldry Patriarch and destroy your wyvern and your set card. Patriarch vanished and its overlay units turned into chains that were about to drag both Silver's Set card and Wyvern to the GY until Silver reacted.
" I activate the Quick-Play Spell Heroic Dragon's sacrifice when one of my Face-Up Dragon-Type Monsters is about to be destroyed by an opponent's card effect I can banish a Dragon-Type Monster from my GY instead so I banish my Buster Whelp to save my Wyvern. The spirit of Buster Whelp appeared and took the place of Wyvern while Silver's set card was also dragged down.
" Also since the set card you sent to my GY was Hyper Quick! I can draw one card and if it is a Spell card I can treat it as a Quick-Play Spell. Silver drew his card and smiled after seeing what he drew. Looks like my luck keeps on going because I drew the Spell Rank-Up-Magic - Silver Force which I will use now," Silver said as a spell with an image of the Silver Family Crest appeared.
" Now I can use my Wyvern to Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster that is one rank higher with the same Type and Attribute. Buster Wyvern turned into a stream of yellow energy before entering a Galaxy like portal and exploded.
" Mighty Dragon born from the twilight's last glimmer and the rocket's red glare take flight and fight for the land of the free and the home of the brave! Rank Up Xyz Evolution! Take Flight! Number 38 Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy!
Titanic Galaxy took flight and landed right where Wyvern used to be and unleashed a mighty roar.
Number 38 Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy
RANK:8
ATK:3000
UNITS:1
" Silver Force's additional effect allows me to regain 500 Life Points for each Overlay Unit the summoned monster has so since Hope Harbinger has one I gain 500 life points. Silver was covered in a silvery aura as he gained Life Points.
Silver Chance:4500
Abacus Cinch:4000
" Now that you're little attempted to beat me has failed to allow me to continue with my turn so first I pay 1000 life points to activate the Quick-Play Spell Cosmic Cyclone so I can banish your Field Spell. As soon as Silver paid for his Spell's affect the crest on the field began to fade while the energy was being sucked into a vortex that opened up above the field.
Silver Chance:3500
Abacus Cinch:4000
" With Augmented Heraldry now out of the way I can now target your monsters with Spells and Traps again so I will do that with the Spell Dragon's Assault while I control a Dragon-Type Monster I can target one monster you control and destroy it then you take damage equal to that monster's attack points. Hope Harbinger unleashed its fury onto Genom-Heritage and destroyed it along with most of Cinch's Life Points.
Silver Chance:3500
Abacus Cinch:1600
" Now that your monster is out of the way time to end this Hope Harbinger attack Cinch directly with Galaxy Freedom Burst. Hope harbinger unleashed a stream of white energy that was heading towards Cinch. Just when Silver thought he won Cinch countered with her other set card.
" If you think I'm going to let it end here think again because I activate the Trap Draining Shield not only does this stop your attack I also gain Life Points equal to your Number's attack points so that's 3000 Life Points. Cinch was covered in a green aura that raised her points.
Silver Chance:3500
Abacus Cinch:4600
" I end my turn by setting one card face down," Silver said as a set card appeared behind his monster.
" My turn I draw," Cinch said as she drew her third card. Cinch looked worried until she noticed something that could help. I activate the Spell Raigeki this will wipe your monster clear off the field. A bolt of lightning was about to strike Hope harbinger until it vanished and transformed into an overlay unit that Harbinger absorbed.
1 + 1 = 2
How is your number monster still alive and how did it gain an overlay unit?" Cinch asked shocked by what happened.
" For someone who claimed to have studied my moves you seemed to have forgotten some of them like for instance Hope Harbinger's effect you see once per turn during either of our turns when you activate a spell or effect on the field not only is it negated but Hope Harbinger can attach that card to itself as an overlay unit," Silver said only for Cinch to smile again.
" Good to know and now that I know your monster's weakness time to exploit it First I activate the effect of Heraldic Beast Pegasus in my GY by banishing it I can target another Heraldic Beast in my GY and Special Summon it in defense mode so welcome back Unicorn. A portal opened and out of it came Unicorn taking a defensive stance.
Heraldic Beast Unicorn
LV:4
DEF:1600
" Next I summon Heraldic Beast Leo in attack mode. A lion with gold armor appeared and unleashed its roar.
Heraldic Beast Leo
LV:4
ATK:2000
" And now that I control two Heraldic Beast monsters I can Special Summon Heraldic Beast Eale from my hand. A blue goat with cobalt armor and longhorns appeared next to Leo.
Heraldic Beast Eale
LV:4
ATK:1000
" Now to call forth my ultimate weapon I overlay my level four Unicorn, Leo, and Eale to build the overlay network. Unicorn turned into a stream of yellow energy while Pegasus turned into a stream of green energy and Eale turned into a stream of orange energy all of which entered a galaxy like portal that appeared above the tower and exploded.
" Embodiment of all my anger and fury take form and unleash all of it on to all those who wronged me! Xyz Summon! Descend! Number 69 Heraldry Crest!
A demonic-looking monster began to slowly descend from the portal and stared into Silver's soul with all of its hatred.
Number 69 Heraldry Crest
RANK:4
ATK:2600
UNITS:3
" What the heck is that thing I am feeling a lot of anger and hate coming from it?" Silver asked feeling scared for the first time in his life.
" This mister Chance is the embodiment of all the anger and hatred I felt towards you when you single-handedly destroyed my life and reduced me to nothing but a worthless woman who had to do the unspeakable just to survive," Cinch said with her monster reacting to her anger.
" I didn't ruin your life you did that to yourself when you became the type of principal I hate. The kind that forces students to succeed with cruelty and force just for the sake of their egos and bank accounts. A principal like that will most likely raise an army against themselves and that army is the very students that attend your school," Silver said.
" Who do you think you are lecturing me on how to run a School I been doing it long before you ever uttered your first words," Cinch said causing Heraldry Crest to radiate more.
" My father has a saying from his days at Starkwell. A man will respect you if he fears you but a man will save your life if he likes you. But you wouldn't know what that means being so bitter and heartless all the time," Silver said.
" I have heard just about enough of your liberal nonsense you brat now back to the duel and to what my Heraldry Crest can do first when it is Special Summoned the effects of all other Xyz Monsters currently on the field are negated. Heraldry Crest unleashed a pink wave of energy that covered Hope Harbinger in sparks.
" If you Insist I activate the Trap Xyz Gamble," Silver said as a trap with an image of Lucky Straight flipping a coin flipped face up. I can Only activate this trap when we each control at least one Xyz Monster and it allows me to flip a coin and call heads or tails if I am right I draw one card for each Overlay Unit on my side of the field but if I am wrong you draw one card for each overlay unit on your side of the field.
" Why would you ever use something that could potentially put you at risk?" Cinch asked.
" Because I believe in my luck and my friends now let's do this. A coin with Silver's crest on the front and a skull on the back appeared in Silver's hand and he flipped it as high as he could. As the coin began to make its descent back into Silver's hand he caught it and placed his palm over it. Come on heads. Silver moved his palm and was a bit shocked to see he landed on the skull side which caused Cinch to smile.
" Looks like your little attempt to turn the duel around failed. Cinch drew her three cards and laughed even more after seeing what she drew. And it looks like its now my turn to turn the tables I activate the Spell Double Spell by discarding a Spell from my hand I can use one of the spells in your GY so I discard this and from your GY I activate Rank Up Magic - Silver Force but first the effect of the Heraldry Pressure I discarded when this card is sent to the GY I target one Xyz monster on the field and it loses 1500 attack points until the end of the turn. Hope Harbinger was suddenly crushed under a field of gravity which weakened it.
3000 - 1500 = 1500
" Now time to call forth my ultimate weapon I rebuild the Overlay Network with my Heraldry Crest to call forth something more powerful. Heraldry Crest turned into a stream of pink energy before entering a galaxy like portal and exploding.
" Embodiment of my anger and hatred ascend further and evolve into an even mightier being of Hatred and unleash all my fury onto my foes! Rank Up Xyz Evolution! Rise! Chaos Number 69 Heraldry Crest of Horror!
A gold and purple version of Heraldry Crest appeared with red energy flowing through its body and overlay units encased by this same energy which causes Cinch's hair to become long and spiky and her body to radiate a pink aura
Chaos Number 69 Heraldry Crest of Horror
RANK:5
ATK:4000
UNITS:4
" Forget what I said about you being an evil Principal you have cleary become someone far worse," Silver said which caused Cinch to laugh evilly.
" Say what you want but that won't change that fact I have you beat but first I believe you mention earlier that Silver Force grants 500 life points for each overlay unit the summoned monster has well I count four and that means 2000 Life points for me. Cinch was covered in the same aura as Silver was as her points went up more.
Silver Chance:3500
Abacus Cinch:6600
" Now to show you what my new monster can do since it has the original Heraldry Crest attached as material I can detach an overlay unit to target an Xyz Monster you control and steal its original attack points, effects, and name prepare to lose. Heraldry Crest of Horror absorbed one of its units and just as it was about to use its effect Silver pulled a card from his hand.
4 - 1 = 3
" Not so fast I discard my Effect Veiler to negate those effects. Silver discarded his card before Heraldry Crest of Horror could do anything which caused Cinch to look shocked.
" You were holding an Effect Veiler this whole time why didn't you use it on the original Heraldry Crest?" Cinch asked.
" Because even if you used that effect to steal Hope Harbinger's effect it would not help you," Silver pointed out.
" No matter I can still do this I banish Heraldic Beast Unicorn from my GY to bring back Number 69 Heraldry Crest. The original Heraldry Crest came back ready to fight.
Number 69 Heraldry Crest
RANK:4
ATK:2600
UNITS:0
" Now to rid the field of your annoying monster Heraldry Crest of Horror attack Hope Harbinger with Ultimate Dark Matter Demolition. Heraldry Crest of Horror unleashed a hand made of pink energy and used it to crush Hope Harbinger and most of Silver's Life Points.
Silver Chance:1000
Abacus Cinch:6600
" Now to end this Heraldry Crest attack Silver Directly with Dark Matter Demolition. Heraldry Crest unleashed a hand made of dark energy and as it was about to hit Silver he pulled another card from his hand.
" I'm not going anywhere but this guy and your monsters will be when I am attacked Directly by an Xyz Monster I can discard Xyz Obritorator to not only destroy all Xyz monsters you have in attack mode but also inflict damage to you equal to those monster's attack points looks like all your anger and Hatred became your undoing. A black meteor began to fall and struck Cinch's field. Just when Silver though he won Cinch was still standing.
Silver Chance:1000
Abacus Cinch:4000
" How can you still be standing that should have been enough to reduce your life point to zero?" Silver asked.
" Before your meteor struck I activated the Quick-Play Spell Heraldry Retreat this returned my Heraldry Crest of Horror to my Extra Deck and its overlay units to my Deck so your finisher was off by 4000 points," Cinch explained.
" Either way you have no more monsters so what now?" Silver asked.
" For now I end my turn," Cinch said with a hint of reluctance.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his second card. Silver looked disappointed with his draw since he had no way of making a comeback right now.
" I have no choice but to end my turn," Silver said with reluctance.
" My turn I draw," Cinch said as she drew her card. Cinch laughed evilly after seeing what she drew. Let's see you avoid this the Spell Soul Charge I may lose 1000 life points per monster I bring back but it is worth it to finish you on my next turn so I will bring back Number 8 Heraldic King Genom Heritage, Number 18 Heraldry Patriarch, and Number 69 Heraldry Crest. Cinch began to feel the pain from her monsters coming back.
Silver Chance:1000
Abacus Cinch:1000
Number 8 Heraldic King Genom-Heritage
RANK:4
ATK:2400
UNITS:0
Number 18 Heraldry Patriarch
RANK:4
ATK:2200
UNITS:0
Number 69 Heraldry Crest
RANK:4
ATK:2600
UNITS:0
As soon as Cinch resummoned her trio of Numbers, Indigo along with Lyra and Lightning arrived to see Silver in a bind.
" This is bad Cinch has three powerful monsters while Silver barely has anything," Lightning said.
" Let's not lose hope Silver always finds a way to turn things around," Lyra said.
" We will see about that since I cannot conduct my Battle Phase on the turn I use Soul Charge I end my turn so go ahead and draw your last pathetic card," Cinch said.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his third card. Silver looked at what he drew and smiled after seeing his strategy manifest before him. First I activate the Equip Spell Xyz Revival this allows me to bring back my Hope Harbinger and equip it with this card. Hope Harbinger flew out of a portal and prepared to fight.
Number 38 Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy
RANK:8
ATK:3000
UNITS:0
" So what even if you do destroy one of my monsters I will still have Life points left and next turn you're finished," Cinch said.
" There is no next turn I activate the Equip Spell Silver Family Sword -KasaiŌkami this gives my Hope Harbinger an extra 1000 attack points. Hope Harbinger powered up While Cinch looked nervous.
3000 + 1000 = 4000
" Time to end this Hope Harbinger attack Heraldry Crest with Galaxy Freedom Burst. Hope Harbinger unleashed a white flame and destroyed Heraldry Crest along with Cinch's Life Points.
Silver Chance:1000
Abacus Cinch:0
WINNER: Silver Chance
Before Cinch could get back up Silver used his element to absorb all three of Cinches numbers and took back the other two elements. Silver suddenly felt something coming from Heraldry Crest and saw a prisoner chained up in what looked like a dungeon. The prisoner looked like a being made of blue energy.
" If anyone can hear me please help," The prisoner said before Silver's vision ended.
" Silver are you feeling ok?" Lightning asked.
" I just had a vision created by Heraldry Crest," He said.
Before Silver could tell his friends about it Shining armor and the rest of the Equine County Police Force stormed the tower and came up to the roof to arrest Cinch.
" Abacus Cinch you are under arrest for kidnapping, Running an illegal business, and robbing the First National Bank of Canterlot City," Shining said as he slapped the cuffs on Cinch.
Everyone left the tower which was going to be up for sale as soon as Cinch's trial is over. Silver put his wig back on since he wanted to keep his pride intact.
" Almost forgot I managed to get this back for you," Lightning said before handing Silver his Chaos Emperor Dragon back to him.
" Thanks, Lightning I do appreciate it," he said.
" By the way Silver, I never noticed how you make a lovely looking girl do you think Turquoise can come back again sometime?" Lyra asked.
" Something tells me she will but once we get home Silver is back in control," he said.
" How did you feel walking a mile in our heels for once?" Lightning asked.
" Strangely I liked it very much," he said.
Back in Silver's Room Silver was discussing with his teammates what he saw from Heraldry Crest.
" A prisoner in a dungeon do you think it has some kind of connection with the Number's themselves," Lightning asked.
" Most likely but for now we need to focus on the World Race Grand Prix we only have a month before we find out where we are going first," He said.
" Speaking of do you think we heard the last of the Dazzlings?" Lyra asked.
" Most likely not," He said.
After they finished talking the girls went home while Silver put his ensemble inside his closet in case he would ever need it again. Silver called it a night and went to bed. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Taking Off Into The World Stage | Silver and Ratchet were busy working on the teams Runners when Bullet entered the garage carrying a box.
" You have a package from Industrial Illusions Chance," Bullet said before setting the box down on Silver's workbench. Silver puts his tools down and opened it.
" What did you get Silver?" Ratchet asked. Silver pulled out what looked like a deck box and opened it, revealing a whole bunch of new cards that were not released to the public yet along with a note. Silver unfolded the note and began to read it out loud.
" Dear Silver boy I have been watching you and your team dominate in the selection circuit and I am impressed with your heroic spirits. During your match against Ren Darkbright, the spirits of the Clearwing Series resonated so they deemed you worthy of possessing them so in this box awaits your new friends. Take good care of them. Sincerely, Maxamillion Pegasus," The note said. Silver took the deck out and looked at the new cards Pegasus gave him.
" No way these are amazing, Hey Ratchet care to help me test this deck out?" Silver asked.
" Sure this could be fun," Ratchet said.
Minutes later Silver and Ratchet were preparing their duel disks while Lightning was prepping the Solid Vision Projector.
" Are you boys ready to go?" Lyra asked.
" I'm all set," Ratchet said.
" Same with me," Silver said.
" Than let's get this duel started I activate the Action Field Kingdom of Science," Lightning shouted as she pressed the button and caused the projector to transform the room outside into a small city with futuristic building and stuff. Both Silver and Ratchet drew their opening hands and started the duel.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Crimson Ratchet:4000
" I'll start," Ratchet said. After looking at his hand he made his move. To start things off I Summon Morphtronic Celfon in attack mode. Celfon appeared and began its transformation sequence into robot mode.
Morphtronic Celfon
LV:1
ATK:100
" I activate Celfon,s attack position effect once per turn Celfon dials a number between one and six and depending on the number I excavate that many cards and if any of them are Morphtronic Monsters I select one of them to Special Summon, Dial On. The numbers on Celfon's chest began to flash randomly until the number three stayed lit. And it's a three so I excavate my top three cards. Ratchet looked at his top three cards and smiled after seeing what was among them. Time to crank up the base with Celfon's effect I Special Summon Morphtronic Boomboxen in Defense mode. A red and white boombox appeared and began to play some loud rock music.
Morphtronic Boomboxen
LV:4
DEF:400
" Finally I set two cards face-down and end my turn," Ratchet said as two set cards appeared behind Celfon and Boomboxen.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver looked at his hand and took his time to think about what to do first and then decided. First, since you have monsters on your field and I don,t I can Special Summon Clearwing Warg from my hand. A white wolf wearing armor that resembled the design of Clearwing Synchro Dragon appeared and Unleashed a mighty howl.
Clearwing Warg
LV:5
ATK:2100
" When Warg is summoned this way I can add a level three or lower clearwing Tuner monster from my Deck to my hand so I will use this effect to add Clearwing Synchron to my hand. Silver added his card to his hand and proceeded with his turn. Next, I summon Clearwing Synchron in attack mode. A white robot with metal plating that resembled Clearwing Synchro Dragon,s color scheme appeared and punched its fist forward.
Clearwing Synchron
LV:2
ATK:200
" I activate the Trap Morphtronic Mix-up while I control at least two face-up Morphtronic monsters I select two of your card and you must decide which one of the two will be destroyed. I know you're planning to summon Clearwing Synchro Dragon next and I won't let you. Ratchet thought he had Silver until Silver started running for Action Cards and found one by a hydroelectric generator and grabbed it. Silver decided which of his monsters to destroy before chaining his Action Card to it. I choose my Warg and in response to his destruction, I activate the Action Spell Mirage this negates Warg's destruction. Warg survived and Silver continued his move. Now I tune my level two Clearing Synchron with my level five Warg to Synchro Summon my Ace. Clearing Synchron flew into the air before bursting into two stars that then turned into two rings that encircled Warg and turned him into five stars that fell into alignment.
"The mighty dragon that speeds through the boundaries of time and space rise from the ashes and shine your wings brighter than the sun! Synchro Summon! Roar! Level 7! ClearWing Synchro Dragon!
Clearwing flew and landed by Silver's side ready to fight.
Clearwing Synchro Dragon
LV:7
ATK:2500
" You may have summoned Clearwing but his effect won't help you since my monsters are under-leveled and in case you didn't know when Boomboxen is in defense mode he can negate one attack against a morphtronic monster per turn," Ratchet pointed out.
" Think again when Clearwing Synchron is used as Synchro Material for a Clearwing Synchro Monster the levels of all your monsters increase by one. The spirit of Clearwing Synchron suddenly appeared behind both of Ratchet's monsters and poured its power into them.
1 + 1 = 2
4 + 1 = 5
"Let's see you beat this the Continuous Trap Morphtronic Bind while I control a Face-up Morphtronic monster all your level four or above monsters cannot attack or change their battle position. Ratchet thought he had Silver cornered until he pulled another card from his hand.
" Think again I activate the Quick-Play Spell Whirlwind Slasher," Silver said as a spell with an image of Clearwing Synchro Dragon doing its signature attack appeared. I can only activate this spell while I control Clearwing Synchro Dragon and when it attacks the effects of your Spells and Traps are negated during the Battle Phase. Suddenly Clearwing ascended like it was preparing to strike. Enter Battle Clearwing Synchro Dragon take out Morphtronic Celfon. Clearwing charged at Celfon at high speed. Ratchet reacted by pulling a card from his hand.
" I won't let you damage me that easily by discarding Gadget Driver I can change my Celfon to defense mode. A screwdriver suddenly appeared behind Celfon and stabbed into it causing it to transform into its disguised form.
Morphtronic Celfon
LV:1
DEF:100
As soon as Celfon switched to defense mode Clearwing destroyed it.
" Nice response, I guess I will just end my turn," Silver said before mounting Clearwing.
" My turn I draw," Ratchet said as he drew his second card. Ratchet was in a bind thanks To Silver making his Boomboxen a level five monster and no way to Synchro Summon his Ace without it being destroyed. Ratchet saw a potential way out and acted on it. First I activate the Spell Junk Box this allows me to Special Summon a level four or lower Morphtronic Monster from my GY but it will be destroyed during the End Phase so return to the Field Morphtronic Celfon. Celfon came back good as new.
Morphtronic Celfon
LV:1
ATK:100
" Next I activate Celfon's attack position effect, Dial On. Celfon began the process of lighting its buttons until it stopped on five. Ratchet excavated his top five cards and smiled after seeing what he revealed. Looks like I still have a chance one of the cards I excavated was Morphtronic Datatron so I will summon it. A orange USB stick appeared before it transformed into a lighter like robot.
Morphtronic Datatron
LV:3
ATK:1200
Ratchet began running in the hopes of finding a game-changing Action Card and suddenly found one the roof of an observatory. Silver also noticed it and had Clearwing fly for it. Both Silver and Ratchet leaped for it but at the last second Ratchet got a hold of it. Looks like my luck is still going I activate the Action Spell Monster Microwave. A giant red microwave appeared behind Ratchet and opened up. This allows me to return a monster on my field to my hand and Special Summon a level four or lower monster from my hand so I will return Boomboxen to my hand. Boomboxen was suddenly sucked into the microwave and vanished. And from my hand I Special Summon Morphtronic Remoten in attack mode. A white remote like robot appeared ready to fight.
Morphtronic Remoten
LV:3
ATK:300
" Next I resummon Morphtronic Boomboxen but this time in attack mode. The same boombox from before appeared but this time it transformed into robot mode.
Morphtronic Boomboxen
LV:4
ATK:1200
" Now that the stage is set I tune my level three Remoten with my Level Four Boomboxen to Synchro Summon my closest friend. Remoten burst into three stars that turned into three rings that encircled Boomboxen and turned him into four stars that fell into alignment.
3 + 4 = 7
"Docking strength with courage to protect the world's peace! Synchro Summon! Envoy of love and justice, Level Seven! Power Tool Dragon!" A yellow and silver mechanical dragon with red eyes, A blue shovel on its left arm and a green screwdriver on its right arm flew onto the field and raised its shovel like it was ready to fight.
Power Tool Dragon
LV:7
ATK:2300
" let me guess you're going to use your dragon's effect to search for an Equip Spell?" Silver asked knowing where this was going.
" With your Clearwing in play that would be a dumb idea what I will do instead is this. I activate Datatron's attack position effect once per turn I tribute a monster on my field to have Datatron burn you for 600 points of damage so I tribute Celfon. Celfon suddenly turned into pixels that were loaded into Datatron and fired at Silver thus knocking him off of Clearwing's back and into the river leading to the waterwheel.
Silver Chance:3400
Crimson Ratchet:4000
Luckily for Silver, the splash knocked an action card that was on the wheel into the river which caused him to swim for it and after pulling off a nearly perfect dive landed safely on Clearwing's back. Silver saw what he pulled and was not completely happy about it especially since it is an Action Trap he had no choice but to play it. I activate the Action Trap Trial and Error this allows me to flip a coin and if it lands on heads I draw a card but if it lands on tails you draw a card. A coin materialized in Silver's hand and he flipped it. As soon as it landed Silver was shocked to see it landed on the skull side. Looks like you're the lucky one Ratchet go ahead and draw. Ratchet drew his card and was very happy to see what he drew.
" Just what I needed I activate the Equip Spell Double Tool C&D and Equip it onto Power Tool Dragon. Power Tool Dragon's shovel and screwdriver transformed into a circular saw and drill. During my turn not only does Power Tool Dragon gain 1000 attack points but when it attacks your monster's effects are negated during the battle. Power Tool Dragon powered up ready to fight.
2300 + 1000 = 3300
" Time to Battle Power Tool Dragon attack Clearwing Synchro Dragon with Crafty Break. Power Tool Dragon charged forward with its drill spinning and boar a hole through Clearwing causing it to explode and take another dent out of Silver's Life Points.
Silver Chance:2600
Crimson Ratchet:4000
" Now that your monster is gone time for my Datatron to attack you directly. Datatron charged its cannon and fired a ball of blue fire at Silver. Just as the fireball was getting closer Silver pulled a card from his hand.
" Not so fast When I am attacked Directly I can Special Summon Clearwing Reflector to stop the attack and send it back at you. A boy with green hair carrying a green and white reflector panel on his back appeared and positioned the panel to send the fireball right back at Ratchet. The fireball bounced off the panel and nailed Ratchet.
Clearwing Reflector
LV:3
DEF:2000
Silver Chance:2600
Crimson Ratchet:2800
" Not bad, since I have nothing else I will end my turn," Ratchet said.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his fourth card. Silver needed a way around Power Tool Dragon and its equip spell since it only allows Silver to attack Power Tool. After seeing what he drew he saw his strategy manifest before him. First I summon Clearwing Salvager in attack mode. A boy wearing a diving suit that matched the color motif of Clearwing appeared.
Clearwing Salvager
LV:4
ATK:1800
" When Salvager is Normal Summoned I can add a Clearwing monster from my GY to my hand so I will add Clearwing Warg back to my hand. Salvager fired his anchor shot into a portal and reeled in a card that went into Silver's hand. Next, I tune my Level three Reflector with my Level four Salvager to Synchro Summon one of my newest monsters. Reflector leaped into the air before bursting into three stars that then turned into three rings that encircled Salvager and turned him into four stars that fell into alignment.
3 + 4 = 7
" Mighty warrior that sets the world on fire take form and unleash all of your magnificent power on my foes! Synchro Summon! Rise! Level Seven! Clearwing Paladin! A woman with long green hair styled in a ponytail wearing armor that resembled Clearwing Synchro Dragon swung her sword that was made of green energy before pointing it forward.
Clearwing Paladin
LV:7
ATK:2800
" Nice monster but it's too bad she can't attack because thanks to Morphtronic Bind all your Level Four or higher monsters cannot attack," Ratchet pointed out.
" Not for long I activate the Quick-Play Spell Twin Twisters by discarding a card from my hand I can destroy up to two spells or traps on the field so I will discard this and pop your Bind and Double Tool C&D. A pair of tornados suddenly appeared and swept up both of Ratchet's cards before destroying them. Now to show you what my Paladin can do once per turn she can equip another Clearwing Synchro Monster in my GY to herself and gain both the equipped monster's attack points and effects so I will Equip Clearwing Synchro Dragon to my Paladin. Paladin began to look more radiant as her power went up.
2800 + 2500 = 5300
" Now to win this Clearwing Paladin attack Power Tool Dragon with Genesis Sabre. Paladin leaped into the air before summoning a bunch of blades that slashed at Power Tool while Paladin delivered the final blow that caused Power Tool to explode and take the rest of Ratchet's Life Points.
Silver Chance:2600
Crimson Ratchet:0
WINNER:Silver Chance
" Not a bad duel Silver those new cards are amazing," Ratchet said.
" They sure are and I can't wait to see what else they can do," Silver said with excitement.
The next day Silver checked his email and noticed she got a message from the organizers of the W.R.G.P and opened it. The message was the pairings for the first round of the circuit. As soon as he finished looking it over he gathered his team to share the news with them. An hour later Lyra, Lightning, and Ratchet were sitting on the couch looking at the pairings Silver received.
" These are the pairing for the first round and it looks like our first opponents are Team Kagaku from Japan. Silver told everyone to be ready to leave by three-thirty since their flight to Japan leaves at four.
Silver was waiting by the gate and just when it looked like the others weren't going to make it they arrived right on the dot. Ready to take on the World? Lyra and Lightning shouted yeah in agreement.
" Hold on if we are taking a public airline to Japan how will get our runners and stuff over to Japan as well?" Lightning asked.
" Don't worry they are safely on their way on my family's freighter. My dad mainly uses it to ship the materials for his weapons from other countries but he said we can use it to get our stuff to where we need it to be. As soon as everyone took their seats, the plane was about to take off. Before they left the ground Silver motioned for Lyra, Lightning, and Ratchet to look out the window to see all the people minus Team Skullcrush and Team Trix they met in the selection circuit all gathered to see Team Silverwing off.
" Good luck out there Team Silverwing," Sunset shouted.
" Win this for the U.S.A Team Silverwing," Team Navy Steel shouted.
" Make sure you come back much stronger and ready for our rematch Silver," Ren Darkbright shouted. As soon as everyone finished sending their best wishes to Silver and the others the plane took off and flew off into the horizon. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Skiel Assault | After landing in Japan Silver and his team exited the plane only to be met by a bunch of reporters.
" Silver how do you feel about the upcoming match?" One of the reporters asked.
" To be honest both excited and nervous," Silver replied.
After answering all of their questions Silver and the others exited the Airport and were surprised by the amount of glitz and glam Tokyo had. After asking one of the locals where the harbor was Silver pulled out his translator app on his phone then pointed the mic part at the local.
" The harbor is at the end of the street just keep following Benkei Rd until you see it," The translator said. After following the road to the harbor the freighter carrying Team Silverwing's Runners arrived as scheduled. Silver was surprised to see his driver arrive with the truck as well. After getting the truck ready everyone went to the stadium for the first match of the A block. As soon as they arrived at the stadium one of the officials showed team Silverwing to their pit. After both teams finished setting up the logos of both teams appeared on their respective screens indicating the proceedings were about to begin.
" Greetings everyone and welcome to the first match of the W.R.G.P so without further ado lets introduce the teams first from our very city of Tokyo the whiz kids from the kingdom of Science our very own Team Kagaku. The crowd cheered loudly as the home team walked onto the center of the field ready to go. And their opponents from the US of A, the Warriors of the sky Team Silverwing. The crowd was not as energetic this time since like with all matches the crowd will only cheer for the home team which Team Silverwing was not. After shaking hands as an agreement to play and fair and honorable match both teams returned to their respective pits and line up their first duelists. Now activating the Action Field Speed World V. The entire stadium transformed into a track with half-pipes and ramps. As soon as the Action Cards were dispersed the MC announced the first two duelists. Dueling for Team Kagaku is Sora doragon and dueling for Team Silverwing is Lyra Heartstrings. As soon as both Duelists took off Sora hit his nitro and rounded the corner in a flash thus earning him the first move. Both duelists drew their opening hand and started the match.
DUEL
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Sora Doragon:4000
"The first move is mine and to start things off I summon Sky Core in attack mode. A blue mechanical core with blue crystals inside and on its sides appeared.
Sky Core
LV:1
ATK:0
" That's the best you got what can a monster with zero attack points do?" Lyra asked not impressed.
" You will soon see but for now I set three cards face-down and end my turn," Sora said as three set cards appeared behind Sky Core.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her sixth card. Lyra was not worried about anything and made her move. To start things off I summon Adagio the Melodious Diva in attack mode. Adagio appeared and began to sing lightly.
Adagio, the Melodious Diva
LV: 1
ATK: 1000
" Next since I control a Face-Up Melodious Monster I can Special Summon Octavia the Melodious Songstress to join my Adagio. Octavia appeared and added her voice to the melody.
Octavia the Melodious Songstress
LV: 5
ATK: 2200
" Now that the stage is set I tune my level one Adagio with my level five Octavio to Synchro Summon a monster that will end this quickly. Adagio burst into a single star which turned into a green ring that encircled Octavia and turned her into five stars that fell into alignment.
LV5 + LV1 = LV6
"Oh, mighty queen of the symphony! Raise your lovely voice high and shatter my fragile foes! Synchro Summon! Sing Loudly, Level Six' Requiem the Melodious Queen!"
Requiem bloomed onto the field and began singing her melody ready to fight.
Requiem the Melodious Queen
LV: 6
ATK: 2900
" Time to battle, Requiem attack Sky Core with Melody Brave. Requiem began to sing loudly creating an arrow of sound that was about to hit Sky Core until Sora reacted.
" I activate the Trap Twin Vortex When you declare an attack this trap destroys one of my monsters as well as one of yours. As the vortexes were approaching Lyra spotted an Action Card above a half-pipe and used it to grab it in time to use it.
" I activate the Action Spell Mirror Barrier this protects my monster from destruction. A mirror ball encased Requiem thus protecting her from destruction Sky core, on the other hand, was crushed and then destroyed which made Sora happy.
" You just fell for my bluff I never wanted to destroy your monster I wanted to destroy Sky Core. You see when Sky Core is destroyed by a card effect I can special Summon Meklord Emperor Skiel Infinity, Skiel Top, Skiel Attack, Skiel Guard, And Skiel Carrier from my Hand, Deck, Or GY. A portal opened up and five cards suddenly appeared before transforming into a blue chassis with a Silver infinity symbol, a bird-like robot, a robot with a cannon, a folded robot, and a pair of wings.
Meklord Emperor Skiel Infinity
LV:1
ATK:0
Skiel Top
LV:1
ATK:600
Skiel Attack
LV:1
ATK:1000
Skiel Guard
LV:1
ATK:200
Skiel Carrier
LV:1
ATK:400
" Now combine Meklord Emperor Skiel. All five monsters combined into a bird-like robot that unleashed a mechanical screech.
0 + 600 + 1000 + 200 + 400 = 2200
" Nice monster but it is still too weak to beat me Requiem continue your attack. Requiem continued her attack only for Sora to react to it.
" I activate Skiel Guard's effect once per turn I can negate one of your monster's attacks. Skiel sent four mechanical arms with shield generators attached to them out and created a shield that blocked Requiem's attack.
" Fine I set two cards face-down and end my turn," Lyra said as two set cards appeared behind Requiem.
" My turn I draw," Sora said as he drew his second card. Sora began to laugh after drawing his card. I activate Meklord Emperor Skiel's effect once per turn I can target one face-up Synchro Monster you control and equip it to my Meklord Emperor then it gains that monster's attack points. Skiel opened its chest and sent out a bunch of tentacles that wrapped around Requiem before pulling her into Skiel's chest and closing.
2200 + 2900 = 5100
" 5100 attack points? You're not messing around I see," Lyra said with a hint of fear.
" We never mess around these meklord Emperors are the Kingdom of Science's ultimate weapons and no one can stand up to them but why talk about it when I can show you Meklord Emperor Skiel attack Lyra directly with Sky Buster Cannon. Meklord Emperor Skiel locked onto Lyra before firing its cannon. Just when Sora though he won Lyra activated one of her set cards in an attempt to save herself.
" I activate the Trap Nitwit Outwit by discarding a monster card from my hand I can reduce Skiel's attack points by the discarded monster's attack points so I discard my Mozarta the Melodious Maestra to reduce Skiel's attack by 2600. The spirit of Mozarta appeared in front of the blast and reduced its power.
5100 - 2600 = 2500
" So My attack continues. Skiel's attack kept going until Lyra went for her other set card.
" I activate the Continuous Trap Call of the Haunted to bring back Mozarta who has more attack points than your monster. Mozarta rose from the ground and was ready to deflect the attack.
Mozarta the Melodious Maestra
LV:8
ATK:2600
" Clever strategy but the Kingdom of Science is always a step ahead I activate the Trap Sky A3 by sending Skiel Attack to my GY I can Special Summon Skiel Attack 3 from my hand to give my Skiel more firepower. Skiel attack vanished and in its place, a dragonfly appeared before turning into a new cannon that attaches itself to Skiel's undercarriage.
Skiel Attack 3
LV:3
ATK:1200
2500 - 1000 = 1500
1500 + 1200 = 2700
Lyra was searching for any Action cards that could save her and spotted one. Just as she was about to reach for it the blast destroyed Mozarta and created an explosion that blew the Action Card towards Sora who smiled after seeing it.
Lyra Heartstrings:3900
Sora Doragon:4000
" Thank you for the Action Card it was just what I was hoping for I activate the Action Spell Hand Recharge this shuffles my current hand back to my Deck and allows me to draw five new cards. Sora returned the only card left in his hand to his deck and drew five new cards. Sora smiled after seeing what he drew. And it looks like my luck just keeps going I activate the Continuous Spell Machine Revolution this gives all my Machine-Type Monster an extra 600 attack points for each Machine-Type I control so since Meklord Emperor Skiel consists of five monsters that's 3000 attack points for each of them and since the four parts of Skiel received a massive boost so does the main body. Skiel glowed with power as it grew stronger.
600 + 3000 = 3600
1200 + 3000 = 4200
200 + 3000 = 3200
400 + 3000 = 3400
2700 + 3000 = 5700
5700 + 3600 + 4200 + 3200 + 3400 = 20100
" 20100? You guys are completely insane," Lyra said close to giving up faced with all this power and might. Lyra was about to leave the track and surrender until Silver shouted at her to not give up.
" Don't give up Lyra you still have a chance," Silver shouted prompting Lyra to look at the last card in her hand making her see what Silver meant.
" As much as I want to end this right now I can't since Meklord Emperors can only attack once because the main body is only allowed to attack so, for now, I set two cards facedown and end my turn," Sora said as two set cards appeared behind Skiel.
" My turn I draw," Lyra shouted with all her might creating a trail of light as she drew. Lyra smiled after seeing she drew exactly what she needed in this dire moment. First I Summon Goddess of Fortune in attack mode. A blue fairy with long light green hair, wings made of turquoise, wearing a long flowing dress the same color as her wings descended onto the field before striking an angelic pose.
Goddess of Fortune
LV:7
ATK:3000
" A level seven monster but how you have no monsters to tribute?" Sora asked shocked by what happened.
" Simple my goddess can be Special Summoned if you control more monsters than I do and since Skiel is made up of five monsters that counts," Lyra pointed out.
" Fine so you summoned her but she won't do you any good against my supercharged Skiel. Sora thought he rattled Lyra with that fact only to see her smile.
" That's what you think I activate my Goddess of Fortune's effect once per turn she lets me roll a die and what happens depends on what I roll," Lyra said.
" So you're relying on luck to save you?" Sora asked.
" It works for my boyfriend so I believe in my luck too. A blue die with green spots appeared in Lyra's hand and when she threw it bounced off Skiel and landed on six. Just what I was hoping for now my Goddess negates all your monster's effects until the End Phase so that means all that power your Skiel gained is now gone. Goddess of Fortune summoned forth a bolt of lightning that struck Skiel and shorted it out.
20100 - 17100 = 3000
" Now what are you planning to do our monsters are even are you going to suicide into me because that is pointless. Sora was certain Lyra was bluffing but she proved him wrong.
" Not exactly I plan to beat your monster and to do that I activate the Spell Sulferina's Curse," Lyra said as a Spell with an image of a goddess with rotting skin standing above a lake of sulfuric acid appeared. While I control a Fairy-Type Monster I can destroy one card you control and I choose your Skiel Infinity. A massive cloud of Sulfuric Acid flooded the track with both Lyra and Sora protected by force fields while Skiel was beginning to rust which Sora was not just gonna let happen.
" Nice try I activate the Trap Infinity Wall I can only activate this card while I control a Meklord Emperor Monster this negates any effects that would destroy a card I control this turn. Did you honestly think we wouldn't have countermeasures against anyone who would try to destroy our ultimate weapons? A sphere made of energy shaped like little infinity numbers appeared around Skiel and saved it. Just as Lyra thought she failed she spotted a clutch Action card up ahead and went for it successfully then smiled after seeing what it was.
" I activate the Action Spell Monster Draw this allows me to draw one card for every monster on the field so I draw six cards. Lyra drew her six cards and smiled at what she drew. Looks like I still have a chance I activate the Spell Fairy Force this allows me to destroy one Spell or Trap you control for every Fairy-Type Monster I control so since I have one I will destroy Machine Revolution. A pink cloud of fairy dust appeared over the radio tower and caused it to rust up and then explode.
3600 - 3000 = 600
4200 - 3000 = 1200
3200 - 3000 = 200
3400 - 3000 = 400
3000 - 3000 = 0
" Now that your Spell is gone time for some payback Goddess of Fortune attack Skiel Infinity with Radiant Wave. Goddess of Fortune unleashed a wave of fairy dust that caused Skiel Infinity to explode along with the rest of Sora's monsters. As soon as Sora was caught in the blast it was being absorbed by a skull-like machine.
Lyra Heartstrings:3900
Sora Doragon:1000
" I commend you on beating Skiel but don,t think that means your safe after you destroyed my Skiel I activated the Continuous Trap Infinite Aura when I take damage either by battle or card effect this card gains an Aura counter for every 100 points of damage I take so since you dealt 3000 points of damage that's thirty counters. Infinite Aura swallowed all the damage and a pink number appeared above it and began counting up until it hit thirty.
Aura Counter: 30
" Why would you use A trap that just records damage?" Lyra asked.
"Let's just say when the time comes this trap will be part of your undoing," Sora said.
" We shall see but for now I end my turn," Lyra said.
" My turn I draw," Sora said as he drew his fifth card. Sora looked worried since his ace was destroyed until he saw what he needed. I activate the Spell Monster Reincarnation by discarding a card from my hand I can add a monster from my GY to my hand so I will discard this and add Sky Core to my hand. Sora added his declared card to his hand before pulling it. Next, I summon Sky core in attack mode. Sky Core appeared again ready to be destroyed again.
Sky Core
LV:1
ATK:0
" Next I activate the Spell Chaos Blast by milling my top three cards I can destroy a level four or lower monster on the field and I'm sure you know what monster I am destroying. Sora milled his top three cards ( Skiel Carrier 3, Skiel Top 3, Infinity Force) and suddenly Sky core was struck by lightning and destroyed. Now that Sky Core has been destroyed, my Skiel returns. All five pieces of Skiel returned to the field and combined again.
24 - 3 = 21
Meklord Emperor Skiel Infinity
LV:1
ATK:0
Skiel Top
LV:1
ATK:600
Skiel Attack
LV:1
ATK:1000
Skiel Guard
LV:1
ATK:200
Skiel Carrier
LV:1
ATK:400
0 + 600 + 1000 + 200 + 400 = 2200
" Now I think it's time I crank things up to level three and to do so I activate the Spell Skiel Conversion Level Three by Tributing Skiel Top, Skiel Attack, Skiel Guard, and Skiel Carrier I can Special Summon Skiel Top 3, Skiel Attack 3, Skiel Guard 3, and Skiel Carrier 3 from my hand, Deck, or GY. The four pieces of Skiel vanished and in their place appeared a blue machine that looked like the head of a falcon, the same dragonfly from earlier, A machine that looked like the tail of a raven but folded, And a pair of wings that looked like a fairy's wings. All four parts combined with Skiel turning it into an even more dangerous bird.
Skiel Top 3
LV:3
ATK:800
Skiel Attack 3
LV:3
ATK:1200
Skiel Guard 3
LV:3
ATK:600
Skiel Carrier 3
LV:3
ATK: 600
2200 - 2200 = 0
0 + 800 + 1200 + 600 + 600 = 3200
" But I'm not stopping there Next I tribute Skiel Attack 3 to Special Summon Skiel Attack 5 in attack mode. Skiel Attack 3 vanished and in its place, a blue insect-like robot appeared and then transformed into a cannon that attached to Skiel.
Skiel Attack 5
LV:5
ATK:1400
3200 - 1200 = 2000
2000 + 1400 = 3400
" Now for a little payback Meklord Emperor Skiel attack Lyra Directly with Sky Buster Cannon. Skiel locked onto Lyra and fired at her managing to nail her this time.
Lyra Heartstrings:500
Sora Doragon:1000
" How can this be I still have a monster out how were you able to attack directly?" Lyra asked.
" It's thanks to Skiel Attack 5's effect which allows Meklord Emperor Skiel to attack directly but don't think your safe just yet because now Skiel Top 3's effect Activates when Skiel successfully deals damage Skiel Top 3 inflicts another 300 points of damage to you. Skiel Top 3 opened its beak and fired a blue beam at Lyra hitting her in the back.
Lyra Heartstrings:200
Sora Doragon:1000
" With that, I end my turn go ahead and make your last pathetic move," Sora said as vindictive as he could be.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her sixth card. Lyra was in a bind with Skiel towering over her and barely any life points left. Lyra saw something that could help Lightning should she fail to beat Sora. First I set two cards Face-down and Activate the Spell Fairy's Blast by Discarding a Fairy-Type Monster from my hand you take 100 points of damage times that monster's level so by sending my Level five Fairy of Cost Down to my GY you take 500 points of damage. Sora was suddenly nailed by a cloud of fairy dust.
Lyra Heartstrings:200
Sora Doragon:500
" Since I took damage Infinite Aura gains more counters. The skull machine absorbed the damage and its number went from thirty to thirty-five.
Aura Counter: 35
" That's fine by me because now that Fairy of Cost Down is in my GY I can use her effect to downgrade my Goddess of Fortune from a level seven to a level five monster and summon her from my GY. Suddenly a light shot up from Lyra's GY and shot off two of Goddess of Fortune's stars before transforming into a fairy with long blond hair, gold wing, wearing a long white dress and wielding two swords.
7 - 2 = 5
Fairy of Cost Down
LV:5
ATK:2200
" Now that the stage is set I overlay my level Five Goddess of Fortune and Fairy of Cost Down to build the Overlay network. Both of Lyra's monsters turned into streams of yellow energy before entering a galaxy-like portal and exploding.
" Mighty arcane shoulder of the heavens fly to my side and aid me in this fight! Xyz Summon! Come! Rank 5! Tiras, Keeper Of Genesis!
A white arcane angel with yellow wings, wielding a sword and shield with a sun motif appeared and prepared to fight.
Tiras, Keeper Of Genesis
RANK:5
ATK:2600
UNITS:2
" Time to win this Tiras attack Skiel Infinity with Divine Slash and during the damage step I discard Honest to have Tiras gain attack points equal to Skiel's attack points. Tiras began to power up as it got closer.
2600 + 3400 = 6000
" Nice try I activate Skiel Carrier 3's effect when a monster I control is attacked I can negate that attack. Skiel's wings pointed up and generated an electrical field that sent Tiras back to Lyra's side. Now Skiel Guard 3's effect activates when an attack is successfully negated you take 300 points of damage that looks like this is the end. Skiel unfolded its tail and flapped it sending a whirlwind at Lyra thus draining the rest of her life points.
Lyra Heartstrings:0
Sora Doragon:500
WINNER: Sora Doragon
" During my End Phase Tiras must detach an overlay unit. After Tiras lost one of its overlay units Lyra drove back to the pit to pass the baton and her cards to Lightning.
2 - 1 = 1
As soon as Lyra pulled over next to Lightning she handed her the baton and her cards. Be careful out there there is a possibility that there may be more Meklord Emperors besides Skiel.
" Relax Lyra you whittled him down enough for me to end this fast," Lightning said before taking off. Silver confronted Lyra after losing to an insanely powerful monster. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Lightning's Evolution | " And now taking the stage for team Silverwing is Lightning Dust," The MC said. As soon as Lightning caught up to Sora she drew her opening hand.
DUEL
Lightning Dust:4000
Sora Doragon:500
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her sixth card. Lightning looked at her hand and noticed she drew everything that she needed to win this. First I activate the Spell Xyz Interference While I control a Face-Up Xyz Monster the effects of all Face-Up non-Xyz Monsters are negated for this turn. Meklord Emperor Skiel was suddenly hit by lightning which interfered with its powers.
3400 - 3400 = 0
" Now to end this Tiras attack Skiel Infinity with Divine Slash. As Tiras came close to making contact Sora spotted a possible game-changing Action Card and snatch it. Even though it was not what he was hoping for he did know it would help him leave his teammates with something. As soon as Tiras destroyed Skiel Infinity the rest of Skiel exploded along with it and drained the rest of Sora's Life Points.
Aura Counter: 40
Lightning Dust:4000
Sora Doragon:0
WINNER: Lightning Dust
" I may be going down but not before doing two more things first since I took over 2000 points of battle damage I can activate the Action Spell Damage Draw which allows me to draw two cards. After drawing his two cards he went for his set card. Next, I activate the Continuous Trap Infinite Prison by discarding a card from my hand I can target a level four or lover monster in my GY and place it Face-Up in my Spell and Trap Zone and the one I am placing is Sky Core.
1 - 1 = 0
After making his final move he went back to his team's pit to pass the baton to his teammate.
" Show this girl what the kingdom of Science is made of Chrome," Sora said before passing the cards he had left in play to him.
" This is going to be so bad," Chrome said before taking off.
" And now taking the stage for Team Kagaku is Chrome Ishi," The Mc shouted before Chrome caught up to Lightning. Chrome drew his opening hand and the duel continued.
DUEL
Lightning Dust:4000
Chrome Ishi:4000
" My turn I draw," Chrome said as he drew his sixth card. Chrome smiled after seeing he drew his core monster. First I summon Wise Core in attack mode. A white core monster with red markings on it appeared before opening up.
Wise Core
LV:1
ATK:0
" Next I activate the Spell Dark Hole this destroys all monsters on the field. Both Wise Core and Tiras were sucked up into a black hole before an explosion occurred. And since Wise Core was destroyed by a card effect I can Special Summon Meklord Emperor Wisel Infinity, Wisel Top, Wisel Attack, Wisel Guard, and Wisel Carrier from my hand, Deck, or GY. Five cards appeared before transforming into a white chasse with an infinity mark on it, a white snake-like robot, a white almond with a blade attached to it, a white clam, and a white pair of leeches.
Meklord Emperor Wisel Infinity
LV:1
ATK:0
Wisel Top
LV:1
ATK:500
Wisel Attack
LV:1
ATK:1200
Wisel Guard
LV:1
DEF:1200
Wisel Carrier
LV:1
ATK:800
" Now combine Meklord Emperor Wisel. The five monsters began to combine and transform into a humanoid-shaped robot that looked almost like a knight.
0 + 500 + 1200 + 800 = 2500
" Great another one of these insane robots and I thought one of them was bad enough," Lightning said.
" Well if you think this is powerful just wait til you face our leader but first time to battle Meklord Emperor Wisel Attack Lightning Directly with Weiss Blade Strike. Wisel unleashed the thrusters on its legs and charged forward with its blade arm pointing forward. Just when it looked like Lightning was about to be nailed Ghibli the searing Wind appeared and blocked the attack.
Blackwing - Ghibli the Searing Wind
LV:3
DEF:1600
" Where did that bird come from and how is it blocking my attack?" Chrome asked.
" Allow me to explain when I am attacked directly I can Special Summon Blackwing - Ghibli The Searing Wind from my hand to block your attack and as for why he is still standing I have Lyra's Trap Sylph Berrier to thank for that by banishing a Fairy-Type Monster from my GY my monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. Chrome looked annoyed by this and continued his turn.
