Infinity Wars Book 1: The Cult

       “EVERYONE CALM DOWN!” Xerath finally bellowed, his voice attracting the attention of everyone in the room. “I HAVE DEALT WITH ENOUGH FOOLS IN VALORAN, AND I DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH MORE HERE!” His whole body sparked with energy and he looked like he would blow up at any moment. Upon seeing all beings in the room fall silent he continued, much calmer this time. “How about we start with introductions?”

“The name is Ral Zarek, Izzet guildmage. I am a scientist that mixes technology and magic for the progress of Ravnica, also known as the city of guilds. I specialize in storm and electric magic, as well as a bit of arcane.” Ral introduced himself with a smirk, his gauntlet letting out a jolt of electricity to emphasize his point. “What about you rainbow pony? Do you think you can take me on, now?”

“Of course I can! After all I am the one and only Rainbow Dash, the fastest flier of Equestria.” She replied with a smirk of her own. Then they just… glared at each other, invisible sparks were flew between them, as a rivalry initiated.

“Right… Well, I am Twilight Sparkle, student of princess Celestia.” Twilight said looking over at the energy being. “And you are?”

“I am Xerath, an ascended magus from the Shurima desert. From the moment I ascended I became the arcane in its purest form. I am the very essence of magic and I carry power you cannot possibly understand!” Xerath said casually as the pieces of his sarcophagus separated, showing the electric being inside. He was met with expressions of awe from the five ponies in front of him.

“Well nice to meet you Xers! I’m Pinkie Pie! Oh wait, I already said that, silly me!” Pinkie jumped in the converstion.

“Do not call me that again.” Xerath said, while eerily calm. “I am Xerath and you shall refer to me by my name.” He continued, bringing his head one inch away from Pinkie’s face. “Understood?”

“Okey dokey lokey!” She then bounced away.

“Why do I have this feeling of impending doom if she ever meets Shaco?” Xerath muttered.

“Shaco?” Twilight asked.

“I will explain more later.” Xerath said. “Who are you?” He said pointing at the orange pony.

“Ah’m Applejack. Nice to meet ya partner.” She introduced herself.

“And I’m Rarity. Charmed.” The white unicorn spoke in an almost regal tone.

“I see… What about her?” Xerath pointed at a terrified yellow pegasus, who let out a low yelp upon the reference. “What is your name little one?” He asked.

“That’s Fluttershy. She’s like that with everypony, and I think it’s a bit worse this time because you are kind of… intimidating.” Twilight said.

“It is normal for me to receive such comments. I want to know, however. How can I get back to Valoran?” Xerath said.

“I wouldn’t count on it unless you’re a god or a planeswalker.” Ral said, finally breaking eye contact with Rainbow.

“WHAT!?” Xerath bellowed, making Fluttershy shriek in fear.

“You heard me. Unless you’re omnipotent or you find out a way to planeswalk without being ripped apart by the Blind Eternities you’re staying here.” Ral said in a matter-of-factly tone.

“YOU MEAN THIS SIMPLE RUNE IS BLOCKING ME, NOT ONLY FROM TRUE POWER, BUT ALSO HOME!?” Xerath yelled angrily.

“Rune? I thought those metal shards were some sort of armor. Are they actually a seal?” Ral asked.

“The mages of Shurima encased me, and limited my power, because they were afraid of what they did not understand. These are shards of the sarcophagus they locked me in.” He said.

“Don’t worry we’ll find a way to get you out and get you home. Are you helping too?” Twilight said, looking at Ral.

“Do you really think a scientist would pass up such an opportunity? I’m part of the Izzet, achievers of impossible goals! We push magic and science beyond their known boundaries. It’s time for research!” Ral said rubbing his hands together, bringing a sense of unease from the ponies.

“Well… Now that you know each other, would you mind taking them in the library Twilight?” Celestia asked.

“Of course I wouldn’t, but we should get on our way now if we want to get there by the end of the day. Twilight said.

“Then I proclaim this meeting is over.” Celestia