" You may have saved yourself for now but not for long I set one card Face-down and Activate the Field Spell Synchro Dystopia. The entire track transformed into a city left in ruin after a great calamity. While this card is in play neither of us is allowed to Summon any monsters from our Extra Decks except for Synchro Monsters so there will be no outmaneuvering our Meklord Emperors anymore so go ahead and make your move.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her fifth card. Lightning looked over her hand and saw no way around Wisel with chrome's field spell limiting her to only Synchros meaning her RaidRaptors who could have bypassed Wisel were sealed off. Since you leave me no choice fine I will play your game and to start I summon Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain. Fane took its position next to Ghibli before preparing to strike.
Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain
LV:2
ATK:500
" Next since I control at least one Blackwing Monster I can Special Summon Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind from my hand. Gale took the field next to Fane.
Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind
LV:3
ATK:1300
" Next I activate the Spell Black Clone," Lightning said as a spell with an image of a samurai attacking a clone of Fane made of feathers. By tributing a Blackwing Monster I can Special Summon two Feather Clone Tokens in defense mode so I tribute my Ghibli. As soon as Ghibli left the field a puff of smoke appeared and out of it came two miniature crow-like ninjas.
Feather Clone Token x2
LV:1
DEF:500
" Since your asking for it, I tune my Level Three Gale the whirlwind with my Level Two Fane the Steel Chain to Synchro Summon a monster that will help greatly. Gale turned into three stars and then three rings that encircled Fane and turned him into two stars that fell into alignment.
2 + 3 = 5
" Darkness formed from the pit of fear and loneliness form now into a bird of prey and hunt down my opponent without mercy! Synchro Summon! Manifest! Level Five! Blackwing - Blake the Dark Shadow!
Blake took her position on the field and readied her katana.
Blackwing - Blake The dark Shadow
LV:5
ATK:2400
" Like that can beat me your bird is short on attack points to do anything," Chrome said.
" Maybe but Blake does have a useful effect when she is synchro summoned I can put one of your set cards on lockdown for as many turns equal to the number of Winged-Beast type monsters in my GY so since I have three your face-down can,t be used for three turns. As Blake threw her dagger Chrome reacted.
" That effect is useless if I use my set card so I will behold the Trap Wise A3 by tributing Wisel Attack I can Special Summon Wisel Attack 3 from my Hand. Wisel's right arm disappeared and in its placed a new arm with a better sword built into it appeared and attached itself to Wisel.
Wisel Attack 3
LV:3
ATK:1600
2500 - 1200 = 1300
1300 + 1600 = 2900
" You may have dodged that move but I'm not done yet Next I activate the Spell Black Reborn this allows me to bring back a Level four or lower Blackwing Monster from my GY with its effects negated so welcome back Gale the Whirlwind. Gale came back ready for more.
Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind
LV:3
ATK:1300
" Now to summon forth my newest monster I tune my Level three Gale the Whirlwind with my two Level One Feather Clone Tokens to Synchro Summon a monster that will take my game to the next level. Gale repeated the same process as earlier and encircled the two tokens turning them both into a single star with both of them falling into alignment.
1 + 1 + 3 = 5
" Darkness formed from the shadows of the world take flight and show me what lies beyond the horizon! Synchro Summon! Fly! Level Five! Synchro Tuner! Blackwing - Dante The Dark Blade!
A crow-like birdman wearing crimson samurai armor wielding a katana forged from metal as black as the night sky appeared and slashed the air ready to fight.
Blackwing - Dante The Dark Blade
LV:5
ATK: 2300
" Nice try but this monster is too weak also looks like your little attempt to beat me has failed," Chrome said arrogantly.
" Who said I was done my Dante's effect activates when he is Synchro Summoned I can draw one card for every monster I used as Synchro Material so since I used three I draw three cards. Lightning drew her three cards and looked please with what she drew. And let's not forget about my tokens because for each one used as Synchro Material one of your monsters loses 500 attack points so Wisel Infinity loses 1000 attack points until the end phase. Wisel was suddenly hit by a rain of black feathers.
2900 - 1000 = 1900
" Now that your monster is weaker time to battle Blake the Dark Shadow attack Wisel Infinity with Shadow Strike. Blake drew her katana and charged at Wisel which caused Chrome to react.
" I activate Wisel Guard's effect when Wisel is attacked I can change the attack target to this card. Wisel tried to shield itself only for Blake to destroy his left arm.
" Fine I set one card Face-Down and end my turn," Lightning said.
1900 + 1000 = 2900
" My turn I draw," Chrome said as he drew his second card. Chrome looked pleased with what he drew and made his move. Time to bring back Wiesel's left arm I summon Wisel Guard 3. An upgraded version of Wisel Guard appeared before unfolding and attaching to Wisel.
Wisel Guard 3
LV:3
ATK:0
" Next I activate the Spell Infinity Draw this allows me to draw one card for every monster I control with the word Wisel, Skiel, or Granel in its name so since I control five Wisel Monsters I draw five cards. Chrome drew his five cards and smiled at what he drew. Now I activate Wisel's effect once per turn I can target one face-up Synchro Monster you control and equip it to this card so prepare to lose your Blake. Wisel opened its chest and sent a bunch of tentacles towards Blake only for Lightning to increase her speed.
"You're not absorbing anything because now it's about time I showed you my new skill. Clear Mind! I tune my Level Five Synchro Tuner Dante the Dark Blade with my Level Five Synchro Monster Blake the Dark Shadow to Summon my newest weapon. Lightning increased her speed more and looked like she was fighting the wind.
" Mighty bird that breaks through the strongest winds and surpasses the limits of humanity take flight and aid me in this fight! Accel Synchro! Accelerate! Level Ten! Blackwing - Saisei The Reviving Flame. A phoenix-like birdman wearing rainbow-colored armor wielding a mighty black sword flew above and glided above Lightning.
Blackwing - Saisei The Reviving Flame
LV:10
ATK: 3800
" Where did Lightning learn to do that?" Lyra asked.
" From Sunset remember when the three of us went our separate ways to train for a week. Lightning went to Sunset to learn how to use Accel Synchro before Cinch and her army kidnapped her," Silver replied.
" Nice Monster but that won,t save you once I do this I tribute Wisel Carrier to Special Summon Wisel Carrier 3 in attack mode. Wisel Carrier vanished and in its place, a white robot that looked like the tail of a masculine mermaid appeared and attached itself to Wisel.
Wisel Carrier 3
LV:3
ATK:1600
2900 - 800 = 2100
2100 + 1600 = 3700
" But that's not all I also tribute Wisel Attack 3 to Special Summon Wisel Attack 5. Wisel Attack 3 vanished and in its place, another arm appeared and generated two ax blades before attaching to Wisel.
Wisel Attack 5
LV:5
ATK:2000
3700 - 1600 = 2100
2100 + 2000 = 4100
" Is that all or do you have more?" Lightning asked.
" I have more in store for you but for now I end my turn with one card Face-down," Chrome said as a set card appeared behind Wisel.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her fourth card. Lightning was cornered and pinned her hopes on any action Cards that came up. Lightning noticed one hovering over a half-pipe and went for it. After snatching it Lightning activated it. I activate the Action Spell Oversword this powers up my Saisei's attack points by 500. Saisei powered up as his sword grew longer.
3800 + 500 = 4300
" But that's not all I also equip Saisei with the Equip Spell Wings of Corvin this gives my Saisei another 700 attack points. Saisei began to power up more as his wings begin to turn black with a red aura coming off of them.
4300 + 700 = 5000
" If you think I'm letting you overpower my Wisel think again I activate the Trap Wise T3 by tributing Wisel Top I can Special Summon Wisel Top 3 from my hand. Wisel Top vanished and in its place, a white rabbit-like robot appeared and attached itself to where Wisel's head used to be.
Wisel Top 3
LV:3
ATK:600
4100 - 500 = 3600
3600 + 600 = 4200
" Nice try but my monster is still stronger and to prove it I Activate Saisei's effect I mill the top five cards of my deck and for each Winged-Beast type monster, I mill due to this effect Saisei can attack multiple times equal to that number. Lightning milled her top five cards ( Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius, Blackwing - Bora The Spear, Raidraptor - Upgrade Lanius, Blackwing - Steam the Cloak, Blackwing Hillen the Tengu Wind) Looks like I get five attacks this turn. Before the Battle started Chrome noticed a clutch Action Card and grabbed it then looked relieved that it could save him.
" Before the Battle starts I activate the action Spell Quick Guard this allows me to switch Wisel Guard 3 into Defense Mode. Wisel Guard 3 began to show signs of activating.
Wisel Guard 3
LV:3
DEF:2000
And now the Battle begins Saisei attack with Shadow V Formation. Saisei split into five copies of himself all in a perfect flying V formation. The first attack will be on Wisel Top 3.
" Wisel Guard 3's effect activates when one of my monsters is targeted for an attack the attack is changed to this card and once per turn it can,t be destroyed in battle. Wisel Guard 3 generated a shield and fended off Saisei.
" Fine, my second attack will be on Wisel Guard 3. Saisei slashed Wisel Guard 3 and caused it to explode. My third attack will be on Wisel Attack 5. As Saisei was approaching Chrome saw a clutch action card and grabbed it then activated it.
" I activate the Action Spell All For One this reduces your monsters attack points by 400 for every monster I control so since I still have four left that is 1600. Saisei was suddenly hit by a powerful blast of energy that weakened him.
5000 - 1600 = 3400
" Regardless my attack continues. Wisel Attack 5 was destroyed and the damage was absorbed by Chrome's Infinite Aura.
Lightning Dust:4000
Chrome Ishi:2600
Aura Counter: 54
4200 - 2000 = 2200
" My fourth attack will be on Wisel Carrier 3. Saisei slashed at Wisel Carrier 3 and caused it to explode.
Lightning Dust:4000
Chrome Ishi:800
Aura Counter: 72
2200 - 1600 = 600
" And for my final attack, I attack Wisel Infinity. Just as Saisei was about to deliver the final blow Chrome snatched an Action card and held on to it for his exit play. Before Wisel exploded and took the last of Chrome's Life Points Chrome made his final move.
" I may be going down but not before leaving our leader with something I activate the effect of Infinite Prison I discard the Action card I grabbed a few moments ago to place Wise Core in my Spell and Trap Zone.
Lightning Dust:4000
Chrome Ishi:0
WINNER: Lightning Dust
Aura Counter: 80
5000 - 500 = 4500
As soon as Chrome returned to his team's pit the leader was waiting for him with an exciting looking grin on his face.
" Sorry Senku I could not make a dent in Lightning's life points she is very resilient," Chrome said as he passed all the cards he had in play to his leader.
" It's ok Chrome you and Sora managed to set everything up for me so prepare to get excited," Senku said before taking off.
" And now taking the last leg for Team Kagaku is Senku Ishigami," The MC shouted before Senku caught up to Lightning. After Senku drew his opening hand the duel picked up again.
DUEL
Lightning Dust:4000
Senku Ishigami:4000
" My turn I draw," Senku said as he drew his sixth card. Senku started to grin creepily after seeing his hand then made his move. First I summon Grand Core in attack mode. A gold core with red marking and a motor inside appeared which made Lightning annoyed.
Grand Core
LV:1
ATK:0
" And let me guess when your core is destroyed by a card effect you can summon a Meklord Emperor," Lightning asked already knowing where this was going.
" Correct you get 10,000,000,00 points, figuratively mind you but back to the duel I activate the Spell Gunpowder Ignition I target one monster on the field and destroy it then you take 500 points of damage and the monster I destroy is Grand Core. Grand Core was covered in gunpowder before scraping against the ground and igniting it which hit Lightning.
Lightning Dust:3500
Senku Ishigami:4000
" Now that Grand Core was destroyed by a card effect I can Special Summon Meklord Emperor Granel Infinity, Granel Top, Granel Attack, Granel Guard, And Granel Carrier from my hand, Deck, Or GY. Five cards appeared before turning into a gold chasse with the same infinity symbol as Skiel and Wisel, a seahorse-like robot, A long-nosed butterfly fish-like robot, A coelacanth-like robot, and a seashell-like robot.
Meklord Emperor Granel Infinity
LV:1
ATK:0
Granel Top
LV:1
ATK:500
Granel Attack
LV:1
ATK:1300
Granel Guard
LV:1
DEF:1000
Granel Carrier
LV:1
ATK:700
" Now combine Meklord Emperor Granel. The five monsters all transformed and combined into a massive tank-like robot that towered over Lightning. Before you ask no Granel's attack points aren't equal to those of the combined parts instead they are equal to the number of my life points so since I am currently at 4000 Granel's attack points are 4000. Granel powered up as Senku mentioned it.
0 + 4000 = 4000
" And now I activate the Spell Counter Assimilation by destroying a card I control with counters on it I gain 100 life points for each counter that card has so I destroy Infinite Aura. Infinite Aura exploded and Senku absorbed all the counters it gained.
Lightning Dust:3500
Senku Ishigami:12000
" And since I gained more Life Points Granel gains more attack points. Granel grew stronger than it was before.
4000 + 8000 = 12000
" Now to take that annoying monster of yours out. Meklord Emperor Granel attack Blackwing - Saisei the Reviving Flame with Grans Slaughter Cannon. Granel locked onto Saisei and fired an orange beam of energy at it. Lightning reacted quickly to it.
" I activate Saisei's other effect when he is targeted for an attack I can banish him to negate that attack and bring him back during the End Phase. Saisei was about to vanish until Senku laughed.
" Did you honestly think a cheap trick like that would work I activate Granel Top's effect When Granel attacks I can negate the effects of a face-up Synchro Monster during the battle. Granel Top sent out a frequency wave that prevented Saisei from going anywhere and caused him to be destroyed by the blast. Just when Lightning though she was done for she saw a clutch Action card and grabbed it then activated it under the cover of the smoke. Just when the crowd thought it was over Lightning came out of the smoke undamaged.
" How can this be my monster is way stronger than yours you should be out of Life Points?" Senku asked.
" When you destroyed my Saisei I activated the Action Spell Sacrifice when one of my monsters is destroyed by battle I take no damage from that battle," Lightning pointed out.
" Either way now that Granel destroyed your monster Granel Attack's effect allows Granel to absorb it. Granel fired a beam that opened a portal and then sent its tentacles into the portal which was a black void where Saisei was going through only to be yanked out by then absorbed into Granel making it more powerful.
12000 + 3800 = 15800
" You may have survived this turn but next turn your finished so, for now, I end my turn with one card face-down," Senku said as a set card appeared where Infinite Aura was.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her fourth card. Lightning looked at her hand and saw nothing that could get her out of this and just gave up. I end my turn," Lightning said to Senku's joy.
" My turn I draw," Senku said as he drew his third card. Senku wasted no time in entering his battle phase. Granel attack Lightning Directly with Grand Slaughter Cannon. Granel blasted Lightning with all the power he had.
Lightning Dust:0
Senku Ishigami:4000
WINNER: Senku Ishigami
" I may be out but I still have one last thing to do for my team. First I activate the effect of Hillen from my GY when I take 2000 or more points of battle damage I can Special Summon him and another Blackwing from my GY so welcome back Hillen the Tengu Wind and ghibli the Searing Wind. Both monsters appeared in Defense mode.
Blackwing - Hillen the Tengu Wind
LV:5
DEF:2300
Blackwing - Ghibli the Searing Wind
LV:3
DEF:1600
" Next I activate the Trap Urgent Tuning which allows me to Synchro Summon during the Battle Phase so I tune my Level five Hillen with my Level three Ghibli to leave Silver with something helpful. Hillen turned into five stars and then five rings that encircled Ghibli and turned it into three stars that fell into alignment.
3 + 5 = 8
"Darkened gales, reveal hidden wishes on your wings! Synchro Summon! Roar! Level Eight! Black-Winged Dragon!
Black-Winged Dragon appeared and took up a defensive stance.
Black-Winged Dragon
LV:8
DEF:1600
Lightning drove back to her team's pit and pulled next to Silver.
" That Granel is tough I'm not sure we can win this," Lightning said as she passed her cards to Silver.
" Don,t lose hope yet thanks to you and Lyra we learned how these Meklord Emperors work so leave the rest to me," Silver said before taking off. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | The Kingdom Of Science Falls | " And now taking the last leg for Team Silverwing is Silver Chance," The Mc shouted. As soon as Silver caught up to Senku he drew his opening hand.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Senku Ishigami:12000
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver was in a serious bind with Granel towering over him with over 15000 attack points and looked at his hand and saw he had nothing that could help him now. First I set two cards face-down and Special Summon Clearwing Guardna in defense mode. A smaller mechanical version of Clearwing Synchro Dragon with a shield generator on its back appeared next to Black-Winged Dragon.
Clearwing Guardna
LV:4
DEF: 2000
" With that, I shall end my turn," Silver said.
" My turn I draw," Senku said as he drew his fourth card. Senku looked confident in his victory and proceeded to his battle phase. Time to steal another one of your Synchros, Granel attack Black-Winged Dragon. Granel fired at Black-Winged Dragon only for Silver to smile.
" I activate Clearwing Guardna's effect once per turn when a level five or higher Synchro monster I control is targeted for an attack I can negate that attack. Guardna moved in front of Black-Winged Dragon and shielded it with a green barrier.
" You may have stopped my attack but this next card will surely kill your dragon I activate the Trap Attack Cannon when a Meklord Emperor monster attacks one of your monsters and fails to destroy it I send one Attack monster I control to my GY to destroy one monster you control so say goodbye to Black-Winged Dragon. Granel Attack detached from Granel and rammed into Black-Winged Dragon thus destroying it. Silver then went for one of his set cards.
" I activate the Trap Shadow Impulse when a Synchro Monster I control is destroyed I can Special Summon another one from my Extra Deck as long as its type and level are the same as my destroyed monster, however, its attack will become zero and its effects will be negated. so rise Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend. Scarlight took the field ready to fight.
Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend
LV:8
ATK:0
" Fine with me in that state your Dragon is useless especially since I am about to bring back Granel's right arm I summon Granel Attack 3 in attack mode. An arm that looked like some sort of fish appeared and attached itself to where Granel Attack was.
Granel Attack 3
LV:3
ATK:1800
Before Senku made his next move he spotted a clutch action card and grabbed it before smiling wickedly again. Next, I activate the Action Spell Back-Up Attack this spell inflicts 400 points of damage for each monster I control that did not declare an attack this turn so since only Granel Infinity attacked that makes four so that's 1600 points of damage. Silver was nailed by four blasts that came out of nowhere.
Silver Chance:2400
Senku Ishigami:12000
" With that, I shall end my turn with one card Face-Down," Senku said as a set card appeared where Attack Cannon was.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his fourth card. Silver saw what he drew and smiled. First I summon Clearwing Synchron in attack mode. Clearwing Synchron flew onto the field and struck a heroic pose.
Clearwing Synchron
LV:2
ATK:200
" Next, I tune my Level two Clearwing Synchrom with my Level Eight Scarlight Red Dragon archfiend to Synchro Summon a monster like no other. Clearwing Synchron transformed into two stars and then two rings that encircled Scarlight and turned him into Eight Stars that fell into alignment.
2 + 8 = 10
" Mighty soul of the one true king evolve into the bringer of all flames and rain down havoc on my foe! Synchro Summon! Rise up! Level Ten! Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Bane!
A much more demonic and stronger version of Red Dragon Archfiend appeared and unleashed a very intimidating roar.
Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Bane
LV:10
ATK:3500
" I activate Bane's effect by tributing another monster I control I can Special Summon a Red Dragon Archfiend monster from my GY so I tribute my Guardna and bring back my Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend 3000 attack points and all. Guardna was suddenly consumed in flames and out of the flames flew Scarlight ready for action.
Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend
LV:8
ATK:3000
" Time to do this Bane attack Granel Attack 3 with Ultimate Power Force. As Bane was readying his attack Senku reacted.
" You just activated Granel Guard's effect when a monster I control is targeted for an attack I can use one of the Synchro Monsters that is equipped to Granel and treat it as a monster in my Spell and Trap Zone that you must attack. Granel opened its chest and Saisei was called forth still bound by the Tentacles that took it.
Blackwing - Saisei The Reviving Flame
LV:10
ATK:3800
" I hope you would try something like this which is why I activate my Trap Red Comradery," Silver said as a trap with an image of Red Dragon Archfiend and Scarlight Red Dragon archfiend attacking together flipped face up. I can only activate this card when I control two or more Red Dragon Archfiend Monsters and they both gain attack points equal to one monster I control so I target my Bane which means both my monsters gain 3500 attack points until the end phase. Both of Silver's Dragons powered up.
3000 + 3500 = 6500
3500 + 3500 = 7000
Bane continued his attack charging his fist with fire even though he was getting closer Senku did not look scared.
" I activate Granel Carrier's effect once per turn a monster I control is not destroyed by battle," Senku said as Saisei survived.
" Yeah but you still take damage from that battle. Suddenly Granel began to weaken.
15800 - 3200 = 12600
Silver Chance:2400
Senku Ishigami:8800
" Did you see that Granel just got weaker," Lightning said with joy.
" Now Bane's other effect activates when he deals battle damage I can Special Summon two Tuner Monsters of the same level one from my Deck and one from my GY so from my deck I summon Clearwing Resonator and from my GY I summon Clearwing Synchron. A fiend with a tuning fork and a mallet wearing a white robe with the insignia for Clearwing on it along with a pair of wings on its back and with Clearwing Synchron appeared on the field.
Clearwing Synchron
LV:2
DEF:2000
Clearwing Resonators
LV:2
DEF:300
" Now its time for Scarlight to take a crack at Saisei. Scarlight struck Saisei and successfully destroyed him.
12600 - 3800 - 2700 = 6100
Silver Chance:2400
Senku Ishigami:6100
" Now Clearwing Resonator's effect activates when a level five or higher monster successfully deals damage I can use it to Synchro Summon during the Battle Phase so I Double Tune my level two Clearwing Resonator and Clearwing Synchron with my Level Eight Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend to Synchro Summon the monster that will finish you off. Both Resonator and Synchron turned into four flaming rings that encircled Scarlight and turned him into Eight stars that fell into Allignment.
2 + 2 = 8 = 12
" Mighty flame of the true king evolve and take your place on top of the world and rule with all your might! Synchro Summon! Smite them! Level Twelve! Hot Red Dragon Archfiend King Calamity!
The ultimate form of Red Dragon Archfiend descended onto the field and unleashed the mightiest roar ever heard.
Hot Red Dragon Archfiend King Calamity
LV:12
ATK:4000
" Nice monster too bad it can,t do much against me," Senku said still acting like he was in control of the match.
" Wrong when King Calamity is successfully Synchro Summoned for the rest of this turn you're not allowed to activate any cards or effects this turn also your not allows to use the effects of card you already have in play and the best part this effect cannot be countermanded so all you can do is just sit back and watch me destroy your Granel. But before that, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Synchro Overdrive this allows me to double the attack points of a Synchro Monster during the Battle Phase so King Calamity is now twice as strong. King Calamity powered up ready to fight.
4000 x 2 = 8000
" 8000 attack points?" Senku said in shock.
" That's right now to use them King Calamity attack Granel Infinity with Supreme Absolute Power Nova. King Calamity unleashed a supernova so powerful it shut down Granel. And let's not forget about the biggest weak point of your Meklords when the main body is destroyed so is the rest of it. Granel exploded taking a chunk out of Senku's Life Points.
Silver Chance:2400
Senku Ishigami:4200
" Without your Meklord Emperors, you're pretty much finished but for right now I end my turn and during the End Phase, my monster's attack points return to normal.
8000 - 4000 = 4000
7000 - 3500 = 3500
" My turn I draw," Senku said as he drew his third card. After seeing what he drew he smiled and went for one of his cards in play. We are not beat yet The Kingdom of Science has one last trick up its sleeve and I'm about to summon it so first I activate the effect of Infinite Prison by sending a discarding a card from my hand I can set Grand Core Face-Up in my Spell and Trap Zone. Next, I activate the Quick-Play spell Mystical Space Typhoon and use it to destroy Infinite Prison and when it is destroyed the monsters placed in my Spell and Trap Zones return to my hand. As soon as Infinite Prison bit the dust all three core monsters went into Senku's Hand. Now I activate the Trap Meklord Emperor Creation By sending Wise, Sky, and Grand Core to my GY I can Special Summon the Ultimate weapon of the Kingdom of Science, Meklord Astro Mekanikle. A massive white and gold robot began to form from a bunch of cubes and once finished towered over Silver.
Meklord Astro Mekanikle
LV:12
ATK:4000
" It's going to take more than that to scare me," Silver said. Senku spotted an Action card and went for it. Silver also spotted it and tried to get it before Senku could but failed.
" Looks like your luck just ran out I activate the Action Spell Hand Recharge this sends the only card in my hand back to my Deck and allows me to draw five new cards. After Senku drew his new hand he was smiling after seeing what he drew. I activate Astro Mekanikle's effect once per turn like all the Meklords he can absorb one Synchro Monster on your field and equip it to himself so hand over your Bane. Astro Mekanikle sent out tentacles that wrapped around Bane and caused him to be absorbed thus making Astro stronger.
4000 + 3500 = 7500
" Now to end this Astro Mekanikle attack, King Calamity, with The Cube of Despair. Astro Mekanikle charged its cannon and fired a beam made of energy cubes at King Calamity. Just when Silver looked like he was about to lose hope a clutch Action Card showed up ahead of him and he grabbed it.
" I activate the Action Spell Miracle not only is King Calamity not destroyed by battle but the damage I take is cut in half. King Calamity survived the attack while Silver only took half the damage.
Silver Chance:650
Senku Ishigami:4200
" You may have survived that attack but let's see dodge this I end my turn and During the End Phase, Astro Mekanikle sends one Synchro Monster equipped to it to the GY and you take damage equal to that monster's attack points so your about to take 3500 points of damage thanks to your Bane. The Spirit of Bane was about to hit Silver until he reacted to it.
7500 - 3500 = 4000
" I activate the Effect of Damage Glutton when I am about to take Effect Damage I can discard this card and recover Life Points equal to that damage instead. A black fiend with a fork and knife appeared and absorbed the damage before exploding and healing Silver.
Silver Chance:4150
Senku Ishigami:4200
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his second card. Silver saw his winning strategy manifest before him and made his move. I activate the Continuous Spell Synchro Respawn Generator this allows me to bring back a Synchro Monster that is resting in my GY so Come back Black-Winged Dragon. A generator with a pod attached to it appeared before Lightning's Dragon came out of it.
Black-Winged Dragon
LV:8
ATK:2800
" Next I Activate my Generator's other effect twice per turn I can discard a card from my hand to Special Summon another Synchro Monster from my GY but I will take damage equal to that monster's attack points so I bring back Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend. Scarlight flew out of the pod and back onto the field.
Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend
LV:8
ATK:3000
Scarlight than unleashed some red energy which Black-Winged Dragon absorbed. Whenever I take effect Damage Black-Winged Dragon negates it and adds a Black Feather Counter to itself but it does lose 700 attack points per counter. Part of Black-Winged Dragon's wings darkened as it got weaker.
Black Feather Counter:1
2800 - 700 = 2100
Silver looked around for Action cards and spotted the very last one of the match and grabbed it. Now I can use Respawn Generator's effect again this time I bring back Bane. Bane flew out of the pod and prepared for the final assault.
Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Bane
LV:10
ATK:3500
Bane unleashed the same energy from before and Black-Winged Dragon absorbed it.
Black Feather Counter:2
2100 - 700 = 1400
" And now I activate Black-Winged Dragon's second effect by removing all its counters your Astro Mekanikle loses 700 attack points per counter and you take damage equal to the number of attack points lost by this effect. Black-Winged Dragon unleashed its power and Astro Mekanikle looked weaker and Senku was hit by the effect.
4000 - 1400 = 2600
1400 + 1400 = 2800
Silver Chance:4150
Senku Ishigami:2800
" Time to end this Black-Winged Dragon attack Astro Mekanikle with Noble Stream. Black-Winged Dragon unleashed its attack hoping to destroy Astro only for senku to react.
" My monster is going nowhere because by banishing a Meklord Emperor part from my GY he is not destroyed so I banish Granel Guard to save Astro. Despite not being destroyed Senku still felt the hit.
Silver Chance:4150
Senku Ishigami:2600
" Now its Scarlight's turn to attack Astro Mekanikle. Scarlight unleashed its attack only for Senku to repeat the same move as before.
" I can keep using this effect you know so I banish Granel Top to save my monster. Senku still felt the damage.
Silver Chance:4150
Senku Ishigami:2200
" Bane it's your turn to attack Astro Mekanikle. Bane Unleashed all its might only to fail to destroy Astro Mekanikle.
" Like I keep telling you all I have to do is keep Banishing Meklord parts and Mekanikle is going nowhere so I banish Granel Carrier this time. As soon as Senku took the third hit he finally caught on to Silver's strategy.
Silver Chance:4150
Senku Ishigami:1300
" You're not trying to destroy Astro Mekanikle you're trying to drain my Life points," Senku said in shock.
" That's right your monster may be invincible but you aren't and now to deliver the final blow King Calamity attack Astro Mekanikle and end this duel. King Calamity unleashed its ultimate attack and managed to destroy Astro Mekanikle along with the rest of Senku's Life points.
Silver Chance:4150
Senku Ishigami:0
WINNER: Silver Chance
" And it's over after three rounds of intense action the winners of this round are Team Silverwing," The MC shouted which caused the crowd to erupt in cheers. After parking their runners both teams shook on a well-thought duel.
" I must admit those Meklord Emperors were mighty powerful where did you get them?" Lightning asked.
" We found them inside the body of what looked like some kind of android buried in the junkyard," Senku said.
" So now that you have beaten us whats next?" Chrome asked.
" We won,t know who our next opponent is for a few days so we were thinking we would go sightseeing until then.
As Silver and his friends were leaving the arena a boy with crazy red and black hair wearing a crimson-colored jacket white pants with flames on the bottom and a strange-looking gold pendant.
" Are you the one they call Silver Chance?" The boy asked.
" Depends on who's asking," Silver said.
" I am Yuji tsukumo and I believe you have something that belongs to my friend," Yuji said. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Clash of the Numbers | " I have no idea who this friend of yours is but if its a duel you want then bring it," Silver said as he swapped his Clearwing Deck out for his usual one. Both duelists activated their duel disks and drew their opening hands.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Yuji Tsukumo:4000
" I will start," Yuji said as he looked at his hand. After weighing his options he made his move. To start things off I summon Goblinbergh in attack mode. A group of goblins flying a squadron of planes suddenly flew out of the sun and on to Yugi's field.
Goblinbergh
LV:4
ATK:1400
" But he won,t be alone out there because his effect allows me to Special Summon a level four or lower monster from my hand when he is Normal Summoned so welcome to the field Ganbara Knight. The goblins dropped a container onto the field and out of it came a knight with twin shields.
Ganbara Knight
LV:4
ATK:0
Goblinbergh
LV:4
DEF:0
" Now that I have two level-four monsters time to summon my ace. I overlay my Level four Goblinbergh and Ganbara Knight in order to build the Overlay Network. Both Goblinbergh and Ganbara Knight turned into streams of energy that entered a galaxy like portal and exploded.
" Mighty king of wishes take form and aid me in this fight! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 39 Utopia!
A white and gold core appeared before unfolding into a warrior with white skin, gold armor with wings that drew his sword ready to fight.
Number 39 Utopia
RANK:4
ATK:2500
UNITS:2
" So you're a number user no wonder you wanted a piece of me," Silver said.
" The numbers don,t belong to you they belong to my friend Nova who you and your friends kidnapped," Yuji said.
" I have no idea what you're talking about. My friends and I have nothing to do with this Nova person," Silver pointed out.
" Stop denying it Nova's message told me to hunt you down and beat you before your plans for world domination are complete. And to make sure that happens I activate the Field Spell Heartland Sphere Field. A couple of Pylons shot out of the ground and generated a bunch of rectangles that form a sphere before transforming into a sphere made of yellow energy that encased both Duelists. This Field Spell allows both of us to Xyz Summon a random Number Monster by using two monsters with the same Level from our hand however if a monster summoned by this effect has no Overlay Units it is destroyed. And with that, I end my Turn.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver was wondering why Yuji would summon his number before activating his Field Spell and figured the best way to find out was to play along. First I will use the effect of Heartland Sphere Field to Overlay my Level one Buster Whelp and Dragon Buster. Both Whelps appeared on the field before turning into streams of energy that entered a galaxy like portal and exploded. Silver's extra deck appeared on his screen and one of the cards started glowing. Appear! Number 21 Frozen Lady Justice! Frozen Lady Justice appeared ready to fight.
Number 21 Frozen Lady Justice
RANK:6
ATK:500 + 2000 = 2500
UNITS:2
" Nice try but she won,t do you any good," Yuji said.
" Who said I'm done I use the effect again this time I overlay my Level three Curse Buster and Timegazer Magician. Both of Silver's monsters appeared on the field and repeated the same motion. Appear! Number 7 Lucky Straight! Lucky Straight appeared right next to Frozen Lady Justice.
Number 7 Lucky Straight
RANK:7
ATK:700
UNITS:2
" Twice and you still failed to get anything good I know what your numbers do first frozen Lady Justice allows you to destroy all monsters I have out in Defense mode and Lucky straight lets you roll a die and its attack points are multiplied by the number you roll. My Utopia is in attack mode and unless you roll a four or higher you can,t overpower my Utopia so feel free to try again.
" I can,t I have no more monsters so I will just set two cards face-down and end my turn," Silver said.
" My turn I draw," Yuji said as he drew his third card. Yuji was confident in his own luck and pulled two cards from his hand. Now it's my turn to use the Sphere Field I overlay my Level Three Zubaba Knight and Achacha Archer in order to build the overlay network. Both of Yugi's monsters appeared and turned into streams of energy before entering a galaxy like portal and exploded. Come on out! Number 85 Crazy Box! A black box with a red 85 mark suddenly appeared and unfolded in certain places revealing something creepy inside.
Number 85 Crazy Box
RANK:4
ATK:3000
UNITS:2
" Next I activate the Spell Xyz Treasure this allows me to draw one card for every Xyz Monster out on the field so with four Xyz Monsters out that's four cards. Yuji drew his four cards and smiled after seeing what he drew. Next, I overlay my Level Four Gogogo Golem and Gagaga Magician to use the effect of my Sphere Field again. Both of Yuji's monsters appeared before turning into streams of energy and entering a galaxy like portal and exploding. Rise! Number 53 Heart-Earth! A strange-looking creature that sort of resembled a gate appeared.
Number 53 Heart-Earth
RANK:5
ATK:100
UNITS:2
" Next I activate Crazy Box's Effect once per turn by detaching one overlay unit I can roll a die and what happened depends on what I roll. Crazy Box absorbed one of its Overlay Units into itself and then shot out a cube made of some unknown allow with runes that were meant to represent the numbers one through six on it. After bouncing around a little it landed on four.
2 - 1 = 1
Excellent it landed on four which means I can negate the effects of one card on the field until the End Phase so I will use this effect on Crazy Box itself. Crazy Box sent out a bolt of energy that nailed itself.
" Why would you choose to negate your own monster's effect?" Silver asked.
" Simple to disable my monster's drawback you see even though it has 3000 attack points Crazy Box is not allowed to attack but with its effects negated that changes. Now that my monsters are ready its time to Battle Crazy Box attack Lucky Straight. Crazy Box unleashed another bolt of energy this time blasting Lucky straight and most of Silver's Life Points.
Silver Chance:1700
Yuji Tsukumo:4000
" I kind of figured you would do that which is why I Activate this the Trap Nutrient Alpha," Silver said as a Trap with an image of a blue liquid inside a syringe flipped face-up. Whenever I take 2000 or more points of damage in battle Nutrient Alpha allows me to draw one card or every monster you control and if any of the cards I drew are monsters I select one of them and regain Life points equal to its attack points so since you have three monsters I draw three cards. Silver drew his three cards and smiled after seeing what he drew. Looks like my luck is still going because I drew my Buster Blader which has 2600 attack points. Silver was covered in a blue aura which caused his Life Points to rise.
Silver Chance:4300
Yuji Tsukumo:4000
" Enjoy those points while you can because I'm not done attacking Utopia attack Frozen Lady Justice with Rising Sun Slash. Utopia drew his sword and prepared to attack only for Yuji to do the unexpected. I activate Utopia's effect by Detaching one overlay unit Utopia can stop an attack including its own go Light Wing Shield.
2 - 1 = 1
Utopia stopped its attack just in the nick of time.
" Why would you stop your own attack where is the logic in that?" Silver asked.
" So I can do this I activate the Quick-Play Spell Double Or Nothing I can only activate this card when my monster's attack is negated and not only can Utopia attack again but his attack points are doubled as well. Utopia began to power up.
2500 x 2 = 5000
" Utopia attack Frozen Lady Justice again. Utopia drew both of its swords and went for Frozen Lady Justice again only for Silver to respond to it.
" I activate the Trap Xyz Rank Charge," Silver said as a trap with an image of an Xyz Monster gaining power appeared. By banishing an Xyz Monster from my GY I target another Xyz Monster that is on my field and it gains 300 attack points multiplied by the rank of the banished monster so I banish the Rank Seven Lucky Straight and my Frozen Lady gains 2100 attack points until the End Phase. Frozen Lady powered up.
2500 + 2100 = 4600
Despite the rise in power Frozen Lady was still destroyed.
Silver Chance:3900
Yuji Tsukumo:4000
" You may have survived that but next turn you won,t be so lucky I end my turn and now Utopia's attack points return to normal. Utopia powered down.
5000 - 2500 = 2500
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his fourth card. Silver needed something that would help him in this match and noticed he drew another Level seven monster. Silver was thinking if he should keep playing this crazy game of chance Yuji set up or try something else. After checking his option Silver only had one course of action. I overlay my Level seven Buster Blader and Buster Dark in order to build the overlay network. Silver's monster appeared and turned into streams of energy that entered a Galaxy like portal and exploded. Silver looked very happy with this one. All right I was hoping I get this one. Rise! Number 76 Majesty Lord Buster! Silver's monster took the field and really threw Yuji for a loop.
Number 76 Majesty Lord Buster
RANK:7
ATK:3500
UNITS:2
" No that's impossible how can a Number be changed?" Yuji asked.
" What are you talking about this is how it was when I got it and now for its effects first since both Blader and dark were used as Material his attack points double. Lord Buster began to grow stronger.
3500 x 2 = 7000
" Next I activate the Spell Overlay Explosion this detaches all Overlay Units attached to your monsters and you take 500 points of damage for each unit so with two from your Heart-Earth and one from utopia and Crazy Box that's a total of four so you take 2000 points of damage. All three of Yuji's monsters lost their overlay units and Yuji was hit by four explosions.
2 - 2 = 0
1 - 1 = 0
1 - 1 = 0
Silver Chance:3900
Yuji Tsukumo:2000
Suddenly both Heart-Earth and Crazy Box exploded due to the effect of Heartland Sphere Field witch made Yuji happy.
" You fell for my real trap you see when Heart-Earth is destroyed by a card effect while it has no overlay units I can Special Summon a much more deadly monster by attaching Heart-Earth to it so welcome to the game Number 92 Heart-Earth Dragon. A serpent-like dragon appeared and unleashed a mighty roar.
Number 92 Heart-Earth Dragon
RANK:9
ATK:0
UNITS:1
Silver felt like this was going to be another one of Yuji's random moves and proceeded to make his move. I activate the Spell Card Of Sanctity this allows us both to draw until we both have six cards in our hand. Silver drew six cards while Yuji drew three cards. Perfect I drew exactly what I needed I activate the Equip Spell Dragon Sealing Talisman this negates the effects of the Dragon-Type Monster its equipped to so whatever crazy backward effect Heart-Earth Dragon has is negated. Heart-Earth Dragon was suddenly hit by a scroll with the Chinese characters that spelled the word seal in Chinese thus draining Heart-Earth Dragon of its effects. Now to finish this Majesty Lord Buster attack Heart-Earth Dragon with Either Sword Slash. Lord Buster delivered the final blow and sent Yuji flying as Silver absorbed all of his numbers except for Utopia who managed to resist being taken.
Silver Chance:3900
Yuji Tsukumo:0
WINNER: Silver Chance
" Fine you beat me go ahead do your worst but just know I will not yield to the Europian Union," Yuji said.
" Listen Yuji was it we are not with the EU we are the US Team," Silver pointed out.
" Lier you three are with them how else can you explain Number 76 taking on a new form from its original?" Yugi asked.
" Number 76 was like this when it was made for me," Silver explained.
" Why are you so convinced that we are with the EU anyway?" Lightning asked.
" Becuase they took my friend Nova and the numbers and since you have some of them than that must mean your allied with them," Yuji pointed out.
" Kid I'm not the only one with number monsters I beaten two duelists who were allied with the EU team that had them and recently there has been an outbreak of them all across our home town of Canterlot City," Silver explained.
" Since you know so much about these numbers why not tell us everything from the beginning," Lyra said.
" Since you beat me fine the numbers are from a place called Astral World which is a world full of these blue beings made of energy," Yuji explained before Silver stopped him there.
" Did you say blue energy?" Silver asked.
" I did why do you ask?" Yugi asked.
" After my last duel against a number user when I absorbed her numbers one of them which was Number 69 showed me this vision of a being made of this energy locked away in a dungeon crying out for help," Silver said.
" That must have been Nova he must have included a distress signal into one of them hoping someone would hear it," Yuji said.
" I just wish he picked one that wasn't full of so much anger and hatred," Silver pointed out.
" You said earlier that the numbers were appearing all over your home town?" Yuji asked.
" I did," Silver replied.
" Then it might be possible that they have been scattered all over the world," Yuji theorized.
" Come to think of it there was that news report about a rocket exploding in the atmosphere a month ago. The numbers must have been hidden among the debris," Lyra said.
" Well, in any case, I now know what my mission is and since you took all of my the numbers I collected thus far Utopia and I are starting from square one. Be ready to hand over your numbers when we meet again Silver Chance but until then good luck with the rest of the Grand Prix," Yuji said before running off and making a huge jump while shouting "Time to high five the sky"
Silver and his team decided to check out the hot springs after two intense duels in a row. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Shogeki Revenge Match | In one of the assembly halls of the totsuki Grand Resort, the Totsuki Academy students were all in the middle of the 200 plate challenge for their annual training camp. One student Ogawa Kenji was looking confident in his skills as a chef with only five more plates to go and only thirty minutes on the clock until a boy with red hair and yellow eyes wearing a white headband began performing a show of skills in a desperate attempt to finish the challenge in time. His skills were so amazing that customers from the other tables including Kenji's left to see the show. This went on for the duration o the time left that Kenji had no customers coming to his table to eat his Egg Muffins. As the clock reaches the ten-second mark the PA system spoke.
" Soma Yukihira you served two hundred," The announcement said before time ran out and those who failed the challenge were immediately escorted off of Totsuki grounds. Kenji did not take this lying down and went off to plot his revenge on Soma.
" You're going to pay for ruining my life Soma Yukihira," Kenji shouted before a white card flew into his hand and a yellow 59 mark appeared on his right hand.
Meanwhile during the match between Team Silverwing and Team Kagaku Kenji was getting his revenge on Soma by finishing him in a duel.
" You may have the upper hand when it comes to a Food War but not in this game and to prove it I will have my monster end you number 59 Crooked Cook attack Soma directly with Full Course Mayhem. Crooked Cook began heating something in his frying pan before throwing it at Soma and burning up the rest of his Life Points.
Ogawa Kenji:4000
Soma Yukihira:0
WINNER:Ogawa Kenji
The other students at Totsuki began to panic after seeing Soma lose.
Sometime Later Yuji was searching the city for any sign of Number Monsters until he saw a bunch of people fleeing from a huge piece of private property up ahead. Yuji decided to check out the commotion and noticed a boy with blue hair and red eyes looking like a man possessed.
" I take it you are the one causing this mass panic?" Yuji asked.
" Those talentless hacks wouldn't know fine dining and perfect food even if it was staring them in the face and this institution is no better for expelling me just because that dam transfer student stole everyone's customers during the training camp," Kenji said as the number on his right hand appeared.
" I don,t know what you are talking about and to be honest this has nothing to do with me but I can,t just let you and your number keep attacking innocent people," Yuji said.
"As if you can beat me I'm not just a great cook I was also one of the top eight at last year's regionals," Kenji said.
" As if I care are we going to do this or not?" Yuji asked.
" Fine I will whip up a full course of pain for you but can you finish it?" Kenji said as he activated his duel disk.
" It's on," Yuji said as he activated his duel disk and both of them drew their opening hands.
DUEL
Yuji Tsukumo:4000
Ogawa Kenji:4000
" I will go first," Kenji said before looking at his hand. Kenji saw he drew what he wanted and pulled a card from his hand. First I summon Food Warrior Furikake Rice. A bowl of rice suddenly appeared on the field before a bunch of cubes and scrambled eggs fell onto it and caused it to transform into a warrior made of rice wearing orange armor with a yellow sword.
Food Warrior Furikake Rice
LV:4
ATK:1800
" Next I activate the Spell Second Serving. Kenji said as a spell with an image of someone trying a bowl of rice appeared. While I control one Food Warrior Monster this spell allows me to Special Summon Another monster with the same name from my Deck so I summon another Food Warrior Furikake Rice. the same monster appeared and crossed swords with the other one.
Food Warrior Furikake Rice
LV:4
ATK:1800
" Next I overlay both my Level Four Furikake Rice to build the overlay network. Both of Kenji's monsters transformed into streams of orange energy as they entered a galaxy like portal and exploded.
" Mighty culinary master that creates nothing less than the finest of meals for the gods take form and serve my foes the mightiest dish of demise! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 59 Crooked Cook!
A giant chef hat with the number 59 on it appeared before spinning and rising revealing a muscular man with a flamethrower on his back and cooking utensils strapped to his belt.
Number 59 Crooked Cook
RANK:4
ATK:2300
UNITS:2
" But I'm not done yet next I activate the Field Spell Food Warrior Battle Kitchen. The surrounding area suddenly transformed into an arena with two countertops and a judging table. Once per turn this card allows me to Special Summon a Food Warrior monster from my hand or Deck in Defense mode so from my Deck I special Summon Food Warrior Chaliapin Steak in Defense Mode. A steak covered in onions suddenly appeared before the onions were removed and a warrior with a spear and the steak acting as the shield appeared.
Food Warrior Chaliapin Steak
LV:3
DEF:1600
" I activate Chaliapin Steak's Effect when he is Normal Or Special Summoned I can add a Food War Ingredient Equip Spell from my Deck to my hand so I will add Food War Ingredient Lemon Curd to my hand. Kenji added his card to his hand. With that, I shall end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Yuji said as he drew his sixth card. Yuji remembered what Crooked Cook did and looked at his hand and need his move. First I summon Gogogo Golem in attack mode. A golem-like monster made of brown bricks appeared and punched forward.
Gogogo Golem
LV:4
ATK:1800
" Next since I normal Summoned a Level Four Monster I can Special Summon Kagetokage from my hand. The shadow of a lizard began to crawl onto the field before a pair of red eyes rose above it.
Kagetokage
LV:4
ATK:1100
" Next I overlay my level four Gogogo Golem and Kagetokage to build the overlay network. Gogogo Golem turned into a stream of orange energy while Kagetokage turned into a stream of purple energy and entered a galaxy like portal and exploding.
" Mighty king of wishes take form and aid me in this fight! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 39 Utopia!
Utopia appeared on the field and took an offensive stance.
Number 39 Utopia
RANK:4
ATK:2500
UNITS:2
" Now that the stage is set Time to battle Utopia attack, Crooked Cook, with Rising Sun Slash. Utopia drew his sword and prepared to strike. As Utopia got closer Kenji reacted.
" I activate Crooked Cook's effect once per turn during either of our turns I detach one overlay unit to destroy all other cards I control and Crooked Cook gains 300 attack points for each monster destroyed and sent to the GY by this effect until the End Phase. Crooked Cook absorbed one of his overlay units into the tank of his flamethrower and torched everything on Kenji's field expect for himself.
2 - 1 = 1
2300 + 300 = 2600
" I use one overlay unit to stop Utopia's attack. Utopia used one of its overlay units to stop his attack.
2 - 1 = 1
" Fine with me because now the main course is about to be served you see my Food Warriors have one effect in common when they are sent to the GY you take 600 points of damage so since two of them were sent to the GY that's 1200 points of damage. A steak cutlet with some rice on it suddenly flew towards Yuji and forced its way down his gullet.
Yuji Tsukumo:2800
Ogawa Kenji:4000
" No matter because I now have you where I want you I did not stop Utopia's attack because your cook was stronger than Utopia I stopped it so I could do this I activate the Quick-Play Spell Double or Nothing this not only doubles Utopia's attack points it also allows him to attack again. Utopia powered up ready to strike again as he drew both his swords.
2500 x 2 = 5000
" 5000 attack points?" Kenji said in shock.
" That's right and now to take down your monster Utopia attack Crooked Cook with Rising Sun Double Slash. Utopia delivered a double slash on Crooked Cook only for Kenji to react to it.
" My cook is going nowhere because by discarding my Food Warrior Semifreddo I can prevent Crooked Cook from being destroyed by battle. A slice of Lemon Cake wearing a yellow princess dress appeared on blocked the attack.
" You still take damage from the battle," Yuji said as Kenji was sent back a few feet.
Yuji Tsukumo:2800
Ogawa Kenji:1600
" I'm not the only one taking damage since I sent another Food Warrior to my GY you take 600 points of damage. A piece of lemon cake was sent flying towards Yuji and he swallowed it.
Yuji Tsukumo:2200
Ogawa Kenji:1600
" Since I failed to destroy your monster in battle I can activate the Quick-Play Spell Xyz Murder," Yuji said as a spell with an image of Utopia stabbing Black Ray Lancer appeared. I can only activate this card when one of my Xyz Monsters fails to destroy one of yours and this card destroys that very monster that survived so say goodbye to Crooked Cook. A sword was shot out of the card and stabbed Crooked Cook thus destroying it.
" No matter since you destroyed my monster you also sent my Furikake Rice to the GY and I'm sure you know what that means," Kenji said
" I get another serving of 600 points of damage," Yuji said.
" Hope you enjoy it. A bowl of rice was sent towards Yuji and like with the rest of the food he swallowed all of it.
Yuji Tsukumo:1600
Ogawa Kenji:1600
" I end my turn by setting one card Face-Down," Yuji said as a set card appeared behind Utopia.
" My turn I draw," Kenji said as he drew his second card. Kenji saw what he drew and smiled. I activate the Spell Card of Sanctity this allows both of us to draw until we have six cards in our hands. Both of them drew five cards and Kenji Smiled after seeing what he drew. Looks like my luck keeps going and now for some more damage, I discard Food Warrior Chou Farci to add the Field Spell Food warrior battle Kitchen from my deck to my hand.
" Not so fast I activate the Counter Trap Hand Trap Jammer," Yuji said as a trap with an image of Ash Blossom being trapped in a spell circle flipped face up. When you activate the effect of a monster from your hand by discarding a card from my hand not only is your effect negated but the card is also banished so since your Chou Farci failed to enter the GY I don,t any damage this time.
" You may have dodged that one but let's see you dodge this I activate the Quick-Play Spell Trap Booster by discarding a card from my hand I can Activate a Trap from my hand so I discard this and from my hand, I Activate the Trap Souffle Omelette this summons as many Souffle Omelette Tokens as possible to my field. Five pans appeared and flipped what looked like omelets onto the field with eyes.
Souffle Omelette Token x5
LV:3
ATK:500
" Time to end this I tribute all five of my tokens to inflict 500 points of damage for each one so that's a total of 2500 points of damage been nice knowing you. The omelets flew right for Yuji until he reacted.
" Your right this duel is over for you because by banishing my Returnmato from my GY all of the damage is redirected to you. A tomato wearing a sweatband appeared and sent the omelets right back at Kenji thus causing him to swallow all five of them and reducing his points to zero while Yuji absorbed Crooked Cook.
Yuji Tsukumo:1600
Ogawa Kenji:0
WINNER:Yuji Tsukumo
" No fair I lost again guess all I am is just a worthless cook and a worthless duelist," Kenji said.
" Your not a worthless cook," Soma said as he came up to him.
" Your that transfer student that stole everyone's customers during the 200 plate challenge," Kenji said in shock.
" That was never my intention I was just trying to finish the challenge and bearly made it but your dish was brilliant," Soma said.
" What difference does it make I'm still expelled and if you can,t graduate from Totsuki than what future do you even have as a chef?" Kenji asked.
" Its true Totsuki Academy is the greatest culinary school in the world but it's not the only one have you ever thought of going to another one I bet all those other students who also got expelled never gave up and got back up as well," Soma said.
" You're right I still have hope thanks for reminding me," Kenji said.
" No problem and feel free to swing by my family's dinner and I will have one of my Souffle Omelets waiting for you," Soma said.
After all the chaos was dealt with Yuji took his leave and continued his search for the number monsters.
" When I get home I should ask my mom to whip me up some of that duel fuel my dad loves so much," Yuji said to himself while thinking about Nova. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Ratchet Departs From The Front | Months ago before the beginning of the Chinese Selection Tournament, an attack on the legendary Duel Temple high in the mountains was in progress. A teenage boy with white hair red eyes wearing a black karate outfit with ripped sleeves and muscles was charging through everyone until he reached the room with what he was looking for.
" At long last my long-awaited prize," The boy said before an old man threw his cane at him and got his attention.
" You can,t have that deck, Jian Feng," The old man said.
" You can,t stop me, master Ju-Long," Jain said. A decisive battle of martial arts suddenly took place inside the room and just when it looked like Master Ju-Long was about to win Jain dodged and delivered a powerful blow to Ju-Long's back thus rendering him unable to move. After the fight ended Jain broke the seal on what looked like a metal box and removed a deck from it. Just what I hoped for, Be grateful I'm not finishing you off because I have a much bigger fight ahead of me.
" You may walk out of here with the forbidden deck but someone will stop you," Ju-Long said before Jain walked away as if he considered that to be a lie.
Meanwhile on the plane to China Silver and his team were discussing the upcoming match.
" So what do you think Team hie, hiu?" Lightning asked trying to correctly pronounce the name of the next team.
" Its Hēi'àn jù lóng," Lyra said while looking a bit under the weather.
" Are you feeling ok love?" Silver asked.
" I'm fine perfectly fine," Lyra said before Silver put his hand on her forehead and felt how hot it was.
" No your not, you're burning up when we get to the arena we are having you sit this one out," Silver said.
" But without me, our team will only have 8000 life points between us," Lyra said.
" Your health is more important than this tournament and besides the rules say that each team is permitted one sub-member in the event a regular is unable to compete," Silver said.
" But we don,t have any sub-members," Lightning said.
" I am the Sub-Member why else do you think I came with you guys," Ratchet said.
" Do you even know what we are up against?" Lyra asked.
" Though opponents I know but I will do my best to help the team you just focus on getting better," Rachet said. As soon as the plane landed the Arena was just across the street and everything was ready on their side.
" You guys are on time we are about to start as soon as the other team gets here," The official said.
" One moment please I need to make a slight change with our team's roster. our lead duelist is not feeling well and I would like to have our sub fill in for her," Silver asked.
" Go right ahead just fill this out and the mc will know what to do," The official said before handing Silver a form to fill out. After filling the form out and handing it to the Official Silver took Lyra to the infirmary to get looked at. The nurse placed a thermometer in Lyra's mouth and later took it out before giving her diagnosis.
" Hundred and five, You made the right call pulling your friend out young man because she has a summer cold but don,t worry your friend should be better soon if she gets plenty of rest," The nurse said.
" But how will Ratchet duel without a Runner?" Lyra asked.
" During our training period, He helped me build one for him and you will be surprised how much he picked up in just a few days," Silver said.
" In any case, I have an old Chinese Remedy that will keep the fever down a little so you can enjoy the match," The nurse said before having Lyra drink some odd-looking drink which she did not like the taste of. Don,t worry this stuff may smell and taste bad but it really works.
Minutes later Silver and Lyra returned to the pit to get ready for the match.
" What's the diagnosis?" Lightning asked.
" Lyra has a summer cold so all she needs is some rest and she will be better and ready for the next round," Silver said.
" Assuming we win this one first look at those guys they look so ripped they could crush our runners into cubes with their bare hands," Ratchet said referring to Team Hēi'àn jù lóng.
" Relax Ratchet they may be big but it's not about how big your muscles are it's about how skilled you are with your cards," Silver said. As they were talking the MC began his announcement.
" Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the second match of the W.R.G.P now let's introduce the teams first representing our country the team of former students at the Duel Temple Team Hēi'àn jù lóng," The MC shouted only for the crowd to boo them even though they were the home team. And all the way from North America the heroes of the North Team Silverwing. This time to crowd cheered for them since they would rather side with the good guys instead of the villains who somehow manage to win the right to represent their country. And now let's get this duel started first filling in for Team Silverwing's lead duelist will be their sub-member Crimson Ratchet. Ratchet looked nervous about his first-ever duel in the tournament and even more nervous about the big guy with rippling muscles and a blue sleeveless karate outfit that pulled next to him. And Filling in for Team Hēi'àn jù lóng is Hak Foo.
" Like the prying Mantis devours its mate we will devour your team's chances of winning this match," Hak Foo said in a very loud and booming voice.
" Not if I can help it my team is counting on me and I won,t let them down," Ratchet replied with as much strength as he could muster.
" Now activating the Action Field Speed World V," The Mc Announced as the whole track transformed into a smaller version of the great wall of China that looked like a racecourse. After both Duelists took off it looked like Ratchet was about to take the corner first until Hak Foo hit his nitro and managed to send Ratchet spinning for a bit after his massive runner past him. As soon as Ratchet regained control he and Hak Foo drew their opening hands and started the duel.
DUEL
Crimson Ratchet:4000
Hak Foo:4000
" Like the swift Chatea, I will go first and to Start, I activate the Spell Polymerization and use to fuse my Hayate the Earth Star and Tenma the Sky Star. Both cards appeared before turning into the monsters depicted on them.
Mighty warrior of the earth combine with the swiftest warrior in the sky and become one! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level Ten! Idaten the Conqueror Star!
A Chinese warrior with purple armor and a trident appeared and spun his weapon around before pointing it forward as a sign he was ready to fight.
Idatan the Conqueror Star
LV:10
ATK:3000
" Not a bad start but that doesn't scare me," Ratchet said.
" Who said I was done when Idatan is Fusion Summoned I can add a Level Five Warrior Monster from my deck to my hand and I think I will add Kaiki the Unity Star to my hand. After adding his card to his hand Hak Foo decided to end his turn. Go ahead and make your move but just know whatever you do is futile.
" We shall see. My turn I draw," Ratchet said as he drew his sixth card. Ratchet looked at his hand and saw his strategy manifest before him. First I activate the Spell One For One by discarding a monster from my Hand I can Special Summon a Level One monster from my Hand or Deck so I will discard Morphtronic Solartron from my hand and from my Deck I Special Summon Morphtronic Celfon in attack mode. Celfon appeared before unfolding into robot mode ready to fight.
Morphtroninc Celfon
LV:1
ATK:100
" But one is not enough next I activate the Spell Machine Duplication when a Machine-Type Monster with 500 or fewer attack points is on my field I can target that monster and Special Summon up to two more copies of that monster from my deck so I Special Summon two more Celfons. Two more Celfons appeared and flanked the first one.
Morphtroninc Celfon x2
LV:1
ATK:100
" But I'm not done swarming the field yet because I activate my first Celfon's attack position effect it dials a random number between one and six then I excavate that many cards and if any of those cards is a Morphtronic Monster I can Special Summon it so let's do this Dial On. The first Celfon began flashing its numbers until it stopped on two which allowed Ratchet to check his top two cards which to his relief revealed what he needed. It looks like my spamming continues because I get to Special Summon Morphtronic Gametron in attack mode. A handheld gaming device appeared on the field before transforming into a robot with black parts and a power display on its screen.
Morphtronic Gametron
LV:2
ATK:600
" Next up is the effect of Mortroninc Solartron in my GY while I control a face-up Morphtroninc Tuner Monster I can Special Summon it from my GY. A solar panel appeared before unfolding into a robot with the panels on its shoulders.
Morphtroninc Solartron
LV:5
ATK:1600 + 400 = 2000
" I should mention Solartron raises all my morphotropic monster's attack or defense by 400 depending on which modes its in. All of Ratchet's monsters began to power up.
100 + 400 = 500 x3
600 + 400 = 1000
" So what good will those wimps do you none of them can come close to my monster," Hak Foo said.
" Maybe not on their own but I'm not done yet I still have my Normal Summon so I will tribute one of my Celfons to Tribute Summon Morphtronic Tablon in attack mode. A tablet appeared before transforming into a robot with the different parts of the screen covered.
Morphtroninc Tablon
LV:5
ATK:2000 + 400 = 2400
" Now that my monsters are all here time to Summon my secret weapon I tune my level two Gametron with my level five Salartron and Tablon to Synchro Summon the king of all machines. Gametron displayed a message that said (tuning) before bursting into two stars and then two green rings that encircled both Solartron and Tablon and turned them into ten stars that fell into alignment.
LV5 + LV5 + LV2 = LV12
" From the farthest reaches of the galaxy, I call forth the mightiest of the machines from another world! Synchro Summon! Come Forth! Level Twelve! Morphtroninc Primus!
A giant planet made of metal began to eclipse the sun before unfolding into a giant robot that was about twice the size of the tallest building in the world with a massive rail gun.
Morphtroninc Primus
LV:12
ATK:5000
" Since when did Ratchet have a card that insanely powerful not to mention big enough to fracture the surface of the earth?" Lyra asked.
" I traded it to him you see when we went through our latest batch of booster packs I pulled that card and he pulled the one card I could never get no matter how hard I tried so he has his ultimate weapon and I have the card that will allow my destruction swords to truly shine," Silver said.
" What exactly does it do?" Lightning asked.
" Just watch and you will see," Silver said.
" 5000 attack points?" Hak foo said in shock.
" That's just the beginning Primus has two powerful effects depending on which mode it's in and while it's in attack mode twice per turn he allows me to tribute one monster I control to inflict 300 points of damage to you for each Morphtroninc monster in my GY so I tribute one of my Celfons to use this effect. One of the Celfons was absorbed into the rail gun and then caused it to build energy and blasted Hak foo for 1500 points of damage.
Crimson Ratchet:4000
Hak Foo:2500
" Now I activate that effect again this time for 1800 points of damage. Hak Foo got blasted again and was looking for action cards with no luck.
Crimson Ratchet:4000
Hak Foo:700
" Time to end this Primus attack Idaten the Conqueror Star with All Spark Obliteration Cannon. Primus unleashed all of its power and blasted Idatan but not before Hak Foo managed to snag the first Action Card of the duel.
" I may be going down but before I make a dent in your life points I activate the Action Spell Phoenix Arrow this inflicts 1500 points of damage to you. Before Idatan exploded Hak Foo fired a flaming arrow at Ratchet and nailed him.
Crimson Ratchet:2500
Hak Foo:0
WINNER: Crimson Ratchet
As soon as they made it back to the stadium Hak Foo returned to his team's pit with his head down in shame.
" You dishonored our team with that shameful performance," Jian Feng shouted in anger.
" Forgive me, master Jian Feng, that boy's monster took me by surprise," Hak Foo said.
" Now it's my turn to take the field and do some damage this is going to be fun," a man with white skin and red eyes said before taking the baton from Hak Foo and laughing maniacally after taking off.
" You better hope Shi Zui can clean up your mess Hak Foo because I want to fight that red-haired boy and whatever that power is I sense coming from him," Jian Feng said. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Mighty Defense and Offense | " And now taking the stage for Team Hēi'àn jù lóng is Shi Zui," The Mc announced as Shi Zui raced on to the track and lapped Ratchet before he drew his opening hand.
DUEL
Crimson Ratchet:2500
Shi Zui:4000
" My turn I draw," Shi Zui said as he drew his sixth card. Shi Zui smiled wickedly after seeing what he drew. First, since I have no Spells or Traps in my GY I can Special Summon Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji from my hand in Defense Mode. A gold robot with a metal frame around it appeared on Shi Zui's Field.
Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji
LV:5
DEF:1800
" Next I use Big Waraji's effect when tribute summoning a Machine-Type Monster Big Waraji counts as two tributes instead of just one so I tribute my Big Waragi to Summon Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei. Big Waraji split into two before opening a rainbow portal and out of that portal came a mechanical warrior with orange armor that took an offensive stance.
Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei
LV:8
ATK:1000
" That's it just 1000 attack points? You do know compared to Primus that is nothing," Ratchet pointed out.
" Who said I was done there is more to come so first when Big Benkei is Normal or Special Summoned he switches to Defense Mode. Big Benkei took up a defensive stance.
Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei
LV:8
DEF:3500
" And since I don,t have any Spell or Traps in my GY I can special Summon the tuner Monster Superheavy Samurai Trumpeter from my Hand. A small robot with a conch shell appeared before blowing into it.
Superheavy Samurai Trumpeter
LV:2
DEF:600
" And now to bring forth my heavy hitter I tune my level two Trumpeter with my Level eight Big Benkei to Synchro Summon your destruction. Trumpeter blew his conch before transforming into two stars and then two green rings that encircled Big Benkei and turned him into eight stars that fell into alignment.
8 + 2 = 10
" Mighty Warrior who mounts the greatest defense against my foes come to me and aid me in this fight! Synchro Summon! Rise! Level Ten! Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo! A samurai-like robot almost as big as a mountain with green and yellow armor took up a meditative stance while stabbing his sword into the ground.
Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo
LV:10
DEF:3800
" Nice try but even in defense mode, your monster is still too weak," Ratchet pointed out only for Shi Zui to burst his bubble again.
" Not after I Equip Superheavy Samurai Soul Kudayari from my hand When I have no Spells or Traps in my GY I can Equip this monster to a Superheavy Samurai monster I control and raise that Monster's defense Points by 2000. Susanowo's sword was replaced with a gold spear with a gold drill tip at the end.
3800 + 2000 = 5800
" And I will also equip Superheavy Samurai Soulpiercer to Susanowo as well which now gives him the ability to inflict Piercing Damage. A crossbow was suddenly equipped to Susanowo's left arm. Now its time to Battle Susanowo attack Primus with Kudayari Strike. Susanowo grabbed his kudayari and spun it around creating a tornado from the rotating drill tip.
" How is this possible he shouldn't be able to attack his monster is in defense mode?" Lightning asked.
" Your wrong there is a way there is one known archetype that has the unique ability to attack while in defense mode and that archetype is called the Superheavy Samurais they also require you to have no spells or traps in your GY to use most of the monsters to their fullest," Silver pointed out.
" How is this possible?" Ratchet asked.
" Allow me to explain the unique effect the Superheavy Samurais have you see they have the ability to attack while in defense mode and their defense points are treated as their attack points," Shi Zui explained before Primus exploded and an arrow struck Ratchet.
Crimson Ratchet:1700
Shi Zui:4000
" Now you're in for it when primus is destroyed by battle or card effect I can Special Summon Power Tool Dragon from my Extra Deck. Power Tool Dragon suddenly flew out of the explosion and punched his shovel forward.
Power Tool Dragon
LV:7
ATK:2300
" You're also in for a surprise when a Superheavy Samurai monster swinging Kudayari destroys a monster in battle it can attack again by halving its defense points. Susonowo suddenly glowed as its defense points went down.
5800 /2 = 2900
" Susanowo attack Power Tool Dragon. Susanowo repeated the same move as before. Just when things were looking hopeless for Ratchet he spotted a clutch action card and grabbed it just in the nick of time.
" I activate the Action Spell High Dive this gives my dragon an extra 1000 attack points until the End Phase. Power Tool powered up as the tornado was coming.
2300 + 1000 = 3300
Power Tool Dragon retaliated by pointing his screwdriver arm forward and spinning it in the opposite direction of the tornado thus canceling it out and allowing Power Tool to destroy Susanowo.
" Don,t think you beat me just yet because by discarding my Superheavy Samurai Soulbeads I can bring Susanowo back to my field in attack mode. A beaded necklace appeared before Susanowo grabbed it and was pulled out by it.
Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo
LV:10
ATK:2400
" Before I end my turn I activate Susanowo's effect while I have no Spells or Traps in my GY I can target a Spell or Trap in your GY and set it on my field so I will be setting that High Dive you just used. Suddenly a set card with an A on it appeared on Shi Zui's field. With that, I shall end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Ratchet said as he drew his third card. Ratchet looked nervous after seeing what he was in for if he attacked recklessly. After checking his hand he noticed a potential way out and bet everything on Power Tool Dragon coming through for him. I activate my Dragon's effect once per turn I can add a random equip spell to my hand from my deck. Ratchet's deck began shuffling until a card stuck out and after pulling it out Ratchet was relieved to see his gambit worked. Looks like my gambit worked I activate the Equip Spell Double Tool C&D during my turn this gives Power Tool an extra 1000 attack points. Power Tool's shovel and screwdriver changed into a circular saw and drill.
2300 + 1000 = 3300
" Next I equip your Susanowo with the Equip Spell Power Bomb when your monster is destroyed either by battle or card effect we both take damage equal to that monster's attack points.
" If you aim to take both of us out it won,t work because I will still overpower your monster," Shi Zui said.
" We shall see Power Tool Dragon attack Susanowo with Crafty Break. Power Tool charged forward with its drill ready to destroy Susanowo until Shi Zui reacted.
" I activate the set Action Spell High Dive not only does Susanowo gain 1000 attack points but the card is also banished since it was set by Susanowo's effect. Susanowo powered up.
2400 + 1000 = 3400
Ratchet looked around and noticed a clutch Action Card ahead. Ratchet was expecting Shi Zui to fight him for it but he ignored it since he knew using it would shut his deck down. After grabbing it Ratchet quickly activated it. I activate the Action Spell Rejuvenation this gives my Power tool an extra 800 attack points during Damage Calculation. Power Tool suddenly grew stronger.
3300 + 800 = 4100
Power Tool suddenly boar through Susanowo and took a small dent out of Shi Zui's life points.
Crimson Ratchet:1700
Shi Zui:3300
" Now Power Bomb's effect goes off and we both take 3400 points of damage. An explosion covered the field and both Ratchet and Shi Zui were caught in it
Crimson Ratchet:0
Shi Zui:0
DRAW
Both duelists returned to their respective pits and passed the baton to their next duelists.
" Sorry I could not keep the match going any longer," Ratchet apologized as he handed his Power Tool Dragon and Double Tool C&D to Lightning.
" It's ok Ratchet you manage to get us this far that's all that counts now leave the rest to us," Lightning said before she took off.
On the other side, Shi Zui returned in disgrace after losing to Ratchet.
" You are an absolute disgrace to our team Shi Zui," Jian Feng shouted before ripping the baton off of Shi Zui's arm and taking off. As soon as both duelists took the track the MC announced their arrival.
" And now taking the stage for team Silverwing is Lightning Dust and Taking the stage for Team Hēi'àn jù lóng is the leader Jian Feng. After both duelists caught up to each other they drew their opening hands and began.
DUEL
Lightning Dust:4000
Jian Feng:4000
" My turn I draw," Jian Feng shouted as he drew his sixth card. Jian Feng looked pleased with what he drew and acted. First I activate the Spell Card Destruction now we send all the cards in our hands to the GY and draw the same number of cards. After they both discarded their hands and drew five new cards Lightning looked confused.
" Why would you do that you just threw away your starting hand?" Lightning asked.
" Let me tell you a story passed down among the students of the Duel Temple. In ancient times there were four powerful dragons that created the world, The Dragon Ruler of Boulders Redox created the land. The Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls Tidal created the seas. The Dragon Ruler of Storms Tempest created the winds that blow through the land. And Finally, The Dragon Ruler of Infernos Blaster created the sun itself. These four dragons were so powerful that they were sealed away inside the Duel Temple never to see the light of day ever again until now. So I banish my Debris Dragon and Mythic Gust Dragon to Summon from my GY Tempest Dragon Ruler of Storms. A tornado suddenly appeared and out of it came a dragon made of wind that unleashed a mighty roar.
Tempest Dragon Ruler of Storms
LV:7
ATK:2400
" Next I activate the Equip Spell Different Dimension Reincarnation by discarding a card from my hand I can Special Summon a banished monster in attack mode and equip it with this card so welcome back Debris Dragon. A small white Dragon appeared before it was tied to a pink tether.
Debris Dragon
LV:4
ATK:1000
" Next I activate the Effect of Land Mine Dragon from my GY when he is sent to my GY he can destroy one card on the field so say goodbye to Double Tool C&D. Double Tool was destroyed and Power Tool Dragon's drill and saw reverted to a shovel and screwdriver. Next, I activate the Spell Raigeki to destroy your Dragon. Power Tool Dragon was instantly destroyed by a bolt of lightning leaving Lightning defenseless. Now its time I showed you one of this deck's greatest weapons I tune my Level Four Debris Dragon with my Level seven Tempest to Synchro Summon one of the mightiest of dragons. Debris burst into four stars and then four green rings that encircled Tempest and turned him into seven stars that fell into alignment.
7 + 4 = 11
" Mighty dragon that consumes the very sun itself takes flight and incinerate my foes with the might of the sun! Synchro Summon! Take Flight! Level Eleven! Star Eater!
A red-colored dragon with a serpent-like body coiled around what looked like the sun appeared before unleashing a mighty roar.
Star Eater
LV:11
ATK:3200
" Cool monster too bad he won,t be sticking around because by discarding my Synchro Rewinder your Synchro Summon is negated. A clock appeared over Star Eater and started moving backward only for Star Eater to not look affected in the slightest. That's impossible your Star Eater should be resting in your GY right now," Lightning said in shock.
" I never told you about my Star Eater yet so here is your first lesson Star Eater's Synchro Summon cannot be negated so he will be sticking around and when he is Synchro Summoned cards and effects cannot be activated. And finally, when he attacks he is unaffected by other card effects until the end of the damage step," Jian Feng said. Now to get rid of you so I can fight the one I want Star Eater Attack Lightning directly with Celestial Dragon Flame. Star Eater unleashed a breath of crimson-colored fire that burned Lightning upon contact.
Lightning Dust:800
Jian Feng:4000
Lightning looked around for action cards in a desperate attempt to stay in the game and found one ahead of her and grabbed it only to look shocked by what she just picked up.
" Looks like I win you just grabbed the Action Trap Lousy Luck which inflicts 800 points of damage to you," Jain Feng said mockingly as Lightning was zapped and ran out of Life Points.
Lightning Dust:0
Jian Feng:4000
WINNER: Jian Feng
After driving back to the stadium Lightning pulled over next to Silver and passed the baton to him.
" Sorry I lost before I could do anything whatever he is using sure is powerful," Lightning said.
" Leave the rest to me something tells me his ultimate weapon has not been unleashed yet," Silver said before taking off. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Dragon Showdown | " And taking the stage for Team Silverwing is the leader Silver Chance," The Mc announced as Silver sped up and caught up to Jain Feng. after he caught up to him and drew his opening hand the duel picked up again.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Jian Feng:4000
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver checked his hand and saw he had the best possible way to deal with Star Eater. First I summon Buster Whelp in attack Mode. Buster whelp flew onto the field before unleashing its cute little roar.
Buster Whelp
LV:1
ATK:400
" When my Whelp is Normal Summoned I can add a Destruction Sword card to my hand so I will add Destruction Swordsman Fusion to my hand. After adding his declared card to his hand he continued his move. Next, I tribute my Whelp to Special Summon Buster Blader in attack mode. Buster Blader appeared on the field and began to power up.
Buster Blader
LV:7
ATK:2600 + 2000 = 4600
" Next I activate the Spell Empty Grave," Silver said as a spell with an image of an empty casket in a cemetery plot appeared. This allows each of us to Special Summon a Monster from our GYs in attack mode so from my GY I summon Buster Whelp. Buster whelp flew onto the field ready for more.
Buster Whelp
LV:1
ATK:400
" Well, I bring back my Landmine Dragon. A red Dragon with spikes in certain places appeared before unleashing a roar.
Landmine Dragon
LV:3
ATK:1400
" Now that the stage is set I activate the Quick-Play Spell Destruction Swordsman Fusion this allows me to Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster that lists Buster Blader as material by using monsters on both sides of the field so I will fuse my Buster Blader with your Star Eater to Summon my greatest weapon against dragons. Both Buster Blader and Star Eater were absorbed into the fusion vortex before spinning.
" Mighty dragon that consumes the sun combine with the valiant hero that slays all that is evil and become one! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level Eight! Buster Blader The dragon Destroyer Swordsman!
Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer appeared and looked ready to fight.
Buster Blader The Dragon Destroyer Swordsman
LV:8
ATK: 2800 + 4000 = 6800
" Big deal that won,t stop me," Jian Feng said.
" It will once I explain my Swordsman's effects first he forces all your Dragon-Type Monsters into Defense Mode and their effects are negated. Landmine Dragon suddenly took a defensive stance.
Landmine Dragon
LV:3
DEF:1000
" Now to end this Dragon Destroyer attack Landmine Dragon with Dragon Soul Slash. As Dragon Destroyer was approaching Jain Feng noticed a clutch action card coming up and grabbed it then activated it.
" I activate the Action Spell Evasion which stops your attack. Looks like I'm still in this match," Jain Feng said with pride.
" Fine I end my turn," Silver said.
" My turn I draw," Jain Feng said as he drew his third card. Jain Feng was not happy about his monsters being stopped and then noticed he drew the one card that could possibly turn things around. First I activate the Spell Dragon,s Final Wish," Jain Feng said as a spell with an image of a dragon spirit flying off into the sunset appeared. By banishing a Dragon-Type Monster from my GY I can draw one card for every level that monster has so by banishing my Star Eater I draw eleven cards. Jain Feng drew his eleven cards as Dragon Destroyer lost power.
6800 - 1000 = 5800
28 - 11 = 17
" Why would you take such a huge risk like that?" Silver asked.
" So I can summon forth my greatest weapon but first I activate the Spell Magical Copy this allows me to reuse a Spell card in my GY so I will use my Raigeki to destroy your monsters. A bolt of lightning destroyed both of Silver's Monsters leaving him defenseless. Next, I banish my Debris Dragon and Tempest from my GY to Special Summon Blaster Dragon Ruler of Infernos. A dragon made of magma suddenly took form and unleashed a mighty roar.
Blaster Dragon Ruler of Infernos
LV:7
ATK:2800
" Since I banished Tempest he allows me to search for a WIND Attribute Dragon-Type Monster so I will add Handcuffs Dragon to my Hand. After adding his declared card to his already big hand he pulled his next card. Next, I activate the Spell Dragon's Light by discarding a Dragon-Type Monster from my hand all Dragon-Type monsters I control become the same level as the discarded monster so by sending my Level Eight Mythic Flame Dragon to my GY both Blaster and LandMine become Level Eight as well. A divine light covered both Blaster and LandMine and raised their levels
7 + 1 = 8
3 + 5 = 8
" Now that the stage is set I overlay my Level Eight Landmine Dragon and Blaster in order to build the overlay network. Both of Jain Feng's monsters turned into streams of red energy as they entered a galaxy-like portal and exploded.
" Mightiest dragon of them all take form and unleash your wrath upon my foe! Xyz Summon! Roar! Number 46 Dragluon! A bunch of blonde furs tied in knots appeared before transforming into a white dragon with yellow in some places and a yellow 46 mark on its left wing.
Number 46 Dragluon
RANK:8
ATK:3000
UNITS:2
" Kind of figured there would be a number monster mixed into this match," Silver said.
" Wait till you see what dragluon can do but first lets set the stage I activate the Spell Soul Designator," Jain Feng said as a spell with an image of a fiendish looking hand pointing at Jack Atlas with a fiery version of Red Dragon Archfiend behind him appeared. This allows me to guess the name of a monster and if you happen to have that monster either in your Main Deck or Extra Deck it's automatically Summoned to your field ignoring the Summoning Conditions and the Monster I declare is Clearwing Synchro Dragon. Silver Extra Deck suddenly glowed and out of it came Clearwing which appeared on the field ready to fight.
Clearwing Synchro Dragon
LV:7
ATK:2500
" Why would you allow me to Summon my ace just like that?" Silver asked.
" So I can have the pleasure of destroying it right in front of you especially since Dragluon renders the effects of your Dragon-Type Monsters useless until the end of your turn. A diagram suddenly appeared beneath Clearwing and zapped him. Next, I activate Dragluon's effect If I control no other monsters I can detach one overlay unit to Special Summon a Dragon-Type Monster from my hand so Welcome to the field Handcuffs Dragon. After swallowing one of its overlay units dragluon opened a portal for a dragon that looked like a pair of handcuffs to fly out.
2 - 1 = 1
Handcuffs Dragon
LV:5
ATK:1800
" Time to let the devastation begin Handcuffs Dragon attack Clearwing Synchro Dragon. Handcuffs lunged at Clearwing only for Clearwing to retaliate and destroy it.
Silver Chance:4000
Jian Feng:3300
" Why would you do that you just damaged yourself," Silver asked.
" So I can weaken your Dragon you see when Handcuffs Dragon is destroyed it equips on to the monster responsible and drains that monster of 1800 attack points. Suddenly the spirit form of Handcuffs appeared before latching on to Clearwing who could not use its Dicronic Mirror thanks to Dragluon.
2500 - 1800 = 700
" Now for the real attack Dragluon attack Clearwing with Sacred Fire Blast. Dragluon unleashed a stream of golden fire that was aimed right for Clearwing. Just when things were looking hopeless Silver saw a clutch Action card and grabbed it before activating it in the nick of time.
" I activate the Action Spell Big Escape this ends the Battle Phase. Despite being tied up Clearwing managed to dodge the flame.
" Fine, I set three cards facedown and end my turn," Jian Feng said as three set cards appeared behind Dragluon.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his fourth card. Silver was in a bind with Clearwing tied up and weakened and a number monster staring him down. After seeing what he drew Silver saw some hope. I may not be able to use Clearwing's effects but I can break the handcuffs that bind him with the Spell Equipment Change this allows me to send one equip card on one of my monsters to the GY and replace it with an Equip Spell in my Deck so goodbye Handcuffs Dragon and hello Armor Of Unity. Handcuffs Dragon suddenly broke and was replaced by armor that looked like a mishmash of different dragons.
700 + 1800 = 2500
" Thanks to this armor my Clearwing cannot be destroyed by Battle and any damage I take is reduced to zero," Silver said to Jian Feng who was not impressed.
" You may have freed your Dragon from the bind of my Handcuffs Dragon but your still not safe I activate the Trap Dust Tornado to blow away your armor. A tornado appeared and blew away Clearwing's Armor.
" When Armor of Unity is destroyed by a Card Effect I draw two cards. After drawing his two cards Silver was pleased to see he had more options now. I set two cards facedown and end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Jian Feng said as he drew his sixth card. After looking at his hand he saw many ways to destroy Silver but decided to really rattle him with his next move. I activate Dragluon's second effect while I control no other Monsters I can detach one Overlay Unit to gain control of one of your Dragon-Type Monsters so hand over your Clearwing.
1 - 1 = 0
Clearwing tried to resist being taken but failed and stood next to Dragluon. Now that I have your monster time to Battle Dragluon attack Silver Directly. Before Dragluon could unleash its attack Silver went for one of his set cards.
" I'm not letting you attack me that easily I activate the Continuous Trap Dragon Destroyer's Haki," Silver said as a trap with an image of Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman emitting the same power he uses to force dragons into hiding flipped face-up. If Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer swordsman is in my GY this trap forces all Dragon-Type monsters on the field to switch into defense mode. Silver's trap began to emit the same force as dragon Destroyer until Jian Feng reacted.
" Nice try I activate the Counter Trap Flame Of the Dragon King," Jian Feng said as a trap with an image of a mighty dragon unleashing a phoenix shaped flame flipped face-up. While I control a Face-Up Dragon-Type Monster This card negates the activation of one of your Spells, Traps, or Monster Effects. The phoenix shaped flame flew at Silver's trap and destroyed it. The attack continued and just when it looked like he was about to be nailed he spotted a clutch Action Card and grabbed it then Activated it.
" I activate the Action Spell Evasion now your Dragluon's attack is negated. Silver swerved to the left and managed to dodge the flame.
" You may have dodged that attack but let's see how you like being attacked by your own monster Clearwing Synchro Dragon attack your former master directly. Clearwing flew into the air and then performed its whirlwind slasher attack on Silver thus draining him of most of his life points.
Silver Chance:1500
Jian Feng:3300
" I think that is enough punishment, for now, I end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his fourth card. Silver looked pleased to see he drew just what he needed to possibly turn the tables. First I summon another Buster Whelp in attack mode. Buster Whelp flew onto the field ready for action.
Buster Whelp
LV:1
ATK:400
" And like last time when he is Normal Summoned I can add a destruction Sword card from my deck to my hand so I will add Destruction Sword Unlimited Bladeworks to my hand. After adding his declared card to his hand Silver went for his set card. Next, I activate the Trap Synchro Material this allows me to use a monster on your side of the field to Synchro Summon so I will be taking my Clearwing back and tune it with my Buster Whelp. Buster Whelp turned into a single star and then a single green ring that encircled Clearwing and turned him into seven stars that fell into alignment.
7 + 1 = 8
" Mighty dragon that guards the treasure of the hero - Come to my aid and protect thy hero and his alleys! Synchro Summon! Rise up! Level eight! Buster Dragon!
Buster dragon appeared and took up a defensive stance.
Buster Dragon
LV:8
DEF:2800
" Did you already forget dragluon negates all the effects of your Dragon-Type Monsters," Jian Feng pointed out not impressed with what Silver did.
" Of course I remember but that will no longer matter once I do this. I equip Dragluon with the Equip Spell Dragon Sealing Talismen this negates all of Dragluon's effects including the whole Cannot be destroyed by battle except with other numbers part. A sealing tag appeared on Dragluon causing the diagram on Silver's field to vanish. Now that my Dragon-Type Monsters can use their effects again I activate Buster Dragon's effect once per turn when I don,t control Buster Blader on my field I can Special Summon one from my GY so welcome back Buster Blader. Buster Blader leaped onto the field ready to fight.
Buster Blader
LV:7
ATK:2600 + 2500 = 5100
" Nice try but even with that power boost I will still have some life left and on my next turn you're finished," Jian Feng said with arrogance.
" Too bad there is no next turn because I activate the Field Spell Destruction Sword Unlimited Bladeworks. The track was suddenly transformed into a wasteland with all the many swords in Buster Blader's arsenal stuck into the ground. Once during either of our turns, This card allows me to Equip a Destruction Sword Monster to a Buster Blader Monster I control so I will use this effect to Equip Blade Master Destruction Sword to my Buster Blader. Buster Blader's sword was replaced with a black Excaliber-like sword that began to glow as if it was giving more power to Buster Blader.
5100 + 4000 = 9100
" How did your Blader gain more power?" Jian Feng asked.
" Blade Master destruction Sword allows the equipped monster to gain 500 attack points for every Dragon-Type Monster in either GY," Silver explained. Now its time to finish this Buster Blader attack Dragluon with All Mighty Sword Slash. Buster Blader charged at Dragluon and leaped into the air ready to strike until Jian Feng went for his set card in a final effort to save himself.
" I activate the Trap Half Shield this will halve the damage to my Life Points so much for your final attack. Silver looked around desperately for Action cards and noticed one ahead and so did Jian Feng. Both Silver Jian Feng accelerated into top speed and in the end, Silver grabbed the action card and looked very pleased with it and activated it.
" How very appropriate this is how the duel ends I activate the Action Spell Extreme Sword this raises my Buster blader's attack points by 1000 which is exactly what I need to win this. Buster Blader's sword grew longer and bigger as he came close to making contact with the shield.
9100 + 1000 = 10100
As soon as Buster Blader made contact with the shield Dragluon exploded and Jian Feng lost the rest of his Life Points.
Silver Chance:1500
Jian Feng:0
WINNER: Silver Chance
" And that's it, ladies and gentlemen, after three intense rounds of back and forth action the winners of this match are Team Silverwing," The MC shouted as the crowd cheered. Before they returned to the stadium Silver absorbed Dragluon and as soon as they returned to the Stadium Jian Feng's deck was consumed by black flames.
" What the heck did you do to my Deck Silver?" Jian Feng said accusingly until master Ju-Long approached them.
" Silver had nothing to do with that. The Dragon Rulers are tired and had enough of your destructive nature so they departed our realm and will never be coming back," Ju-Long said.
" So what happens next you going to kill us for all the evil sins we had committed?" Jian Feng asked.
" No you and your teammates will be coming back to the temple and beginning your training from day one. Killing you three would upset the balance of the universe," Ju-long said before he and Team Hēi'àn jù lóng left. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Ride Like An Egyptian | Silver and his team were on their way to Egypt to face their next opponent in the WRGP. As soon as the plane landed Silver and his team suddenly felt the desert heat kick in.
" Of all the places to go, why Egypt?" Ratchet asked, not liking the heat.
" We don't make the bracket, we only follow it. Besides don,t you want to learn the origin of duel monsters?" Silver asked.
" We can do that in our nice air-conditioned hotel room. I have my laptop with me," Ratchet said.
" I prefer learning things out in the field instead of being cooped up inside," Lightning said. As they were walking an official from the tournament came to greet them.
" You four must be Team Silverwing," The official said.
" We are," Lyra said.
" Come, Team Medjed is waiting for you four at the press conference," The official said before showing Team Silverwing to the back. As soon as they heard their cue, Silver, Lyra, and Lightning took their seats next to Team Medjed which consisted of a bald man with dark skin and Egyptian writing on the right side of his face wearing a purple robe. A woman with long black hair wearing an ivory dress and gold jewelry. And a man with spiky platinum blonde hair and dark skin wearing a black sleeveless top and jeans.
" Now that both teams have arrived let us introduce them. First, from our very own Team Medjed is Odion, Ishizu, And Marik Ishtar," The Official said before moving on. " And from Team Silverwing is Silver Chance, Lyra Heartstrings, and Lightning Dust. The press took many pictures and asked many questions before Marik and Silver stood up and faced each other with Marik holding his hand out.
" Let's shake on having a fair and great match," Marik said before Silver took his hand and they shook on it with the press taking more pictures. Silver suddenly felt something powerful coming from Marik. As soon as the press conference was over Silver and his team decided to go to their hotel room. Lyra suddenly noticed the expression on Silver's face.
" Is everything alright Silver?" Lyra asked.
" It's that Marik guy I felt something powerful coming from him," Silver said.
" Is it a Number card?" Lightning asked.
" No, this felt different. like some kind of ancient power I can't describe," Silver said.
" Whatever it is we will find out tomorrow at the Cairo Arena," Ratchet said
The next day both teams were setting up their pits before the MC for this duel took her place and grabbed the mic.
" Welcome to the third match of the WRGP everyone. Let us introduce the teams. First representing our country of Egypt. The team consisting of the three Ishtar siblings Team Medjed," The Mc said as the crowd went wild. " And their opponents all the way from the United States of America. Team Silverwing. The crowd was not as enthusiastic about Team Silverwing since like all their matches the crowd will only cheer for the home team. Both Lyra and Odion mounted their runners and lined up at the starting line. " Now activating the Action Field Speed World V. A bunch of ramps and half-pipes formed around the track inside the arena along with a whole bunch of tracks rising out of the sand outside the arena which meant this duel was going to become a race through the desert. Lyra and Odion took off quickly and Odion managed to turn the corner first thus earning him the first move. After both duelists drew their opening hands the match started.
DUEL
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Odion Ishtar:4000
" The first move is mine. Odion pulled a card from his hand. " First I activate the Field Spell Triamid Cruiser. A pyramid-shaped airship suddenly hovered above the track. " Now each time I Normal Summon a Rock-Type Monster I gain 500 Life Points and on the subject of Rock-Type Monsters, I summon Triamid Master in attack mode. A monster that looked like a pharaoh appeared and brandished his scepter at Lyra.
Triamid Master
LV:4
ATK:1800
" Since my Master is a Rock-Type Monster I gain 500 Life Points. Odion was covered in a green aura.
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Odion Ishtar:4500
" Finally I set one card Face-down and end my turn," Odion said as a set card appeared behind Triamid Master.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her sixth card. Lyra was about to make her move until Odion interrupted her.
" I activate Triamid Master's effect. During your turn, I can send my Filed Spell to the GY and replace it with another one from my Deck so bid farewell to my cruiser and hello to my Triamid Fortress. The cruiser that was hovering over the track exploded and up ahead a pyramid with technology mixed into it appeared. " Now my Cruiser's other effect activates. When it is sent to the GY I can add a Triamid Monster to my hand so I will add Triamid Sphinx to my hand. Odion added his card to his hand before Lyra continued her turn.
" I Activate my own Field Spell World Tree Yggdrasil. A giant tree suddenly sprouted ahead of the track. " This spell allows me to Special Summon a Level Four or lower Fairy-Type monster once per turn in Defense Mode so I will use this effect to Special Summon my Serenade The Melodious Diva. A purple fairy with a single wing wearing a yellow dress appeared and took a defensive stance while singing.
Serenade The Melodious Diva
LV:4
DEF:1900
" When my Serenade is Special Summoned I can Normal Summon a Melodious Monster in addition to my primary Normal Summon so first I will use that effect to Summon my deck's headliner and since my Serenade counts as two tributes when Summoning a High-Level Fairy-Type Monster I will tribute her to summon Mozarta The Melodious Maestra. Serenade vanished into a portal and out of it came Mozarta ready to fight.
Mozarta The Melodious Maestra
LV:8
ATK:2600
As soon as Lyra summoned her monster the first action card of the match was coming up and Lyra snatched it before Odion reacted.
" In response to your summoning I activate the Trap Quicksand Trap Hole," Odion said as a trap with an image of a monster buried neck-deep in quicksand with its arm reaching up flipped face up. " When you summon a monster with 2000 or more Attack points that monster is then forced into Face-Down Defense Position. Before Odion's trap went into effect Lyra activated her Action Card.
" I activate the Action Spell Magical Firewall when you activate a spell or trap that card's activation is negated and you take 500 points of damage. Odion's trap was set on fire before exploding and returning Odion to the starting 4000 Life Points.
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Odion Ishtar:4000
" Next I summon Fairy Archer in attack mode. A fairy wearing a blue outfit with a leaf skirt and yellow wings landed gracefully onto Lyra's field before summoning her bow.
Fairy Archer
LV:3
ATK:1400
" Now I activate Mozarta's effect once per turn. She lets me Special Summon a Fairy-Type Monster from my hand so I will use that effect to Special Summon Guardian Angel Joan in attack mode. Joan took her position next to Mozarta as she landed on the field.
Guardian Angel Joan
LV:7
ATK:2800
" But I'm not done summoning yet Next I activate the Spell Titania's Guidance this allows me to draw one card for every Fairy-Type Monster I control and if any of the cards I draw are Fairy-type monsters I reveal one and Special Summon it so with three monsters already I draw three cards. Lyra drew her three cards and smiled after seeing what she drew. " Looks like my luck keeps on going because I can Special Summon Fairy Sniper from my hand. A fairy boy dressed in a black outfit with black hair and wings landed next to Fairy Archer and positioned his rifle.
Fairy Sniper
LV:4
ATK:1700
" Now it's time for my strategy to go into action. First I activate Fairy Archer's effect which deals 400 points of damage to you for each LIGHT Attribute monster I control so with four LIGHT monsters that 1600 points of damage. Fairy Archer aimed and managed to nail Odion right in the chest.
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Odion Ishtar:2400
" Next I activate my Sniper's effect. He inflicts 500 points of damage for each card that is in my hand so with two cards that's 1000 points of damage. Fairy Sniper aimed and fired two shots at Odion.
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Odion Ishtar:1400
" Are you going to keep hiding or are you going to fight?" Odion said not impressed with Lyra's strategy.
" Oh I'm going to fight alright but first I activate the Continuous Spell Valkyrie Berrier while this card is in play all My Fairy-Type Monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or Card Effects. A barrier made of fairy magic formed around Lyra's field. " Now I enter my Battle Phase and I will have Joan attack your Triamid Master. As Joan attacked she began to glow. " Did I forget to mention my Field Spell's other effect? When one of my Fairy-Type Monsters attacks one of your monsters my monster gains 1000 attack points during damage calculation.
2800 + 1000 = 3800
As soon as Joan destroyed Triamid Master and the rest of Odion's Life Points Odion did not look defeated.
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Odion Ishtar:0
WINNER:Lyra Heartstrings
3800 - 1000 = 2800
" You may have defeated me but you just unleashed your doom because when one of my Triamid cards is destroyed either by battle or card effect I can Special Summon my Triamid Sphinx from my hand. A mechanical Sphinx suddenly rose out of the desert sands and took up a defensive position.
Triamid Sphinx
LV:10
DEF:2500 + 500 + 500 = 3500
" While I control another Triamid card my Sphinx gains 500 attack and defense for each Field Spell with a different name in my GY so with one he gains 500 points plus my fortress gives him another 500 defense points.
" Well, I get something too. When my Joan destroys a monster in battle and sends it to the GY I gain Life Points equal to your destroyed monsters attack points so thanks for the 1800 Life Points. Lyra was covered in a green aura as she and Odion returned to the stadium.
Lyra Heartstrings:5800
Odion Ishtar:0
Odion returned to his team's pit and passed the baton along with his Sphinx and Field Spell to Ishizu who was ready to go.
" I'm sorry Master Marik I could not beat that girl," Odion said as Ishizu took off.
" It's ok Odion you did your best and managed to leave Ishizu with a good defensive wall," Marik said.
Meanwhile, at the Silver Mansion Bullet, Ruby along with Lyra and Lightning's family were watching the match on the big screen.
" That's my girl kicking butt and taking names," Lyra's dad said.
" I hope she remembered to pack plenty of sunscreen," Lyra's mom said with concern.
" Relax at the speed there, moving at the heat is no problem," Bullet said.
" Besides, Lyra does not look the least bit uncomfortable," Ruby said.
" But still this match has just started and I have a feeling that Medjed's next duelists won't be so easy," Wind Rider said. Everyone continued watching the match. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Assault Of The Gravekeepers | " And now taking the second leg for Team Medjed is Ishizu Ishtar," The Mc said as Ishizu caught up to Lyra.
" I'm afraid this is the end of the line for you," Ishizu said.
" We shall see about that," Lyra said as Ishizu drew her opening hand.
DUEL
Lyra Heartstrings:5800
Ishizu Ishtar:4000
" My turn I draw," Ishizu said as she drew her sixth card. Ishizu looked at her hand and saw her strategy manifest. " First I activate the Spell Judgement Of Atem by Tributing a Level Ten or above monster on my field all Spells and Traps on the field are destroyed so I tribute Triamid Sphinx so I can destroy your Tree and Berrier. A huge shadow of a mighty pharaoh appeared as Sphinx was tributed and then stretched across the field wiping out all of the Spells and Traps currently in play. " Next I activate the Spell Raigeki and I'm sure you know what this does.
" It destroys all of my monsters," Lyra said dejectedly.
" Correct and now it's time to wipe them out. A bolt of Lightning wiped out all of Lyra's Monsters. " Next I activate my own Field Spell Necrovalley. The entire desert transformed into a huge valley with a setting sun off the horizon. " As long as this card is in play all effects aimed at the GY cannot be activated nor can any cards in the GY leave the GY.
" So you're saying I can,t touch my GY?" Lyra asked.
" Correct we tomb keepers believe the dead should not be disturbed and this Field Spell symbolizes our beliefs better than any other card in the game," Ishizu said before continuing her move. " Next I summon Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier in attack mode. A man in a black robe wielding a spear appeared before pointing his spear forward.
Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier
LV:4
ATK:1500 + 500 = 2000
" I forgot to mention my Necrovalley gives all my Gravekeeper monsters an extra 500 attack and Defense points," Ishizu said. " Now I will enter my Battle Phase and have my Spear Soldier attack you Directly. Spear Soldier charged at Lyra. Just when things were looking hopeless Lyra spotted a clutch Action Card up ahead and grabbed it. After seeing what it was she wasted no time in activating it.
" I activate the Action Spell Evasion which allows me to stop your attack. Lyra accelerated and managed to avoid being stabbed by Spear Soldier.
" You may have avoided that attack but next turn you won't be so fortunate. I set two cards Face-down and end my turn," Ishizu said as two set cards appeared behind Spear Soldier.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her second card. With her GY now off-limits Lyra racked her brain trying to find a way around it. After seeing what she drew Lyra had a plan. " First I summon Guardian Of Alfhiem in attack mode. A woman wearing golden armor with red hair wielding a golden sword appeared.
Guardian Of Alfhiem
LV:3
ATK:?
" My Guardian's attack points are 600 times the number of fairy-Type Monsters that are in my GY so with five Fairy-Type Monsters in my GY that's a total of 3000 attack points and since this effect does not target the GY you cannot stop it. Guardian Of Alfhiem powered up.
0 + 3000 = 3000
" I activate the Continuous Trap Necrovalley Temple," Ishizu said as an Egyptian temple rose out of the ground. While I control both Necrovalley and a Gravekeeper monster your monsters lose 500 attack and defense points. Lyra's monster began to lose power.
3000 - 500 = 2500
" That's won,t matter because I activate the Spell Card Of Sanctity which allows both of us to draw until we each have six cards in our hands. Lyra and Ishizu both drew six cards. Lyra was pleased with what she drew. " Next I activate the Quick-Play Spell Twin Twisters by discarding a card from my hand I can destroy up to two spells or traps on the field so I discard my Fairy Of Riryoku to destroy both your Necrovalley and Temple. As soon as Lyra discarded her card a pair of twisters flew towards the targeted cards. Ishizu did not look fazed and went for her other set card.
" I sensed you would try this which is why I activate the Counter Trap Imperial Tombs Of Necrovalley. While I control both Necrovalley and a Gravekeeper Monster and you activate a spell, trap, or monster effect. That effect is negated and the card is destroyed. A sarcophagus appeared before opening and wrapping Twin Twisters in bandages before reeling them in and vanishing.
" You fell for my bluff I wasn't really planning on destroying your Necrovalley cards I just needed to send my Fairy to the GY so her effect can activate," Lyra said.
" That won,t work. Did you forget that Necrovalley negates any effect aimed at the GY," Ishizu said.
" But it can,t stop effects coming out of the GY like my Fairy Of Riryoku for example when she is sent to the GY I can target two monsters on the field the first one loses half of their attack points while the second gains that same amount until the End Phase. Dark energy covered Spear Soldier and cut his attack points in half while Guardian Of Alfhiem absorbed them.
2000 - 1000 = 1000
2500 + 1000 + 600 = 4100
" Now it's time to battle Guardian of Alfhiem attack Spear Soldier. Lyra's Guardian charged at Spear Soldier ready to slash him until Ishizu noticed an action card and grabbed it before quickly activating it.
" I activate the Action Spell Miracle not only does this card save my Spear Soldier it also cuts the damage I take in half. Spear Soldier used his Spear to block Guardian Of Alfhiem's attack and send him back to Lyra's field but not without Ishizu taking some damage.
Lyra Heartstrings:5800
Ishizu Ishtar:2450
" I end my turn by setting two cards Face-down," Lyra said as two set cards appeared behind her monster.
1000 + 1000 = 2000
4100 - 1000 = 3100
" My turn I draw," Ishizu said as she drew her seventh card. Ishizu had a good amount of options now thanks to Lyra. " First I activate the Spell Polymerization and I will use it to Fuse my Gravekeeper's Oracle and my Gravekeeper's Visionary. Two monsters that resembled pharaohs appeared before spinning in the vortex.
" Mighty seer of the dead combine with the visionary of the pharaoh's court and become one! Fusion Summon! Rise! Level seven! Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist!
A man with white hair dressed in Egyptian garb appeared and brandished his staff at Lyra.
Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist
LV:7
ATK:2000 + 500 = 2500
" My Supernaturalist gains 100 attack points equal to the combined levels of the two monsters used to summon it so pay attention Oracle's level is ten and visionary's level is eight so that's a total of eighteen hundred attack points. Supernaturalist powered up.
2500 + 1800 = 4300
" But I'm not done yet next I tribute my Spear Soldier to Tribute Summon Gravekeeper's Cheif in attack mode. A man wearing Egyptian garb with a snake staff appeared before slamming the ground with the bottom of his staff.
Gravekeeper's Chief
LV:5
ATK:1900 + 500 = 2400
" As long my Chief is on the field my side is unaffected by Necrovalley so I'm free to use my GY and to demonstrate when my Chief is Tribute Summoned he allows me to Special Summon a Gravekeeper monster from my GY so welcome back my Visionary. A pharaoh with the mask of a jackal rose out of the sand.
Gravekeeper's Visionary
LV:8
ATK:2000 + 500 = 2500
" My visionary gains 200 attack points for each Gravekeeper monster in my GY so with two that another 400 attack points. Visionary powered up some more.
2500 + 400 = 2900
" Now that I control three Gravekeeper Monsters I can Activate the Spell Wdjat Seal," Ishizu said as a spell with an image of the Eye of Wdjat appearing on a prisoner's head appeared. " I can only activate this card while I control Necrovalley and three or more Gravekeep Monsters and it prevents you from activated any spells or traps during this turn. The eye of Wdjat appeared on Lyra's set cards rendering them unusable. " Now that I have a clear shot Time to battle Supernaturalists attack Guardian Of Alfhiem with Desert Blazer. Supernaturalist channeled the sun's energy through the gem on his staff and unleashed a sunbeam powerful enough to destroy Lyra's monster and her Life Points.
Lyra Heartstrings:4600
Ishizu Ishtar:2450
" Next my Chief will attack you Directly. Lyra was shocked to hear that Ishizu was not going to use her Visionary to attack next. " I know what you are planning Lyra. You're aware that my seal only works on spells and traps but not monsters so you're holding on to a monster that will stop me once I push you below 2000 life points.
" How did you know what I was planning?" Lyra asked shocked.
" My Wdjat Seal has another effect I forgot to mention it allows me to see the cards in your hand during this turn. Chief fired a ball of energy at Lyra and nailed her.
Lyra Heartstrings:2200
Ishizu Ishtar:2450
" And now my Visionary end this," Visionary struck Lyra with his staff thus draining the rest of Lyra's Life points and causing her runner to emit smoke.
Lyra Heartstrings:0
Ishizu Ishtar:2450
WINNER: Ishizu Ishtar
Lyra and Ishizu drove back to the stadium where Lyra pulled into her Team's pit and handed the baton and her set cards to Lightning who was waiting.
" I'm afraid this might be as far as we can go," Lyra said.
" Don,t say that Lyra I will find a way to win this for us," Lightning said before taking off. Lyra took a seat next to Silver while looking depressed.
" If I was able to Summon my Fairy Guardna I would have been able to turn things around," Lyra said while crying.
" Don,t beat yourself up Lyra you could not have anticipated Ishizu seeing your hand and stopping your set cards," Silver said trying to cheer Lyra up. Meanwhile, with Lightning, she caught up to Ishizu and drew her opening hand.
DUEL
Lightning Dust: 4000
Ishizu Ishtar: 2450
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her sixth card. Lightning was already in a bind with three powerful monsters staring her down and her GY being restricted by Necrovalley. Regardless Lightning made her move. " First I activate the Spell RaidRaptor Ambush this allows me to Special Summon up to three RaidRaptor monsters with the same level from my hand but they will be destroyed during the End Phase so with this card I Special Summon three copies of Raidraptor- Vanishing Lanius. Three Vanishing Lanius flew onto the field and hovered in place.
RainRaptor- Vanishing Lanius x3
LV:4
ATK:1300 - 500 = 800
" Now I activate the effect of two of my Vanishing Lanius when they are Normal or Special Summoned. I can Special Summon a Level Four or Lower Raidraptor Monster from my hand so since I'm using this effect twice I can Special Summon the two RaidRaptor - Supply Lanius in my hand. A couple of mechanical birds with gas tanks on their backs appeared and landed on both sides of the left and right most Vanishing Lanius.
RaidRaptor- Supply Lanius x2
LV:4
ATK:1600 - 500 = 1100
" Do you honestly think you can beat me with those monsters? None of them hold a candle to my monsters," Ishizu said until she knew what Lightning was planning.
" That's right I'm about to Summon my greatest weapon. I overlay my three-level four Vanishing Lanius and my two Level Four Supply Lanius to build the Overlay Network. All five of Lightning's monsters turned into purple streams of energy before entering a galaxy-like portal and exploding.
" Mighty bird of the beginning spread of majestic wings and take flight! Xyz Summon! Take Off! Rank Four! Raidraptor - Origin Falcon!
A giant black Falcon with piercing red eyes flew onto the field with five Overlay units orbiting around it.
Raidraptor - Origin Falcon
RANK:4
ATK: 1000 x 5 = 5000 - 500 = 4500
UNITS: 5
" How did your Falcon's attack points rise so high?" Ishizu asked.
" Simple my Origin Falcon's attack points are multiplied by the number of Xyz Material I used and are attached to it so since I used five monsters you do the math," Lightning said before continuing her move. " Also when Supply Lanius is used as Xyz Material for a Winged-Beast-type Xyz Monster I can draw two cards but since I used two of them I can draw four cards. Lightning drew her four cards and smiled after seeing what she drew. " Now it's time I filled you in on what my monster can do. Origin Falcon has three effects that can be activated depending on how many Overlay Units I use and I will activate its third effect. By detaching five overlay units all cards on the field except for my falcon are bounced back to our hands. Origin Falcon swallowed all five of its overlay units.
5 - 5 = 0
Suddenly Origin Falcon whipped up a huge tornado that sucked up every card on the field and sent them all back to their owner's hand as it became weaker.
4500 - 4000 = 500 + 500 = 1000
" Next I activate the Spell Rank Up Magic Acceleration Force this allows me to rank up an Xyz Monster I control into an Xyz Monster whose Rank is twice that of the monster I am using so I rebuild the Overlay Network with my Origin Falcon. Origin Falcon turned into a stream of purple energy and entered a galaxy-like portal and exploded.
"Mighty bird of legend, forged from the flames of battle! Evolve into an even mightier bird and transcend the atmosphere! Rank Up Xyz Evolution! Take Off! Rank Eight! RaidRaptor - Satellite Cannon Falcon!
Satellite Cannon Falcon appeared and hovered over the track.
Raidraptor - Satellite Cannon Falcon
RANK:8
ATK:3000
UNITS:1
" Next I set two cards Face-down and activate the Spell Card Destruction now we both must discard our entire hand and draw the same number of cards we discarded. Both Lightning and Ishizu discarded their entire hand. Lightning drew two cards while Ishizu drew six. " Time to end this Satellite Cannon Falcon attack Ishizu directly. Satellite Cannon Falcon flew into the atmosphere and then blasted Ishizu thus draining her Life points and causing her runner to emit smoke.
Lightning Dust: 4000
Ishizu Ishtar: 0
WINNER: Lightning Dust
Ishizu drove back to her team's pit where Marik was waiting for her. After pulling over next to Marik Ishizu passed the baton to him.
" Good luck out there brother," Ishizu said before Marik took off. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Ra's Return | " And now taking the final leg for Team Medjed is Marik Ishtar," The Mc shouted as Marik caught up to Lightning and drew his opening hand.
DUEL
Lightning Dust:4000
Marik Ishtar:4000
" My turn I draw," Marik said as he drew his sixth card. Marik looked pleased that he drew his signature monster on the first turn. " First I summon Ra's Disciple in attack mode. An Egyptian warrior wearing gold armor appeared on the field.
Ra's Disciple
LV:4
ATK:1100
" When I summon my disciple he allows me to Special Summon up to two more copies of himself from my Hand or Deck so I Special Summon two more from my Deck. Two more Ra's Disciples appeared next to the first one.
Ra's Disciple x2
LV:4
ATK:1100
" Next up I activate the Spell Double Summon this allows me to Normal Summon one additional Time this turn," Marik said.
" What exactly are you planning to do?" Lightning asked.
" You're about to find out. I tribute all three of my Disciples to summon forth my greatest weapon. All three of Marik's monsters disappeared as a huge portal opened up above the field.
" All mighty guardian of the sun and the sky I beg of thee please head my cry. Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight. I beseech thee grace our humble game but first I shall call out thy name! Winged Dragon Of Ra Incarnate! A giant sphere of gold came out of the portal before unfolding into a giant dragon made of gold with bits of platinum on the tips of its wings and a circular device on its chest.
Winged Dragon Of Ra Incarnate
LV:10
ATK:?
" Impossible I thought the Egyptian Gods were taking into the spirit world along with the Pharaoh Atem," Lightning said in shock at what she just saw.
" They were but this is not the original Winged Dragon Of Ra it's the reincarnated version. You see when the original God cards were removed from the mortal world Pegasus wanted to find a way duelists can still use them without all the dangerous stuff so he created what he calls the reincarnated god cards and just like the originals they are each one of a kind. But enough backstory on to what my dragon can do. First, his name is treated as The Winged Dragon Of Ra while in my hand, on the field, and in my GY. He also has a couple of the same effects as the original so his attack points are equal to the combined sum of the three monsters tributed to summon it so since each of my disciples had 1100 attack points. that's a total of 3300. The Winged Dragon Of Ra powered up as Marik explained that.
0 + 3300 = 3300
" Next I use his first effect by paying 1000 life points I can destroy one monster you control so say goodby to your Falcon. Ra unleashed its power and destroyed Sattilite Cannon falcon.
Lightning Dust:4000
Marik Ishtar:3000
" Now it's time to battle. Winged Dragon Of Ra Incarnate attack Lightning Directly with Lustrious Blaze Cannon. Ra unleashed a white fireball at Lightning who went for one of the set cards Lyra left behind for her.
" I activate the Trap Draining Shield this stops your attack and allows me to gain life points equal to your Ra's attack points. Lightning was sure she was safe until Marik smiled.
" Nice try but traps don,t work on the god cards," Marik pointed out as the Draining Shield shattered and the fireball nailed Lightning for some heavy damage.
Lightning Dust:700
Marik Ishtar:3000
" With that, I shall end my turn," Marik said.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her card. Lightning was on the verge of defeat and pinned all her hopes on the card she drew. " I activate the Spell Raven's Curse I target one Monster you control and lower its attack points by 500 for each Winged-Beast-type monster in my GY so with six monsters that's a total of 3000 points. Ra was suddenly covered in a black aura. Just when Lightning thought she succeeded Ra overpowered her card's effect.
" Spells won,t work either," Marik said.
" Fine I end my turn," Lightning said dejectedly.
" My turn I draw," Marik said as he drew his fourth card. Marik knew he had this match won but decided to prepare for Silver's arrival. " I set two cards face-down and Summon Bowgainian in attack mode. A green metal eyeball with arms and a crossbow appeared in front of Ra.
Bowgainian
LV:3
ATK:1300
" Next I activate the Continuous Spell Dark Room Of Nightmare now every time you take effect damage this card inflict an extra 300 points of damage. Marik looked ready to end it. " Now I enter my Battle Phase and have my Bowganian attack you directly. Bowgainian fired its crossbow at Lightning and managed to nail her for enough damage to reduce her Life Points to zero and her runner to emit smoke.
Lightning Dust:0
Marik Ishtar:3000
WINNER: Marik Ishtar
Lightning drove back to her team's pit and pulled over next to Silver before passing the baton along with Lyra's set card to him.
" Be careful out there Silver that dragon is untouchable," Lightning warned.
" I am aware of that but that does not mean I will lose," Silver said before taking off. As soon as Silver caught up to Marik and drew his opening hand the match continued.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Marik Ishtar:3000
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver knew Marik was up to something with the way his field was set up. Silver decided to make his move. " First I summon my Buster Whelp in attack mode. Buster whelp flew onto the field ready to go.
Buster Whelp
LV:1
ATK:400
" When my Whelp is Normal Summoned I can add a Destruction Sword card from my Deck to my Hand so with this effect I add Destruction Sword Memories to my hand. Silver added his declared card before Marik made his move.
" Before you do anything else I activate the Continuous Trap Coffin Seller now anytime monsters are sent to your GY you take 300 points of damage. Silver did not look the least bit intimidated by this new Trap affecting him.
" No matter I will keep going. I will use my Whelp's other effect By tributing it I can Special Summon my Buster Blader from my hand. Whelp entered a portal and out of the portal came Buster Blader ready to go.
Buster Blader
LV:7
ATK:2600
" Coffin Seller's effect now activates inflicting 300 points of damage to you. Silver suddenly felt the effect damage hit him.
Silver Chance:3700
Marik Ishtar:3000
" Next my Dark Room activates inflicting another 300 points of damage. Silver took more damage from Marik's spell.
Silver Chance:3400
Marik Ishtar:3000
" I may have taken some damage but it's worth it. Next, I equip my Buster Blader with the Clearwing Buster that is in my hand. Buster Blader's sword was replaced with a sword with a white guard and a blade made from conductive metal that was glowing with green energy. " When Clearwing Buster is equipped my Buster Blader gains 500 attack points for every Level Five or higher monster on the field and since your Ra is Level ten he counts along with Buster Blader himself. Buster Blader powered up which shocked Marik.
2600 + 1000 = 3600
" How did you know about my god's blind spot?" Marik asked.
" Simple I did my homework. It's true that Spells, Traps, and Monster Effects don,t work on an Egyptian God but only if those effects target them. Passive effects or widespread effects can work on them," Silver explained. But enough about that Time to battle Buster Blader attack his Bowgainian. Buster Blader leaped into the air and just when he was about to make contact Marik went for his set card.
" I activate the Continuous Trap Nightmare Wheel I can target one Monster you control and not only can that monster not attack it also cannot change Battle positions. A giant Wheel suddenly fell from the sky and chained Buster Blader to it.
" I end my turn with one card Face-Down," Silver said as a set card appeared next to his other set card.
" My turn I draw," Marik said as he drew his card. Marik suddenly had a wicked grin on his face. " During my Stand-By Phase, both the effects of my Bowgainian and Nightmare Wheel activate First Nightmare Wheel deals you 500 points of damage. The wheel suddenly spun and Silver took damage.
Silver Chance:2900
Marik Ishtar:3000
" Next my Bowgainian inflicts 600 points of damage to you. Bowgainian fired an arrow at Silver which nailed him in the back.
Silver Chance:2300
Marik Ishtar:3000
" This that all or is there more?" Silver asked sarcastically knowing there was more.
" There is more the effect of Dark Room Of Nightmare activates twice so brace yourself for another 600 points of damage. Silver suddenly took more damage.
Silver Chance:1700
Marik Ishtar:3000
" Next I activate the Spell Card of Sanctity which allows both of us to draw until we each have six cards in our hands. Marik drew six cards while Silver drew three. " Next I activate the Spell Card Destruction now we must send our entire hand to the GY and draw the same number of cards. Both Silver and Marik discarded their entire hand. Silver drew six cards while Marik drew five. " Since you sent more monsters to your GY Coffin Seller activates inflicting 300 points of damage to you and another 300 thanks to my Dark Room. Silver took more damage from Marik's burn combo.
Silver Chance:1100
Marik Ishtar:3000
Marik suddenly noticed a Clutch Action card and grabbed it. Marik looked pleased with this one. " I Activate the Action Spell Desert Wrath this destroys one monster you control and inflicts 300 points of damage to you. Buster Blader along with the wheel he was chained up to were sucked into quicksand and exploded. Marik was expecting Silver to take another 900 points of damage from his burn combo until the smoke cleared and revealed Silver was ok.
Silver Chance:3800
Marik Ishtar:3000
" Impossible how did your Life Points suddenly increase?" Marik asked.
" It was thanks to my Teammate's set card. When you destroyed my Buster Blader I activated it. It's a Trap card called Wish Of Final Effort. When a monster I control is destroyed and sent to my GY this card converts its attack points into my Life Points so I had 4700 Life Points before your combo could damage me," Silver explained.
" Regardless I still win because both of my monsters have enough attack points to end this. So I will enter my Battle Phase and have Ra attack you directly. Ra fired another fireball but this time Silver was ready for it.
" I activate the Trap Destruction Sword Revival this allows me to Special Summon Buster Blader from my GY in Defense Mode with an extra 1000 defense points. Buster Blader came back before kneeling with his sword in front of him.
Buster Blader
LV:7
DEF:2300 + 1000 = 3300
Buster Blader redirected the attack into the sky where it exploded.
" Not bad but that won,t save you because on my next turn you're finished because I activate the Continuous Spell Rage Of Ra this card can only be activated while I control The Winged Dragon Of Ra which I do and it gains one rage counter for every card on the field during my Stand-By Phase and when I send this card to my GY you take 500 points of damage for each counter this card had. A pentagram appeared above the field. " I end my turn by setting two cards face down.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his seventh card. Silver knew he had to make this turn count since on the next turn Marik's Rage Of Ra would accumulate at least eight counters which would be enough to beat him. After seeing what he drew Silver saw his victory appear before him. " Looks like I still have a chance. I banish my LIGHT Attribute Buster Whelp and my DARK Attribute Dragon Buster.
" Is Silver summoning what I think he is?" Lightning asked.
" He sure is this could be the break he needed," Lyra said.
" With these two banished cards I Special Summon Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy Of The End. Chaos Emperor Dragon appeared and unleashed a mighty roar.
Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy Of The End
LV:8
ATK:3000
" Impossible where did you get that card from?" Marik asked in a frightened tone.
" I got it off the ashes of a vile witch but that is not important I activate my Dragon's effect by paying 1000 Life Points all the cards on our fields and in our hands are sent to the GY and you take 300 points of damage for each card so with seventeen cards about to go to the GY that's 5100 points of damage.
Silver Chance:2800
Marik Ishtar:3000
Chaos Emperor Dragon Nuked the field with a massive fire burst and Marik took all the damage which not only reduced his Life Points to zero but also caused his runner to emit smoke.
Silver Chance:2800
Marik Ishtar:0
WINNER: Silver Chance
" And that's it Ladies and Gentlemen the winners of this round are Team Silverwing," The Mc announced. As soon as Silver returned to the stadium both teams shook on a well-played match.
" I must say that Chaos Emperor Dragon was quite the surprise twist. Where exactly did you find it?" Marik asked.
" As I said earlier I took it off a witch that ended up being reduced to ash when she and her two sisters attacked us," Silver said.
" However you obtained it please be careful with it because such power can also be quite dangerous to the one wielding it," Ishizu warned.
" You don,t have to remind me," Silver said.
" So where are you four off to now?" Marik asked.
" To France to watch the next match that will decide who we are going against in the next round," Lightning said.
" Well good luck with the rest of the Tournament and may we see each other again," Marik said before Silver and his team left. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Heroes On The Rise | Silver and his team arrived safely in Paris and checked in at the Le Grand Paris Hotel. As they were about to go out and explore the city a girl with blonde hair tied in a ponytail with blue eyes wearing a white top with black stripes and a yellow jacket approached them or more specifically Silver.
" Shall we go somewhere more private Silver?" The girl asked which made Lyra mad.
" Back off blondie, he is mine," Lyra said as she pulled Silver away from her.
" Blondie! Do you know who I am?" The girl asked.
" Don't know and don't care," Lyra said.
" I'm Chloe Bourgeois and a peasant like you with the son of America's second-richest person in the world. Ridiculous utterly ridiculous," Chloe said with a hint of rage.
" I'll have you know he is my boyfriend and I suggest you get lost before my friend here decides to break loose on you," Lyra said threateningly as Lightning looked ready to break Chloe's bones.
" My daddy is the mayor of this city. So unless you don,t want me to call him I suggest you hand Silver to me," Chloe said while holding her finger over the speed dial button for her dad.
" Go ahead call him we will just tell him you were harassing us. Now, are we done here because we have a duel to watch in half an hour," Lightning said calling Chloe's bluff. Chloe put her phone away and then stormed off. Silver and his friends left for the Paris stadium to watch the match that will determine their next opponents. As Silver was checking the directions a girl with blue hair tied in pigtails bumped into them looking like she was in quite a rush.
" Are you ok miss?" Silver asked as he helped her up.
" Sorry about that I'm about to be late for the duel," The girl said.
" Are you in it or just watching?" Lyra asked.
" I'm the leader of the French Team. I'm Marinette by the way," Marinette said.
" Nice to meet you Marinette. I'm Silver and these are my Teammates Lyra, Lightning, and Ratchet," Silver said while introducing his team.
" Are you guys in the WRGP too?" Marinette asked.
" Sure are we are the US Team, Team Silverwing," Silver said.
"The US as in from New York?" Marinette asked.
" We are from California actually but yes we are from the US," Lyra said.
" Well it's been nice chatting with you but I must be going," Marinette said before Silver stopped her.
" Wait why don't I give you a lift since we are going to the same place," Silver said before getting his runner.
" Thank you," Marinette said before putting her helmet on. After getting behind Silver he gunned it and took off for Paris stadium.
Meanwhile, at Paris Stadium a boy with blonde hair and an Asian girl with black hair was waiting outside for someone.
" How dare Marinette keep us waiting. Our match starts in ten minutes," The Asian girl said.
" Calm down Kagami you know how much of a scatterbrain Marinette can be," The blonde boy said.
" I know Adrian but this is very important. We might not ever get a chance like this again especially if some akumatized villains show up and ruin the tournament," Kagami said.
" Hang on is that a duel runner coming this way?" Andrian asked before the runner pulled a sideways stop in front of him and Kagami. The person behind the driver got off and removed her helmet which revealed the person Kagami and Adrian were waiting for.
" We have been waiting for you Marinette," Kagami said.
" Am I late?" Marinette asked.
" No, for once you're right on time," Adrian said.
" That's a relief. Guys meet Silver Chance. He is the leader of Team Silverwing," Marinette said.
" So you're the one we will be facing in the next round," Kagami said.
" That depends on who wins the duel which despite a slight delay we will be watching," Silver said.
" What was the slight delay?" Marinette asked.
" Some brat named Chloe tried to make a move on me and tried to use an empty threat on us," Silver said.
" Chloe Bourgeois?" Kagami asked.
" Yep, you know her?" Silver asked.
" Unfortunately we do and I can guess she threatened to get her father involved," Kagami said.
" She did. It's like she fails to understand how the position of Mayor works. A Mayor's job is to supervise and manage the resources of their city. They most certainly don't have the time to indulge the whims of a spoiled brat," Silver said.
" Please stop speaking ill of Chloe. You don't understand her at all," Adrian said.
" Want a bet. I'm the son of the second richest man in the world. People feared me because they assumed I was just like Chloe when I am nothing like her. I respect my father and his job title not to get him mixed up in my problems. I wasn't given everything I have on a silver platter I worked for everything," Silver said which shocked everyone.
" Wow that was so deep," Adrian said.
" But enough about me you three have a match to compete in," Silver said before his teammates arrived.
Let's hope we meet in the next round," Marinette said before she and her team left to set up their pit. Silver and his team took their seats in the stands ready to view the match.
" What do you think the EU Team is like?" Lightning asked.
" Hard to say since so far the only members we met are a pile of muscles and some British scientist lady," Lyra said.
" Well assuming Marinette and her team manage to beat the first two we may get to see their leader," Silver said. As they were talking the Mc walked up on stage ready to get the match started.
" Welcome to the third match of the WRGP Ladies and Gentlemen. As you know various duels are happening in many different countries and this is the last one for the third round. Whoever wins this match will be moving on to the semi-finals with the other seven teams that won their matches. So without further ado let's introduce the teams for today's match. First up from our beloved city of Paris and representing our very country is Team Miraculous which consists of Marinette Dopang-Cheng, Adrian Agreste, and Kagami Tsurugi," The Mc said as Marinette and her friends entered the stadium. " And representing the countries of Italy, Spain, and Croatia is the second set of EU Duelists. Team Dragonflame whose members are the representative of Italy Antonio Aldini, The representative of Spain Maria Garcia, and the Representative of Croatia Luka Wildwind.
" What gives? I thought we would be seeing Team Demise in this duel?" Lightning said.
" Must be more than one EU Team in this tournament," Lyra said as Silver looked up the official bracket for the whole tournament instead of the one just for the A Block.
" Your right it saids here Team Demise is in the B Block which is going on in another country right now," Silver said.
" And both teams have sent their first duelists to the starting line. First, up for Team Miraculous is Kagami and for team Dragonflame is Antonio," The Mc shouted before both duelists took off. After what felt like a neck and neck race Kagami made the corner first thus granting her the first turn. After both duelists drew their opening hand the duel began.
DUEL
Kagami Tsurugi:4000
Antonio Aldini:4000
" The first move is mine and to start things off I activate the Spell Polymerization fusing the Elemental Hero Wildheart and ElementalHeroBurstinatrix in my hand. Both of Kagami's monsters appeared in front of a fusion vortex and spun around.
" Mighty heroine of fire and justice combine with the swordsman of the jungle and become a blade forged from lava! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level Seven! Elemental Hero Magma Blade! A woman with dark skin and cracks of lava in certain places and long jet black hair wearing a red and black kimono appeared before drawing her sword which was made of black metal.
Elemental Hero Magma Blade
LV:7
ATK:2800
" But I'm not done yet. Next, I summon Elemental Hero Mistral from my hand. A woman with green eyes and white skin and long green hair wearing a green skintight suit covered in light green feathers with wings of the same color appeared next to Magma Blade.
Elemental Hero Mistral
LV:4
ATK:1800
" When I summon Mistral while I control another Elemental Hero Monster I can draw two cards. Kagami drew her two cards and smiled at what she drew. " I set one card Face-down and end my turn by activating the Continuous Spell Elemental Barrier. A barrier made of both fire and wind formed around Kagami's field. I can only activate this spell while I control two or more Elemental Hero Monsters and as long as this card is in play I don't take any damage from battles that involve my Elemental Hero Monsters.
" My turn I draw," Antonio said as he drew his sixth card. Despite the way, Kagami set her field, Antonio was not intimidated in the slightest. " First off I Summon Ancient Gear Statue in attack mode. A small sculpture made of a scrap appeared on Antonio's field.
Ancient Gear Statue
LV:2
ATK:500
" This is not good for Kagami," Silver said.
" Why would you say that? that pile of junk is too weak to make a difference," Lightning said.
" That Pile of Junk as you called it is just a stepping stone for summoning a much more dangerous monster this deck is known for," Silver said.
" You don't mean?" Lyra asked sensing where Silver was going with this.
" That's right. Ancient Gear Golem. A card that not only inflicts piercing damage but during the Battle Phase the opponent cannot activate Spell or Trap Cards," Silver said.
" Next I activate the Spell Machine Duplication that allows me to Special Summon two more Statues from my Deck. Two more Ancient Gear Statues popped up on both sides of the first one.
Ancient Gear Statue x2
LV:2
ATK:500
" Next I use the effect of my Statues. When one is Tributed I can Special Summon Ancient Gear Golem ignoring the Summoning Conditions so I tribute all three to Special Summon three Ancient Gear Golems from my Hand. All three Statues glowed before disappearing and in their place stood three Ancient Gear Golems ready to smash Kagami's Monsters.
Ancient Gear Golem x3
LV:8
ATK:3000
" Next I activate the Spell Recycle Draw. by banishing a Machine-Type Monster from my GY I can draw two cards. Antonio banished one of his Statues and drew his two cards. " Now to get rid of that pesky Barrier of yours I activate the Quick-Play Spell Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy it. Antonio was sure his plan would work until Kagami spotted the first Action card of the match and grabbed it then played it.
" I activate the Action Spell Magical Firewall. This not only negates the activation of your Spell you also take 500 points of damage. Antonio was suddenly burned as his points went down.
Togami Tsurugi:4000
Antonio Aldini:3500
" You may have saved your Barrier but your monsters won't be safe," Antonio said.
" Before the Battle begins I activate the Trap Invincible Hero now my monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. Antonio looked upset that his plan failed.
" Fine I end my turn go ahead and make whatever move you wish your monsters still won't beat me," Antonio said.
" My turn I draw," Kagami said as she drew her second card. Kagami looked displeased she had nothing to deal with Antonio's Golems until she saw what she drew. " First I activate the Spell Heroes Charity. this allows me to draw five cards but I must discard a Hero Monsters or my entire hand is discarded. Kagami drew five cards and was pleased she managed to draw the monster that would help her in this situation. " I discard my Necroshade to keep my hand. Next, I will use Necroshade's effect from my GY if he is in my GY I can Normal Summon a high-level Elemental Hero Monster without tributing any monsters so welcome to the game Elemental Hero Bladedge. Bladedge appeared on the field looking ready to slice up Antonio's Gear Golems.
Elemental Hero Bladedge
LV:7
ATK:2600
" Nice try but your Bladedge is not strong enough to cut me down," Antonio said.
" Your right he is not strong enough at least not yet. I activate the Equip Spell Edge Enhancer this not only gives my Bladedge an extra 600 attack points but any battle damage he inflicts becomes doubled. Bladedge's blades became longer and much sharper.
2600 + 600 = 3200
" Next I activate the Spell Fusion Recovery this allows me to add Polymerization and Elemental Hero Burstinatrix to my hand. After adding her cards back to her hand Kagami made her next move. '' Next, I use Polymerization to fuse the Mistral on my field with the Burstinitrix in my hand. Both monsters appeared in the fusion vortex before spinning.
" Mighty heroine of the skies combine with the heroine of fire and justice to form an undying flame of justice and might! Fusion Summon! Take to the skies! Level nine! Elemental Hero Phoenix Whirlwind! A woman wearing a phoenix shaped mask with long orange hair wearing an orange skin-tight suit with matching feathers in certain places and wings of the same color.
Elemental Hero Phoenix Whirlwind
LV:9
ATK:3300
" When Phoenix Whirlwind is successfully Fusion Summoned she lowers your monsters attack points by 400 for every Elemental Hero monster I currently control so with three monsters on my field your three junkpiles each lose 1200 attack points. Phoenix Whirlwind unleashed a mighty gust of wind that caused all three Ancient Gear Golems to rust up as they got weaker.
3000 - 1200 = 1800 x3
" Now that everything's in place, time to battle. Bladedge attack the Ancient Gear Golem in the center with Slice and Dice Attack. Bladedge charged at his target ready to slice them until Antonio reacted.
" You won't beat me that easily. When one of my Machine-Type Monsters is attacked I can discard my Overclock Mech to double the targeted monster's attack points during the damage step. Ancient Gear Golem began to power up.
1800 x 2 = 3600
" You may not take any damage thanks to your Barrier but your Bladedge still bites the dust. Ancient Gear Golem managed to destroy Bladedge with a single punch.
" I will admit that was a good move. If Bladedge had succeeded with his attack, you would have taken 2800 points of damage. But I still have two more attacks to hit you with. Phoenix whirlwind attacks the center Ancient Gear Golem with Wings Of Liberty. Phoenix Whirlwind flew at Ancient Gear Golem with wings made of iron and managed to slice it before making it explode.
Togami Tsurugi:4000
Antonio Aldini:2000
" Now Magma Blade will attack the Golem on the right with Flame Sabre Slash. Magma Blade took off and moved like a blur before appearing behind Ancient Gear Golem and sheathing her sword which caused Ancient Gear Golem to explode.
Togami Tsurugi:4000
Antonio Aldini:1000
" You may have survived this round but next turn you are finished so for now I end my turn," Kagami said.
" My turn I draw," Antonio said as he drew his card. Antonio looked flustered after seeing how outmatched he was with two powerful monsters staring down his weakened Golem until he saw that he drew something that could give him a potential chance to turn things around. " I activate the Spell Card Of Sanctity which allows both of us to draw until we each have six cards in our hand. Antonio drew six cards while Kagami drew four. Antonio looked pleased with what he drew. " Next I activate the Spell Ancient Gear Inspection by returning an Ancient Gear monster on the field to my hand I can draw one more card so my Golem returns to my hand. As soon as Ancient Gear Golem left the field Antonio drew his card and looked pleased with it. " Next I activate the Spell Mech Salvage which allows me to add a Level four or lower Machine-type monster from my GY to my hand so I will add one of my Statues to my hand not that it will be there for long because I'm also summoning it. Ancient Gear Statue reappeared on the field.
Ancient Gear Statue
LV:2
ATK:500
" Next I tribute my Statue to bring back my Golem at full power. Ancient Gear Golem returned with all its strength.
Ancient Gear Golem
LV:8
ATK:3000
" I activate the Spell Mechanized Melee. I can only activate this card while I control Ancient Gear Golem and this card deals you damage equal to Ancient Gear Golem's original attack points so let's see your barrier protect you from 3000 points of effect damage. Ancient Gear Golem unleashed a blast of steam on Kagami making her Life points now equal to Antonio's.
Togami Tsurugi:1000
Antonio Aldini:1000
" That's not all. My spell also allows me to destroy one Spell or Trap on the field so say goodby to your Barrier. Elemental Barrier finally shattered leaving her vulnerable to damage. " Unfortunately I can't attack the turn I used this card so I will end my turn don't think you won because on my next turn you're finished.
" We shall see. My turn I draw," Kagami said as she drew her seventh card. Kagami looked ready to end this and made her move. " I'm afraid this is where we shall end this. Magma Blade attack Ancient Gear Golem. Magma Blade prepared to attack which confused Antonio.
" Are you mad your monster is not strong enough to beat my Golem," Antonio said in a flustered tone.
" That does not matter. Magma Blade's effect allows her to automatically destroy the monster she attacks without calculating damage then you take damage equal to half your destroyed monster's attack points. As soon as Ancient Gear Golem exploded the falling debris drained the rest of Antonio's Life Points.
Togami Tsurugi:1000
Antonio Aldini:0
WINNER:Togami Tsurugi
During the end of the Battle, Kagami discarded a card from her hand as per the rules saying no duelist can have no more than six cards in their hand. Antonio returned to his team's pit and passed the baton to Maria who was waiting for him.
" Sorry I could not beat her. That Magma Blade's effect took me by surprise," Antonio said.
" It's fine at least you managed to score a massive blow to Kagami's Life Points now leave the rest to me," Maria said before taking off. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Heroic Fight To The Finish | " And taking the second leg for Team Dragonflame is Maria Garcia," The Mc said. As soon as Maria caught up to Kagami she drew her opening hand and the duel continued.
DUEL
Kagami Tsurugi:1000
Maria Garcia:4000
" My turn I draw," Maria said as she drew her sixth card. After checking her hand Maria made her move. " First I set a Monster face-down. A Face Down monster appeared on Maria's field. " Next I activate the Spell Shaddoll Fusion This card allows me to Fusion Summon a Shaddoll Fusion Monster using monsters from my hand or Field but since you control Monster from the Extra deck I can also use monsters in my deck so I will fuse Shaddoll Beast and Denko Sekka from my Deck. Two cards appeared before turning into a warrior lady with blue armor and a creature bound by strings.
" Mighty warrior of the Land of Snow combine with the corrupted beast of darkness and become one! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level Eight! El Shaddoll Construct! A woman resembling a nun made out of metal appeared while attached to strings.
El Shaddoll Construct
LV:8
ATK:2800
" When my Construct is Special Summoned I can send a Shaddoll card from Deck to my GY so I send Shaddoll Hound to my GY. Now the effects of my Hound and Beast activate First Beast lets me draw one card. Maria drew her card before continuing. " Next Hound lets me change the battle mode of one monster on the field so I will target my set monster. Maria's set monster flipped face-up revealing to be a dark dragon with strings attached to it.
Shaddoll Dragon
LV:4
ATK:1900
" Now my Shaddoll Dragon's Flip effect activates which sends one card on your side of the field back to your hand so I send Phoenix Whirlwind back to your Extra Deck. Dragon unleashed a breath of dark fire that caused Phoenix Whirlwind to vanish. " Now that She is gone, time to Battle. Construct will attack Magma Blade. Kagami was expecting both monsters to destroy each other since their attack points were even only for Maria to break that thought. " Construct's effect activates. At the start of the damage step any Special Summoned Monster Construct battles is instantly destroyed. Construct attached her strings to Magma Blade and then yanked her into the sky before she exploded. " Now Dragon attacks you Directly. Dragon unleashed more dark fire which drained the rest of Kagami's Life Points.
Kagami Tsurugi:0
Maria Garcia:4000
WINNER: Maria Garcia
Kagami drove back to her team's pit and passed the baton to Adrian.
" Be careful Adrian," Kagami said.
" Relax I got this," Adrian said before taking off.
" And now taking the second leg for Team Miraculous is Adrian Agreste," The Mc shouted. As soon as he caught up to Maria he drew his opening hand and the duel continued.
DUEL
Adrian Agreste:4000
Maria Garcia:4000
" My turn I draw," Adrian said as he drew his sixth card. Adrian thought hard about how to get around Construct until he noticed what he drew which was exactly what he needed. " First I summon Destiny Hero Doom Lord in attack mode. A fiendish looking hero with a red cape appeared ready for action.
Destiny Hero Doom Lord
LV:3
ATK:600
" Like that can beat me your monster is too weak to fight either of mine, "Maria said.
" Who said I was attacking I activate my Doom Lord's effect which allows me to banish one of your monsters for the next two turns so say goodbye to your Construct. Doom Lord fired some chains at Construct and as soon as they bound her she vanished from the field. " Next I activate the Spell Polymerization fusing the Destiny Hero Drilldark and Destiny Hero Diamond Dude that is in my hand. Both of Adrian's Monsters appeared before spinning in the fusion vortex.
" Mighty hero that pierces the darkness with your drill fuse with the warrior who's diamonds shine a light on the future and become one! Fusion Summon! Rise! Level Eight! Destiny Hero Dystopia! A warrior with purple and yellow body armor and a red D on his mask appeared ready for action.
Destiny Hero Dystopia
LV:8
ATK:2800
" When Dystopia is Special Summoned I can target a Level Four or lower Destiny Hero in my Gy and inflict damage to you equal to its attack points and I think I will choose my Drilldark which has 1600 attack points. Dystopia generated a sphere of electricity and then fired it at Maria who took it.
Adrian Agreste:4000
Maria Garcia:2400
" I can't attack the same turn I used my Doom Lord's effect so I will end my Turn with Two cards Face-down," Adrian said as two set cards appeared behind his monsters.
" My turn I draw," Mari said as she drew her sixth card. Maria checked her hand and noticed she drew something that could work. " First I set a monster. A set monster appeared next to Dragon. " Next I activate the Spell book Of Taiyou which flips my set monster into attack position. A ray of sunshine enveloped Maria's set monster before it flipped into attack position and summoned a shadowy falcon bound by strings.
Shaddoll Falco
LV:2
ATK:600
When my Shaddoll Falco has been flipped face-up I can Special Summon another Shaddoll monster from my GY in Face-Down Defense Position so I will bring back my Beast. A set monster appeared next to Falco. " Next I activate the Continuous Spell Tarotrei's Influence while this card is out all my Flip Effect monsters are changed back into Face-Down Defense Position during my End Phase but it also gives me the option to change them into Face Up Attack Position once per turn. Right before Maria could call the end of her turn Adrian acted.
" Before you End your Turn I activate the Trap D Sabre, this equips onto a Destiny Hero Monster and not only increases its attack points by 500 but also gives that monster the ability to inflict Piercing Damage and I equip it onto Dystopia. A blade that looked like a broad sword with a capital D on the bottom of the handle appeared before Dystopia grabbed it.
2800 + 500 = 3300
" Whenever Dystopia's attack points change his effect activates. I can target one card on the field and destroy it however Destropia's attack points return to their original value afterward and the card I destroy is Shaddoll Dragon. Go, Squeeze Palm. Dystopia used the vacuum on his hand to suck in Shaddoll Dragon and then made a fist.
" Big deal, you just activated my Dragon's other effect. When he is sent to the GY by a card effect I can destroy one Spell or Trap on the field so there goes your D Sabre. Dark flames consumed D Sabre and before it could be destroyed Adrian went for his other set card.
" I activate the Trap Fake Trap when one of my Trap cards is about to be destroyed; this card takes the hit instead. Adrian's Fake Trap was now on fire while D Sabre looked undamaged.
" I end my turn and during the End Phase, My spell sets my Falco Face-down. Falco was returned to Face-Down Defense Position by magical waves.
" My turn I draw," Adrian said as he drew his card. Adrian needed a way to deal with Maria's monsters without flipping or sending them to the GY and noticed that even though he did not draw it yet he still had hope. " First I activate the Spell Hero Dimension Draw by banishing a Hero Monster from my GY I can draw two cards so I will banish the Drilldark that is in my GY. After banishing his declared monster Adrian drew his two cards and smiled at what he drew. " Just what I needed I activate the Spell Doom Lord's Dominance. I can only use this card while I control Destiny Hero Doom Lord and it banishes all the monsters on your side of the field for two turns. Both of Maria's monsters vanished from the field which made her look upset since their effects don't activate. " Next I activate the Quick-Play Spell Pot Of Acquisitiveness By returning three banished cards to the deck I can draw one card so I return your Falco, Beast, and Construct to your deck. After all three of Maria's monsters returned to her deck, Adrian drew his card and smiled more. " Next I Summon Destiny Hero Shadow Panther in attack mode. A man wearing a black panther style costume with blades for claws and piercing green eyes appeared on the field ready to slice someone up.
Destiny Hero Shadow Panther
LV:4
ATK:2000
" When Panther is Normal Summoned I can destroy one Spell or Trap on the field so I destroy your Tarotrei's Influence. Panther threw one of his blades at Maria's spell and destroyed it. " Time to battle. Dystopia attack Maria Directly with Destiny Blade Slash. Dystopia charged at Maria and delivered the final blow that drained the rest of her life points.
Adrian Agreste:4000
Maria Garcia:0
WINNER: Adrian Agreste
Maria drove back to her team's pit where Luka was waiting for her. As soon as she pulled over next to Luka she passed the baton to him.
" Sorry for not beating him, he is quite strong," Maria said.
" It's ok just leave the rest to me," Luka said before taking off.
" And taking the last leg for Team Dragonflame is Luka Wildwind," The Mc shouted as Luke caught up to Adrian. Luka drew his opening hand and the duel picked up again.
DUEL
Adrian Agreste:4000
Luka Wildwind:4000
" My turn I draw," Luka said as he drew his sixth card. Luka looked pleased with what he drew and made his move. " First I summon Black Dragon's Chick. A red egg suddenly appeared before hatching into a small black dragon whelp.
Black Dragon's Chick
LV:1
ATK:800
" Next I will use my chick's effect by Tributing Chick I can Special Summon Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my hand. As soon as Chick left the field a Dragon with black scales and red eyes appeared before unleashing a mighty roar.
Red Eyes Black Dragon
LV:7
ATK:2400
" Next I activate the Spell Inferno Fire Blast by targeting my Red Eyes he can inflict damage equal to his original attack points so you're taking 2400 points of damage. Red Eyes unleashed his signature attack on Adrain which took a huge chunk out of his Life Points.
Adrian Agreste:1600
Luka Wildwind:4000
" As much as I want to finish you off, Red Eyes can't attack during the turn I use Inferno Fire Blast so I will end my Turn by setting three cards Face-down," Luka said as three set cards appeared behind Red Eyes.
" My turn I draw," Adrian said as he drew his card. Adrian was certain one of Luka's set cards could end things if he was not careful. After thinking it over Adrian decided to bait Luka into using his face-downs. " First I activate my Doom Lord's effect to banish Red Eyes for two turns. Just as Doom Lord was about to banish Red Eyes Luka reacted.
" I activate the Trap Red-Eyes Metal Morph this card equips onto Red-Eyes Black Dragon and makes him unaffected by your Spells, Traps, or Monster Effects so Red Eyes is not going anywhere. Red Eyes was suddenly covered in a metallic liquid that turned his whole body into metal.
" Fine, then I will just destroy him in battle. Dystopia attacks Red Eyes. Just as Dystopia was about to attack Luka went for another set card.
" That won't work either because I activate the Trap Soul Force by paying 1000 life points. I can target one monster in my GY and equip it to my Red Eyes and Red eyes gains attack points equal to the equipped monster's attack points and the monster I equip is Black Dragon Chick. After paying his points and equipping his monster Red eyes grew stronger by 800 points.
Adrian Agreste:1600
Luka Wildwind:3000
2400 + 800 = 3200
Adrain noticed a clutch Action card up ahead and grabbed it and after seeing it he quickly activated it. " I activate the action Spell Double Attack that doubles my Dystopia's attack points. Dystopia grew more powerful.
2800 x 2 = 5600
Dystopia managed to inflict a good amount of damage but Red Eyes managed to survive the attack.
Adrian Agreste:1600
Luka Wildwind:600
" My Red Eyes is not going anywhere because by sending Red-Eyes Metal Morph to my GY Red Eyes is not destroyed this turn.
" Your monster may have survived but I have one last trick up my sleeve. I activate the Spell Bait Doll. This forces your remaining set card to activate.
" You fool, do you even know what you just did? Did you Activated my Trap Red Eyes Sacrifice when this card is activated. Not only is my Red-Eyes Black Dragon sent to my GY but we both take damage equal to his original attack points. Red eyes fired two balls of fire into the air before vanishing and as soon as they both hit Luka and Adrian both of them lost all of their Life Points.
Adrian Agreste:0
Luka Wildwind:0
DRAW
" And that's it, folks. Since Team Dragonflame lost all three of their duelists Team Miraculous wins the match," The MC shouted as the crowd went wild. The celebration was cut short when reports of a girl with blonde hair wearing a yellow bodysuit with black stripes and yellow skin were heard.
" Sorry to cut this short but we must be going see you three at the next venue," Marinette said before she and her teammates left. Silver knew whatever was going on was something important so he and his team returned to the hotel for the day to rest up and get ready to leave in the morning. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Chloe's Sting | After packing their bags Silver and his team were on their way to the lobby to check out. As soon as they got there Marinette and her two friends were waiting for them.
" Looks like the next match is taking place in California in some place called Canterlot City," Marinette said.
" Yay our turn to have a home field game," Lightning said finally going someplace where the crowd will be happy to see her.
" Don't you enjoy traveling?" Adrian asked.
" Normally I do but through this whole circuit, the crowd hated us. The Japanese and The Eqyptians booed us like we were the bad guys," Lightning said.
" Don't let the locals put you down. It's common for them to root for their home team. Believe us we know how you feel. The Russians, The British, Even the Hungarians booed us because we were the away team," Marinette said.
" The Chinese only cheered us on because their team consisted of three infamous martial artists who were nothing but a disgrace to China," Lyra said.
" I remember that match. The leader used a forbidden deck that was later incinerated by the Spirits of the Dragon Rulers," Marinette said.
" How did you know about that part?" Silver asked.
" Let's just say a friend of mine knows a lot about Chinese stuff," Marinette said trying her best to hide her master's knowledge of what happened. As they were talking Chloe came in and looked upset with Lyra for some reason.
" Get away from my man you mint-colored harlot," Chloe shouted as she forced herself onto Silver.
" You leave my Boyfriend alone you hussy," Lyra shouted after grabbing Silver's arm. Chloe and Lyra were now having a tug of war with Silver until he came close to exploding.
" Enough both of you. Don't I have a say in this love triangle?" Silver asked.
" Silver I'm just trying to protect you," Lyra said.
" You know my heart belongs to you, my minty goddess. but this spoiled brat won't back off unless I do something about her," Silver pointed out.
" If it's a duel you want then I'm game but if I win you dump that loser and become my man," Chloe said.
" Fine with me but If I win you are to stay 500 feet away from me and my friends. Got it? Silver said.
" Whatever let's do this," Chloe said as she activated her duel disk which was yellow with black stripes.
" What's with the bee motif?" Lightning asked with Marinette groining about it.
" Chloe has this crazy notion that she is actually Queen Bee when in fact ladybug said herself that she will never be Queen Bee ever again," Marinette said which confused Lyra, Lightning, and Ratchet.
" Queen Bee was one of Paris's Superheros until she broke the rules of being a Superhero," Adrian explained.
" And what rules are those?" Lightning asked.
" One she revealed her secret Identity to everyone in Paris just so she could try and make her mom proud of her, which failed I might add," Marinette said as Silver activated his Duel Disk.
" That's enough out of the peanut gallery time to duel," Chloe shouted as both Chloe and Silver drew their opening hands.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Chloe Bourgeois:4000
" The first move is mine," Chloe said while checking her hand. After looking at her opening hand Chloe pulled a card from it. " First I activate the Field Spell Honeycomb Breeding Grounds. The entire lobby transformed into the inside of a beehive with a lake of honey with honeycombs in the walls and a hardened mound in the center.
" What is the meaning of this hive?" Lightning asked.
" You're about to find out. You see once per turn Honeycomb Breeding Grounds lets me Special Summon an Insect-Type Monster from either my hand or GY and on the subject of Insects I use this effect to Special Summon Battlewasp - Drill the Lancer from my Hand. A bee-like insect with yellow and white stripes and a drill-like stinger flew out of one of the honeycombs and hovered onto Chloe's field.
Battlewasp - Drill The Lancer
LV:4
ATK:1800
" Before I get into what my Lancer can do I activate the Continuous Spell Battlewasp Venom Sting As long as this card is in play all effect damage my Battlewasp monsters inflicts becomes doubled. Drill's stinger began to glow purple. " Next I activate the Spell Gene Splice by discarding a Level three Insect-Type Monster from my hand I can Special Summon three Level One Insect-Type monsters from my Deck so I discard my Level Three Battlewasp - Twinbow The Attacker I can Special Summon Three Battlewasp - Pin the Bulleyes from my Deck. Three smaller bees flew onto the field before hovering over it with their needles glowing purple.
Battlewasp - Pin The Bullseye x3
LV:1
ATK:200
" Now that I have everything I need time for my OTK. First, up the effect of my Pin The Bullseye which inflicts 200 points of damage for each Pin The Bullseye I control so with three of them that's 600 points of damage but thanks to Battlewasp Venom Strike that damage is doubled so that's 1200 points of damage. Pin the Bullseye fired its needle at Silver who ended up taking it.
Silver Chance:2800
Chloe Bourgeois:4000
" Don't think you are safe yet because my other two Pin The Bullseyes can use the same effect so here is 2400 points of damage. Chloe's other two monsters fired their needles at Silver who just took them.
Silver Chance:400
Chloe Bourgeois:4000
" This is not good," Lightning said.
" Tell me about it. It's only the first turn of the duel and Silver is already losing," Lyra said
" I wouldn't count Silver out just yet. Look," Ratchet said referring to How Silver looks focused despite being at a disadvantage.
" You're right he looks like he is ready to turn things around," Lyra said.
" I hate to burst all your bubbles but Silver has no chance of winning because I activate my Drill The Lancer's effect. Once per turn Drill inflicts 300 points of damage for every Battlewasp Monster I control so with four of them out that's 1200 points of damage which thanks to my spell card is doubled to 2400 points of damage. Just when it looked like Chloe was about to win with a tornado from Drill's stinger Silver reacted.
" I won't let that happen. By discarding my Effect Veiler your Drill's effect is negated. As soon as Silver discarded his declared card Drill The Lancer was covered in a cloth that smothered its power.
" You may have survived this turn but with only 400 Life Points left you're finished on my next turn," Chloe said before declaring the end of her turn.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his fifth card. Silver was in a very serious bind since he had no monsters in his hand that he could summon and nothing that could save him from Chloe's burn combos. Silver looked close to giving up until he spotted the one card in his hand that could save him. " I activate the Spell Card Of Fate this card allows each of us to pick a card from our decks and then we each chose four random cards from each other's deck. Then the five cards are shuffled and we each pick and reveal one to add to our hand while the rest go back into the Deck. So let's do this. Silver and Chloe each pick their cards before drawing out four random cards from each other's decks. The five cards appeared over both of them before shuffling around. " I will pick the second to the left card. As the card flipped Silver was feeling nervous until it revealed to be the card he was hoping for. " Looks like I got Damage Neutralizer which is just what I needed. After adding the card to his hand the other four cards returned to Silver's deck which was then shuffled.
" I pick the far right," Chloe said. As soon as the declared card was revealed Chloe looked happy. " Looks like I got my Battlewasp - Sting the Poison. After adding her card to her hand Chloe's other four cards were shuffled into her deck as well.
" Now that our game of chance has concluded time for me to turn this around and to start I activate the Continuous Spell Damage Neutralizer. As long as this card is on my field any Effect Damage I take is reduced to Zero. A pair of Pylons came out of the ground on Silver's side and formed a barrier around Silver's field. " Next I activate the Spell Seven Star Legacy by discarding a Level Seven monster from my hand I can draw two cards so I discard my Buster Blader to draw two cards. After discarding his monster and drawing two cards Silver looked pleased. " Next I activate the Spell Painful Revival this allows me to Special Summon as many monsters as possible from my GY in Defense Mode however I take 500 points of damage for each monster I bring back with this effect but thanks to my Damage Neutralizer that risk is no longer a problem so I bring back my Buster Blader and Effect Veiler. Both of Silver's Monsters returned and took a defensive stance.
Buster Blader
LV:7
DEF:2300
Effect Veiler
LV:1
DEF:0
" Next I tune my Level one Effect Veiler with my Level Seven Buster Blader to Synchro Summon a monster that will help me end this. Effect Veiler flew into the air before turning into a single star and then into a single Ring that encircled Buster Blader and turned him into seven stars that fell into alignment.
LV:7 + LV:1 = LV8
" Mighty Dragon of the king take flight and burn my opponents to Ash! Synchro Summon! Rise! Level Eight! Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend! Scarlight flew onto the field which caused everyone except for Chloe to be amazed.
Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend
LV:8
ATK:3000
" I had no idea Silver was carrying such a rare and powerful card," Adrien said.
" Just keep watching because Chloe is about to witness what real burn damage looks like," Lightning said.
" Next I activate the Spell Absolute Power Force. I can only activate this card while I control Red Dragon Archfiend which thanks to Scarlight's effect I do. This card allows me to destroy all the cards on your field. Scarlight slammed his palm on the ground and unleashed a gazer of fire onto Chloe's field which destroyed everything including the hive around them. " And that's not all for each card destroyed by this effect you take 800 points of damage. Chloe was suddenly consumed by the flames as her Life Points dropped to zero.
Silver Chance:400
Chloe Bourgeois:0
Winner: Silver Chance
" You did it, Silver you won," Lyra said joyfully.
" I sure did. Now as per our agreement Chloe Bourgeois you are not allowed within 500 feet of me or my friends starting now," Silver said before the owner of the Hotel arrived.
" Please reconsider Mr. Chance. my daughter is one of your biggest fans is there anything I can do to change your mind?" The owner pleaded.
" There is nothing either you or Chloe can do to change my mind. She tried to drive a wedge between me and the one girl I could ever ask for. Even if I weren't taken, I still would not accept Chloe because I don't date girls who are spoiled and rotten like she is. Now if you don't mind me and my friends have a plane to catch and your Daughter has wasted enough of our time," Silver said as he and his friends left which left both the hotel owner and Chloe upset.
" You know you didn't have to sound so vindictive and cruel to both of them," Adrien said.
" Yeah your beef was with Chloe, not her dad," Marinette said.
" Sorry, it's just I hate it when people like Chloe get away with stuff like this without any consequences," Silver said.
" I get what you mean and your right about how unjust it is when people like Chloe go unpunished for everything they do but here negative feelings of any kind are a bad thing," Marinette said.
" What's the worst that can happen?" Lightning asked.
" People who show any signs of negative emotions such as anger, sadness, or hatred become prime targets for Hawkmoth and his Akuma's," Marinette explained.
" You know I heard about people talking about it but no one ever told us what it all means," Lyra said. Marinette and her two friends explained everything on their way to the airport. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Elemental Healing | The Plane from Paris soon landed and as soon as Silver and his friends old and new left the Airport some familiar faces came up to greet them.
" Silver, Lyra, Lightning, Ratchet. It's so good to see guys again," Sunset said.
" As soon as we heard the Fourth round of the A Block was being held here in Canterlot City we just had to come to see you," Twilight said.
" Good to see you, girls, too," Silver said.
" By the way who are these three?" Twilight asked.
" They are our opponents for the match," Lyra said.
" You will have to introduce us later. Right now Pinkie and the others are waiting for you guys," Sunset said. Sometime later Sunset and Twilight took Silver and his friends back to the Silver Mansion where Pinkie and the others were waiting for them. As soon as they entered the door a bunch of cannons full of confetti went off.
" Welcome Home Team Silverwing," Everyone shouted.
" You guys you didn't have to do this," Silver said.
" Nonsense you guys made it to the semi-finals besides when we heard the match between you and the French Team was taking place here Pinkie insisted we celebrate your return," Rainbow said.
" And I'm guessing you guys are the french team?" Rainbow asked.
" We are and I'm guessing you want us to leave," Marinette said.
" No, please stay," Pinkie said. The party began and everyone was enjoying themselves. Silver filled everyone including their new friends from Paris about their journey thus far.
The next day both teams were ready to go and waited for the mc to arrive. A few minutes later the Mc showed up and took the mic.
" Welcome everyone to the first semi-Final duel of the WRGP and what a duel it will be. So let's start by introducing the teams for this match. First up from our very own city of Canterlot are the heroic wings of justice. Team Silverwing," The Mc shouted as the crowd went wild for Team Silverwing's arrival.
" Feels good to have the applause being for us right from the start for once," Lightning said.
" Just remember Marinette and her team are our friends too. So focus on playing a good match and not the crowd," Silver said reminding Lightning about what is more important.
" And All the way from the lovely city of Paris and France. The Team of Heroes who dominated the EU and then some. Team Miraculous," The Mc shouted while introducing Marinette and her friends which caused the crowd to get into an uproar and boo them which Silver did not like.
" SILENCE," Silver shouted at the top of his longs which shut the crowd up. " SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR OUR OPPONENTS. After silver's demand for the crowd to be respectful was heard the crowd changed their attitude towards Marinette and her team. Both teams sent their first duelists out to the starting line.
" And now let's get this match started. First up from Team Silverwing is Lyra Heartstrings and first up from Team Miraculous is Kagami Tsurugi," The Mc shouted as both duelists looked ready to go. " Now activating the Action Field Speed World V. Ramps and half-pipes began to form around the track like usual but this time something new was included which Silver and his team recognized. " That's right folks the rumors you heard were true. For this semi-final match, with the help of the goldenburn construction company and Silver Corp R&D division, we built some special duel lanes that take the action above the city but don't worry folks we set up cameras all over the course so you don't miss any of the action. As soon as the Mc Finished explaining both Lyra and Kagami took off and after using her nitro Lyra managed to round the corner first. Both duelists drew their opening hands and started the match.
DUEL
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Kagami Tsurugi:4000
" The first move is mine," Lyra said. After checking her hand she saw the best way to start things off. " First I activate the Continuous Spell Valhalla Hall Of The Fallen. Lyra's Bifrost appeared like it always does. '' Next, I activate another Continuous Spell called Titania's Spring.
" What exactly do those do?" Kagami asked.
" You're about to find out. First, since I have no monsters on my field Valhalla lets me Special Summon A fairy-Type Monster from my hand so with this effect I Special Summon Guardian Angel Joan in attack mode. Guardian Angel Joan descended from the Bifrost and appeared on the field.
Guardian Angel Joan
LV:7
ATK:2800
" Next up Titania's Spring activates. Whenever I Normal or Special Summon a Fairy-Type monster I gain 500 Life points. Lyra was suddenly covered in a green aura as her Life Points went up.
Lyra Heartstrings:4500
Kagami Tsurugi:4000
" Next up I summon Fairy Archer in attack mode. Fairy Archer landed on the field gracefully next to Joan.
Fairy Archer
LV:3
ATK:1400
" Before I get to what she can do my Spring activates again since Fairy Archer is a Fairy-Type Monster. Lyra was covered in a green aura again as her Life Points went up.
Lyra Heartstrings:5000
Kagami Tsurugi:4000
" I may not be able to attack during the first turn but I can still inflict some damage thanks to my fairy Archer's effect which inflicts 400 points of damage for every LIGHT Attribute monster I control so with two of them that's 800 points of damage. Fairy Archer unleashed her arrow on Kagami and dealt some decent damage to her.
Lyra Heartstrings:5000
Kagami Tsurugi:3200
" Not bad. Anything else?" Kagami asked.
" Not at the moment, for now, I end my turn with one card face-down," Lyra said.
" My turn I draw," Kagami said as she drew her sixth card. Kagami was cautious of Lyra's set card since it could be a possible countermeasure against her fusion monsters. After checking her hand she saw her strategy form. " First I activate the Spell E Emergency Call this allows me to add an Elemental Hero Monster from my deck to my hand so I will add Elemental Hero Sparkman to my hand. After adding her declared card to her hand Kagami continued her move. " Next I summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode. Sparkman appeared on the field in a bolt of lightning.
Elemental Hero Sparkman
LV:4
ATK:1600
" Next I activate the Spell R Righteous Justice this allows me to destroy one Spell or Trap for every Elemental hero I control so with one Elemental Hero I destroy one card so your set card is no more. Kagami's card sent a big yellow R flying towards Lyra's set card only for Lyra to smile.
" You fell for my bluff. The card you just destroyed was Divine Shield and when a card effect destroys it I get to draw a card," Lyra said as she drew her card.
" No matter because now that I know you can,t stop me I activate the Spell Polymerization, and with it, I fuse the Sparkman on my field with the Wildheart in my hand. Both Sparkman and Wildheart appeared and spun in the fusion vortex.
" Mighty hero of electricity combine with the swordsman of the jungle and become the blade of justice born from the sky itself! Fusion Summon! Rise! Level Eight! Elemental Hero Lightning Paladin! A warrior lady with long golden blonde hair wearing gold and cobalt armor with a matching blue cape wielding a pair of golden twin blades appeared and took a heroic pose while her blades crackled with electricity.
Elemental Hero Lightning Paladin
LV:8
ATK:3000
" 3000 attack points?" Lyra said in shock.
" That's right and not just that she also has a very handy effect as well. My Paladin can attack twice during the battle," Kagami said. As soon as Kagami finished explaining what her monster does she continued her turn. " Time to battle Lightning Paladin attack Guardian Angel Joan with Lightning Sabre Slash. Lightning Paladin leaped into the air before crossing her blades and just when it looked like she was about to destroy Joan Lyra responded by pulling the only card in her hand.
" Nice try Kagami but I activate the effect of Honest from my hand when a LIGHT Attribute monster I control either attacks or is attacked. I can discard this card to add your monster's attack points to my monster during the damage step. Joan powered up as Honest's wings appeared behind her.
2800 + 3000 = 5800
Just when it looked like Kagami was about to lose her monster she spotted the first Action card of the match and grabbed it. After reading it she wasted no time in activating it.
" I activate the Action Spell Miracle. This not only saves my monster from destruction but the damage I take is cut in half. As soon as Paladin's blades made contact Joan repelled her and Kagami took damage.
Lyra Heartstrings:5000
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
5800 - 3000 = 2800
" You may have stopped my first attack but let's see you stop my second attack. Lightning Paladin attack Guardian Angel Joan again. Lightning Paladin prepared to attack Joan again. Just when it looked like she was finally about to destroy Joan Lyra spotted another Action Card and grabbed it before Kagami could and activated it.
" I activate the action Spell Evasion now your attack is negated. Joan spun out of the way while Lightning Paladin's attack missed.
" You may have survived that but next turn you won't. I end with two cards face-down," Kagami said as two set cards appeared behind Lightning Paladin.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her card. Lyra saw what she drew and looked slightly disappointed by it only because she would be risking everything on it. " I activate the Spell Card Of Sanctity which allows both of us to draw until we each have six cards in our hand. Both Lyra and Kagami drew six cards and Lyra looked pleased with her draw. " Next I activate the Spell Next World this allows me to select one of your monsters and Normal Summon a monster with the same level without any tributes so thanks to your Level Eight Lightning Paladin I Summon my Level Eight Mozarta The Melodious Maestra without any tributes. Mozarta appeared on the field gracefully while singing.
Mozarta The Melodious Maestra
LV:8
ATK:2600
" And since Mozarta is a Fairy-Type Monster, Titania's Spring gives me 500 more Life Points. Lyra was covered in a green aura as her Life Points went up.
Lyra Heartstrings:5500
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
" But I'm not done spanning the field yet I use Mozarta's Effect to Special Summon the Tuner Monster Bifrost Guardian in attack mode. A warrior wearing nordic style armor with ancient runes engraved on it appeared next to Mozarta.
Bifrost Guardian
LV:2
ATK:800
" And since my Guardian is a Fairy-Type Monster My Spring grants me 500 more Life Points. Lyra smiled as her points went up some more.
Lyra Heartstrings:6000
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
" You're not the only one who can summon from the Extra Deck. I tune my level two Bifrost Guardian with my Level Eight Mozarta to Synchro Summon my most cherished creature. Bifrost Guardian swung his sword and generated two green rings that encircled Mozarta and turned her into Eight stars that fell into alignment.
8 + 2 = 10
"Song of the hero spread far and wide -- let your legendary melody bring hope to the masses and this battle's victory to me! Synchro Summon! Rise! Level 10! Zelda the Melodious Goddess!" Zelda slowly descended onto the field while playing her lyre.
Zelda The Melodious Goddess
LV:10
ATK:4000
" I knew you would try this. I activate the Trap Elemental Arrest," Kagami said as a card with an image of Sparkman arresting a villain flipped face up. " While I control an Elemental Hero and you Special Summon a monster with 2000 or more attack points this card equips on to that monster which not only negates that monster's effects it also can't attack. Zelda was suddenly bound by a pair of futuristic handcuffs while falling onto her knees As Lyra's Life Points went up more thanks to her spring.
Lyra Heartstrings:6500
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
" Nice Try but I activate the Spell De-synchro this allows me to detune my Zelda and if the material monsters are in my GY I can summon them so welcome back Mozarta and Bifrost Guardian. Zelda suddenly disappeared which caused the Handcuff binding her to fall and then break before Mozarta and Bifrost Guardian returned.
Mozarta The Melodious Maestra
LV:8
ATK:2600
Bifrost Guardian
LV:2
ATK:800
" And let me guess your Titania's Spring goes into effect again," Kagami said, sensing where this was going.
" Correct but only for the initial summon. Even though I summoned more than one monster my spring only grants Life Points for the summoning, not the number of monsters summoned," Lyra explained as her Life Points went up.
Lyra Heartstrings:6500
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
" Next I activate Fairy Archer's effect which inflicts 400 points of damage for every LIGHT Attribute monster I control so with four monsters that's 1600 points of damage. Fairy Archer drew her arrow back and fired it but just when it looked like it was about to land Kagami pulled a card from her hand.
" Not so fast when I'm about to take Effect Damage by discarding Elemental Hero Quicksilver from my hand I regain Life Points equal to the damage I would have taken. Kagami was covered in a silver aura as a metallic man covered in silver appeared in front of her and blocked the arrow.
Lyra Heartstrings:6500
Kagami Tsurugi:3400
" Not bad but not good enough I activate the Continuous Spell Alfheim United," Lyra said as a spell with an image of fairies of different races holding hands appeared next to Titania's Spring. " This spell grants all my fairy-Type Monsters an extra 300 attack points for every fairy-Type Monster I control so with four already on my field that is a total of 1200 attack points. All of Lyra's monsters began to power up.
2800 + 1200 = 4000
2600 + 1200 = 3800
1400 + 1200 = 2600
800 + 1200 = 2000
" Time to battle. Joan attack Lightning Paladin. Joan unleashed a beam of light at Lightning paladin and managed to destroy her.
Lyra Heartstrings:6500
Kagami Tsurugi:2400
" I activate the Trap Fusion Reincarnation," Kagami said as a trap with an image of Avian and Burstinatrix in front of a grave with Flamewingman on it flipped face up. " When a Fusion Monster I control is destroyed by battle if the material monsters are still in my GY I can summon them in Defense Mode so come on back Wildheart and Sparkman. Both of Kagami's monsters returned and took a defensive stance.
Elemental Hero Wildheart
LV:4
DEF:1600
Elemental Hero Sparkman
LV:4
DEF:1400
" No matter because when Guardian Angel Joan destroys a monster in battle I gain Life Points equal to the destroyed monster's original attack points so since Lightning Paladin had 3000 attack points I gain 3000 Life Points. Lyra was covered in a healing light as her points went up some more.
Lyra Heartstrings:9500
Kagami Tsurugi:2400
" You know I am beginning to get tired of you constantly healing yourself," Kagami said.
" Moving on my Mozarta will attack your Sparkman. Mozarta fired a score of music notes at Sparkman only for Kagami to react to it.
" My Fusion Reincarnation has another effect by banishing it from my GY. The material monsters I brought back cannot be destroyed by battle this turn," Kagami said as a barrier appeared around Sparkman and Wildheart.
" Fine, I end my turn with one card Face-Down," Lyra said as a set card appeared behind her monsters.
" My turn I draw," Kagami said as she drew her sixth card. Kagami needed a way to get through all of Lyra's monsters and her back row. Kagami looked pleased to see she drew what she needed. " First I Activate the Continuous Spell Elemental Barrier Spell. While I control two or more Elemental Heros I don't take any damage from battles involving them. A barrier made of rocks and light formed around Kagami's field. '' Next, I activate the Spell Card Destruction now we both must send our entire hand to the GY and draw the same number of cards we discarded but since your hand is empty only I discard and draw. Kagami discarded the four cards in her hand and drew four cards. Kagami looked pleased with her draw and continued her turn. " Since Necroshade is in my GY I can Normal Summon my Elemental Hero Bladedge without any tributes. Bladedge appeared and looked ready to slice up Lyra's monsters.
Elemental Hero Bladedge
LV:7
ATK:2600
" Next I activate the Spell Hero Mask I target one elemental hero monster I control and by discarding another Elemental Hero from my deck the targeted monster's name becomes that of the discarded monster's so I target my Bladedge and discard Elemental Hero Avian from my Deck. Bladedge was covered in a green aura. " Next I activate the Spell Heroes Charity This allows me to draw until I have five cards in my hand but I must discard a Hero Monster or my entire hand goes to the GY. Kagami drew four more cards and then discarded a monster from her hand. " Perfect I have everything I need to end this First up the Field Spell Skyscraper. A bunch of buildings began to pop out of the ground and transformed all of Canterlot City into a bigger city than it was before. " Next up Copy Spell by paying 600 life points I can target one Spell in my GY and activate it however I cannot use that same Spell card for the duration of the duel and the Spell I am using is R Righteous Justice which destroys spells and traps you control equal to the number of Elemental Heros I control so with three of them I destroy all three of your Continuous Spells. The same flashing R from before shot out of the card and destroyed all three of Lyra's Spell cards.
Lyra Heartstrings:9500
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
4000 - 1200 = 2800
3800 - 1200 = 2600
2600 - 1200 = 1400
2000 -1200 = 800
" Next up the Equip Spell Edge Enhancer this not only gives Bladedge an extra 600 attack points but all battle damage he inflicts becomes doubled. Bladedge's blades became longer and sharper.
2600 + 600 = 3200
" And now for my last Spell card, I activate the Spell Feather Shot this allows Elemental Hero avian to attack multiple times equal to the number of Elemental Heros I control but only Avian can attack this turn and not directly," Kagami said.
" But you don't have Avian on the field; he is in your GY," Lyra said.
" Did you forget about Hero Mask thanks to it Bladeedge can use Avian's powers along with his own," Kagami explained before resuming her turn. " Time to battle Bladedge attack her Bifrost Guardian with Slice and Dice attack. Bladedge charged at Bifrost Guardian only for Lyra to use her set card.
" Nice try but I activate the Trap Urgent Tuning which allows me to Synchro Summon during the Battle. Lyra was sure she had Kagami beat until the next action card came up and Kagami grabbed it.
" I activate the Action Spell Magical Firewall. this not only negates Urgent Tuning but you also take 500 points of damage. Lyra was covered in flames as her life points dropped.
Lyra Heartstrings:9000
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
As soon as the glow faded Bladedge sliced up Bifrost Guardian and inflicted a ton of damage to Lyra.
Lyra Heartstrings:4200
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
" Next up attack Fairy Archer. Bladedge charged at Fairy Archer and sliced her up inflicting more damage.
Lyra Heartstrings:600
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
" And now attack Guardian Angel Joan and end this. Bladedge flew towards Joan ready to end it. Lyra looked around frantically for Action Cards but there were none to be found which allowed Bladedge to destroy Joan and the rest of Lyra's Life points.
Lyra Heartstrings:0
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
WINNER: Kagami Tsurugi
Lyra drove back to her Team's pit to pass the baton and Mozarta to Lightning.
" I thought I had her with my healing combos," Lyra said.
" It's not your fault Lyra you gave it everything you had," Lightning said as she placed Mozarta on her duel disk and took off. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Tolling The Bell Of Destiny | " And now taking the second leg for Team Silverwing is Lightning Dust," The Mc said as Lightning caught up to Kagami. After drawing her opening hand the duel continued.
DUEL
LIghtning Dust:4000
Kagami Tsurugi:1800
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her sixth card. Lightning was at a disadvantage with Bladedge looming over her and just Mozarta to protect her. Lightning checked her hand and saw she had a potential way around Kagami's field. " First I activate the Spell Advance Draw by tributing Lyra's Mozarta. I can draw two cards. As soon as Mozarta left the field Lightning drew her two cards and looked pleased with what she drew. " Next since you're the only one with a monster on your field I can Normal Summon Blackwing - Sirocco The Dawn from my hand without tributing a monster. Sirocco flew onto the field while screeching.
Blackwing - Sirocco The Dawn
LV:5
ATK:2000
" And now that I control a face-up Blackwing Monster I can Special Summon these guys Blackwing - Gale The Whirlwind and Blackwing - Bora the Spear. Gale and Bora flew onto the field and flanked Sirocco on both sides.
Blackwing - Gale The Whirlwind
LV:3
ATK:1300
Blackwing - Bora The Spear
LV:4
ATK:1700
" Next I activate the Spell Blackwing Storm Force," Lightning said as a spell with an image of five Blackwing monsters generating a big tornado appeared. " While I control at least one Blackwing Monster on my field this spell forces all your Spells and Traps to flip face-down. As soon as all of Kagami's spells went face-down their influence on the field ended as determined by Skyscraper fading along with Elemental Berrier and Edge Enhancer.
3200 - 600 = 2600
" Next since I control three Blackwing Monsters I can activate the Trap Delta Crow - Anti Reverse from my hand. This trap destroys all your set Spells and Traps. All of Kagami's spells were destroyed. " Now that the back row and field is cleared time for me to use Gale's effect which cuts Bladedge's attack and defense in half. Gale unleashed a massive tornado that managed to sweep up Bladedge and reduce his attack points by half.
2600 - 1300 = 1300
" Next I set one card face-down and target my Bora with Sirocco's effect. Sirocco's effect allows me to target one of my Blackwing Monsters and increases that monster's attack points by the combined total of the attack points of my other Blackwing Monsters until the end of the turn however only the targeted monster is allowed to attack this turn not that it matters since one attack is all I need. So get ready to witness what a monster with 5000 attack points can do. Sirocco and Gale generated ropes of light that wrapped around Bora and increased his attack points all the way to 5000.
1700 + 2000 + 1300 = 5000
" Now it's time to battle. Bora attack Bladedge with Black Spiral Bare. Bora wrapped his wings around himself as he pointed his lance forward and spun like a drill. As the attack was getting closer both Lightning and Kagami spotted two action cards up ahead and each grabbed one.
" I activate the Action Spell Miracle which not only saves my Bladedge from destruction but also halves the battle damage. Kagami thought she survived until Lightning activated her action Card.
" I activate the Action Spell No Action which negates the activation of your Action Card. Bora continued his attack and not only managed to drill right through Bladedge and caused him to explode he also inflicted a ton of damage to Kagami which reduced her Life Point to zero.
DUEL
LIghtning Dust:4000
Kagami Tsurugi:0
WINNER: Lightning Dust
Kagami returned to her team's pit to pass the baton to Adrian who was waiting for her.
" Sorry I could not defeat Lightning," Kagami said as she passed her team's armband to Adrian.
" Don't worry about it you did your best out there," Adrian said before taking off. As soon as Adrian left the pit Kagami looked ashamed of herself
" How could I lose to such of low-level tactic?" Kagami said while punching the ground in frustration.
" Don't beat yourself up Kagami neither of us could have known anything about these three," Marinette said.
" Still how could I lose to something like that. There was nothing special about those three monsters of hers," Kagami said.
" Maybe not but remember every card has a purpose and just like Ladybug it's our job to figure out what that purpose is," Marinette said which cheered Kagami up a little.
" And Taking the second leg for team Miraculous is Adrian Agreste," The Mc shouted as Adrian arrived on the track. After catching up to Lightning and drawing his opening hand the duel picked up again.
DUEL
LIghtning Dust:4000
Adrian Agreste:4000
" My turn I draw," Adrian said as he drew his sixth card. Adrian checked his hand and noticed he did not draw anything that could save him now but knew he had an excellent way to set the stage for his comeback. " First I discard my Destiny Hero - Dread Architect to activate his effect which allows me to add the Field Spell Clock Tower Prison from my Deck to my hand. After adding his declared card to his hand Adrian wasted no time in using it. " Now I activate the Field Spell Clock Tower Prison. The entire city transformed into an exact copy of London complete with a huge clock tower in the center.
" Big Ben? Seriously," Lightning said, not impressed.
" I can assure you this is no ordinary Clock Tower once the time is right you shall see what it can do," Adrian said before continuing his move. " Next I Activate the Spell Destiny Draw by discarding my Disk Commander. I can draw two cards. After drawing his two cards Adrian looked pleased with them. '' Next, I summon Destiny Hero Drilldark in attack mode. Drilldark boar it's way out of the ground before appearing in front of Adrian.
Destiny Hero - Drilldark
LV:4
ATK:1600
" When Drilldark is Normal or Special Summoned he allows me to Special Summon another Destiny hero from my hand as long as that monster has equal or fewer attack points than Drilldark so come on out Destiny hero Drawhand. A man wearing a white suit with a grey fedora and torn purple scarf appeared next to Drilldark before adjusting his hat with his finger.
Destiny Hero - Drawhand
LV:4
ATK:1600
" When Drawhand is Special Summoned by the effect of a Hero monster we both get to draw a card. Both Adrian and Lightning drew a card before Adrian pulled two other cards from his hand. " Finally I set two cards Face-down and end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her third card. As soon as Lightning drew she saw the hands on the clock tower move before stopping at three o'clock and rang a bell.
" During your Stand-By Phase Clock Tower Prison gains a clock counter which winds my clock tower by a total of three hours," Adrian explained.
Clock Counters: 1
" Moving on with my turn, Since I control at least one Blackwing monster I can Normal Summon Blackwing - Elphin The Raven without tributing another monster. A big raven-like creature appeared and unleashed a loud screech.
Blackwing - Elphin The Raven
LV:6
ATK:2200
" And now Elphin's effect kicks in when Elphin is Normal Summoned he forces one of your monsters to change battle positions so your Drilldark now goes into defense Mode. Elphin unleashed a loud screech which forced Drilldark into Defense Mode.
Destiny Hero - Drilldark
LV:4
DEF:1200
" I activate the Trap D - Fusion. This allows me to Fusion Summon using the two monsters on my field. Both of Adrian's monsters were sucked into a fusion Vortex.
" Mighty hero that pierces the darkness with his drill joins forces with the hero of fate and becomes one! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level eight! Destiny Hero - Dystopia! Dystopia appeared and punched his fist forward.
Destiny Hero - Dystopia
LV:8
ATK:2800
" When dystopia is Special summoned I can inflict damage equal to one of the fusion materials in my GY so take Drilldark's 1600 attack points. Dystopia nailed Lightning with a blast that damaged her.
LIghtning Dust:2400
Adrian Agreste:4000
" That won't matter once I use my Sirocco's effect to power up my Elphin. Sirocco and the other Blackwings powered up Elphin all the way to 7200 attack points.
2200 + 1300 + 1700 + 2000 = 7200
" In response to that, I activate the Trap D- Chain. This card equips onto a Destiny Hero Monster I control and raises that monster's attack points by 500. Dystopia's attack points were raised as a chain with a blade on the end of it wrapped around his arm.
2800 + 500 = 3300
" And since Destopia's attack points changed his other effect activates which allows me to destroy one of your monsters so say good-bye to your Elphin The Raven. Dystopia used his squeeze palm ability to suck up Elphin the Raven and clutch his hand into a fist. " You mentioned earlier that when Sirocco uses his effect only the targeted monster is allowed to attack this turn well now that the targeted monster is gone you can't attack this turn.
3300 - 500 = 2800
" I set one card face-down and end my turn," Lightning said as a set card appeared next to her other one.
" My turn I draw," Adrian said as he drew his card. Adrian was cautious of Lightning's back row and currently had no way to deal with it. Both Lightning and Adrian noticed the next action card coming up ahead and raced for it. As Adrian reached for it so did Dystopia who managed to grab it before tossing it to Adrian who caught it. Adrian looked pleased with it since this particular action card opened up more paths for him. " I activate the Action Spell Hand Recharge this allows me to return my current hand to my deck.
" And then you get to draw five new cards. I know how that card works," Lightning said acting like she has seen Hand Recharge a hundred times already. After Adrian drew his new hand he saw his strategy manifest before him only for Lightning to interrupt him. " I activate the Trap Fatal Blackjack, This deals you 400 points of damage for every card in your hand, and with five that is a total of 2000 points of damage. Adrian's cards glowed black before shocking him.
LIghtning Dust:2400
Adrian Agreste:2000
" Fine with me but that won't stop me from winning so First I activate the Quick-Play Spell Trap Booster by discarding a card from my hand I can activate a Trap from my hand so I will discard this and Activate the Trap Eternal Dread which adds another two clock counters to Clock Tower Prison. The hands of the clock tower moved another six hours stopping at nine o-clock before another bell rang.
Clock Counters: 3
" Next I summon Destiny Hero - Dread Servant in attack mode. A warrior with silver armor and a cape wielding a shield and pike appeared next to dystopia.
Destiny Hero - Dread Servant
LV:3
ATK:400
" When Dread servant is Normal Summoned he adds one Clock Counter to Clock Tower Prison. The hands of the Clock Tower wound again with both hands pointing to twelve o-clock causing the bell to ring louder than before.
Clock Counter: 4
" Now that the stage is set, Time to battle. Dread Servant attack Bora the Spear.
" Have you lost your mind? My Bora has more attack points than your servant," Lightning said shocked as her Bora destroyed Dread Servant.
" On the contrary I wanted you to destroy my monster so I can use his other effect. When Dread Servant is destroyed by battle I can destroy one spell or Trap I control," Adrian said.
" But you still should have taken damage," Lightning pointed out.
" When Clock Tower Prison has four or more Clock Counters on it I don't take any battle damage and on the subject of my Clock Tower, I use Dread Servant's effect to destroy it. Clock Tower Prison began to crumble and along with the rest of the city as the track returned to normal.
" But why destroy your own card?" She asked.
" So I can Special Summon one of my greatest monsters," He explained. " You see when Clock tower Prison is destroyed after accumulating four or more Clock Counters I can Special summon Destiny Hero - Dreadmaster from my Hand or Deck. Suddenly a big pile of muscles with long black hair wearing chains and ripped purple pants and a metal mask appeared and looked at Lightning intimidatingly.
Destiny Hero- Dreadmaster
LV:8
ATK:?
" When my Dreadmaster is Special Summoned this way he Specials Summons up to two Destiny Hero monsters from my GY, so welcome back Drilldark and Disk Commander. Drilldark along with a man who was made of disks came out ready to fight.
Destiny Hero - Drill Dark
LV:4
ATK:1600
Destiny Hero - Disk Commander
LV:1
ATK:300
" When Disk commander is Special Summoned from the GY I can draw two cards. Adrian drew his two cards and then moved on to Dreadmaster. " Now for the vital part, Dreadmaster's attack and Defense points are equal to the combined total of my other Destiny Hero's attack points. Dreadmaster began to power up.
2800 + 300 + 1600 = 4700
" Dreadmaster attacks Gale with Predator Of Dread Lord. Dreadmaster charged at Gale ready to punch her into submission until Lighting went for her set card.
" I activate my Trap Dimensional Prison when you attack with a monster that monster is banished. Suddenly Dreadmaster was sucked up by a hole in the fabric of the universe.
" No matter, I will have Dystopia attack Gale with Dystopia blow. Dystopia unleashed a blast of energy which did not faze Lightning at all.
" That won't work either because by Discarding Blackwing - Kurasu the Black Fog all of our monsters are banished and we both take 500 points of damage for each monster that was banished, so with six monsters that's 3000 points of damage. A black fog rolled in and all monsters on the field vanished before both Lightning and Adrian's runners emitted smoke.
LIghtning Dust:0
Adrien Agreste:0
DRAW
Both Lightning and Adrian returned to the stadium to pass the baton to their leaders.
" It's all up to you now Silver," Lightning said as she handed the baton to Silver before he took off.
" Win this one for us Marinette," Adrian said.
" You can count on me," Marinette said before taking off. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Inzektor Infestation | " And now taking the last leg for team Silverwing is our very own Silver chance and taking the last leg for team Miraculous is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, "The Mc shouted as both duelists drew their opening hand.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Marinette Dupain-Cheng:4000
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver was thinking carefully since Marinette's deck and strategy are still a mystery to him since she didn't take the track during the last round. Silver figured his best bet was to play defense and wait to see what Marinette does. " I set two cards facedown and end my turn.
" What is Silver doing? This isn't like him at all," Lightning said.
" No, it's exactly like him. Think about it. We didn't get to see Marinette in action so her deck and strategy are unknown to us so Silver is playing some defense while waiting to find out," Lyra said.
" My turn I draw," Marinette said while drawing her sixth card. Marinette was cautious of Silver's set cards since she knew from experience one of them could turn things around if she was not careful. " First I summon Inzektor Dragonfly in attack mode. A human-like creature wearing red armor that resembled a dragonfly with a suped-up crossbow appeared and locked onto Silver.
Inzektor Dragonfly
LV:3
ATK:1000
" Next I equip the Inzektor Hornet from my hand to my Dragonfly. Dragonfly was suddenly equipped with a pile driver-like device that had a hornet motif that powered up Dragonfly.
1000 + 500 = 1500
3 + 3 = 6
" Next by sending Hornet to my GY I can destroy one card on the field so I destroy the set card on the left. Dragonfly fired the pile driver which unleashed the spike which nailed Silver's set card which revealed to be Drowning Mirror Force.
1500 - 500 = 1000
6 - 3 = 3
" Drowning Mirror Force. Not bad. If I charged in recklessly my monsters would have been sent back to my Deck but enough about that on with the duel since I sent an Inzektor equipped to Dragonfly to my GY I can Special Summon another Inzektor monster from my Deck so welcome to the game Inzektor Centipede. A big guy wearing bronze armor resembling a centipede with pincer-like gauntlets appeared next to Dragonfly.
Inzektor Centipede
LV:3
ATK:1600
" Next my Centipede equips the Hornet in my GY to himself. Centipede acquired the same pile driver from last time.
" Next I send Hornet to the GY to destroy your other set card. The Pile driver destroyed Silver's other set card which revealed to be a Trap Marinette hasn't seen before.
" Congrats you just destroyed the trap Clearwing Core Resonance. When this card is destroyed by a card effect I can Special Summon a Clearwing Monster from my Deck in Attack Mode so I Special Summon Clearwing Fire Maiden in attack mode. A girl with short red hair wearing red armor and a sword of the same color unleashing a blade made of yellow energy appeared on Silver's Field.
Clearwing Fire Maiden
LV:3
ATK:1700
" When Clearwing Fire Maiden is Normal or Special Summoned she inflicts 500 points of damage to you. Clearwing Fire Maiden unleashed a small burst of fire on Marinette.
Silver Chance:4000
Marinette Dupain-Cheng:3500
" Not bad but it's still my turn and I'm far from done. When my centipede sends an equip card to the GY he allows me to add another Inzektor monster from my Deck to my hand so I will add Giga Mantis to my hand. After adding her declared card to her hand Marinette continued her move. " Next I equip my Centipede with the Giga Mantis that is in my hand and when this monster is equipped my Centipede's original attack points become 2400. Centipede powered up as a pair of giant blades appeared on his arms.
1600 = 2400
" Next I activate the Equip Spell Insect Booster Wing I can only equip this to a Level three or below Insect-type Monster and it allows that monster to attack you directly however the damage from that attack will only be half of the equipped monsters attack points and I equip it onto my Dragonfly. Dragonfly's wings were replaced with a pair of metal wings with thrusters built into them. " Now it's time to battle. First, my Dragonfly will attack you directly. Dragonfly rocketed into the air before locking on to Silver and then fired its crossbow at Silver which nailed him for a small amount of damage.
Silver Chance:3500
Marinette Dupain-Cheng:3500
" Next my Centipede will attack Clearwing Fire Maiden. Centipede was ready to slice up Silver's monster until he reacted to it.
" Fire maiden's effect now activates when she is targeted for an attack she bounces back to my hand to negate your attack and Special Summons Clearwing Light Maiden from either my Hand or Deck. Fire maiden suddenly glowed before being replaced by a girl with long blonde hair wearing a white dress wielding a gold and white sword also projecting a blade of light.
Clearwing Light Maiden
LV:4
ATK:2000
" Not bad I set two cards facedown and end my turn," Marinette said as two set cards appeared behind dragonfly and centipede.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Now that Silver knew what kind of deck Marinette used he was ready for it. " First I summon Clearwing Fire Maiden in attack mode. Fire maiden returned and appeared next to Light Maiden.
Clearwing Fire Maiden
LV:3
ATK:1700
" And just like before you take 500 points of damage. Marinette was suddenly burned again by Fire Maiden.
Silver Chance:3500
Marinette Dupain-Cheng:3000
" Next I activate the Spell Synchro Soul Strike," Silver said as a spell with an image of Stardust Dragon in spirit form flying towards a Timelord monster appeared. By sending a Synchro monster from my Extra Deck to my GY you take damage equal to half of that monster's attack points so I'm sending my Clearwing Synchro Dragon to my GY. As soon as silver sent his ace monster to his GY Clearwing Synchro Dragon appeared in spirit form. " My Clearwing has 2500 attack points, half of that is 1250 so you will be taking 1250 points of damage. Clearwing flew at Marinette before turning into energy that blasted her.
Silver Chance:3500
Marinette Dupain-Cheng:1750
" Now that the stage is set I tune my Level three Fire Maiden with my Level four Light Maiden to Synchro Summon the monster that will seal our victory. Fire Maiden ignited herself before bursting into three stars which turned into three green rings that encircled Light Maiden and turned her into four stars that fell into alignment.
LV4 + LV3 = LV7
" Mighty warrior that sets the world on fire takes form and unleash all of your magnificent power on my foes! Synchro Summon! Rise! Level Seven! Clearwing Paladin! Clearwing Paladin landed gracefully onto the field before raising her sword upward and swinging it.
Clearwing Paladin
LV:7
ATK:2800
" Cool monster, too bad she won't be of much help I activate my Trap Ant Queen's Command," Marinette said as a Trap with an image of a queen ant ordering her guards to attack a giant that was standing over the anthill flipped face up. When you Special Summon a Monster that monster loses 800 attack points for every Face-up Insect-Type Monster I control so with two of them your Paladin loses 1600 attack points. Suddenly Clearwing Paladin was screaming in pain as thousands of little fire ants bit her.
2800 - 1600 = 1200
" Not bad but I also have a couple of surprises for you. " First Since I used Fire maiden as Synchro Material for a Clearwing Synchro Monster I can destroy one Spell or Trap you control so I will destroy Giga Mantis. The big blades on Centipede suddenly caught fire before vanishing.
2400 - 800 = 1600
" And next up is my Light Maiden. Since she was used as synchro material for a Clearwing synchro Monster, that monster gains 1000 attack points. Paladin powered up while recovering from the ant bites.
1200 + 1000 = 2200
" And I assume there is more?" Marinette asked.
" Good call, a lot more. Once per turn my Paladin equips a Clearwing Synchro Monster that is in my GY and gains that monster's attack points and effects so Clearwing Synchro Dragon will be equipped to my Paladin. Paladin suddenly began to glow while a pair of wings formed on her back while she powered up.
2200 + 2500 = 4700
" Now it's time to battle. Clearwing Paladin attacks Inzektor Dragonfly with Genesis Sabre. Paladin unleashed her many blades until Marinette reacted.
" I figured you would try and end this. I activate the Trap Wonder Xyz this allows me to Xyz Summon during the Battle Phase so I overlay my Dragonfly and centipede in order to build the overlay network. Both Dragonfly and Centipede turned into streams of purple energy before entering a galaxy-like portal and exploding.
" From the Realm of darkness, I summon forth the strongest insect that wears the strongest armor to defend me in this fight! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank Three Inzektor Shield Beetle! A big guy wearing Silver armor that resembled a Hercules beetle carrying a massive shield appeared before hiding behind his shield.
Inzektor Shield Beetle
RANK:3
DEF:3000
UNITS:2
" Nice try but your beetle is still too weak to stop my attack," Silver pointed out while his Paladin continued her attack.
" Guess again. My Shield Beetel gains 1000 defense points for every overlay unit he has so since he has two he gains 2000 defense points which adds up to 5000 which is enough to block your attack.
3000 + 2000 = 5000
Paladin bashed her sword against Shield Beetle's shield which resulted in a loud noise that not only repelled Paladin but also caused a small amount of damage to Silver.
Silver Chance:3200
Marinette Dupain-Cheng:1750
" Clever move but I'm not done yet Since my Paladin failed to destroy your monster in battle I can Special Summon the Tuner Monster Clearwing Shiba in attack mode. A Shiba Inu wearing white and green armor with a little sword in its mouth appeared next to Clearwing Paladin.
Clearwing Shiba
LV:1
ATK:500
" When my Shiba is Special Summoned I can use him to Synchro Summon during the Battle Phase. So I tune my level one Shiba with my level Seven Paladin to Synchro Summon your demise. Shiba leaped into the air before turning into a single star and then a single green ring that encircled Paladin and turned her into seven stars that fell into alignment.
LV7 + LV1 = LV8
" Oh, mighty dragon that shines brighter than the sun evolves and shine brighter with wings made of crystal and power! Synchro Summon! Evolve! Level Eight! Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!
Crystal wing flew above the track before landing next to Silver.
Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon
LV:8
ATK:3000
" Impressive monster but this one is also not strong enough to break my defense," Marinette said.
" Not yet it's not because When Clearwing Shiba is used as Synchro Material I can draw one card and if it's a Clearwing Monster I send it to my GY and the monster that was Synchro Summoned gains attack points equal to that of the discarded monster until the End Phase of this turn. Silver closed his eyes and put everything into this draw. Silver swiftly drew his card and after seeing what it was smiled. " Just what I needed. I drew the Monster Clearwing Chaos Bringer which has 2400 attack points. As soon as Silver discarded his card the spirit of a big strong man with a massive sword wearing white garb appeared behind Crystalwing before powering it up.
3000 + 2400 = 5400
" Now it's time to continue my assault. Crystal Wing attack Shield Beetle with Crystal Edge Gale. Crystal wing charged at Shield Beetle only for Marinette not to look the least bit worried.
" My beetle is not going anywhere because when he is about to be destroyed by battle I can detach one overlay unit to negate his destruction. Shield Beetle absorbed one of his Overlay Units into himself to fend off crystal wing's attack.
2 - 1 = 1
5000 - 1000 = 4000
Not bad. I end my turn by setting two cards face down," Silver said as two set cards appeared behind Crystalwing.
5400 - 2400 = 3000
" My turn I draw," Marinette said as she drew her second card. Marinette looked displeased with her draw since she did not have anything that could help her now. She noticed a clutch action card coming up and accelerated for it. Silver also saw the card and accelerated. The two of them were neck and neck but in the end, Marinette managed to grab the card and activated it. " I activate the Action Spell Hand Recharge that allows me to send all the cards in my hand back to my deck, shuffle them and draw five new cards. Marinette drew her cards and smiled after seeing she drew just what she needed. " Next I activate the Spell Rank Up Magic Miraculous Force that allows me to Rank up my Shield Beetle into an Insect-Type Xyz monster that is twice the rank of my Shield Beetle so I rebuild the overlay network with my Rank three shield Beetle. Shield Beetle turned into a stream of purple energy before entering a galaxy-like portal and exploding.
" Beetle with the strongest armor evolve into a valiant knight with armor of gold! Rank Up Xyz Evolution! Rise Up! Rank Six! Inzektor Exa-beetle! A big beetle-like monster with golden armor and a mighty lance of the same color appeared and brandished said lance at Crystalwing.
Inzektor Exa-Beetle
RANK:6
ATK:1000
UNITS:3
" Almost forgot, Miraculous Force along with the targeted monster's overlay units also attach to Exa-Beetle but that is not important. Exa-Beetle's effect activates when he is Xyz Summoned I can equip one monster from either of our GYs and he gains half of that monster's attack so I will equip the Giga Mantis in my GY which makes Exa-Beetle's original attack points 2400 plus another 1200 for equipping him. Exa-Beetle now had Giga Mantis's blades equipped.
1000 = 2400 + 1200 = 3600
" Next I activate the Equip Spell Inzektor Shield - Zektaigis and equip it onto Exa-Beetle. Exa-Beetle now had a black and gold shield to go with his lance. " While this card is equipped to a monster that monster's effects cannot be negated nor can the equipped monster be destroyed by card effects. Silver looked a bit displeased with Marinette figuring out his strategy so soon. " Now it's time I showed you what exa-Beetle can do by detaching one overlay unit I send one of my Face-up cards along with one of yours to the GY so I'm sending both Zektaigis and crystal Wing to the GY. Exa-Beetle absorbed one of his Overlay Units into the lance in his left hand before stabbing it into the ground creating a shockwave.
3 - 1 = 2
The shockwave destroyed the shield and was about to destroy Crystal Wing until Silver reacted.
" I activate the Trap Interdimensional Matter Transporter, This allows me to banish my Crystal wing until the End Phase. A futuristic device appeared and zapped Crystal Wing off the field.
" No matter. My real plan succeeded. When Zektaigis is sent to my GY it allows me to add a Level four or Lower Inzektor Monster from my deck to my hand so I will add Inzektor Ladybug to my hand. After adding her card to her hand Marinette pulled another card from her hand. " Next I activate the Spell Six Star Return this allows me to Special Summon up to two monsters from my GY as long as their combined levels equal six so welcome back Inzektor Dragonfly and Centipede. Both of Marinette's monsters returned and looked ready to go.
Inzektor Dragonfly
LV:3
ATK:1000
Inzektor Centipede
LV:3
ATK:1600
" I use Dragonfly's effect to equip Ladybug to himself then send Ladybug to the GY to increase dragonfly's level by two. Dragonfly began to power up.
3 + 2 = 5
" Dragonfly's effect Special Summons Inzektor Hopper from the deck. A man wearing armor that resembled a grasshopper wielding a long blade appeared next to Centipede.
Inzektor Hopper
LV:4
ATK:1700
" Next I will use the same effect on my Centipede. Ladybug equipped on to Centipede before going back to the GY to power up Centipede.
3 + 2 = 5
Centipede's effect adds Inzektor Sword Zektkaliber from my deck to my hand. After adding her declared card to her hand Marinette continued her turn. " Next I use my Level five Dragonfly and Centipede in order to build the Overlay Network. Both dragonfly and centipede turned into streams of purple energy before entering a galaxy-like portal and exploded.
" Mighty stag beetle of Silver takes form and unleash your fury on my foe! Xyz Summon! Rise! Rank Five! Inzektor Exa-Stag! A big silver stag beetle-like monster appeared and landed next to Exa-Beetle.
Inzektor Exa-Stag
RANK:5
ATK:800
UNITS:2
" Next I activate Exa-Stag's effect by detaching one overlay unit. I can equip a monster from either your field or GY onto Exa-Stag and gain half of that monster's attack points and I think I will choose Clearwing Paladin. Exa-Stag absorbed one of his units into his claw before sending it into a portal.
2 - 1 = 1
Exa-stag yanked out Clearwing Paladin before absorbing and assimilating her to his body.
800 + 1400 = 2200
" Now that my forces are gathered, time to battle. Exa-Beetle attack Silver Directly. Exa-beetle charged at silver and just when it looked like Silver was about to be struck by his lance he reacted.
" I'm not out yet. I activate the Continuous Trap Synchro Gravity Zone," Silver said as a trap with an image of Gravity Warrior using his powers on an entire crater flipped face up and not only crushed Exa-Beetle under the heavy gravity but the rest of Marinette's monsters as well. " As long as this card is in play only Synchro monsters are allowed to attack any other kind will just be pinned down.
" You got me. Nothing more I can do so I end my turn," Marinette said.
" And during the End Phase, Crystal Wing comes back," Silver mentioned as Crystal Wing reappeared.
Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon
LV:8
ATK:3000
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his second card. Silver enjoyed this match and drew the perfect card to end the match. " Marinette this duel has been very fun and you managed to keep me on my toes but like all good things, it's time to end this. I activate the Spell Raigeki which destroys all your monsters. Suddenly a bolt of Lightning cleared away all of Marinette's monsters along with their equip cards. " I will enter my Battle Phase and have Crystal Wing attack you Directly. Crystal Wing charged at Marinette who smiled despite losing all her Life Points.
Silver Chance:3200
Marinette Dupain-Cheng:0
WINNER: Silver Chance
" And that's it folks after such an intense match the winners are our own Team Silverwing," The MC Shouted as Silver took his victory lap. As soon as Silver and Marinette returned to the stadium they all shook and a great duel.
" So where are you off to next?" Silver asked.
" We are going back to Paris since we no longer have any reason to stay here," Adrian said.
" You're welcome to stay with us at my mansion for the night," Silver offered.
" Really thank you, Silver," Marinette said.
" Think nothing of it," Silver said. And so after everything was packed up both teams went to Silver's place for the night. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | At Last We Meet Team Demise | Team Silverwing was now in Africa competing in the second semi-final match against Team Savannah. The first match was between Team Demise and Team Yak from Norway which ended with Team Demise's victory. As for the current duel, both sides were down to their final duelists and Silver had Buster Blader out while the other guy had no monsters or set cards along with no cards in his hand.
" Buster Blader attack Kwame directly and end this duel. Buster Blader delivered a powerful blow that reduced Kwame's life to zero.
Silver Chance: 2200
Kwame:0
WINNER:Silver Chance
" And there you have it folks joining Team demise in the Final Round is Team Silverwing," The announcer said. As soon as the match ended Team Savannah wished Silver and his team the best of luck in the final round before they left. On their way back to the hotel Silver and the others run into a familiar face they met in Japan.
" I've been waiting for you Silver chance," Yuji said.
" Yuji? " What are you doing here?" Lyra asked.
" I've been following you guys throughout the tournament while collecting the remaining numbers," Yuji said.
" Any luck on finding your friend Nova?" Silver asked.
" Actually the last number I found gave me the exact location Nova is being held," Yuji said while showing them the number which was Number 68 Sanaphond The Sky Prison.
" That's awesome where is he being held?" Lightning asked.
" Inside the dungeon of King Vinca the third's castle which is all the way in the Tatra mountain range in Slovakia," Yuji said.
" Please tell us you don't plan to storm that castle by yourself," Lyra pleaded.
" Yeah the mountains can be very dangerous to climb since the air gets thinner the higher up you go not to mention colder," Silver pointed out.
" Who said anything about climbing," Yuji said before a giant airship with gears and wires appeared.
" What is that?" Silver asked before a man with black and red hair wearing an explorer's outfit along with a woman with green hair and yellow eyes wearing a light blue dress with matching heels and a sunhat came out.
" This is the Different Dimension Airship which originally belonged to my friend Astral," The man said, answering Silver's question.
" Dad you don't have to mention that part," Yuji said.
" Well it's true," Yuji's dad said.
" I'm guessing you two are Yuji's parents?" Lyra asked.
" Sure are, I'm Yuma Tsukumo," Yuma said.
" And I'm Tori Tsukumo," Tori said.
" Nice to meet you. I'm," Silver said before Yuma interrupted him.
" No need for introductions, we've been watching your duels from our Airship so we already know who you four are," Yuma said.
" Now that introductions are out of the way. What is your plan exactly?" Lightning asked, wanting to get back on topic.
" We managed to collect 80 of the 100 number monsters thus far so we almost have all of them," Yuji said.
" I managed to collect 19 of them," Silver said.
" I know this might sound like a selfish thing to ask but would you mind handing them over?" Yuma asked.
" Take them, it's better for them to be with a duelist who can handle their power which neither of us can do," Silver said as he sent them flying out of his element and into Yuji's key.
" Thank you Silver, you have no idea what this means to us," Yuma said.
" So anyway what is your plan?" Lyra asked.
" Simple while you four keep Team Demise busy I will save Nova while my dad looks for the final number which we have reason to believe lies somewhere in the Castle," Yuji explained.
" Then we shall see you in Slovakia," Lightning said.
" You know you can just ride with us. We have plenty of space for your runners and you guys," Tori offered.
" Thank you," Ratchet said.
The next day in a stadium near the base of the Tatra mountain range both teams were gearing up for the final match. The Mc took his place in the announcer's box before speaking.
" Welcome everyone to the final match of the World Racing Grand Prix. This has been quite an eventful two months with many teams giving it their all and now we are down to our last two teams who worked so hard to get here so without further ado let's introduce them. First up from the European Union the team who were dominating the A block with just their first rider alone Team Demise," the Mc shouted as all three members of Team Demise entered the stadium with the crowd erupting with cheers for them. " And their opponents all the way from the United States Of America who were zipping through the A block Team Silverwing. As soon as Silver and his team entered the stadium the crowd did not applaud for them which by this point they were used to. As soon as introductions were out of the way both teams sent out their first duelists. " Taking the first leg for Team Demise is Sterben Lariat and taking the first leg for Team Silverwing is Lyra Heartstrings. As soon as both duelists were lined up the MC activated the Speed World V Action Field which constructed a bunch of ramps and half-pipes which were just standard until a bunch of tunnels on the sides of the mountains opened up and connected to the main track turning this duel into a race around the mountains. Both duelists took off and despite Lyra's best effort, Sterben rounded the corner first which earned him the first move. Both duelists drew their opening hands and began the duel.
DUEL
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Sterben Lariat:4000
" The first move is mine," Sterben said before pulling a card from his hand. " And to start I summon Death Dragon Soldier in attack mode. A black dragon with black armor and yellow eyes wielding a sword and shield and a lance on his back appeared out of the shadows and onto the field.
Death Dragon Soldier
LV:4
ATK:1700
" Next I activate the Spell Double Summon which allows me to Normal Summon another Death Dragon Soldier in attack mode. Another copy of Death Dragon Soldier appeared next to the first one.
Death Dragon Soldier
LV:4
ATK:1700
" Next I pay 500 Life points so I can Special Summon Skeleton Death Dragon from my hand. Sterben was covered in a black aura that made it look like it was hurting him but did not show it due to his level of toughness.
Lyra Heartstrings:4000
Sterben Lariat:3500
After paying his points and ending up with what looked like a small scar going down the left side of his face a smaller skeleton version of Soldier appeared on the field.
Skeleton Death Dragon
LV:3
ATK:800
" Now the stage is set for my greatest monster," Sterben said, which did not go so well for Lyra since it was still turn one and she already felt like she was screwed. " This monster cannot be Normal Summoned or Set but by destroying three Death Dragon Monsters on my field I can Special Summon it so meet my ace Death Dragon Underworld Lord. all three of Sterben's monsters exploded and out of the blast came a large black dragon overlord with spiky armor and two big swords on his back.
Death Dragon Underworld Lord
LV:8
ATK:3000
" That's quite the monster," Lyra said.
" You haven't seen anything yet and as much as I would love to unleash his power on you I can't since this is turn one so I will end my turn here," Sterben said.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her sixth card. Lyra was already in a bind with a 3000 attack point powerhouse staring her down and barely anything to help her out of this situation. Lyra began thinking since what she had to work with were a few of her high-level monsters and no way to summon them. After seeing she had a possible solution in her hand Lyra went for it. " First I activate the Spell Trade In by discarding a Level Eight monster from my hand I can draw two cards so I discard my Mozarta. After discarding her card Lyra drew her two cards and even though none of them could help her with summoning a monster they did provide her with some defense. " I set two cards face-down and end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Sterben said as he drew his card. Sterben was sure that one of Lyra's set cards could turn things around if he attacked recklessly. First I activate the Spell Underworld Draw by banishing a DARK attribute monster from my GY I can draw two cards so I will banish Skeleton Death Dragon. After banishing his declared card Sterben drew two cards and looked pleased with his draw. " Next I activate the Spell Illegal Contract With The Creator. This card destroys one monster on my field but in exchange, you take damage equal to the destroyed monster's attack points so say goodbye to my Underworld Lord and prepare to take a whopping 3000 points of damage. Underworld Lord suddenly exploded and sent a ton of spikes flying towards Lyra who went for one of her set cards.
" I activate my Trap Souvenir Grenade when you use an effect that would inflict damage to me we both take that damage. Lyra suddenly chucked a Grenade which exploded and damaged both of them but Sterben was the one who looked much worse since all that damage left what looked like many huge gashes on his body which had Lyra very concerned.
Lyra Heartstrings:1000
Sterben Lariat:500
" Are you feeling ok?" Lyra asked.
" Never mind about me, you should be more concerned about yourself. Since my Underworld Lord left the field I can Special Summon two Level Four or lower Death Dragon Monsters from my GY with their effects negated so my two Soldiers come back. Both of Sterben's monsters returned to the field in attack mode ready to end the match with a single strike.
Death Dragon Soldier x2
LV:4
ATK:1700
" I figured you would try something like this. I activate the Trap Banishing Burn," Lyra said as a Trap with an image of a warrior fading out of existence while burning flipped face up. " When you Special Summon monsters with 1500 or more attack points this card not only banishes those monsters it also inflicts 400 points of damage for each monster banished by this effect. As both Death Dragon Soldiers burned out of existence the flames consumed Sterben and inflicted 800 points of damage which caused his runner to emit smoke.
Lyra Heartstrings:1000
Sterben Lariat:0
WINNER: Lyra Heartstrings
As soon as both duelists returned to the stadium Sterben returned to his Team's pit to a slightly upset Lydia.
" How could a meat shield like you fall so easily to some teenage girl?" Lydia shouted before swiping the armband and placing it on her arm.
" I was not expecting someone to use such a dangerous Trap card like that so get off my back and stick to your screens lab geek," Sterben said.
" Enough both of you," Their Leader said.
" Sorry Vinca," They both said in unison.
" Now Lydia, it's your turn to finish what Sterben started so go out there and finish that girl off," Vinca said before Lydia took off.
Meanwhile, with Yuji and his parents, they along with their friends from back home managed to take out most of the guards but still could not find the dungeon inside that huge Castle. Yuji was getting tired and leaned against one of the wall banners which had a secret switch behind it that opened a secret passage that had a stairway leading down. As soon as Yuji reached the bottom he found the dungeon which was unguarded thanks to all the chaos everyone created. Yuji checked the cells until he saw a blue energy person chained up by the only known material to bind beings from Astral World.
" Yuji you finally found me," Nova said with joy.
" It wasn't easy," Yuji said as he unlocked the cell and unchained Nova who collapsed from exhaustion. " Easy Nova get back inside the key and rest up. Nova suddenly turned into pure energy and went inside the key to rest. Yuji was about to leave until he heard the sound of footsteps along with a gruff voice.
" Ok, who left the Secret Passage open?" The voice yelled. Yuji scrambled for a place to hide and found a suit of armor to hide in.
" And taking the second leg for Team demise is Lydia Haywood," The Mc shouted as Lydia caught up to Lyra and drew her opening hand.
DUEL
Lyra Heartstrings:1000
Lydia Haywood:4000
" My turn I draw," Lydia said as she drew her sixth card. Lydia looked at her hand and was disappointed that she had some good monsters but could not summon them due to the conditions not being right. " I set two cards face-down and end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Lyra said as she drew her fifth card. Lyra was pleased to see she drew exactly what she needed to get things rolling. " First I activate the Continuous Spell Valhalla Hall Of the Fallen.
" And let me guess you're going to use it to summon one of your high-level Fairy-Type monsters," Lydia guessed using the data she gathered on Team Silverwing.
" Correct," Lyra said.
" Well, I won't let you. I reveal my Trap Cyber Egg, "Lydia said as a trap with an image of a bird egg made of metal flipped face up. " This Trap summons a Cyber Egg Token to your side of the field in defense Mode. A metal egg with lines and circuits appeared on Lyra's field.
Cyber Egg Token
LV:4
DEF:2000
" I knew you would use that spell of yours since you have used that very card in 100% of your duels and I know in order to use its effect you must have no monsters on your field," Lydia explained. " Oh and a couple of things about that egg. You cannot Tribute or use it as synchro or Fusion Material and when it's destroyed by battle you take 1000 points of damage. Lyra looked upset that her strategy was stopped but continued her turn.
" I set one card face-down and end my turn," Lyra said as a set card appeared behind the egg on her field.
" My turn I draw," Lydia said as she drew her fifth card. Lydia was pleased she drew into the card she needed. " First I activate the Spell Polymerization and use it to fuse the three Cyber dragons that are in my hand. Three dragons made of metal appeared before spinning in the fusion vortex.
" Mighty dragons of the cyber Legacy combine into the ultimate weapon of power and destruction! Fusion Summon! Rise! Level ten! Cyber End Dragon!
A three-headed mechanical dragon appeared and unleashed a mighty roar that was three times as loud.
Cyber End Dragon
LV:10
ATK:4000
" 4000 attack points?" Lyra said in shock.
" That's right and one thing you should know before you point out the obvious. Cyber End Dragon can inflict Piercing Damage," Lydia pointed out. " And just so you don't pull anything I'm activating my set card which is the Quick-Play Spell Trident Blaze. I can only activate this card while I control Cyber End Dragon and it allows me to destroy up to three cards on the field so there goes your Valhalla and face-down. Cyber End Dragon blasted both Valhalla and Lyra's set card which revealed to be Draining Shield. Now all Lyra had left was a useless egg that was going to destroy her as soon as it was destroyed. " Now it's time to battle and even though the drawback to using Trident Blaze cuts the battle damage in half it's still enough to finish you. Cyber end Dragon attack that Cyber Egg Token with Super Strident Blaze. Cyber End dragon unleashed three powerful bursts of energy that were heading towards the egg. Lyra looked around for action cards and found one just in the nick of time and activated it.
" I activate the Action Spell Phoenix Antidote which restores my Life Points by 1500. Lyra was covered in a green aura as her life points went up.
Lyra Heartstrings:2500
Lydia Haywood:4000
The blasts managed to destroy the egg and deal damage to Lyra.
Lyra Heartstrings:1500
Lydia Haywood:4000
" And don't forget you take another 1000 points of damage since that token was destroyed by battle. The egg sent another blast at Lyra which damaged her some more.
Lyra Heartstrings:500
Lydia Haywood:4000
Lydia moved into her Main Phase 2 and noticed another action card and grabbed it before smiling and activating it. " Looks like this is the end. I activate the Action Spell Fire Gem which inflicts 600 points of damage to you. Lyra was nailed by a fireball that drained the rest of her Life Points and caused her runner to emit smoke.
Lyra Heartstrings:0
Lydia Haywood:4000
WINNER: Lydia Haywood
Lyra drove back to her team's pit and handed the baton to Lightning.
" Sorry I could not beat her Lightning. These guys are tough," Lyra said.
" Don't sweat it, you did your best," Lightning said. " Besides this way I can get back at that lady for what she did back in Las Pegasus. Lightning took off and Lyra sat down pinning all her hopes on Lightning. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | Cybernetic Clash | " And now taking the second leg for Team Silverwing is Lightning Dust," The Mc announced as Lightning caught up to Lydia and drew her opening hand.
DUEL
Lightning Dust:4000
Lydia Haywood:4000
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her sixth card. Lightning was feeling cautious due to the fact that Lydia has extensive research on her deck and possibly how to counter it. Lightning checked her hand and was disappointed since she had nothing that came even close to Cyber End Dragon's 4000 attack points and going on the defensive would not save her either. " I set three cards Face-Down and end my turn.
" My turn I draw," Lydia said as she drew her card. Lydia was about to continue until Lightning interrupted her.
" During your Stand-By Phase, I activate the Continuous Trap Fiendish Chain this targets one face-up effect monster you control and not only can that monster not attack but its effects are also negated and I will target your Cyber End Dragon. A bunch of chains came out of the ground and then wrapped around Cyber End before pinning it down.
" That won't save you I activate the Spell Card Of Sanctity which means we draw until we both have six cards in our hand. Both Lydia and Lightning drew until their hands were at six cards and Lydia now had more options. " Next I activate the Spell De-Fusion to defuse my Dragon and Special Summon the three Cyber Dragons that are in my GY. Cyber End Dragon split apart and turned back into the three monsters that were used to summon it while Lightning's chain got destroyed.
Cyber Dragon x3
LV:5
ATK:2100
" Next I will overlay two of my Cyber dragons in order to build the overlay network. Two of Lydia's dragons turned into streams of yellow energy before entering a galaxy-like portal and exploding.
" Mighty Dragon of the Cyber legacy evolve into a greater being and blast my foes to oblivion! Xyz Summon! Rise! Rank five! Cyber Dragon Nova!
A bigger and evolved version of Cyber Dragon with wings and red circuits and gold cables appeared and unleashed a loud screech.
Cyber Dragon Nova
RANK:5
ATK:2100
UNITS:2
" Too bad it won't be sticking around for long because I activate the Trap Xyz Bait & Switch when you summon an Xyz Monster this card sends your Xyz Monster to the GY and lets me Special Summon an Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck with the same Rank so good-bye Nova and Hello Raidrapter - Blaze Falcon. Nova was sucked into a portal that opened above and out of the portal came Raidraptor Blaze Falcon ready to fly.
Raidraptor - Blaze Falcon
RANK:5
ATK:1000
UNITS:0
" I was hoping you would do that. Now Nova's second effect activates. When Nova is sent to the GY by my opponent's card effect I can Special Summon a Machine-type Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck so welcome back Cyber End Dragon. Cyber End Dragon reappeared next to Cyber Dragon and looked ready to go.
Cyber End Dragon
LV:10
ATK:4000
" Now then let's battle. Cyber End Dragon attack Blaze Falcon with Super Strident Blaze. Cyber End unleashed its signature attack on Blaze falcon. Lightning looked around for Action cards and as soon as they entered a tunnel Lightning spotted one on the ceiling and drove for it then grabbed it. After seeing what it was Lightning activated it quickly.
" I activate the Action Spell Take Flight This raises Blaze Falcon's attack by 600 when it's the one being attacked. Blaze Falcon powered up as Lightning kept searching for Action cards and grabbed another one.
1000 + 600 = 1600
" Next I activate the Action Spell Extreme Sword which gives my Falcon another 1000 attack points. Blaze Falcon powered up again while dodging another blaze.
1600 + 1000 = 2600
As soon as they both left the tunnel Lightning was out of hope and Blaze Falcon took the third shot and exploded along with some of Lightning's Life Points.
Lightning Dust:2600
Lydia Haywood:4000
" You may have destroyed my Blaze Falcon but I'm not out yet I activate the Quick-Play Spell Rank-Up-Magic Doom Double Force this brings back my Blaze Falcon and allows me to rank it up into an Xyz Monster that has twice the Rank of Blaze Falcon. Blaze falcon reappeared before turning into a stream of purple energy and entering a galaxy-like portal that exploded.
" Mighty falcon forged from the flames of battle evolve now into the ultimate bird of prey and hunt my foes to no end! Rank Up Xyz Evolution! Take Flight! Rank ten! Raidraptor - Ultimate Falcon!
Ultimate Falcon flew onto the field and was ready for action.
Raidraptor - Ultimate Falcon
RANK:10
ATK:3500
UNITS:1
Lydia knew she could not handle Lightning's Falcon with Cyber Dragon and entered her Main Phase 2. " I set one card Face-down and end my turn," Lydia said as a set card appeared behind her monsters.
" And now Ultimate Falcon's effect lowers all of your monster's attack points by 1000 since it's the End Phase. Ultimate Falcon unleashed a powerful force that weakened both Cyber End and Cyber Dragon.
4000 - 1000 = 3000
2100 - 1000 = 1100
" My turn I draw," Lightning said as she drew her seventh card. Before Lightning could continue Lydia interrupted her.
" I reveal my Trap Attack Reflector Unit. This lets me tribute Cyber dragon and Special Summon Cyber Berrier Dragon from my Hand or Deck so I will summon it from my Deck. Cyber Dragon suddenly glowed before being replaced by a similar dragon but with a big round bit around its neck.
Cyber Berrier Dragon
LV:6
ATK:800
" That won't save you because I activate the Spell Raigeki which destroys all your monsters. Lydia spotted an action card coming up but so did Lightning. The two duelists raced for it and in the end, Lightning won the action card while both Cyber End and Cyber Berrier bit the dust.
" It's ok I can still win this I still have my Overload Fusion. When my turn comes I will Fusion Summon Cimeratech Overdragon and finish her off," Lydia said in her mind hoping her calculations were still correct. Lightning suddenly played the action card she grabbed snapping Lydia out of her thoughts.
" I activate the Action Spell Oversword which not only gives my Ultimate Falcon an extra 500 attack points. Its attack cannot be negated. Ultimate Falcon powered up.
3500 + 500 = 4000
" This one is for all the people you messed with and trampled upon. Ultimate falcon attack Lydia Directly. Ultimate Falcon unleashed all of its fury on Lydia who was completely powerless to stop it which caused her to lose all of her Life Points and her runner to emit smoke.
Lightning Dust:2600
Lydia Haywood:0
WINNER: Lightning Dust
4000 - 500 = 3500
Lydia pulled into her team's pit where Vinca was waiting.
" Sorry I could not beat her Vinca. That Lightning Dust got the better of me," Lydia said.
" It's fine just let me handle the rest," Vinca said before taking off.
Meanwhile, inside the castle, Yuma found the Treasure Room and noticed a whole lot of gold and diamonds along with old Arisien currency that was worth nothing thanks to the unification of Arisia with the rest of Europe. But what Yuma was really after was the shining card that was in the far back on top of a hill with stairs on it. As soon as Yuma reached the top he saw that the card was Number 100 Numeron Dragon.
" I knew they would keep the strongest number here instead of out in the wild," Yuma said as he grabbed it and ran. Everyone met up in the foyer of the castle and returned to the Airship and retreated.
" We finally got the numbers back," Yuma said joyfully.
" And I have my best friend back," Yuji said.
" So what now?" Tori asked.
" We watch the final round and see who wins now that King Vinca has lost his leverage," Yuma said.
" And taking the Final Leg for Team Demise is Vinca Hanzalik," The Mc shouted as Vinca caught up to Lightning and drew his opening hand.
DUEL
Lightning Dust:2600
Vinca Hanzalik:4000
" My turn I draw," Vinca said as he drew his sixth card. Vinca was in no mood to toy around with Lightning since she was not the one he wanted. " I activate my own Raigeki which destroys your falcon. Ultimate Falcon was destroyed leaving Lightning defenseless. " Next I activate another Spell called Card Destruction which forces both of us to discard our entire hand and draw the same number of cards. Vinca and Lightning discarded all their cards. Lightning drew six while Vinca drew four and then smiled wickedly. " Since I discarded my Goldd, Sillva, and Beige their effects allow me to Special Summon them. A golden fiendish-looking creature along with a silver fiendish-looking creature and a fiend with a spear came out of a portal and onto the field.
Gold, Wu-lord of dark World
LV:5
ATK:2300
SIllva, Warlord Of Darkworld
LV:5
ATK:2300
Beige, Vanguard Of Dark World
LV:4
ATK:1600
" Before I end this I activate the Field Spell The Gates To Dark World. A set of doors appeared before opening up and transforming the entire mountain into a world of darkness where there was no light at all. " Now all my Fiend-Type monsters gain 300 attack and defense points. All three of Vinca's monsters powered up.
2300 + 300 = 2600
2300 + 300 = 2600
1600 + 300 = 1900
" Now to get you out of my sight. Goldd Attack Lightning directly. Goldd drew his sword and slashed Lightning causing a lot of damage which reduced Lightning's Life Points to zero
Lightning Dust:0
Vinca Hanzalik:4000
WINNER: Vinca Hanzalik
Lightning drove to her team's pit and passed the baton to Silver who was waiting for her.
" I swear it's like for some reason we bricked against these guys," Lightning pointed out.
" Just a coincidence nothing to worry about," Silver said before taking off.
Meanwhile at the Silver Mansion Twilight and the others were watching the final match and looked worried since things have not been going well for Team Silverwing.
" Do you think Silver can win this one?" Twilight asked.
" This is Silver we are talking about if anyone can do it it's him. He faced far tougher odds than this," Sunset assured Twilight.
" Well let's hope so because he is entering the match with no help from his Teammates and three powerful monsters," Rarity said.
" Not to mention it looked like Lyra and Lightning bricked against these guys and only managed to win through luck," Applejack pointed out.
" Your right to worry but I still believe in them," Fluttershy said.
" Those three came this far and thought not just for themselves but for the sake of others too so if anyone deserves to win this it's them," Sunset said, remembering how Silver put his own life on the line to stop Team Skullcrush from hurting everyone.
" I hope they win otherwise all my preparation would go to waste and there won't be any reason to celebrate," Pinkie said.
" Relax Pinkie let's just watch the match and hope for the best," Rainbow said. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.G.P World Arc | The Power Of Friendship | " And now taking the final leg for Team Silverwing is Silver Chance," The Mc shouted as silver caught up to Vinca and drew his opening hand.
DUEL
Silver Chance:4000
Vinca Hanzalik:4000
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his sixth card. Silver managed to draw a good hand and had a good idea of what to do first. " First I summon Buster Whelp in attack mode. Buster Whelp appeared and tried to look intimidating.
Buster Whelp
LV:1
ATK:400
" When my whelp is Normal Summoned I can add a Destruction Sword card from my Deck to my hand so I will add Sprite Buster Destruction Sword to my hand. After adding his card to his hand Silver continued his move. " Next I activate the Spell One For One by discarding my Buster Blader I can Special Summon A level one monster from my hand or deck so from my Deck I Special Summon Glow-Up Bulb. Glow Up Bulb bloomed onto the field ready to go.
Glow-Up Bulb
LV:1
ATK:100
" Next I activate my Whelp's effect by tributing him I can special Summon my Buster Blader from my GY. Whelp vanished and then opened a portal where Buster Blader came out.
Buster Blader
LV:7
ATK:2600
" Now I tune my Level one Glow-Up Bulb with my Level seven Buster Blader to Synchro Summon your destruction. Glow-Up Bulb turned into a single star and then a single green ring that encircled Buster Blader and turned him into seven stars that fell into alignment.
LV7 + LV1 = LV8
" Mighty Dragon of the king take flight and burn my opponents to Ash! Synchro Summon! Rise! Level Eight! Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend! Scarlight flew onto the field ready for battle.
Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend
LV:8
ATK:3000
" Next I activate Scarlight's effect which destroys all Special Summoned Effect Monsters whose attack points are equal or less than Scarlight's and then burns you for 500 points of damage for each monster destroyed by this effect. Scarlight slammed his palm on the ground and consumed all of Vinca's monsters in magma which also burned him.
Silver Chance:4000
Vinca Hanzalik:2500
" Now to end this Scarlight attack Vinca directly. Scarlight prepared to attack and then unleashed its power. Just when it looked like Vinca was finished he pulled a card from his hand.
" I'm not going anywhere because when I am attacked Directly I can Special Summon Battle Fader to end the Battle Phase. Battle Fader appeared and rung its bell rendering the battle phase over.
Battle Fader
LV:1
DEF:0 + 300 = 300
" I set two cards Face-down and end my turn," Silver said as two set cards appeared behind Scarlight.
" My turn I draw," Vinca said as he drew his fourth card. Vinca was sure one of Silver's set cards could be trouble for him and noticed he drew the exact cards he needed. " First I activate the Spell Dark World Dealings this allows both of us to draw one card but we must also discard one card. Silver and Vinca both drew and card and then discarded a card. Vinca's GY suddenly glowed. " Now the effect of Ceruli, Guru Of Dark World activates. When he is discarded from my hand he is Special Summoned to your field in defense mode. A grey fiend with a staff and a blue cape appeared on Silver's field before taking up a defensive stance.
Ceruli, Gura Of Dark World
LV:1
DEF:300 + 300 = 600
" Why summon him to my field?" Silver asked.
" Because when he is Special Summoned by the effect of a Dark World card the opponent is forced to discard one card from their hand," Vinca explained.
" But if he is on my field then that makes you," Silver said before he was cut off.
" His opponent which means I must discard a card which I will gladly do since I will be discarding my Reign-Beaux. As soon as Vinca discarded his card his GY glowed again. " Now Reign-Beaux's effect activates when he is discarded by my Opponent's card effect he Special Summons himself from my GY. A portal opened and out of it came a tall grey fiend with wings and a golden scepter who looked at Silver with a look of hatred.
Reign-Beaux, Overlord Of Dark World
LV:7
ATK:2500 + 300 = 2800
" When Reign-Beaux is Special Summoned this way I can either destroy all of your Monsters or your Spells and Traps. Vinca took a moment to think which would be more beneficial to him and then made his choice. " As tempting as destroying your dragon would be I'm sure those set cards would be the bigger threat so I will destroy them. Reign-Beaux unleashed a wave of darkness that was about to destroy Silver's back row until he reacted to it.
" Before it gets destroyed I activate my Trap Prologue Of The Destruction Swordsman by sending Buster Blader along with a destruction sword card from my Deck to my GY I can Special Summon Buster Dragon from my Extra Deck so I discard my second Buster Blader and my Destruction Sword Memories Trap card to bring out Buster Dragon in Defense Mode. Buster Dragon appeared and took a defensive position on the field While silver's other set card which revealed to be Negate Attack was destroyed.
Buster Dragon
LV:8
DEF:2800
" Now all your Fiends turn into dragons thanks to my Buster Dragon's effect which means they now lose their field power bonus. Both of Vinca's monsters got weaker as they transformed into dragons.
2800 - 300 = 2500
300 - 300 = 0
" Fine I end my turn with two cards face-down," Vinca said as two set cards appeared behind his monsters.
" My turn I draw," Silver said as he drew his third card. Silver now had everything he could need to set up his attack. " Before we continue this match tell me why are you so intent on getting revenge on me? I have never done anything to you or your friends.
" You want to know why? It's because our great republic of Arisia was destroyed by our enemies using the very weapons your company sold to them twenty years ago," Vinca said.
" That was not my doing. that was my father's doing and he regretted ever selling those nukes to those terrorists after he heard how many innocent people were killed by them," Silver said.
" Doesn't matter who it is. you share that man's name so you are just as responsible as he was," Vinca said.
" If you won't listen to my words then maybe you will listen to my cards and speaking of cards I Activate the effect of Destruction Sword Memories from my GY by banishing this card I can Fusion Summon Buster Blader The Dragon Destroyer Swordsman by banishing the materials from my GY so I will fuse one of my Buster Bladers with Buster Whelp to do so. Silver removed his two cards which sent their spirit forms into a fusion vortex.
" Witness as the mighty companion of the Hero combines with the hero who slays all that is evil and becomes one! Fusion Summon! Rise! Level Eight! Buster Blader The Dragon Destroyer Swordsman!
Silver's evolved Buster Blader appeared and looked mighty powerful.
Buster Blader The Dragon Destroyer Swordsman
LV:8
ATK:2800 + 2000 = 4800
" While my Dragon Destroy is in play not only are all of your Dragon-Type monsters forced into Defense Mode they can't activate any of their effects either. Reign-Beaux was suddenly forced onto his knees.
Reign-Beaux, Overlord Of Dark World
LV:7
DEF:1800
" Next I activate Buster Dragon's effect to resurrect my Buster Blader. Buster Blader came out and readies his sword.
Buster Blader
LV:7
ATK:2600 + 1000 = 3600
" Next I activate the Spell Tuner Swap this allows me to tribute the Ceruli you gave me to Special Summon a Tuner Monster from my Deck with the same level so goodbye Ceruli and hello Dragon Buster Destruction Sword. Ceruli suddenly got sucked into a portal and out of the portal came Dragon Buster.
Dragon Buster Destruction Sword
LV:1
ATK:400
" and now I tune my Level one Dragon Buster with my Level Seven Buster Blader to Synchro Summon one of my old friends. Dragon Buster turned into a single star and then a single green ring that encircled Buster Blader and turned him into seven stars that fell into alignment.
LV7 + LV1 = LV8
"Darkness born from the void of nothingness -- claw your way to this mortal realm, and burn my opponent to ash! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level Eight! Void Ogre Dragon!"
Void Ogre Dragon appeared and unleashed a mighty roar.
Void Ogre Dragon
LV:8
ATK:3000
" But I'm not finished yet Next by discarding a card from my hand I can Special Summon the Tuner Monster Friendly Dragon from my hand. A big lavender dragon with blue eyes and green scales appeared next to Buster Dragon.
Friendly Dragon
LV:6
DEF:2000
" What can you possibly do with that? You can't summon anything with it because you have a full front line," Vinca pointed out.
" Oh, there is something I can do. You see Friendly Dragon can use monsters on both sides of the field as Synchro Material when performing a Synchro Summon so I will tune my Level Six Friendly Dragon with your Level One Battle Fader to synchro Summon my ace. Friendly Dragon grabbed Battle Fader playfully before bursting into six stars that turned into six green rings that encircled Battle fader and turned it into a single star.
LV1 + LV6 = LV7
" The mighty dragon that speeds through the boundaries of time and space rise from the ashes and shine your wings brighter than the sun! Synchro Summon! Roar! Level 7! ClearWing Synchro Dragon!
Clearwing flew and then landed next To Buster Dragon which now completed Silver's army of monsters.
Clearwing Synchro Dragon
LV:7
ATK:2500
4800 - 1000 = 3800
" No way Silver just summoned all of his favorite monsters," Lyra said.
" Do you think they will be enough?" Ratchet asked.
" let's see Buster Dragon turned Reign-Beaux into a dragon, Dragon Destroyer forced him to cower in Defense Mode with its effects negated and can inflict piercing damage, Void Ogre can negate the activation of a Spell or Trap once per turn, Clearwing can negate the activation of a level five or higher monster's effect and destroy it, And Scarlight will be able to swing for game, So I believe silver has this one locked up and finished," Lyra pointed out.
" Now to end this. Dragon Destroyer attack Reign-Beaux with Dragon Soul Slash. Dragon Destroyer was about to strike when Vinca acted quickly.
" I activate my Trap Draining Shield which not only stops your attack but gives me Life Points equal to your monster's attack points. Vinca was hoping Silver falls for his bluff since Lydia told him about these monsters.
" Nice try but Void Ogre will negate that trap. Draining Sheild suddenly got consumed by black flames before being destroyed. Dragon Destroyer continued his attack and slashed Reign-Beaux which resulted in a ton of damage.
Silver Chance:4000
Vinca Hanzalik:500
3800 - 1000 = 2800
" Next up my Scarlight will end this with one last attack. Scarlight charged in which Vinca was waiting for.
" You fell right into my real Trap. An old classic called Mirror Force and I'm sure you know what this does," Vinca said.
" It destroys all my Attack Position Monsters when one of them declares an attack," Silver said before Scarlight punched the barrier which shattered and destroyed everyone except for Buster Dragon. Silver suddenly lost hope.
" I end my turn," Silver said dejectedly as Buster Dragon exploded due to the effect of Prologue.
" My turn I draw," Vinca said as he drew his card. Vinca smiled after seeing what he drew. " Looks like I'm going to end this I activate the Spell Dark Healer I draw a card and if it's a DARK Attribute Monster I regain Life Points equal to its attack points. Vinca drew his card and smiled more after seeing what he drew. " Looks like I drew Rainbow Dark Dragon which has 4000 attack points. Vinca was covered in a dark aura as his Life Points went up.
Silver Chance:4000
Vinca Hanzalik:4500
Silver and Vinca entered a tunnel and noticed two action cards up ahead. They each grabbed one and while Silver looked disappointed that he could not activate his yet due to timing while Vinca was glad about his.
" I activate the action Spell Hand Recharge which allows me to return the only card in my hand to my Deck and draw five new cards. Vinca returned the only card in his hand back to the deck and drew five new cards which made him laugh wickedly some more. " Looks like my luck keeps getting better I activate the Continuous Spell Extra Prohibition. A signboard appeared on vinca's side of the field. " Here's how it works I declare one summoning method and neither of us is allowed to use that summoning method while this card is in play and since I know how much you love your Synchros I declare Synchro. Suddenly the board on vinca's field displayed a forbidden sign with a synchro monster on it. " Next I activate the Spell Dark World Fusion while I control no monsters on my field This card lets me banish Fusion Materials from my GY so I will Fuse the Reign-Beaux in my GY with the Grepha in my hand. Both of Vinca's monsters vanished before being fused inside a vortex.
" Mighty rulers of Dark World combine yourselves into an even mightier ruler and crush my foe! Fusion Summon! Rise Up! Level Ten! Turq, Tyrant Queen Of Dark World! A grew fiendish-looking woman with long blue hair and piercing red eyes wearing a sapphire dress with bones around her bodice wielding a scythe appeared before laughing evilly.
Turq, Tyrant Queen Of Dark World
LV:10
ATK:3500
" Now let's see how you like being on the edge of defeat. Turq attack Silver Directly with Agonising Slash. Turq raised her scythe before preparing to strike which Silver took advantage of.
" I activate the Action Spell Evasion this allows me to negate your attack. Silver was sure he was safe until Vinca smiled.
" Nice try but I activate Turq's effect. By discarding a card from my hand I can negate the activation of a Spell or Trap. Evasion shattered and Silver took the full front of the scythe.
Silver Chance:500
Vinca Hanzalik:4500
" I end my turn. Now what? You have no monsters, No cards in your hand, And no chance of winning," Vinca said vindictively. Silver was beginning to lose hope after hearing those words.
" He's right I done everything I could, Summoned by best monsters, Is this really the end?" Silver said before he saw the Spirit of Twilight from Equestria appear before him.
"Are you giving up so easily?" Twilight asked.
" What can I do I tried everything and now I am completely defenseless and have nothing," Silver said.
" You still have your Teammates and all the people who are rooting for you three," Twilight said.
" But they could not leave me with anything to use and I'm facing a monster with 3500 attack points with nothing to fight back with," Silver said before Twilight used her magic to show Silver all of his past duels.
" You're right the odds are against you but that never stopped you before. You always pulled through not because of your cards but because you always thought for the people you cared about until the end," Twilight said. Suddenly back in the pit Lyra and Lightning's elements suddenly shattered and unleashed the magic trapped inside. The balls of magic suddenly combined and began absorbing a bunch of lights coming from all directions. As soon as it finished absorbing all the light it flew toward Silver and entered his element. Suddenly Silver saw all the people that were cheering him on and regained his nerve. As soon as Silver returned to reality he saw the top card of his deck glow along with the silhouette of a new monster.
" My turn I draw," Silver shouted with all his might as he drew his card creating a trail of rainbow light. Silver noticed that it was a new fusion card created from the magic of his element along with the spirits of those rooting for him. " I activate the Spell Harmony Friendship Fusion this allows to Fusion Summon with monsters that are in my GY.
" A nice attempt but useless by discarding a card from my hand I can negate your Spell card. Turq Tried to slash up the Spell card only for that card to break her Scythe which shocked Vinca.
" Guess I forgot to mention when this is the only card in my hand while I control no monsters its activation cannot be negated. So watch as I fuse my Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer with my Buster Dragon, Clearwing Synchro Dragon, Void Ogre Dragon, And Scarlight Red Dragon Archfield to Fusion Summon a monster you have never seen before. Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer stood in the center of all four Dragons before they merged with his spirit and caused him to change.
" Watch as the mightiest hero who slays all that hides in the shadows of evil fuse with the dragons he bonded with and illuminate the world with the Light of Justice and friendship! Fusion Summon! Ascend! Level Twelve! Buster Blader The Hero Of Friendship!
A bigger and more powerful version of Dragon Destroyer with light blue armor, white wings, and a massive black sword that shined with all seven colors of the rainbow stood ready to fight.
Buster Blader The Hero Of Friendship
LV:12
ATK:5000
" Impressive monster but even with attack points like those I'm still going to survive and wipe you out next turn," Vinca said.
" Well let me tell you what my friend can do. First, he gains 2500 attack points for every Dragon-Type Synchro Monster I used to summon him so with four monsters that is a total of 10000 attack points. Buster Blader powered up as he grew bigger.
5000 + 10000 = 15000
" 15000 attack points?" Vinca said in shock.
" That's right. Listen I get it, you lost everything when our weapons destroyed your home but that is no excuse to take it out on others. A building can be replaced, A country can be rebuilt, But human lives cannot be replaced. Look at everything you have. You have a big castle on top of a mountain range. You have two teammates who supported you till the very end. Don't stay chained to the past look at what you have now and look to the future," Silver said hoping to get through to Vinca.
" Yes your right I still have my kingdom and my friends," Vinca said before smiling with pure joy.
" Now then let's finish this duel. Buster Blader The Hero Of Friendship attack Turq, Tyrant Queen Of Dark World with Rainbow Harmony Slash. Buster Blader leaped into the air and pierced the dark clouds above creating a ray of light before coming down with a rainbow trail and driving his sword into Turq destroying her illuminating the sky with radiance as Vinca's Life Points went down to zero.
Silver Chance:500
Vinca Hanzalik:0
WINNER: Silver Chance
" And that is all she wrote ladies and gentlemen. After such an intense duel the winners and this year's WRGP champions are Team Silverwing," The Mc shouted as Team Silverwing's logo appeared on all the screens. As soon as Silver returned to the pit his element shattered and the last of the equestrian magic inside dissipated which caused the final two cards it created to vanish in thin air.
" Thanks for the save, Princess Twilight," Silver said while pointing towards the sky which had a faint projection of Twilight trotting off while smiling as if her job was done.
" That was incredible the way you summoned that powerhouse in the end," Lightning said with excitement.
" Well don't get used to seeing him again because he was a one-time deal," Silver said.
" Do you think Princess Twilight will be mad that we lost the Elements?" Lyra asked.
" Not at all in that final moment when I lost all hope she came to me and reminded me about how we got this far and to never lose sight of who I am. It was more like she was watching over us the entire time and when we won her mission was accomplished," Silver said.
" Hate to interrupt you guys but can you please report to center stage its time for the award ceremony," One of the officials said. After accepting their awards and the WRGP Cup rachet took a few pictures and everyone returned home.
The next day Silver was studying for his College Entrance Exam with only one week of summer vacation left while looking at a picture of him and his friends together.
" I'm going to miss all of you and I hope we meet again in the future," Silver said to himself before getting back to work. Silver knew that even though he, Lyra, and Lightning would be taking different paths there bond would still exist. Silver decided to take a break and eat something before he forgets. As soon as he left his room his Clearwing Synchro Dragon gleamed as if something was about to happen further down the line. |
Huge Mistake | pre | Author Notes:
I will be going to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for eleven days on August 8th, so when that date arrives, there will be no updates! |
Huge Mistake | Awful Argument | WARNING: SHORT CHAPTER!
..........................................
-4 months later-
..........................................
Blaze sat back in his room, thinking. His (and Starlight's) birthday was coming up, so he needed to think about what he wanted.
An idea came to him, which he didn't expect to actually receive.
"Maybe I could bypass the firecrackers, and get some dynamite! I could use it to viciously blow up some of Sweet Apple Acres!" He chuckled devilishly.
"I don't think that's a good idea!" Flash called from the living room.
Blast, how could he have heard me?
Blaze walked out of his room, and into the living room. "How did you hear that?" He asked.
"Colts your age talk much louder than they think." Flash responded.
There was a slight silence; the only noise heard being the one on the TV.
"So where's mom?" Blaze asked.
"She went to get a check-up at the doctor's office." Flash responded. "We're going to find out what type of pony the foal will be."
Blaze's expression turned thoughtful. "On that subject, what will we be doing with the foal, since it's not yours and all?" Blaze asked.
Flash sighed, looking dismayed. "We don't know. We'll have to talk to Soarin about that at some point." He replied.
"And what do you mean by the 'type' of pony?" Blaze asked.
"I mean will it be an earth pony, a unicorn or a pegasus. I'm really hoping it's a pegasus." Flash answered.
"What for?" Blaze asked.
"Only pegasi can walk on clouds. If it's not a pegasus, we'll have to enchant our home, or live on the ground. Both options are really expensive!" Flash responded.
"When should mom be back?"
Flash thought. "She should be home any minute."
And with that, Rainbow Dash walked in the front door.
Blaze chuckled. "That was convenient!"
Rainbow walked over to the kitchen table, and set the keys down.
At four months, Rainbow looked like she had just finished a huge buffet, and had way too much to eat.
Flash and Blaze both walked over to her.
"So, what are the results?" Flash asked.
"Well first of all, it's a colt." Rainbow said.
Blaze did a hoof-pump.
"Yes!" He whispered.
Flash took on a more stern expression.
"And?"
Rainbow sighed.
"AND?"
"It's a unicorn." She announced.
Flash's expression fell.
"Ugh, looks like it's time to get a second job." He mumbled.
"And to add to the trouble, unicorns are really hard to control when they're young. They have a lot of untamed magic." Rainbow added.
Flash's head was down, and he was looking at the floor.
"I wish you had never gone to that party..." He muttered.
"Hey wait, I asked for your permission before I left, because I knew there was going to be some adult stuff going on with other ponies! You said it was fine!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"Yeah, I never said you could have sex with anypony though!" Flash yelled back.
Blaze cringed. "I'm gonna go now..."
After Blaze slipped away, Rainbow and Flash continued their arguing.
"I already told you, I was drunk! I wasn't thinking!"
"Yeah, but it was your choice to drink that night!"
"Well you should have already known that!"
"Don't turn this back on me, it wasn't my fault!"
Rainbow and Flash were yelling now, and it could be heard loud and clear throughout the house.
"Well maybe if you had gone with me, it wouldn't have happened!"
"Didn't you notice I had a fever?! I couldn't go!"
"Well you shouldn't have gotten a fever!"
"You know I can't help something like that!"
"And you know I can't help getting pregnant while drunk!"
"Yes, you could help that! You're the one who decided to drink!"
"But after a couple, it's not my conscious decision anymore!"
"Well maybe you shouldn't have gone to that party!"
"Well maybe I shouldn't have! So what?!"
"And maybe you shouldn't have joined the Wonderbolts!"
"Maybe not!"
"And you probably shouldn't have married me!"
"NO, I SHOULDN'T HAVE! SO LONG, LOSER!"
"Whoa whoa..wait. I didn't mean-"
Before Flash could finish, Rainbow grabbed her wedding ring from her wing, and threw it on the ground. She stomped on it, crushing it. Then, in a swift move, she swung around and stormed out the door, slamming it behind her.
....................................
The second Rainbow left, Flash snapped back to reality.
Whoa, that was fast. Just fine one moment, and divorced the next. Rainbow must be very sensitive to that kind of argument.
After realizing what he had done, Flash broke down on the floor, and began to cry.
The last two lines from their argument flashed through his head again.
"And you probably shouldn't have married me!"
"NO, I SHOULDN'T HAVE! SO LONG, LOSER!"
She didn't even say 'probably'...
"Who knew I could have lost her that easily?!" He cried out.
He looked forward, and saw Rainbow's wedding ring destroyed on the floor. He picked up both pieces, and held them close.
"I'm such an egghead..." He sobbed.
To be Continued...
Author Notes:
For those of you who thought that the end happened too quickly, I agree. I just can't seem to grasp the theme for this kind of event. I hope it was somewhat good, though! |
Huge Mistake | A Search Party of Two | Blaze and Starlight had been sitting in their rooms for hours, and hadn't heard a noise the whole time.
There was a knock at Blaze's door. When it opened, he saw Starlight.
"Can I come in?" She asked.
"Fine."
Starlight came in, and sat down next to Blaze.
"I didn't feel like texting, so I wanted to talk to you personally."
"Oh, I see." Blaze responded.
"Did you hear the argument in the kitchen a few hours ago?"
"Yeah! It's been silent ever since. Judging by what it sounded like, I think mom left us."
Starlight gasped, looking taken back. "Does she still love dad?"
Blaze sighed. "At this point, I don't know."
He looked at Starlight, who appeared to be frightened.
"I'm sure she'll return, she's very loyal, after all." Blaze reassured.
There was a couple seconds of awkward silence between the two siblings.
"Do you think we should go see what the silence is?" Starlight asked.
"You read my mind." Blaze immediately responded.
.............................................
Blaze and Starlight tiptoed out of his room, and down the hall. They looked in the kitchen, and saw a smashed wedding ring on the table.
Starlight gasped. "Oh no!"
The two turned around, and looked in the living room. There they saw dozens of liquor bottles laying around on the floor, and Thunder Flash half-asleep on the couch with a bottle in his hoof.
"Hey dad, whatcha doing?" Blaze asked nervously.
Flash jumped. He wasn't aware that his kids were standing right at the hallway entrance.
"Huh, what?" He asked.
"I asked what you were doing." Blaze repeated.
Flash turned to him. "Drinking."
Blaze pretended to be confused. "What for?"
"It's nothing, just go back to your room." Flash ordered.
"I already know this is about mom. I just wanted to say I'm sorry." Blaze replied.
"Yeah well, whatever. I don't know where she went, or if she's even coming back. And with a foal coming, it could be dangerous."
Starlight stood behind Blaze, holding firmly onto his hoof. She seemed to be terrified at what Flash was telling them about Rainbow Dash.
Blaze hesitated. "So I guess that explains the broken wedding ring?"
Flash sighed long and deep. "I...I don't want to talk about it..." He stuttered.
Blaze and Starlight slowly turned around, and walked back to Blaze's room.
.......................................
As the siblings sat in Blaze's room, Blaze thought, and Starlight looked around. Suddenly, Blaze stomped his hoof down.
"I got it."
"What?"
"We're going to have to find mom ourselves." Blaze said.
Starlight was taken back. "What? Are you crazy?"
"Yes, yes I am. Follow me."
Starlight, out of curiosity, decided to listen to her brother. Once again, they both tiptoed out of Blaze's room.
Once they reached the living room, they observed Flash sleeping on the couch, with the same bottle of vodka in his hoof.
Starlight headed for the front door while Blaze headed for the kitchen. He got a sticky note from the drawer, and set it down. He also got a pencil, and gripped it in his mouth.
On the sticky note, he wrote, "Dear dad, went to go play with friends. -Blaze and Starlight"
He walked over to Flash, and stuck the note on Flash's liquor bottle. He then went to join Starlight at the door, and they left.
.......................................
Blaze and Starlight buzzed their tiny wings, and descended towards Ponyville.
Because they were both Rainbow Dash's offspring, their wings were very strong for how young they were.
"So where do we start?" Starlight asked.
"We should begin with her friends. I'd imagine she would be with them in a time like this." Blaze suggested.
"Twilight will be our first stop." Starlight announced.
.......................................
Twilight was using a new laptop she had purchased to research something, and Spike was watching her. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Spike, would you get that?" Twilight asked.
"Sure thing, Twi!" Spike replied.
When Spike opened the door, he saw Blaze and Starlight on the other side.
"Hey you guys! Why are you here all alone?" Spike asked.
"We just came to ask Twilight something." Starlight answered.
"She's over on her bed, using her laptop. You can come in, if you want."
Blaze and Starlight entered the library. While Starlight sat down in front of the TV, Blaze went upstairs to talk to Twilight.
When Blaze made it upstairs, Twilight looked up at him.
"Hey Blaze, it's been a long time!" Twilight greeted.
"Yeah, I know! Listen, have you seen mom anywhere?" He asked.
"Oh, you mean Rainbow Dash? No, I haven't seen her...in a long time, actually." Twilight replied. "Why?"
"Well, it's just that her and dad got in this big argument, and she left after it was over."
Twilight looked surprised.
"Oh really? Well, I'll let you know if I see her. Good luck on your search!"
"Thanks. You were actually our first stop, so a lot of luck remains. Bye!"
Blaze walked downstairs, and he and Starlight left the library.
"So who's next?" Starlight asked.
Blaze smiled. "Pinkie Pie."
....................................
Blaze and Starlight trotted through the shopping district, on their way to Sugarcube Corner. And wouldn't you know it, they ran into Pinkie herself.
"Oh hey you two! Where're you going?"
"We were actually coming to ask you something." Blaze said.
"Yeah, do you know where our mom is?" Starlight added.
"Oh, you mean Dashie? I don't know where she went." Pinkie answered, shrugging her shoulders.
Blaze chuckled.
"What, what is it?" Starlight asked him.
"It's just that dad sometimes calls mom 'Dashie.'"
....................................
With no luck from Pinkie Pie, the siblings' next stop was Fluttershy. Her house was fixed a long time ago, and she miraculously recovered her animal friends along with it.
The two approached the front door, and knocked on it. After a couple seconds, Fluttershy answered.
"Oh hey, you two. Where's your mother?" She asked.
"Actually, we came to ask you. She ran off after a big argument with dad." Starlight replied.
"Hmm......I don't know where Rainbow Dash could've gone."
"Are you sure you didn't see her anywhere around here, like in the Everfree Clearing?" Blaze asked.
"You know, that clearing used to be a forest, called Everfree Forest. In fact, it was a bad luck streak your mom had a very long time ago that caused its destruction." Fluttershy informed.
"Really?" Blaze and Starlight marveled simultaneously.
"Yes. In fact, if it weren't for that bad luck streak, you two wouldn't have been born."
"Whoa, this is nuts!" Blaze raved. "Are you serious?"
Fluttershy nodded. "Her bad luck streak is how she met your father. And I think you know what happened after that that caused you two."
"Wooowww..." Blaze and Starlight stuttered.
"Well, we'd better get moving on to the next friend. We need to find out where she went, because she's having a foal in a few months." Blaze explained.
Fluttershy's eyes went wide, and she gaped in shock. "What?"
"Yeah, I think it's a unicorn colt." Starlight added.
Fluttershy continued to stare at them in utter disbelief.
"Well, bye Fluttershy!" Blaze called as they both left. Fluttershy was still staring in shock.
....................................
Blaze and Starlight still had no luck after visiting Applejack and Rarity. They were stumped as to where to look next.
"Where could mom possibly be?" Starlight asked.
Blaze's expression changed, and he did a face-hoof.
"What, what is it?" Starlight asked.
"Ugh, how could I have been so stupid..." Blaze muttered.
"What? What?" Starlight asked with anxiety.
Blaze reached up, and grabbed her hoof. "Follow me."
....................................
After trekking through Ponyville a little bit, the two siblings finally reached the house Blaze was looking for.
"Alright, I'm sure she's here. Now just play it cool, and pretend we're just out for a visit. Okay?"
Starlight nodded, and Blaze knocked on the door.
After a few seconds, the door was answered.
"Hey you two! What're you doing out here at this time?"
"Hey, Soarin. We just came by for a visit. Mind if we come in?" Blaze responded.
"Sure, there's a spot on the couch by my other guest right there."
Blaze and Starlight walked into the living room, and saw Rainbow Dash herself sitting on the couch.
She turned around to see them. "Hey, you two."
Starlight's jaw dropped. "Omigosh..."
Blaze smiled. "Thank Celestia we found you."
To be Continued...
Author Notes:
Just trying to get as many chapters done as I can before I leave. I'll be gone this Wednesday, so don't expect any chapters from then until the 20th! |
Huge Mistake | The Climax | "What are you doing here, anyway?" Blaze asked.
Rainbow shrugged. "Soarin seemed like the next-best guy to hang around with, because I don't want to be near Thunder Flash." She answered.
Taking this in, Blaze looked over at Soarin, who also shrugged.
"But...why? You two have been married for as long as me and Starlight have been alive!" Blaze asked.
"Didn't you hear him? He said I shouldn't have married him! If that's what he wants, then that's what he'll get."
"He's up in our home drinking his brains out because you left." Blaze responded sternly.
"Oh really? Well good riddance."
Blaze leaned in and whispered to Starlight. "Dang it, I really thought that one would have worked."
"And he also hated the fact that I was having a unicorn. If he really cared, he would have gone the extra mile, instead of whining about a pegasus." Rainbow added.
Blaze rolled his eyes. "Trust me, he DOES care! He loves you to death, I just know it! If you don't return to him, he'll probably commit suicide." Blaze exclaimed.
Rainbow turned around, and stared at him for a couple seconds.
"Why don't you go outside, and spend your life counting how many flying feathers I give about that." Rainbow responded.
Starlight gasped, and slowly started to cry. She walked over and buried her face in Soarin, who put a hoof around her.
Blaze scoffed. "You are one tough nut to crack, you hear? One tough nut!" Blaze exclaimed. "How could you spit in his face after what you've been through? You had sex with him multiple times, for crying out loud!"
Rainbow didn't even turn back around. "Yeah, but I also had sex with Soarin, so that tells you just how much that really matters." She replied coldly.
"Exactly, when you were drunk! When you do it with dad, you actually have a sense of reality!" Blaze yelled back.
Starlight prayed hard in her mind that Blaze can keep up in the argument. He has a very tough and outlasting soul. If anything, he can win their mom back. He just has to prolong...
"Oh, let me tell you, I knew EXACTLY what I was doing that night!" Rainbow returned.
My Celestia, she's like the final boss in a Phoenix Wright game when it comes to arguing!
"So you lied to dad? Honestly? You don't even deserve Soarin!"
Blaze turned to Soarin. "Aren't you going to say anything???"
Soarin stepped back. "Oh, I really don't want to get involved in this. Whatever Rainbow's decision is, I'm happy with it."
Blaze turned back to Rainbow Dash. "You know what? I think you're lying again. You didn't know what was going on that night AT ALL." He said.
Rainbow didn't say anything.
"Right now, you're betraying your Element! You're being a disgrace to Equestria!"
Blaze panted, then continued. "This affair with Soarin has corrupted you, mom. You need to return to us, and be with our family."
Rainbow remained silent.
"And if we're not good enough for you, then I guess this is farewell." He finished.
He held out a hoof to shake on it, and got a shocking reply.
"Get out. NOW." She exclaimed as coldly as ever.
Blaze's jaw dropped, as well as his extended hoof.
Starlight was full on bawling now. She just lost her mother, it seemed.
Blaze grabbed her hoof, and slowly walked out the door.
"...Goodbye mom..." He whispered, just before shutting the door.
.......................................
Flash was watching TV when the front door opened. When he turned to see who it was, he saw Blaze and crying Starlight enter the house.
"How did the visit with your friends go?" He asked.
Blaze was silent for a second. "Dad, I have a confession to make. We didn't actually go to play with our friends."
Flash raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yeah, we went to find mom."
Blaze flinched, waiting for Flash to start yelling and scolding him. However, he got a reaction he didn't expect.
"H...how did it go?" He asked calmly.
"Well, we found her." Blaze answered.
Flash's ears perked up. "Really?"
"Yeah, she's with Soarin. But she said she doesn't really care for you that much anymore."
Flash went glum again. "Oh..."
"She said she wouldn't give a flying feather if you committed suicide!" Blaze added.
Flash looked down sadly.
Blaze and Starlight walked over to him, and gave him a big hug.
"Don't worry dad, I know she's lying. I've never been more certain in my eight-year-old life." Blaze said.
"I don't doubt you for a minute, Blazing Sun." Flash replied, calling Blaze by his full name for the first time since his birth.
.......................................
Later that evening, all was silent around the house. Flash worked to make a small, casual dinner, while Blaze and Starlight sat in Blaze's room, coloring.
A couple minutes later, Flash called Blaze into the kitchen.
"Yeah dad?"
"I'm going to be making sandwiches for myself. What do you and Starlight want?"
Blaze thought for a moment. "Do you still have that bag of microwave popcorn?"
Flash walked over and checked the pantry. "That we do. Do you want that?"
"Yeah, sure."
After Blaze's reply, Flash grabbed the bag, and popped the bag in the microwave.
"So what are you thinking about mom?" Blaze asked.
"If living with Soarin is what makes her happy, then I'm not stopping her. I'm just worried about what will happen when the foal is born." Flash replied.
When the popcorn was done, Flash grabbed it out from the microwave, and poured it into a bowl. He then handed the bowl to Blaze to take to his room with Starlight.
Right then, there was a knock on the door. Confused, Flash walked over to the door to see who it was. When he opened the door, there she was.
Rainbow Dash.
Flash went nuts at the sight of her. He screamed out in joy, and threw his hooves around her.
Rainbow laughed and cried at the same time. "It's good to see you too."
Blaze and Starlight heard the commotion, and quickly left his room to see what it was. The second they saw their mother, they yelled out, "Mom!!"
They both ran over and pounced onto Rainbow Dash. She was now buried under all three of them in a deep embrace that seemed like it would never end.
Once it did, she began speaking.
"Flash, I'm so sorry I did all that. I began to notice how much pain I cause you, and it just seemed like what I was doing wasn't right."
Blaze and Starlight were grinning ear-to-ear, and Flash was crying.
"Blaze, I thought long and hard about what you said, and I just thought I belonged here."
She looked at all three of them. "Could you ever forgive me?"
They all hugged her again, and didn't let her go.
To be Continued...
Author Notes:
I just thought I'd relieve all of you from that horrid cliffhanger before I left. I've never wrote anything so touching in my life, according to my opinion. I just want to know yours! By the way, I apologize for the oversized image.
This is the last update before I leave. There will not be another one until the 20th at least. If you ask me, this is a great place to stop for a while!
I think it's safe to say Have a good week, and I'll see you all on the 20th! :) |
Huge Mistake | The New Best Flyer | -Chapter Prologue-
That night, after Blaze and Starlight had gone to bed, Flash and Rainbow were still awake. Flash walked out of the bathroom, and went to join Rainbow in their bed. Rainbow lied on her side.
"Hey...Rainbow?" Flash asked.
Rainbow turned over to her other side, and looked at him.
"What was up with earlier? Blaze told me you rudely kicked him out after what he said, and you came back totally different that evening."
"Well to start, I heard that pregnant mares get strange mood swings, so I bet that's part of it, if anything." Rainbow explained.
Flash nodded.
"Also, right before Blaze left, he said..." Rainbow hesitated.
Flash stared with anxiety. "What, what did he say?"
"He said 'goodbye mom...'" As she said this, she looked down.
Flash continued to stare, fascinated by the story unfolding before him.
"As soon as he closed the door after saying that, I realized I made a huge mistake. I spent the whole afternoon thinking about what he said."
There was a couple seconds of silence before Flash spoke. "What did Soarin say about the foal?"
"He said it was up to me. It is mine, after all." Rainbow replied.
"So, what'll it be?"
"I decided we should keep it, and give the kids a little brother." Rainbow said with a smile.
Flash also smiled. "I knew you'd choose the right decision."
Flash leaned over, and kissed Rainbow Dash.
-Chapter-
..........................................
-6 months later-
..........................................
Twilight was in the shopping district, because she had run out of parchment. While she was there, she ran into Flash.
"Hey, Flash! It's been a while."
"Yeah, it has. What are you buying?" Flash asked.
"Oh, just some parchment for checklists. It's that time of the month again. How about you?"
Flash sighed. "Diapers."
Twilight laughed, then suddenly went silent, struck by realization.
"Wait...your children are too old for diapers. Is there something I should know about?"
Flash didn't hesitate. "Yeah, Rainbow is expecting a foal in a couple weeks."
Twilight's jaw dropped, and she stared at him in shock.
"I believe it's a male unicorn." Flash added.
Twilight continued to stare.
"Well, I have to get back to my shopping. Later!" He said.
As Flash trotted off, Twilight continued to stare in disbelief.
.......................................
When Flash walked in the door, he set the bag of utilities on the kitchen table, and walked into the living room. Once there, he took in a rather interesting scene.
Rainbow and Blaze sat in the room watching TV, but only Rainbow was actually looking at the screen. Blaze looked at Rainbow with a twisted expression on his face.
Flash chuckled. "What's up with you?"
Blaze stuttered. "Mom's stomach is moving..." He answered, almost sounding terrified. "Is something wrong with her?"
"No, the foal inside her is just kicking around, that's all." Flash replied.
Blaze looked back at Rainbow. "Cool..."
"Okay, could all of you stop staring at me? I've been trying to ignore the kicking foal for half an hour!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"You should be happy about it, not annoyed!" Flash chuckled.
"Well, it feels weird. I don't appreciate it."
Flash walked up to get a closer look. Sure enough, you could see tiny hooves kicking at Rainbow Dash from the inside.
Flash thought it was adorable. "I have to get a video of this!"
He ran to their room to get his video camera.
"No, don't you dare!" Rainbow yelled.
She jumped off the couch, and barreled into their room after him.
Flash quickly searched through the closet, trying to find his video camera. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash burst into the room, and tackled him. They wrestled for a few minutes, then Rainbow managed to pin Flash.
"Whoa, when did you get so strong?" He exclaimed.
"It was easy; I have extra weight to aid me. About eight pounds of it, to be exact." She replied.
Flash didn't say anything. He looked up behind him, and saw his video camera. Suddenly, Rainbow grabbed it.
"Oh no, don't even think about it. I don't want a soppy pregnancy video of me up on YouTube."
Flash lifted his head, and glanced down at Rainbow's belly. Rainbow followed his gaze, and they both saw her belly dead-silent.
"Ha, it won't work anyway! He stopped kicking!" She said with delight.
"He was probably startled when you jumped off the couch. That's most likely why he stopped." Flash explained. "Now could you get off me?"
"If I get off, are you still going to take the video camera?" Rainbow asked.
"...Maybe."
"Then no. I'm staying right here."
There was a few seconds of awkward silence.
"Well, if you're on top of me, why don't we make the most of it?" He suggested.
Rainbow gave him a confused look. A few seconds later, she began to understand what he was proposing.
A grin spread on her face. "Wow, Flash. Just...wow."
Flash stared at her, and said nothing. He winked at her.
....................................
Blaze walked into Starlight's room without permission. When he looked around, he saw Starlight napping on the floor in front of a piece of paper and a mess of crayons.
He tiptoed over to her and snatched the green crayon out of her hoof to wake her up. And sure enough, it worked.
"Huh, wha?" Starlight muttered, looking around. She looked up, and saw Blaze.
"What are you doing in here?" She asked.
"Don't tell me you slept through the whole commotion in the living room just a moment ago!" Blaze exclaimed.
"I guess I must have. What happened?"
"Well, I saw mom's stomach moving, and I didn't know what it was. Dad told me it was her foal kicking."
"Aww!"
"You actually think that's cute?" Blaze asked.
"Well yeah! Go on."
"Okay, so dad thought it was adorable, and ran into their room to get a video camera, and mom burst in after him. I don't know what happened after that, but if you press your ear up to the wall in my room, you can hear them making out." Blaze said with a huge smile.
Starlight quickly sat up. "Seriously?"
"Yeah, follow me!"
Starlight stood up, and followed Blaze to his room. Blaze motioned her towards the wall, so she pressed her ear up to the surface. What she heard sounded a lot like someone chewing Starbursts with their mouth wide open.
"I don't know if that's sick, or awesome. Or both." Starlight said; her ear still up to the wall.
"Well, at least it's good to know they put that little incident behind them." Blaze added.
"What incident?"
"You know...the one where we tried to find mom, and ended up being booted away? The one where we thought we lost her for good?" Blaze explained.
"Oh...that one."
"Thank goodness for mood swings!" Blaze exclaimed.
Starlight continued to listen through the wall.
"What is so great about what's going on in there?" Blaze asked.
"It just sounds so weird..." She responded.
Blaze grinned. "Maybe I should get my disposable camera and snap a photo of them." He suggested; his grin widening.
Starlight gasped. "Blaze, you wouldn't!"
"Oh yes I would! Be right back."
Blaze grabbed his camera from his closet, and tiptoed down the hall to the end, where their parents' room awaited. Starlight poked her head out Blaze's door, and observed.
Blaze slowly creaked the door open, and tiptoed inside ever so quietly. As soon as he was in sight of the action, he fired up the flash, and snapped a photo.
The flash awoke them both from their fantasy land, and they looked at him.
Blaze laughed hysterically, and bolted out the door. Flash quickly leaped off the ground like a bullet, and flew after him.
Blaze flew out the front door, and soared above the streets of Ponyville as fast as his little wings could take him. Flash was trailing close, but didn't get closer or farther.
Blaze flew straight upwards, climbing to dangerous altitudes. Flash followed him, not breaking a sweat.
"You give me back that camera!" He shouted.
"You have to catch me first!" Blaze shouted back. He entered a dive, and flew at blinding speeds towards the ground. Not giving up, Flash flew after him.
Fifteen-thousand feet gone, five-thousand to go. At this point, it's either pull up, or slow down.
However, Blaze did neither of those. He kept diving, and only seemed to accelerate.
Flash beat his wings as hard as he could, but Blaze only seemed to get faster by the second.
It was no use, he couldn't catch him. He stopped in mid-air, and floated.
He watched in a huge mixture of awe and disbelief as a cone formed around Blaze, sharpening and strengthening until it exploded in a mass-array of color and light, devastating the clouds surrounding it. At the same time, Blaze accelerated to double his original speed, and had a rainbow trail behind him.
He pulled up just before the ground, and flew gracefully over Ponyville, blessing it with a beautiful rainbow and earning cheers from nearby bystanders.
Flash couldn't believe his eyes. His son just performed the Sonic Rainboom.
To be Continued...
Author Notes:
Hello, everypony! I'm back! Did you enjoy this chapter?
I don't really know where I'm going with the plot line, I'm just scribbling down what comes into mind. I'll find a good way to wrap it up when I reach the end! |
Huge Mistake | The Time has Come | Flash didn't waste a second. He burst into his home as fast as he could, startling both Rainbow and Starlight.
"Whoa Flash, slow down! What is it?" Rainbow asked.
Flash had to catch his breath. He tried to speak, but only stuttered.
Rainbow walked over to him. "Just calm down, tiger. What's the problem?"
Flash stuttered his reply. "B...b...Blaze......did the Sonic Rainboom!"
Rainbow's jaw dropped, and she stared at him in shock.
Starlight spoke up from the living room. "Oh, so that's why we're out of power! The darn TV won't turn on anymore!"
Now that Starlight mentioned that, Flash did notice all the lights had gone out. Rainbow was still staring in disbelief.
Flash was starting to catch up with his lungs, and could finally speak.
"After he took that picture of us, I bolted after him to retrieve the camera. But he was too fast for me to catch up, so I stopped. He kept going, and eventually performed the Sonic Rainboom."
Rainbow Dash continued to stare.
"Are you going to say something?"
Rainbow shook her head a couple times. "Oh, sorry. It's just that I'M supposed to be the only one to perform that trick! It's like...my signature move! I feel almost non-important now..."
Flash smiled a bit. "C'mon, that's the silliest thing I've ever heard from you! Just because your own son can perform the same trick you can, doesn't mean you're not important. You're the best flyer in Equestria, and you know it!" Flash responded.
Just then, Blaze stumbled in the front door. "Heheh...I can't feel my hooves." He stuttered as he fell to the floor, dropping his camera.
Flash walked over to it, and snatched it off the ground.
"You'll get this back when you learn to take more appropriate pictures, young colt."
When he turned back around, Rainbow wasn't there. Confused, Flash walked down the hall to their room, where he found her slumped on their bed.
Flash closed the door behind him. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Rainbow sighed. "That was good advice and all, but it's not quite what I was upset about." She replied.
"Then what seems to be the problem?" Flash asked.
"It's just that I feel almost...old. Not old as in like my fifties, but old as in slightly worn out. It's getting more difficult to perform Sonic Rainbooms, and I feel like it's not long before Blaze takes my place."
"What do you mean? You're still the star of the Wonderbolts! You've got a long way to go!" Flash replied.
"Yeah but......pegasi aren't built to last forever. Our wings will wear out before our bodies do." Rainbow added.
Flash did his best to be encouraging. "Listen, that day in the far future when you become grounded, I'll be there for you. You know that."
Rainbow leaned over and hugged him tightly.
.......................................
Blaze pulled his ear away from the door. "Pegasi can become grounded? That sucks!" He whispered to Starlight.
Starlight just rolled her eyes. "Why do I always join you in your eavesdropping shenanigans?" She scoffed.
"Hey, if it weren't for my eavesdropping shenanigans, I wouldn't have performed my first Sonic Rainboom!" Blaze replied.
"You mean the same Sonic Rainboom that caused our mother to feel insecure about her age?" Starlight asked.
Blaze went silent for a few seconds. "Wait a put it that way oh-so-optimistic-sister-of-mine!" Blaze responded sarcastically.
Starlight's face displayed annoyance. "I'm going back to my room."
Blaze pressed his ear back up to the door, and heard approaching hoofsteps. Before he could respond, the door swung open, ramming him against the wall.
Rainbow and Flash left the room, not noticing the two-dimensional Blaze sandwiched against the wall beside them.
Starlight poked her head out her door.
"Bad karma." She mentioned.
..........................................
The rest of the week went as usual for the family, with Blaze as an exception. He spent nearly every day flying outside, occasionally performing more Sonic Rainbooms from time to time. As a result, his family was still without power.
..........................................
-One week later-
..........................................
One particular day, a Sunday to be exact, a letter was received from Twilight, telling Flash to meet her for lunch at 1:00.
Flash read the letter, and set it down on the table.
"You know, it's been awhile since I've really caught up with Twilight. It'll be nice to sit down for lunch with her." He said.
Rainbow nodded in agreement. "I wonder why she didn't take me." She replied.
Flash shrugged. "I don't know either. But we both know Twilight well enough to know she has a good reason for everything."
Rainbow simply nodded again, then looked at the clock. 12:39.
"You should probably get going." She said.
Flash just stood there. It looked as if he was debating with himself.
"What's wrong?"
Flash took a quick breath, then spoke. "It's just that in this state in your condition, it could be dangerous to leave you alone for too long."
Rainbow looked confused for a second, then slowly began to understand.
"Oh, don't worry about that. The kids are here with me, and they know how to call 911 in case of......well, you know what I mean." She responded.
Flash nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"You should leave, or else you'll be late."
"Okay." Flash walked toward the front door. "Bye!"
Flash opened the door, and flew off.
..........................................
Twilight sat at a table at the cafe, waiting for her guest to arrive. I was currently 12:58.
She wasn't really in any rush; it was a beautiful day, and she had nothing to get done today. However, it would be nice if he could arrive on time.
She didn't exactly have to wait long, because she could see him arriving on the horizon.
Flash approached the cafe, and touched down on the ground. He then walked over to Twilight's table, and sat down.
"Hey Flash, glad you could make it!" She greeted.
"Yeah, thanks! Is there anything you wanted to talk to me about?" He asked.
"Yeah there is, actually. The other day, you told me Rainbow Dash was expecting another foal. Is this true? Not to sound intimidating or anything..."
"No, it's fine. And yes, it is true. She's due in a few days." He replied.
Twilight did a bad job hiding the surprise she still withheld on the subject. "I'm sorry; I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind around this..."
Flash chuckled. "I know, me too."
"Wait, why are you surprised?" Twilight asked.
Flash hesitated. "The foal's not actually mine..." He responded.
If hiding surprise was an Olympic sport, Twilight just lost it for her whole country. ".........What?!?!?"
"It's actually Soarin's."
Just then, the waiter came by to take their order. "What may I get you two this afternoon?" He asked.
"I'll just have my usual." Flash answered.
The waiter scribbled it down on his notepad. "And for you ma'am?"
No reply from Twilight.
"Excuse me? Would you like to order?" He asked.
"She's not quite made her decision yet." Flash told him.
"Oh, alright. Sorry to bother you." The waiter replied as he walked away.
"How could you let something like this slide by? She cheated on you, you know!" Twilight exclaimed.
Flash shrugged. "I guess I'm just a very passive pony."
"How could loyal Rainbow Dash do that to you?" She asked.
"She was at a wild colt-mare party, and had a lot to drink. She wasn't really aware of what she was doing."
"Wouldn't you think explicit physical contact with a pony other than her own husband would be over the influence of alcohol?" Twilight asked.
"Well, it's just that--"
"How do you know she wasn't using the whole 'I was drunk' thing as a cover? How do you know she wasn't sober when she cheated on you?"
"C'mon, this is Rainbow Dash! She wouldn't do that, and I know it as a fact." Flash replied.
"Now I'm not saying she WAS sober or anything, I'm just throwing possibilities out there."
Just then, the waiter showed up again. "Are you ready to order now, ma'am?"
"Yeah, I'll just have a flower sub with a side of hay fries." Twilight responded.
The waiter scribbled it down on his notepad. "Alright, thank you. It'll be ready momentarily!"
Twilight turned back to Flash. "So what are the specs?"
Flash looked confused. "What?"
"Of the foal. Gender and type."
"Oh, that. It's going to be a male unicorn. I thought I already told you that?"
Twilight thought for a second. "Oh, right. I'm not thinking today!"
"As I received your letter, I was having trouble leaving, because it would be dangerous to leave Rainbow Dash alone."
Flash's cell phone rang. He pulled it out and checked the number. It was his home number, which means one of his family members were calling.
He flipped his phone open and answered. "Hello?"
He didn't get the response he was looking for. It was Blaze, and in the background he heard loud screaming, and Starlight panicking.
"Yeah, dad? We got a situation over here! I think mom's going into labor, and we don't know what to do!"
Flash jumped out of his seat so quickly it startled Twilight. "WHAT?"
"What do we do? I don't know how to deliver foals, and Starlight has a weak stomach!" Blaze exclaimed.
"Call 911! I'll be there as fast as I can!" Flash exclaimed back as he ended the call. He quickly began to pack up his things.
"What, what is it?" Twilight asked anxiously.
"It's Rainbow Dash! She's having her foal! I have to get back to the house!"
Without waiting for a reply, Flash bolted off.
To be Continued...
Author Notes:
I want to know your opinion! I love receiving comments, so please send me some! |
Huge Mistake | Equestria's Newest Member | Flash burst into his home at lightning speed, and turned toward the living room. Sure enough, he observed a scene similar to the one almost nine years ago. Except Blaze and Starlight were present.
There was a mess of water down in the hallway, and Rainbow Dash lied on the couch, crying out in pain while Blaze attempted to comfort her.
"Blaze, did you call 911?!" Flash called to him.
Blaze looked up, and nodded furiously. "They said they were on their way!" He responded.
Flash quickly walked over to the kitchen, and picked up the phone. He dialed Soarin's number, and waited impatiently for the reply.
"This is Soarin, from the Wonderbolts." Flash heard.
"Soarin? Okay, great! Rainbow Dash is having your foal right now, so if you could meet us in front of the hospital, that would be great!" He exclaimed.
Soarin gasped. "Alright, I'll see you there!"
And with that, he hung up.
Flash put the phone down, and walked over to Starlight, who was peeking in the room from the corner of the hallway.
"Star, tell me exactly what happened while I was gone." He ordered.
Quivering, Starlight did as she was told.
"Well...everything was quiet and normal like it usually is, until we heard a splashing noise not far from our rooms. Not long after that, we heard mom screaming, almost as if she was being stabbed or something. We both ran out to see what it was, and saw her leaning up against the wall, grimacing in pain. Blaze led her over to the couch to where she is now, and ran for the phone to call you."
Flash had a hoof up to his chin, and nodded slowly.
"So what do we do?" She asked.
"There's nothing we can do until the paramedics arrive." He answered.
Just then, Blaze called to them from the living room. "Hey guys, they're here! The EMTs have arrived!"
Flash looked up at him. "Then there's not a second to lose. Let's get to the hospital!"
..........................................
Soarin stood just outside the entrance to the hospital, waiting for Rainbow and Flash to arrive. He wore a saddlebag with words embroidered on it, saying, "Please don't approach me; I'm here for a reason."
Soarin looked up, and saw the ambulance roll up in front of the door. The back doors opened, and Flash and Rainbow slowly stepped out. Rainbow was still wincing, trying not to scream again.
Soarin jogged up to the back of the ambulance. "Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked.
Flash nodded. "Yeah, can you get that wheelchair out from the back?"
"Sure." He responded as he stepped into the back, and pulled the wheelchair out onto the road.
Flash carefully sat Rainbow down in the chair, and the paramedics came around to wheel her into the building.
..........................................
The library door creaked open, and Twilight walked inside, showing no emotion at all.
Spike turned around from the couch, and saw her come in.
"Hey Twi, how'd it go?" He asked.
"......I don't know..." She replied blankly.
Spike looked confused. "Why do you sound like a robot?"
Twilight didn't reply for a few seconds. Suddenly, she shook her head a couple times to shake off the daze.
"Sorry, it's just that I took in a lot of information on that trip... Some things I probably shouldn't have known about."
Spike raised a brow. "Really, like what?"
"Well, you know that foal I told you Flash and Rainbow were having?"
Spike nodded.
"Well first of all, it's not Flash's. It's Soarin's." She said.
Spike's jaw dropped. "Rainbow Dash would do that?"
Twilight looked off to the side. "Well no, Flash told me she was drunk when she...you know...went with Soarin."
Spike was still incredibly young, and didn't exactly know what she meant by that. He gave her a confused look, and mouthed the word 'What?'
Twilight sighed, then walked over to a corner shelf. She used her magic to levitate a book off the shelf. The book cover read, "Sexual Intercourse 101".
Twilight walked over to Spike, and showed him the book cover.
"Ooooohhhhh......"
After Twilight walked back over to the shelf and put the book away, Spike spoke.
"Wouldn't you think being the Element of Loyalty, alcohol wouldn't be enough to make her cheat on Flash?" He asked.
"I know; that's exactly what I said! I don't think her story is the truth, for some reason." Twilight replied.
Spike shrugged. "You know, we could always be wrong."
Twilight also shrugged. "Yeah, you're right."
..........................................
An hour later, things weren't looking good. For some reason, Rainbow Dash was having an extremely difficult time delivering this one.
Flash gripped Rainbow's hoof with one hoof, and gnawed on the other. It was emotionally driving in negative ways to see her in this condition.
Memories boiled to the surface of his mind about that morning several years ago, when she was found in a similar condition. Blaze and Starlight's birth was far easier, though.
Soarin stood on the other side of the bed, gripping Rainbow's other hoof. He was also worried for her.
However, both stallions knew in their hearts that she would be okay. This would all be over soon, and the only problem would be to think of a name.
Blaze and Starlight watched from a little further back. Blaze appeared to be highly uncomfortable, and Starlight was on the verge to pieces. Blaze was ready in case she broke down crying in his arms.
Rainbow's panting was accelerating, and she screamed again. Starlight flinched at the agonizing sound of her mother's suffering.
Blaze looked over at her. "Hey, it's going to be alright. Just think, in about an hour we're going to have an awesome little brother to hang out with!"
Starlight smiled a little bit, but you could tell she was still in an emotional fix.
"Mom had to go through the same thing with us, and there's two of us! She'll be fine, I just know it."
Starlight wrapped her arms around Blaze, and he comforted her for the remainder of Rainbow's labor.
A few minutes later, the doctor announced that Rainbow was about halfway done. The rest of the delivery would go easily.
Flash and Soarin breathed a sigh of relief.
Starlight looked up at Blaze. "What'd he say?"
Blaze responded. "He said that mom's almost done."
Starlight smiled. "Thank goodness."
Flash spoke to Rainbow in a hushed, comforting voice. "You're doing great, just a little more and you'll be done!"
Flash knew Rainbow heard him, but there was no facial reaction.
.....................................
About ten more minutes later, the doctor had announced the delivery complete. Rainbow Dash was covered in sweat, and seemed to be very light-headed.
The doctor handed Flash the foal with care.
Flash looked down at the foal. The foal stared back up at him. He started to giggle and flail his hooves around, trying to touch his father.
Or...technically his father.
The foal was cyan, with a greenish tint. His hair was striped with streaks of blue and red. And his horn was barely visible as a tiny stub. A stub which would grow over time.
Flash sighed with admiration. "This is the best dejà-vu I'll ever receive."
He started to hand the foal to Rainbow Dash, but found her completely passed out. Flash gently set the foal in Rainbow's hooves. Soarin, Blaze and Starlight crowded around to gaze at Equestria's newest member.
The doctor pulled Flash aside, and explained that Rainbow will need just a few stitches before she departs. Flash nodded in understanding.
He walked over to the audience huddled around Rainbow Dash.
"Alright, I have some things to say. Rainbow's going to need to stay here for a little bit longer, so I'm going to stay with her. Soarin, could you take Blaze and Starlight home and babysit them for a while?"
"It would be my pleasure." He replied happily.
Soarin rounded up the two siblings, and took them home.
"I'm going to teach that little dude SO much about how gunpowder works!" Blaze whispered to Starlight.
Starlight giggled in response.
To be Continued...
Author Notes:
Ta-da! There you have it folks. Comments are intensely encouraged! |
Huge Mistake | Arriving Home | All remained quiet around the house as Blaze and Starlight sat in their rooms, and Soarin watched TV in the living room.
Starlight left her room, and crossed the hall to Blaze's room. She knocked on his door.
"Come in." He said.
Starlight walked into his room, and closed the door behind her. She walked over to Blaze, and sat down.
"What are you thinking about the new foal?" She asked.
Blaze chuckled. "Don't even get me started. That little sucker is going to be even more destructive than me when he's older!"
Starlight looked up, and held her hooves out.
"Celestia above, please save us from the abomination that has been cursed upon this home!" She hailed. They both laughed at her joke.
About half an hour later, the front door opened, and Rainbow and Flash walked inside. Rainbow was limping slightly, and she held her new foal in her hooves.
"Now remember, until I can get Twilight to come and enchant our home, you must not drop the foal. The consequences of that could be disastrous!" Flash mentioned.
Rainbow gasped. "Great scott!"
The two of them laughed.
Soarin spoke up from the couch. "While you guys were gone at the hospital, I already had that done for you."
"Oh, thank you!" Flash replied.
Rainbow gave him a suspicious stare. She took her foal, and gently laid him down on the floor. She loosened her grip on his sides, and he stayed on the floor. He didn't fall right through.
"Whoa, that's cool."
"Now you have to remember, Twilight's spell runs out in 168 hours. That's one week exactly. Once that time period is complete, you'll have to renew the spell. Things will get ugly if you don't." Soarin reminded them.
Rainbow shuddered. "We'll keep that in mind." Flash said.
Blaze and Starlight walked out of Blaze's room to greet their parents.
Rainbow's foal was getting very drowsy, so she limped over to the couch next to Soarin, and set him down. He inched over to Soarin, and fell asleep on his lap.
Soarin looked down at the sleeping foal. "I have such a good feeling right now..." He whispered as he stroked the foal's back.
Blaze studied Rainbow Dash, as she walked kind of funny.
"Dad, why is mom walking like that?" He asked.
"Well, the reason we had to stay behind after the delivery was because your mom needed to get some stitches." Flash responded.
Blaze looked interested. "Stitches? Where? Can I see them?"
Flash chuckled. "No, I'm afraid you're not allowed to see Rainbow's stitches."
Blaze was confused. "Why?"
"Well, they're located in a more private place on her body. A place you, or anypony else except me shouldn't be looking at." He explained.
Rainbow shrugged.
It took Blaze a moment to catch on. "Oh, now I see what you're saying!"
He giggled.
Flash looked at Rainbow. "Do you still remember how to nurse?"
"What?"
"You still have to feed him, you know."
Rainbow thought for a moment. "Oh, that's natural. Of course I remember how to do that. ...It still sucks, though. World-class athletes should never have to do something like that."
Flash smiled. "You are pretty good at it, though."
Flash did not get the response he was hoping to get.
"Well yeah, you would know. You get pretty wild in bed sometimes." Rainbow responded.
An enormous blush crossed Flash's face, and he looked down slightly.
"Um...I don't think you should've...you know...said that in front of..."
He was interrupted by Blaze's thunderous laughter.
"Oh man, that's hilarious! My stomach's hurting!" He exclaimed, laughing to the point of hysteric crying. "I'll be in my room if you need me!"
Blaze walked off to his room, still laughing loudly.
Starlight tapped Flash's hoof. "Dad, what did mom mean by that?"
"Starlight, let me tell you something. There are three kinds of things in the world: Things that are very interesting and enlighten the mind, things that should probably never be spoken of, and things that YOU ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO KNOW. This would be one of those things." He replied calmly.
"Okay..." She said in a Fluttershy-manner.
Flash turned back to Rainbow. "That was NOT cool."
Rainbow put her hooves up. "It's totally true, though."
Flash blushed a little again. "So, what if it is? You still shouldn't have announced it to everyone else."
Rainbow smiled. "Just trying to get a good laugh."
Rainbow gave a huge grin, hoping to cheer Flash up.
Flash stared at her for a couple seconds, and his smile got wider and wider.
"Oh, I hate it when you do that!" He said sheepishly. He leaned forward and hugged her.
.......................................
A little bit later, Starlight left the living room and walked into Blaze's room again. She saw him on his bed, a pillow over his head.
She walked over to him, and removed the pillow.
The area around his head was soaking wet, and he was sleeping. Starlight reeled the pillow back, and whacked him with it.
"Ah, what is it?!" He exclaimed. He looked up. "What are you doing?"
"Why is it wet around your head?" Starlight asked.
"Oh, those are tears. Mom's joke from earlier was really funny!" Blaze replied.
"That wasn't a joke. Mom was being serious."
"Wait, wha...?" Blaze thought over it for a moment. "Aw, that's disgusting!"
Starlight shrugged. "At least they love each other."
"Yeah, but don't you think they love each other...too much?" He asked.
"Nope. That's a sick and twisted thing to say, Blaze."
Blaze chuckled. "So is what mom said earlier."
"You just love that little joke, huh?" She asked.
"You told me it wasn't a joke."
"Well yeah, but it still technically qualifies as one. You do think it's funny, after all."
.......................................
Meanwhile, out in the living room, Rainbow, Flash and Soarin all sat around the TV, bored. All they did was do a little talking.
Rainbow whispered something to Flash.
"Hey Soarin?" Flash asked.
"What's up?"
"Would you like to stay for dinner? We're going to order some pizza from Pizza Shack to celebrate the new foal."
"Hey, that sounds sweet! Okay, I'll stay." He answered.
On Soarin's lap, the foal's horn began to glow. Suddenly, the TV turned off.
"What the-?" Flash stammered.
The foal was still sleeping, and his horn began to glow brighter. Just then, Rainbow Dash began to levitate off the couch.
"Whoa, this feels weird! Help me!" She exclaimed.
Soarin laughed. "That's what she said."
"Enough jokes, help me down!"
Rainbow began to frantically flap her wings. No matter how hard she buzzed, they didn't seem to get her anywhere.
"Hey, I wonder what the foal's dreaming about!" Flash mused.
"Probably something crazy, if it's causing this!" Soarin added.
Rainbow's wings were flapping at full speed as she tried to free herself of her confinement.
Suddenly, the foal's horn stopped glowing, and Rainbow was free. However, her wings were still flapping, so she flew through the roof at full speed and was gone in the blink of an eye.
Flash and Soarin laughed loudly.
"I can tell this foal is going to be a blast to raise!" Flash stated.
To be Continued...
Author Notes:
For the sake of this chapter, I'm adding the 'Comedy' category to the story!
One of the funniest things I ever wrote was at Paragraph 38, when Rainbow Dash said, "You would know, you get pretty wild in bed sometimes."
I got that idea last night, and my face turned red from laughing, so I had to put it in! |
Huge Mistake | -AUTHOR ANNOUNCEMENT- | Hello everypony!
I just came to say that the next update could be very far off. I'm not saying it will be, I'm just saying there's a chance.
First of all, I've been somehow kicked off of Microsoft Word, and am unaware on how to fix it. Second, my alternative, Google Docs, won't let me on. I'm currently unable to write and upload (because I will not, for any reason, write chapters on the website itself).
I apologize for the delay, I hope the chapter will be out soon! |
Huge Mistake | Feeding Time | WARNING: SHORT CHAPTER!
A couple of days later, all was quiet around the house. Except for Blaze, that is.
He snored loudly in front of the TV while it played Equestrian Idol. The remote rested in his hoof.
After a few minutes, the foal crawled in the room through the hallway. He approached the couch, and looked up at his sleeping brother.
He sprawled out against the couch, and reached up as high as his little stature could take him. But he couldn't get up.
He pounded against it a couple times, trying to awaken his sibling, with little efficiency.
The foal stopped for a second, and closed his eyes tightly. Soon after, his horn began to glow.
.......................................
"Hey Blaze? I need you to fly to the post office and drop something off for me." Flash called as he walked down the hallway.
When he reached the living room, Blaze snored on the couch while Rainbow's foal sat next to him, sucking on his hoof.
Flash chuckled, highly amused.
"How in Equestria did you get up on the sofa?" He laughed.
The foal just glanced at him, then returned his focus to Blaze's hoof.
Flash shook his head. "When Blaze wakes up he's in for a nasty surprise."
He turned around, and headed for the kitchen. He set the letter that needed to be sent on the table. Grabbing a pen, he scribbled a note on it saying, "To Blaze, please run this down to the post office. -Flash".
By the time he put the pen back away, he heard a noise. An amazing, heartwarming noise that brought back memories of when Blaze and Starlight were little foals.
Rainbow's foal was clicking his tongue.
"No...way." Flash stuttered.
He slowly walked over to the living room, and looked down at the couch. There he saw the foal sitting on his hind legs, his attention away from Blaze's hoof.
He looked up at Flash, and clicked his tongue again.
Flash chuckled with glee. "Omigosh, this is so crazy! It's been such a long time since I've heard that!"
Flash knew. Heck, how could he forget? Clicking tongues had always been the sign of hunger. He thought it was so adorable.
Flash shook his head again. "I swear to Celestia, Rainbow Dash HAD to have done that when she was a foal." He whispered.
"Hey Rainbow! Come in here!" He called.
He heard a loud groan coming from their room. Looks like Rainbow doesn't want to get up.
Flash turned to the foal, and picked it up. He set the foal on his back, and it flopped forward, lying on top of him.
Flash heard hoofsteps coming down the hall, and they sounded horribly off-rhythm. By the time Rainbow Dash came into view, she was limping badly.
"Are you okay?" Flash asked.
"No. The stitches I got only seem to hurt worse as time goes on." She responded.
"Guess who's hungry?" He asked playfully.
Rainbow sighed. "Look, if you want a bite to eat, why don't you just-"
"No, not me! I'm talking about the foal!" He laughed.
As if on cue, the foal turned toward his mother, and clicked his tongue again.
After seeing the foal, Rainbow let out another sigh, this one long and hard.
"You know what that means!" He chirped.
"Yes. Unfortunately, I do."
Rainbow trudged over to Flash, and grabbed the foal. Then she limped back to their room with it. She closed the door behind her, and locked it.
Flash was silent for a second.
"Are you sure I can't be in there with you?" He called.
"Not happening!" Was the quick reply.
Flash laughed at his joke.
Blaze jolted awake, and slowly looked down at his hoof, which was dripping with slobber.
"Eww, dad. That's just disgusting."
Flash turned to him with surprise. "Hey, I didn't do it!"
................................................
About twenty minutes later, Flash was still denied access to his room.
"Is he still feeding?" He asked through the door.
"Yeah, surprisingly. Apparently he was very hungry." Came the response.
"It's pretty amazing that he can feed for this long." Flash mused.
He heard a chuckle. "Yeah, you're telling me. I'm not sure I have much more to offer." She replied.
It was silent for a couple seconds.
"Hey, how long ago did Twilight perform that spell on the house?" He asked.
It was silent again, for Rainbow was trying to recall.
"I think it was about four days. Why?"
"Nothing, I just don't want a crisis where our foal fell ten-thousand feet to its death." Flash answered.
He heard a shiver from the other side of the door. "Don't say that."
There was another silence. Flash heard a small noise of surprise, and the door unlocked.
When he stepped inside, Rainbow was at the door where she had just unlocked it, and the foal slept soundly on their bed.
"What happened?" He asked.
Rainbow shrugged. "The foal just...fell asleep. Right in the middle of feeding."
They both looked at each other, and shrugged again.
"Hey dad?" Came a call from down the hall. "Where's the post office?"
To be Continued...
Author Notes:
Hello hello hello! I apologize ever so deeply for the late update. I know some of you were probably tapping your hooves on the floor, waiting for the next chapter. I also apologize for this not being a very long chapter to suit your needs. However, I have made it back onto Google Drive, so chapter updates will be common now! |
Huge Mistake | In too Deep | It wasn't exactly quiet and peaceful that night. As luna's moon hovered high above the skies of Equestria, things were happening here and there at Rainbow Dash's household.
Starlight laid in her bed, wide awake and petrified over the noises that rang through her ears from the kitchen. Rustling noises.
Blaze heard it too, but had a totally different approach toward it. He had to go check it out.
He creaked open his bedroom door, and the rustling paused, noticing the sound. Soon later, it started back up again.
Entering stealth-mode, Blaze crept out the hall and by the living room. He glanced over to the kitchen, and saw an alien-like turquoise illumination.
He tiptoed over to the living room table, and grabbed Rainbow's old porn magazine. He rolled it up, and was prepared to use it as a weapon.
Holding the rolled up magazine, he slowly crept toward the kitchen. As he got closer, he heard a crunching noise.
He quickly flipped on the light, and saw his baby brother stealing out of the pantry and eating some snacks.
Blaze bursted out with amazement.
"How the heck are you eating adult food already?!" He exclaimed loudly.
Game over. His family was officially awake now.
Starlight, Rainbow and Flash, frazzled, quickly came into the living room to see what was going on.
"What, what is it?" Flash asked anxiously.
Blaze pointed to the foal, and stuttered. "Just yesterday that foal was feeding off of mom, and now he's eating my last chocolate-chip cookie!"
Rainbow blushed at his remark.
Flash's face changed from an expression of surprise to bewilderment.
"You're right, that is strange. Here, get out of the way." He ordered.
Blaze stepped aside as Flash picked up the foal.
In Flash's grasp, the foal tried to reach for his cookie, and began to cry.
Flash turned the foal around, and examined his mouth. He observed two teeth that were fully grown in the foal's mouth.
"Holy crap..." He stuttered.
"What, what is it?" Rainbow asked.
"Your supernatural foal already has two teeth!" Flash answered.
Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. "Within 48 hours of birth? That can't be right..."
Flash shrugged. "Maybe you should discuss it with the doctor!" He suggested.
He handed the foal to Rainbow Dash. Once in her hooves, the foal immediately stopped crying.
"I think he likes mom better than you, dad." Blaze observed.
"Well duh. You're the one who said he was feeding off her yesterday." Flash responded.
"Well hopefully this little pantry incident means I won't have to feed him anymore." Rainbow added.
Starlight yawned. "Let's worry about it in the morning."
................................................
Despite being up at twilight the previous night, Blaze had gotten up early, and was drawing. He drew a lot, and was beginning to get really good at it.
Outside his door, he heard off-rhythm hoofsteps, telling him it was his mother.
"Hey Blaze? It's almost time for breakfast, so you might want to join us in the kitchen. What are you doing?" She asked.
"I'm drawing a picture of you." Blaze responded.
Rainbow was amused. "Oh really? Let's see it!"
Blaze put his crayon down, and picked up his picture. He turned it around, and showed it to Rainbow Dash.
"...Wow, that's not what I expected to see at all..." She stuttered.
"Isn't it cool?" He asked enthusiastically.
"What's up with the website url at the bottom?" She asked.
"Oh, that? I just put it there to make it look cool."
Rainbow slowly nodded. "Uh huh...interesting."
Rainbow turned and limped out of Blaze's room, and Blaze followed.
Once they were in the kitchen, Blaze saw Flash, Starlight and the foal also there, awaiting breakfast.
Blaze wanted them to see his picture, so he ran back to his room to get it.
"Did you guys really expect me to cook for all of you?" Rainbow asked.
"Well, it's your turn. I did it yesterday." Flash responded.
Rainbow sighed, and limped toward the pantry for ingredients.
Suddenly, Blaze burst back into the room. "Hey dad! Check out this awesome picture I drew for mom!"
Blaze held the picture up for Flash to see.
"Wow..."
"Yeah, I know!"
Rainbow looked up from her work. "Wait, you drew that picture FOR me?"
"Yeah, why?"
Rainbow couldn't help but smile, and she chuckled a little.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing, that's the thing. The picture is REALLY good. I actually wanted it hung up in my room. It doesn't quite display my pure awesomeness though..."
Everyone in the room laughed, even the foal.
"Hey dad?" Starlight asked.
"Hmm?"
The foal has five teeth now."
"WHAT?" The whole room said simultaneously.
Flash quickly leaned over and opened the foal's mouth. Sure enough, five pearly-whites were poking in through the foal's gums.
Flash sighed. "How can this be possible..."
Rainbow spoke up from the frying pan. "I read that Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadence all had full sets of teeth before they were a year old. And they're alicorns."
"Yeah, but look! The foal has no wings!" Flash exclaimed in reply.
Rainbow just shrugged. "The pancakes are done, if anyone wants any."
Rainbow set a big plate of steaming hot pancakes on the table. Next to it, she placed a bottle of maple syrup.
The group at the table helped themselves, taking what they wanted from the plate. Flash tore up a pancake into small pieces, and gave them to the foal.
"Where did you read that information anyway?" He asked.
"The internet. Where else?" She responded.
"What website?"
"Wikipedia."
"Ah, so it is true."
............................................................
That afternoon, Blaze sat in the living room watching Family Colt with the foal. Not long after, Flash walked into the room.
He turned his attention to the living room, and saw what Blaze was watching.
"Blaze, you can't watch this in front of the foal!"
"Why not?"
"It's full of sex and profanity. Nothing a little foal should be watching."
As he said this, he walked into the room to pick up the foal. Suddenly, he reeled back and yelled out in shock.
"What is it?!" Blaze asked, startled.
"The foal, he has wings!!!" Flash yelled again.
Blaze looked at the foal. "Oh man..."
THE END
Author Notes:
I am so sorry about this, but I keep getting more ideas. If I continued with this, it would get too off-topic. The plot for this story was that Rainbow cheated on Flash, and it turned out with all negative results. So to continue the story, I have to write a fourth sequel. I'll see you all then! |
Bite-Sized Spike | pre | Spike looked around at enormous desk, he was surrounded by building tall high stacks of books with so many different colors and titles behind some of the books he spotted a globe that towered over even the books, Spike could see crumpled papers as well as cut open envelopes the little dragon started to itch his chin for an idea. Spike walked over to the boulder-sized crumbled up letters stepping over some bits that Shining possibly left on the table.
"Ok so if all these letters are here,..." Spike scanned around for his possible ticket to being found and ending his tiny nightmare, Spike's eyes went wide with joy he spotted Shining Armor's prized silver knife. Spike quickly rushed over to it already trying to pick up the knife.
"Ah, right, I was using it to open letters," Shining said to himself, and mentally reached back onto his desk for the tool. Of course, just as his magical glow covered the knife, a tiny purple dragon was trying to pick it up, figuring he could use it in some way to get some attention, after all, weapons tended to get the eye of a trained soldier. Unfortunately, as a blue sparkling field of magic grabbed the knife, it pressed the dragon into it, and then floated both into the kitchen.
"Hmm, okay, let's see," he said, floating a bowl over to the counter and then grabbing a few lettuce leaves and setting them into it. Next he levitated a tomato above it, and with the knife firmly in his magical grip, he began to slice it into smaller bits, not noticing a tiny purple form on it as he did so.
"A salad," as he spoke, he sprinkled in some of those nicely seasoned bread bits that Cadence liked. They gave him a bit of gas, but he did want a nice snack. While sprinkling them, his grip on the knife loosened a little, and Spike, still hovering above the bowl, cried out, his claws grabbing onto the wooden handle of the blade and digging in. Unfortunately, his claws only got a little ways in when the knife spun in the air as Shining moved it, causing the dragon to crash down into the bowl.
Spike landed in the pile of leaves, thudding into it as he shook his head quickly looking up to see the bread squares landed beside him crashing into the leaves and everywhere around the bowl "Oh No." Spike quickly ducked away as a bread square almost landed on his head.
Finished with that, Shining added a lettuce leaf and a few slices of tomato to the bread he'd set to the side of the bowl. Setting the remains of the lettuce and tomato in the fridge again, he dove in deeper. Inside, he found chocolate in about nineteen different flavors, another apple, and finally a few things he'd brought back with him from his time in the Griffon Lands recently.
One was a triangle of some sort, spotted with red dots of about an inch wide, while the thing was a good muzzle full. The stuff was called a pepperoni pizza, apparently a common food in the Griffon Kingdom nowadays with their recovering economy. He sniffed it a bit, smelling spices and meat on it, as well as cheese and bread, before using a spell to cause the thing to heat up nicely.
"Heh, those ponies don't know what they're missing," he said to himself, remembering how most ponies tended to be vegetarians, a lifestyle he'd tried to keep up for a while, back before he'd joined the guard, but then he, like all recruits, eventually found himself stationed somewhere that didn't allow such diets. His first taste of meat had been the Minotaur Empire, though since then he'd been known to dine on it when Cadence would allow it. Setting the slice of pizza on a plate, he dug even deeper.
"Oh, there you are," he said as he pulled out a pink, round loaf thing. It was a heel of bologna, a type of food he knew was meat, if not what type. Using the knife, he quickly sliced off a few pieces of it, deftly doing so in the air so they fell onto the half finished sandwich, which he then finished with a flip of the top slice of bread.
"A snack, Assembled." he said to himself like a comic book character he knew, before floating the plate and bowl back to his desk, grabbing a fork on the way. Settling the dishes down on the desk, he took his seat, and then slowly brought one of the forms to his eyes. Not even looking, he brought the fork down into the bowl, and speared some of its contents.
Spike watched as Shining Armor prepared his meal or meals he watched as Shining set his dishes down on the table making a 'BOOM' sound that rang in the tiny dragon's ears he could see under Shining's muzzle as he turned his head away from the salad bowl giving him a sigh with relief as he knew Shining wasn't about to dine on him, Spike tried to maneuver his way through the leaves Spike quickly noticed a four pointed shadow that hovered over him.
Spike looked up see a hovering fork right above him it slowly pointed down then in a split second came down right for Spike "GAAHH!" Spike jumped just missing the fork that came close to stabbing him "Feeeew." Spike whipped away a nervous sweat Spike was ready move away from the fork but found his foot stuck between the middle of the fork.
"Darn it not again." Spike felt gravity shifting and quickly began to lift into the air with a fork full of leaves and then found himself being pressed down into a cold piece of bread bits Spike blinked and squinted watching the whole world around him spin making him feel air sick and sea sick at the same time, the little dragon quickly turned his head to see Shining Armor's face coming closer and closer every second.
"Shining! Wait! Wait! WAIT!" Spike stuck his claws out in a waving motion not even being noticed by the titanic stallion Spike sweated in fear watching as his brother licked his lips then parted his muzzle showing the inside of Shining Armor's waiting mouth, strands of saliva dripped from his top row of teeth as well as a strait web that connected from both his tongue and the roof of his mouth, Spike wanted to jump but only found himself mere inches away from the bright pink moist tongue.
To Be Continued.
> Chapter 10. Mouth Of The Shining
Shining stuffed the fork into his face, closing his lips around it, and then sliding the contensil out of his mouth. Inside his maw, the lettuce, tomato, and bits of bread tumbled down onto his tongue, and eventually included a tiny dragon, who added a bit of flavor to the meal that caused the stallion to 'mmm,' before he began to chew. Spike, crying out in surprise, found the tongue beneath him become almost like a liquid thing, spinning him around and then dumping him, along with some of the rest of it on one of Shining's teeth.
Shining, trying to chew his meal, felt some part of it resist his mighty chomps, his teeth staying just a bit apart no matter how hard he moved his jaw, causing him to grunt as he thought something might have gotten into his salad. Finally, when he felt he'd tried hard enough, he spit whatever it was out, moving it with his tongue, and then using a napkin from his desk drawer to catch it. Crumpling up the thing, he placed it on the edge of his desk, and returned to his reports and salad.
Spike was tossed up and down by the gigantic slimy member as the leaves were knocked aside into the white blocks that were Shining's teeth Spike watched in horror as the helpless green leaves were smashed in between the gigantic teeth ripping them to bits a small pool of saliva in the corners of Shining's tongue and gums became littered with the shredded leaves the sudden movement of the tongue caused the saliva to splash Spike soucking him in drool and bits of green.
"Eeew." Spike tried to whip off the spit he found himself being tossed into the the center of one of Shining's molars and hitting it with thud. Spike held his throbbing head blinked to stop his eyes from twisting in circles "Uhh,..." Spike looked up seeing the top molars coming down right on top on him, Spike quickly jumped off landing on back on the slimy tongue making another splash into a puddle of hot saliva. Spike gasped shaking and spitting out the saliva covering him from head, to toe, to tail the grossed out dragon coughed waving his hands trying to whip off the sticking spit from his scales.
The dragon soon found himself tossed around even more as the tongue battered against him, pushing him first into the teeth, then into the roof of the mouth, and finally trying to force him backwards. The last nearly worked, until Spike found a bit of footing and leapt forwards, landing on the tip of the tongue with a splat. Covered in drool, he was slick, but he still managed to dig his claws in, not enough to draw blood, but enough to stay where he was, until the stallion finally opened his mouth, and with a flood of spit behind, forced Spike out between his lips and into a napkin that was then wadded up and placed on the edge of the desk.
Recovering from the ordeal, Spike was woozy as he clawed his way out of the napkin, tearing into the loose fabric with a ripping sound, and then taking a deep gasp of open air. In front of him, Shining Armor had returned to his paperwork, giving the rubber stamp to some forms, while scratching notes on others. All the while he was eating from the salad bowl, shoveling the contents into his mouth, until finally he heard a clink sound, and looked over. He'd emptied the bowl, and yet he still felt hungry, the stallion levitating the dirty dish into the kitchen area, and going about his paperwork some more, trying to ignore a growl in his stomach.
Spike let out a loud sigh of relief he'd already almost had a been eaten twice today and enough was enough, Spike watched as Shining rubbed under his chin looking at the paperwork Shining was going to be to busy now to look down on the table to see a tiny purple dot moving around. Spike quickly scanned all of plates that had Shining's chosen meals Spike quickly noticed a sandwich half made with a piece of bread at the bottom and baloney Spike smiled.
"I know what I'll do. He'll stop to make his sandwich and when he does he'll spot me!" Spike started his journey down the table walking pass the empty bowl of salad and the plate of pizza, Spike found himself at the edge of the plate with a sandwich the size of three queen-sized beds Spike's ears twitched hearing the sound of Shining Armor's roaring stomach shaking the table.
"Uhh Alright already." Shining's booming voice echoed. Spike saw his golden opportunity beginning to start without him he quickly climbed onto the plate and clawed his way up on top of baloney quickly waving his arms in the air and jumping wildly.
"Shining! Shining! Down here! I'm right here!" Spike yelled at the top of his tiny lungs. Unfortunately for Spike Shining Armor kept his attention on the papers in front of his muzzle. Shining Armor's horn glowed bright pieces of cheese, lettuce, tomato, and flouting mayo, mustard and ketchup came floating right for the half made sandwich in a single line Spike stared up in confusion about to say a word until he was blasted down by an injected rocket of mustard causing Spike to fall down flat on his belly and was then covered by a blanket of cheese that was covered by ketchup and mayo a patch of lettuce laid on top of the cheese as well as a sliced tomato topped with a piece of bread.
Shining looked down on the table at his masterpiece of a sandwich he smiled and licked his lips hungrily.
"This is gonna be good." Shining said to himself Shining then thought of something else that would be a great add on to his meals using his magic he opened the fridge down levitating a bag of green and red grapes, using the same bowl he'd used for his salad he emptied the grapes into the bowl then sate the bowl beside his pizza and sandwich.
"Perfect." He said licking his lips again.
Shining levitated a few grapes up to begin with, popping them into his mouth one by one, in the same way he'd done for Cadence during their honeymoon in Las Pegasus. The things were nice and juicy, his teeth squishing them and causing his mouth to almost explode with flavor as he consumed them one at a time. Finally, when that was done, he started on the pizza next, levitating the triangle upwards. Of course, as he did so, he noticed a small string of cheese dripping down the side, and then panicked as it nearly fell onto the Eastern Front Reports, ones he'd spent half an hour on.
Quickly, he sprang into action, instincts honed on the training field for months at a time telling him how to move, his neck twisting in a way that probably looked painful, as he dipped his muzzle just below the cheese, sticking his tongue out just in time to catch the run, and then slowly lift it up. The cheese coiled like a cobra on his outstretched tongue, laying down and covering the member with grease as he made his way upwards, and then finally made it to the offending piece of pizza.
With a strike like a snake, he shot his muzzle forward and chomped off a good chunk of the pizza, 'Mmming' as the flavors of the pepperoni, cheese, and bread filled his mouth. Chewing lightly around the muzzleful, he tried to let each hint of taste wash everywhere, to be enjoyed one morsel at a time, before finally he swallowed hard, a huge lump moving down his throat. Licking his lips, Shining was dismayed to find he'd taken in most of the slice of pizza with a single bite, but then remembered his sandwich, which he raised upwards, while also grabbing another report and looked at it, opening his mouth to receive a new load.
Spike struggled trying to push the huge weight off his back that weighed him down Spike whipped the mustrued from his face only to have more of his face be covered once again Spike could feel a shift in gravity.
"Oh no. No! No! No!" Spike tried to struggle and shove his way threw the pressed prison Spike sunk his claws into the baloney pulling himself forward, Spike shoved himself to edge of sandwich quickly finding an opening that seeped with rays of light Spike smiled ready to escape. Spike parted the top and bottom layer of the sandwich open his eyes being brighten by the sudden light Spike rubbed his eyes gasping to a familiar sight.
"No! Not again! NOT AGAIN! SHINING! WAIT!" Spike screamed but his cries were muffled by mustered dripping off his head and into his mouth.
Spike trembled as Shining Armor's lips parted showing the familiar site of the inside of the stallion's mouth and of what was to come for the little dragon, Spike could see into Shining's mouth once again the pink spongy tongue flexed up and down, saliva dripped from the roof of the stallion's mouth ready to soak the sandwich and it's little intruder, Spike could see past the pink hilled tongue looking into the moist ruby red throat in the middle was Shining's drool dripping uvula that flexed up when the back of his tongue squished down ready for the sandwich to enter in his waiting mouth.
Spike quickly sunk back into the sandwich this time for protection Spike crawled and dug his way into the sandwich he could hear a crunching ripping sound that to the tiny dragon sounded like crumbling Earth or rubble, a line of thin white teeth pierced the top and bottom of the sandwich surrounding the tiny dragon in a U shaped line blocking him off from his one chance of freedom.
Crunch!
Spike retracted his hands and feet just mere inches from being crushed by the white chompers. the tiny dragon started panicking and thrashed when he saw the lines of bottom and top white blocks coming together with a loud clunk, Shining Armor bite down on the sandwich, taking part of it into his mouth with Spike inside, surrounding the dragon in total darkness.
Spike and the half of the sandwich was pushed up into the roof of the mouth squeezing Spike in-between the sandwich making him go red feeling his chest become heavy. Spike felt gravity shift again letting the sandwich bite he was inhabiting fall back to the sloppy tongue.
"Got to make a break for it!" He felt the weight coming off his body. Spike pushed himself out right before the chunk of the sandwich was moved by the slobbery tongue. Spike's footsteps squashed from the slobbery surface below him he neared the white thin blocks in front of him, climbing up smooth rows of teeth. A big smile stretched across his face he was finally going to to taste freedom! And escape his brother's mouth.
Spike's smile quickly faded away seeing five flouting red grapes in Shining Armor's magic aura now flouting straight forward to the now open mouth!
"No! No! Wait!" One of the grapes shot forward Spike right for him smacking him right across the face like a speeding dodgeball Spike's eyes rolled and his snout flattened another grape came flying right at Spike knocking him off the front teeth.
Spike falls plopping back into the squishy tongue with a loud 'Splat!' The tongue moved flopping up and down pressing Spike and the grapes into the sides of his mouth
Spike was flopped into the row of white boulders with a grape soon the rows rose up and Spike leaped out from the molar watching the grape be ripped and crushed up by the massive molars the juice from the grape squirt out splashing Spike he watched as it was chewed up into bits and then lit green and red mush.
Spike heard a gust of air blowing into the mouth as Shining opened his mouth again and in came the sandwich.The giant front molars bite down sinking into the sandwich and ripped off the sandwich's middle soon the bitten half was swished around by the tongue lifting Spike back up into the air pinning him to the roof. The sandwich was moved into row of teeth and soon shredded and chewed up Spike watched the lettuce being ripped up and the bread getting spongy from the moist saliva covering it. Spike slipped on the tongue splashing into the mush getting covered in the chewed up food.
Spike dripping with mush all over his tiny form felt gravity shift Shining Armor's gigantic tongue lifted up sending Spike and the chewed food towards his gaping throat, the ruby colored flesh flexed ready to send its tiny prisoner to his jail cell.
"SHINING PEASE,... NO!" Spike yelled trying to claw his way up the tongue only to have his claws slip on the moist member, Spike looked down to see the gaping abyss below him Spike ground his teeth in frustration quickly looking up seeing Shining's uvula.
The bouncing uvula was now Spike's only hope it dripped with saliva and slowly swung back and forth Spike felt gravity forcing him closer and closer to the throat, Spike felt an adrenaline rush pulsing through him he tightened his fists. Spike neared the throat and the tongue bulged up squishing into the roof of the mouth Spike leaped up into the air holding his arms out wide to grab the uvula.
GULP!
Shining swallowed down the food. The giant tongue flattened back into place leaving the mouth empty with only a few bits of chewed up food stuck between the stallion's teeth and some splattered on his tongue. The uvula was motionless and then suddenly shifted Spike grasped a hold of the uvula hugging it tight with his arms and legs the food covered dragon slowly opened his eyes looking around the empty chamber.
"Th,.. That was close." Spike shivered closing his eyes when a bright light blinded him a hooffull of grapes flinging into Shining's mouth already being chewed up being squished and ripped up by the white boulders Spike watched as the chewed up grapes slid down to Shining's thorat. Spike watched as the entrance of the voice box closed and the esophagus opened sending the grapes down into dark fleshy tunnel, Spike clenched the uvula tighter for protection making it squish. "Oh man. I hope he doesn't throw up."
Shining Armor licked his lips patting his belly with a successful smile on his face he rested back in his chair rubbing his belly he couldn't help but feel an odd tickle in the back of his throat.
"HIICCUP!" Shining bounced in his seat falling backwards onto the floor with a crash he rubbed his head and then another loud hiccup escaped his mouth and the tickle was getting worse he started to cough and hack as well. Shining lifted himself up quickly rushing to the sink grabbing a cup turning the faucet on and ran water into the cup he brought the cup to his mouth and chugged the whole glass down.
Spike felt the whole chamber shake and rumble the gusts of air shot up waving the uvula around, Spike sunk his claws into the uvula trying not to fall off or lose his grip. Spike saw the light shine inside the mouth again this time bringing in a flood of water splashing into the whole mouth and rushing down into the throat Spike still clung to the uvula despite the massive force of water pushing him he felt his grip beginning to loosen he shed a few tears still trying as hard as he could to hold on! The water splashed into Spike he had to hold his breath so he wouldn't drown and then. Spike's lost his grip on the uvula sending him and the flood of water down into Shining Armor's throat with one final gulp.
To Be Continued. |
Fancy Pants In: The Mystery of The Blanks | pre | "Is this the place, Mr. Fancy?" Pip prodded, tilting his head. Fancy nodded and started his approach.
"Indeed. It doesn't look remarkable but take a look there." He pointed. Pip narrowed his eyes and saw a small sign next to the door.
"'Cutie Mark Crusaders official headquarters!'" Pip gasped "You think there might be a clue in there, Mr. Fancy?"
Fancy looked neutral as he started at the entrance ramp "Ms. Applejack has already searched this place, no doubt. However, I think with our critical eyes, we may be able to find something she overlooked." He winked.
Pip nodded eagerly "Right!"
Fancy looked to the ramp and grimaced "I believe you should take the lead, young Pip. I shall be right behind you once you make it to the top."
The small colt was easily able to ascend the ramp with no issue and was quickly in front of the door. Pip reached forward and turned the bronze-colored knob carefully. The door let out a creek that made the little pony shiver as he peered his head inside. The interior was small but densely decorated. The walls contained posters of the wonderbolts and pictures of friends and family. Behind a podium that sat at the far end of the room was a large map of Ponyville and the surrounding areas, along with a list of activities that had some of them crossed out next to it. Other than this, there were chairs, books, and toys scattered about on the floor. Right next to the door was a ladder that Pip guessed led up to the observatory.
Despite the homey appearance, Pip felt uneasy as he stepped further inside. It felt wrong that it was so quiet here, a place that once held three dear friends sharing their joys and hardships in achieving their special talents. His head sank, the true horror and weight of the situation hitting him for the first time. If they failed, these three friends would never again share their laughter, their struggles or their fears in his space ever again.
This once happy place would be left to decay. Their memories here never passed on.
"Pip? Is everything okay, dear boy?"
Pip's head rose up and he sniffed, wiping away the beads of tears that had formed in the corner of his eyes before turning around.
"Yes, I'm fine Mr. Fancy." He responded with a sniffle, shaking his head "It's just...nothing."
Pip felt a familiar large hoof touch his cheek and gently turn his head toward Fancy, who smiled in understanding.
"We'll find them, young Pip, don't you worry." He affirmed, the confidence in the both of them clear in his tone and smile. Pipsqueak shut his eyes once more, a feeling of determination surging in his soul from his master's words. While his doubt and fears would remain deep within until the case was resolved, he pushed them down and opened his eyes, a new flame burning within.
"Right, Mr. Fancy. Where do we start?" He asked as he looked over the clubhouse once more. Fancy went to respond as he rose to full height but grunted when he bumped his head against the low ceiling.
"I, ow, believe you're more suited to looking around, young Pip. Just bring me anything you find, and I'll examine it from the outside." He said, laughing at his own expense. The student couldn't fight a giggle as his normally regal and composed mentor slowly walked out of the clubhouse with all the finesse of a large dog.
The first thing Pip decided to do was examine the piles of books and toys which, predictably, didn't have anything of note other than one of the newer Daring Do books that Pip had yet to acquire. Reluctantly, he put it back where it belonged and continued his search. He scanned the posters and framed photos with his eyes, looking for any possible outdents that revealed a secret safe or anything of the sort. But even with the light of Fancy's magic lighting the entire space, he didn't notice anything of the sort. Then he set his eyes on the podium.
Resting on the podium was a series of pictures of different activities, from snorkeling to book writing, and hoof written notes that read like some kind of speech one of the Crusader's would give to the others. More than likely it was Applebloom, Pip guessed, due to the slang used throughout. The lower shelves on the podium were stuffed with crumpled up papers, most of them being previous versions of the same speech.
With nothing else there he could see at the moment, Pip looked over the large map on the wall. Many locations were circled but many were x'd out as well, the little colt guessing that this coincided with the Crusader's activities in town. So far, everything seemed normal to Pip and he was about to announce it to Fancy until he spotted something odd. Drawn next to certain locations were doodles that portrayed different ventures that the Crusaders could partake in, such as fishing in the river and hang gliding in the hills. But five locations in particular had a tiny doodle of a telescope drawn above them and judging from the intensity of the ink, it had been a recent addition.
Pip tapped his chin, and he felt a familiar rise in his chest, an excitement that coincided with only one thing.
"Mr. Fancy, I think I found a puzzle!"
"Excellent work, my boy!" Fancy chortled "I'll leave this one to you but if you need assistance," he gestured helplessly to the doorway "You know where to find me."
Pip bowed and turned back to the map, pulling out his notepad as he did his best to copy the hoof drawn map. Location names were absent, Pip guessing that the little ponies who drew it knew them already and didn't feel the need to write them down.
"Would be too easy if they did." the colt thought with a feeling of pride. Deep down, he hoped his memory served him well enough.
After a few minutes of scribbling, Pip put away his pencil and looked at the observatory ladder. "I'm going up, Mr. Fancy."
"Be careful, young master."
Pip ascended, notepad in mouth, rather easily up the ladder and found himself in a tiny room fit for two little ponies at most with a large, stallion sized telescope hanging halfway out the window. The cool evening breeze had gotten colder, and Pip shivered as the wind tickled his nose.
Getting to work, he pointed the huge scope at the marked locations, and he was surprised with how quickly he remembered most of them. First up was the Ponyville schoolhouse, followed by Sugarcube Corner, then a large house that stood above the others around it, the large town hall building, Carousel Boutique and back to the schoolhouse again. As Pip observed these locations and marked them down on his map, he recalled as many memories as he could of last year's Nightmare Night, remembering the times he spent with Pinkie Pie and her entourage of other little ponies as he stared at the unknown house that had been marked.
Then, a spark went off in his mind.
"Oooh, that's the Mayor's house! We better get candy before she starts the party in town! She gives out the BIGGEST candy bars!" He recalled Pinkie Pie yelling to him and the other ponies. He smiled warmly, reminding himself to visit the chaotic mare after all this was done. With all the locations named and marked, he began to look for the answer.
"Maybe..." he thought aloud and looked through the scope again "...the place at the center of these other locations is the solution?"
He mentally connected the locations and found an innocent little toy store at the center of it all. He was confused. Could the answer be there? No, not likely. Was the answer in one of the toys downstairs? He made a mental note to check when he went back down. He scribbled a question mark on the toy store at the center and began to draw lines to link all the indicated landmarks. When linked, they formed a short, backwards, crooked number seven.
Seeing this only made him more confused and he finally decided to climb back down.
"Mr. Fancy, I need you to look at something." He said when he got to the bottom. Fancy Pants looked over and tilted his head.
"Oh? Did you find the answer?"
"Take a look," Pip presented the notepad and pointed with his hoof as he explained "I marked all these places and linked them and I formed this weird backwards seven. This toy store," he tapped "is in the center of it all but I don't think that's it."
Fancy adjusted his monocle and got a closer look "Hmm. Perplexing indeed. However, I may be able to offer a hint if you'd like."
Pip looked up, bewildered. Fancy had already figured it out? It wasn't surprising but it still caused a pang of jealousy in his gut and he shook his head "No, I'll take another look at it."
"Very well." Fancy dimmed the light slightly on his horn and yawned "I'll be here."
Pipsqueak first trotted over to the toys to give them another look. Wooden pony figures, wooden carts and other such paraphernalia relating to frontier ponies littered the floor. Nothing that would connect to the puzzle at hoof. Sighing, he went back to the large map and did a compare and contrast, using his pencil to draw on the original map.
Everything lined up and formed the same shape: a backwards, slightly crooked number seven. Just as he was about to give in and ask for a hint, an idea struck him. He quickly added another line that connected everything back to the schoolhouse, forming a not so perfect triangle. Or was it an arrow? If it was, then it was sort of pointing back at the clubhouse. Sadly, this didn't help him at all and he turned to his teacher.
"Mr. Fancy, I can't figure it out." He confessed, his pride stinging from the admission. Fancy crawled his way inside and gave Pip a pat on the head.
"A true gentlecolt admits ignorance without shame, young Pip." Fancy stated with a half-smile and looked the map over "You are on the right track. The locations do connect to point back to the clubhouse, despite the odd shape of the arrow. Why do you think that is?"
Pip raised his chin, the disappointment fading when the reigns were given back to him. The colt wracked his brain as he tried to piece together what he knew "Maybe it's a sign that the clue is...here?" he asked with fading confidence as he gestured to the whole clubhouse. Fancy nodded.
"Correct. However, if that's the case..." he peered around, twirling his moustache "Where is it?"
The little gentlecolt followed the arrow on the map carefully. It was indeed pointing at the club house, but he couldn't help but feel there was a double meaning to it. He walked to Fancy's left and circled around the podium to get a closer look.
Then he felt a floorboard sink slightly under his hoof, making him look at it immediately. It wasn't unusual, this was a treehouse after all. However, when he looked back at the arrow on the big map and lined it up with his eye...
"I got it!" Pip yelled and tapped the loose board "Mr. Fancy, can you use your magic to take the nails out of this board?"
"Right away, young master." Fancy said, beaming at his apprentice "I knew you could do it."
In no time at all, Fancy's magic had removed the nails and lifted the board out with little issue. The hole it left revealed the grass below, along with a few branches of the tree the house was built into. Taped to the underside of the board, however, was what looked like a journal of some kind. This made Pip leap with joy.
"I was right!" He declared, puffing his chest out "Score two for the gentlecolts!" he held up a hoof, a signal to Fancy. The older stallion chuckled and hoof bumped the smaller pony.
"Quite a show, Pip! Now, let's see what we've uncovered here." Fancy applied some magic and undid the tape in a sinch. The cover was green and had the words "TOP SECRET CMC PROJECTS" inscribed on its surface in black ink. Cracking it open, Fancy sat down low enough for Pip to get a look at the contents as well.
The first few pages contained what could be called 'unsafe' trips that the trio of fillies embarked on, including going into Diamond Dog territory, scouting out Froggy Bottom Bog, and other dangerous locations. What they both noticed, however, was that only four of the many remaining pages were written in, the rest that followed being blank.
"No, that can't be it." Pip said, worried "There has to be more!"
Fancy narrowed a brow, determined, and continued to flip through until he hit the second to last page, where there appeared to be an entry written once again by Applebloom. Pip's eyes went wide with excitement, but his smile soon faded as he skimmed the page ahead of Fancy's reading.
"It's been five days in a row that we've all dreamed of that blonde maned filly. I don't get it! Is Princess Luna trying to tell us somethin? It's weird for three ponies to have the same dream right? She keeps tellin' us to go to the Everfree Forest, to save her. I don't know what the hay that's all about, but Scootaloo thinks we should go on ahead and try! Sweetie Belle is very insistent on us not goin' but Scootaloo is right. If a filly is in trouble, we need to help her! I hate to lie to Sweetie Belle but it seems like the only way to get her to come along. Scootaloo and I came up with the idea of Cutie Mark Crusader Potion Makers, which will take us toward Zecora's place and we'll branch off before we get there! I just hope that filly will lead us to where she is. I don't wanna get lost in the Everfree and Celestia knows I don't wanna meet another Cockatrice! We've got supplies packed and we're heading out tomorrow! We're coming, little filly!"
A pit had formed in Pip's stomach before Fancy even finished reading and he stepped away slowly. There's no way...a blonde filly in the Everfree Forest? His heart rate quickened and his lips began to tremble.
"Pip, are you alright?
Pip's eyes stayed focused on the book as he backed into the podium, nearly knocking it over as he tried to stabilize himself. Quickly, he thought of a cover for his reaction. He couldn't find the courage to tell Fancy. Not yet. "They actually went into the Everfree Forest..."
"It seems that way." Fancy closed the journal and put in Pip's bag "We will inform Twilight and her friends tomorrow. In the meantime," He let out a long yawn and checked his pocket watch, Pip noticing just how tired the stallion actually was "It's around midnight now. I recommend we find a good place to rest. A hotel, maybe?"
"Yes that...sounds good." Pip agreed, his gaze focused elsewhere. Fancy Pants looked at his apprentice with concern but chocked up the behavior to the young one's tiredness. It was way past his bedtime, after all.
"Come along now, Pip."
Absent-mindedly, Pip followed behind as the two left the clubhouse. After he had shut the door, the blank flanked colt looked to the Everfree Forest that lay not far beyond. It towered over the trees of the orchard, the darkness of its leaves contrasting with the bright green of the happy apple trees. It was like a completely different world there. A world of unknown horrors and nightmares that awaited just beyond the bushes.
As he peered into that mysterious darkness that lay within, he swore he saw a faint yellow glow moving between the trees.
He then galloped to catch up to Fancy, his heart pounding out of his little chest. |
Fancy Pants In: The Mystery of The Blanks | Chapter Five: Into the Everfree | Chapter Five:
Into the Everfree
Celestia's light shined through clover printed curtains, casting a dull green hue over the rest of the room.
Fancy Pants rubbed his eyes and groaned as he sat up.
Waking up in a strange bed without his lovely wife was a minor shock but the memories of the previous day flooded his mind the second he saw his young apprentice laying sound asleep in a separate bed. Without ceremony or complaint, he began his morning routine with the limited facilities available.
While he was due for a trim, he decided that the Sleepy Sheep inn was not the best place for it as he stared at a pair of well used scissors. He decided instead to tidy his mane with a provided brush, staring back at his reflection with a weary expression. Fancy Pants was in the prime of his life, or so he had been told many times, and he looked like he had aged ten years in just a day.
"A gentlecolt's work is never done, I suppose." He said, slipping on his monocle before leaving the bathroom. As he walked back to his bed to retrieve his suit, he was surprised to see Pip up and about, already getting dressed.
"Good morning, Mr. Fancy." Pip greeted him with a smile, clearly still tired but raring to go anyway.
"And good morning to you as well, Pip. Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I think so." He said, rubbing his bed head mane "Can we get breakfast before going to Ms. Twilight's place? I'm starving."
Fancy chuckled "Of course, I am nothing without my cup of chamomile after all." He used magic to retrieve his brush and began to fix Pip's rowdy mane.
Despite the colt's words, Fancy could still tell something was eating away at his apprentice. He wanted so badly to ask and delve deep into Pip's problems, but he knew the little pony would get defensive and the duo did have an investigation to finish, so distractions would have to be avoided for now. After everything else, that would be Fancys time to sit down and have a nice long talk with him. He even pondered talking to him about the owner of that golden pocket watch the little colt held so dearly.
Even if Fancy would be perfectly fine without having that stallion's name grace his tongue ever again.
"So, we weren't far off." A now slightly rested Twilight mused as she closed the CMC's journal. Fancy nodded as he placed a hoof on the table.
"Indeed. The trio went into the Everfree Forest searching for a golden maned filly they all dreamed about. Whether these dreams were caused by this filly or another outside source, is a mystery."
Applejack kept her eye on the journal as Twilight put it on the table, disbelief painted on her face as she listened "I don't believe it! That silly little filly! Going into the most dangerous place in all Equestria 'cause of some dream!"
"Maybe they were under a mind control spell or something?" Spike proposed. Twilight looked unsure.
"Even if they were, why can't I detect them at all with my locate pony spells? There must be some kind of advanced magic suppression field or maybe a reality warping spell?"
Rarity sat up, looking uneasy "You don't think that it could be..."
"Discord." Applejack finished, venom practically leaking from her muzzle.
"No way." Twilight shook her head "Discord is crafty but we would have heard immediately from the Princesses if he escaped again. There has to be something, or somepony, else at play here."
"Umm..." Fluttershy raised a timid hoof "Maybe it's the Everfree's natural state of being uncontrollable by ponies? M-Maybe that includes outside magics?"
Twilight tilted her head in thought "Good theory, Fluttershy but I don't think that's it either." Applejack groaned and stood up.
"All this theory craftin' ain't gettin' us anywhere! Where the hay is Rainbow?"
"Right here!" a high pitched, feminine voice announced. Suddenly, a rainbow-colored streak shot through the open door and zipped around the room until a cyan, rainbow maned, pegasus fluttered down to the wooden floor, looking brash "Sorry for the wait, Pinkie was gathering some more ponies to help in the search today and I had to evaluate em."
"I'm guessing that the timber wolf attack scared off some potential help?" Twilight questioned. Rainbow Dash shook her head.
"Not as much as you'd think. Ponies around here are really determined to find those kids." She responded, rubbing a hoof on her chest. Twilight sighed in relief and withdrew a map of Ponyville from the floor and laid it flat on the book display table.
"Alright, we're going to divide the teams a little differently this time. Rainbow, you'll split your group into teams of two to cover the northern and western part of the forest. Applejack, you and..."
For Pipsqueak, who sat in front of one of the rear room bookshelves, the conversation faded into the background as he retreated into his own mind. His thoughts bounced between many subjects, as normal, but one dominated over the rest. The tall, dark trees of the Everfree Forest had appeared again in his dreams, as did that mysterious filly. Again, she had requested help only to be shadowed by that nearly imperceptible figure. But this time, before he awoke, she showed him something. A natural archway that contained a bright light that penetrated through the infinite darkness of the surrounding forest. He could still hear her last words as her soft, melodic voice echoed in the darkness.
"Find me, and you'll find them."
"-ip?" Pip raised his head and met the stare of Fancy Pants, a quizzical look on the stallion's face.
"S-Sorry Mr. Fancy, my mind was just wandering." He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the side of his head.
Fancy looked dubiously at him, but he nodded regardless, despite the fact Pip knew his mentor could see right through his lies "I see. Do pay attention, though. This is quite important."
Pip nodded and got to his hooves, following Fancy back to the planning table.
"-and we'll meet back here around six. I don't want anypony in the forest after dark, it's dangerous enough during the day." Twilight concluded, rolling the map back up with her magic. She noticed Fancy's approach and looked at him questioningly "What about you and Pip, Fancy Pants? Are you going to stay here?"
Fancy shook his head, looking resolute "I'm afraid not, Twilight. I made a vow to these two mares that I would find those little ponies and a gentlecolt never goes back on his word."
Twilight looked uneasy, but Rarity and Applejack shot him appreciative looks "Alright then, just stick with Applejack's group. Fluttershy, are you still comfortable leading the ground group?"
The yellow pegasus looked as if she were having second thoughts as she looked toward the ground. One look toward Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, however, caused her to raise her head high. "Yes, I'm ready Twilight."
"Alright, everypony. Gather your supplies and meet at your designated points. Those fillies are counting on us, and we'll bring them home by tonight no matter what!"
Everypony began to pack their saddlebags with food, water, and search equipment that included ropes, harnesses, a whistle, chalk, flashlights, a single pocket watch, and knives for dealing with vines. Fancy packed for both Pip and himself, looking at his apprentice on occasion to notice a distant look in his eyes.
"Are you alright with going, master Pip?" He asked, setting the saddle bags aside "You can stay here with Spike if you wish."
"No, Mr. Fancy!" Pip yelled rather suddenly, covering his mouth when everypony looked in his direction "I-I mean, no. I'm just a little nervous but I'll be fine, I promise. A gentlecolt always faces danger bravely, after all."
"...and smartly, don't forget that part." Fancy smirked and patted him on the head, making the young colt giggle "Stay close to me, no matter what."
"I always do, Mr. Fancy." Pip nodded, the brave smile he put on being an effective suppressant for his addled mind.
"Alright, Fluttershy and Fancy, follow me!" Applejack shouted and ran out of the open door. Fluttershy strapped her saddlebags on and took flight, following closely behind the Earth Pony. Before Fancy followed, he met Rarity's eyes and smiled. A smile that held with it the promise he had made only a day earlier. She smiled back, her eyes filled with a renewed sense of hope, something Fancy was all too happy to see.
He then galloped out of the library with his faithful apprentice hot on his hooves.
The tall, imposing trees of the Everfree Forest were as unnatural as they were oddly beautiful, in Fancy's eyes. After the ground squad had met up with the volunteer ponies, Pip had told Fancy what he had learned of the location through Twilight's extensive library.
While the fact that the Everfree Forest's creatures and plants acted independently of ponies was not uncommon knowledge, the sheer amount still unknown made the true nature of the forest even more chilling to the average Equestrian, discounting all of the terrifying magical creatures that dwelled within of course. It was one of the few locations on the continent to never be fully mapped, and that was going to make it even harder to find the three little fillies who had gotten wrapped in its clutches.
Applejack sat a short distance away from the party, looking over her homemade map that had been filled in piece by piece over the past three days of searching. While they waited, Fancy decided to give the volunteers a once over. There were around twenty ponies in the ground team. Large enough to cover quite a bit of ground, small enough to not lose track of anypony. They were split nearly even with stallions and mares, with stallions winning out with eleven. The majority were Earth Ponies but there were three Unicorns, whose magic would certainly prove useful.
Fancy's eyes met with a familiar face in the crowd, Caramel. The dark yellow stallion gave him a gentle smile and nodded in his direction when he noticed him, a gesture Fancy returned.
"Alright, y'all!" Applejack yelled, now facing the group "Remember to stay close until we get to Zecora's place! Since we searched the north yesterday, we'll search the western half of the forest this time and only split up when necessary!" She then pointed at Fancy Pants "Fancy! You and Pip get up near the front with me. Gonna need your critical eyes to look for clues!"
"As you wish, Ms. Applejack!" Fancy responded and marched to the front with Pip only two steps behind.
"Let's go, everypony! Keep your eyes and ears peeled! And if we bump into anything dangerous, just leave it to me!" She declared, causing whispers to begin among the group as she turned around. Fancy took notice that, despite the long nights rest, Applejack still had a slight limp from her encounter yesterday evening. She was putting on a brave face and he hoped she wouldn't get foolish in her efforts.
The venture into the Everfree was quiet, aside from the cracks of branches and fallen leaves under the hooves of the party. Around five minutes into the walk, Fancy heard the air above him make a whipping sound and he saw several Pegasi streak over the canopy, a rainbow trail leading them ahead.
"Looks like Rainbow finally showed up." Applejack snarked and looked ahead "We're not far from Zecora's now. Her entry said she got halfway there and split off, reckon?"
"If everything went according to their plan, I would think so." Fancy responded and scanned the ground carefully as he went, analyzing every fallen leaf and crack in the dry ground. This is a trail that had been walked many times by many ponies over the course of the past few days, so it would be more difficult to pin down hoofprints belonging to the fillies. The trail continued on, and Fancy kept scanning, adjusting his monocle as he peered into the brush and between the trees. His eyes went wide "Wait just a moment!"
Everypony in the line froze and Fluttershy yelped at the sudden command and came down to the ground. Applejack was the first to speak up amongst the confused murmurs.
"Didja find somethin'?" Fancy stepped off the trail to the left and next to a large, dark green bush. His horn lit up with an orange aura and he snagged something small from within and looked it over carefully, humming to himself.
"Did these fillies carry saddlebags often?" He asked. Applejack nodded.
"Yeah, Applebloom had a green one I passed onto her but I'm not sure about the other two. Why'dya ask?" Fancy levitated the object over to Applejack, making her squint to see it. It was a light green saddlebag thread. Her eyes widened "Well I'll be! That looks like the same color but...I dunno. That could be from anypony."
"Luckily, that's not the only clue." Fancy claimed, his horn lighting up again and producing a red apple shaped patch from within the same bush. Applejack gasped loudly.
"T-That was on her saddlebags!" she exclaimed and caught the patch when Fancy released it from his magical grip, looking downcast "Three days...three days and we didn't find this until now..."
"Don't worry, A-Applejack." Fluttershy comforted, patting her friend on the back "Now we have a trail to follow!"
"Fluttershy's right, Applejack!" Pip explained and pointed into the unknown "We can't give up yet!" The orange Earth Pony was silent for a few moments before raising her head and tilting her stetson back.
"Thanks, y'all." She smiled and turned back to the rest of the search party "Listen up! We got a rough idea where to search now. I want everypony to split up into groups of four and if you find something or stumble into any danger, use your whistle as a signal. Anypony hears that, you rush to check it out." She then takes out a stick of white chalk from her bag and begins drawing large Xs on the surrounding trees "We meet back here at four o'clock regardless. Everypony understand? Now move out!"
With this, the ponies divided amongst themselves evenly, creating six groups of four ponies. Fluttershy was instructed to tie her provided rope around the branches of the graffitied trees in order to form a noticeable square shape that would be noticeable enough to mark the spot as a "base" of sorts.
Fancy's group consisted of his apprentice, Fluttershy, and Applejack. With the meeting adjourned, the groups went their separate ways.
Whatever trail the Cutie Mark Crusaders left on their journey had long since formed back into a natural looking forest floor. Meaning that whatever clues they had left behind may have also been affected by whatever weather had occurred within the forest. Hours passed and many stones were unturned, but no whistles were ever set off by the other groups. Fancy and Pip had kept their analytical eyes peeled but hadn't managed to spot anything else, much to their chagrin.
Fluttershy withdrew her watch as she munched on a hay sandwich "It's almost four. We should head back really s-soon."
"Have you all noticed anything odd?" Fancy asked, dabbing his face with a silk handkerchief. Applejack looked around; her previous bravado replaced by a waning stoicism.
"That we haven't found any clues the past couple of hours?" She kicked a rock idly, knocking it away a couple of inches. Pip didn't have to look to feel Fancy's prodding stare on him as he too began to look around. He flopped his ears and focused.
Silence.
"It's...so quiet." Pip nearly whispered, earning a nod from Fancy.
"Indeed. For a forest that is infamous for its fill of untamed magical and mundane creatures, it is odd that we haven't encountered a single one."
"That's a good point." Fluttershy said, suddenly more alert than before "I haven't even heard the chirps of birdies since we got in here!"
"Something fishy's going on..." Applejack slowly rose to her hooves, eyes darting between the numerous trees and bushes that surrounded them "Ain't that a sign that a really big threat's around?"
Fancy adjusted his monocle and rose to attention as well. The evening sun's rays were casting a dull orange and yellow glow, giving the illusion of fire dancing between the bushes and branches. A light breeze penetrated the silence, the four ponies now standing back to back with their heads on a swivel.
The stalemate lasted for what felt like hours until a loud whistle went off in the north, followed shortly by the loud snap of a branch.
Applejack wasted no time "Move!"
Fancy scooped Pip up with his teeth and placed him on his back as Fluttershy rushed in and took flight behind Applejack "Hold on, Pip!"
The small colt obliged, feeling the pounding of Fancy's hooves on the forest floor traveling up the stallion's shoulders. The trio of retreating ponies ducked and dodged branches and fallen trees, the forest doing its best to work against them every step of the way.
"T-Timber wolves are behind us!" Fluttershy screamed as she gained speed.
"Consarn it! Knew they wouldn't give up!" Applejack yelled and turned to look at Fancy, who was only a pony apart behind her "How good are you in a tussle, Fancy Pants?"
"I prefer not to fight but-"
"Mr. Fancy!"
Fancy Pants turned his head, looking over his scared apprentice. Tailing shortly behind him was something that he could only describe as a mad unicorn pony's science experiment. What he was looking at did indeed appear to be a wolf. The only difference being is that it was made purely out of wood, the holes it had in place of eyes were giving off the sickly green glow of unnatural magic with teeth like jagged oversized thorns. It was eyeing Pip with predatory intent, its maw wide open as it got ever closer.
Fancy picked up his pace and was now side by side with the orange mare, his natural tendency for analysis kicking into overdrive thanks to the shot of adrenaline he just received. The environment was littered with potential weapons, excluding the knives they were carrying. Sticks, branches, and rocks of all shapes and sizes littered the ground that could be utilized if needed. His thinking was cut short when he looked ahead and noticed a thick, low hanging branch that would surely bash him in the head if he didn't act fast.
His horn began to glow, the intensity of his magic causing the orange aura to ripple around his horn as he pushed the branch out his and Applejack's way just in time, the cracks of stress ringing in his ears as they passed it by. Then he sighed, releasing his magical hold and letting it fly back.
A distorted yelp was uttered by the wooden construct as Fancy looked back and saw it split into hundreds of pieces from the impact.
"Nice work, Fancy!" Applejack howled as the group burst into a clearing. Just then, the orange pony's previous injuries caught up with her and her knees gave out, letting out a yelp as she tumbled to the ground and collapsed in a groaning heap..
"Applejack!" Fluttershy squealed and quickly descended, the remaining five timberwolves breaking through the bushes and charging toward the two mares. Fluttershy screamed, covering her downed friend before a bright, orange flash lit up the shaded valley. The wolves yelped and Fluttershy heard the sound of them scrambling away, opening her eyes just as the bright light faded. Fancy Pants was sweating and panting as he watched the wolves retreat into the forest, looking down at the two mares.
"Are you two alright?"
"Y-Yeah." Applejack moaned, clearly in pain as she looked up at the two ponies "Sorry y'all, guess I s-shoulda have gone to the doc after all."
"Pip, did you remember to pack your basic medical kit in your bag?" Fancy quizzed, still on guard. Pip's face lit up in remembrance and he leapt off his teacher's back.
"Yes, sir!"
"See what you can do for Ms. Applejack, I have a feeling those creatures will be back soon. In the meantime, Ms. Fluttershy? Could you please hand me your survival blade? You as well, Pip."
"Y-Yes." They said in unison, letting Fancy take them with his telekinesis.
"It's a shame I neglected to learn any barrier spells." Fancy mumbled to himself as he fished out his own knife from his pack, giving it a look. Nice and sharp but a little short. "I'll stand watch, you two focus on-"
A series of growls from the bushes drew Fancy's attention and he saw the pack of five had regained their bravery as they inched their way out of the shrubbery. Their wooden teeth bared, they formed a circle around the trio of ponies, more cautious after Fancy's magic flash as they sized up the stallion.
"Don't move." Fancy ordered. His horn lighting up, he lifted all three knives in front of him and used his telekinesis to move the blades to form a triangle around them, a knife at each point. Then he grunted as the aura intensified and, before Pip knew it, the knives began to spin rapidly around them like a carousel of steel, kicking up a draft that tousled their manes and tails. The brown spotted colt looked up in amazement at Fancy Pants, a bead of sweat trailing down his furrowed brow as he put every ounce of focus into keeping the makeshift barrier up.
The magic infused predators seemed hesitant to act at first but one of them wasn't so cautious. It growled and leapt forth, leaping high enough to clear the spinning blades in a single bound. Fancy's eyes shot to it and, in an instant, the circle moved up to level with the incoming creature.
CRASH
Instantly the creature was reduced to sticks and logs, its various pieces scattering across the clearing. Suddenly another beast rushed forth, taking advantage of the newly created opening! However, just as before, Fancy swiftly and precisely reduced it to kindling with the buzzsaw barrier.
Fancy gritted his teeth as he watched the wolves reform, their wooden bodies now scarred from their attempts. While they seemed more hesitant to charge, Pip noticed how they didn't seem to be in any mood to retreat and one look at his teacher told him that he wouldn't be able to keep up the defense forever.
"Ms. Fluttershy, I'll finish this splint! Grab your whistle and call for help!" He said, loud enough for Fancy to hear over the whirlwind.
"R-Right! Great idea, Pip!" She exclaimed and dug into her bag, soon producing the small, silver noise maker. Taking a deep breath, she gave a long blow into the device. The drawn out, shrill noise nearly made Fancy lose his focus but the preemptive warning let him hold on just a while longer. The wolves didn't seem keen on the noise either, stepping back as Fluttershy repeatedly blew into the whistle until they were at the edge of the clearing. Pip watched this in amazement, quickly retrieving his own whistle.
"Keep doing that, Ms. Fluttershy!" He exclaimed, blowing on his whistle repeatedly as he stared at the timber wolves. The combined, ear piercing sound was enough to convince the monsters to finally retreat. After Fancy was sure they were not coming back, he slowed the rotation of the knives and let out a loud exhale, dropping to the ground in exhaustion, the blades plinking onto the ground immediately after.
"G-Great thinking, my boy." Fancy complimented through gasp, slowly raising to his hooves with the aid of Fluttershy and his apprentice "I'm alright, thank you, j-just a bit winded. What about Ms. Applejack?"
The young mare was on her hooves, grimacing "Right as rain, thanks to y'all" she said, smiling through the pain as she shook her splinted leg "That was mighty impressive, Fancy Pants. For a Canterlot pony, anyhow." She added with a smirk. Fancy chuckled and adjusted his monocle.
"It was nothing a couple of gentlecolts couldn't handle, Ms. Applejack." He smiled down at Pip, who instantly returned it.
"Something e-else is coming!" Fluttershy announced, pointing toward the south. Everypony got on guard, despite their unlikely chances of winning against whatever lay beyond the shaded trees. All of a sudden, the chirps of a whistle began to ring out and the sound of hoofsteps made the ponies relax as one of the six teams had finally heard them and caught up.
"What took y'all so long?" Applejack asked the first pony who stepped into the light. Caramel wiped his brow and shook his head.
"Sorry, Aj, this place is a maze. We nearly got stuck in-" He went wide eyed "Sweet Celestia, Aj! What happened to your leg?"
Applejack looked casual. "I just sprained it running from some timber wolves, ain't no big thing."
"Timber wolves?!" Caramel exclaimed as he peered around rapidly at every shadow "D-Did you fight them off?"
"Course we did! Ain't no way I'd let somethin like timber wolves get in the way of findin' my little sis!" Applejack declared and winced afterward, holding her leg up.
"Ms. Applejack, I must ask you to please return to Ponyville." Fancy Pants chimed in "I respect your bravado and your guts, truly I do, but I'm afraid you're in no shape to continue."
Applejack went red in the face and looked as if she were ready to argue the point to Canterlot and back. But then she sighed "You're right, I know ya are. But...I can't just leave."
"I made you a promise, Applejack." He reminded gently before removing his monocle "I'm asking you to leave not as Fancy Pants the gentlecolt detective. but as a friend."
She gave him a long look, her green eyes studying his blue orbs carefully as she wrestled with her conflicting thoughts within. At last, after one side had taken victory, she bowed her head "Okay...you win. Don't let me down, Fancy Pants. You hear?"
Reapplying his monocle, Fancy nodded resolutely while giving a coy smile "As you wish, Ms. Applejack." He then looked down toward Pip, mouth open as he prepared to pose a question.
But rather than meeting the enthusiastic face of a young colt, his eyes beheld the cold and grassy carpet of the forest floor. A panicked scan of the valley revealed much the same, Fancy's chest swelling with a panic he had seldom experienced before as the fact of the matter dawned on him.
Pip was gone. |
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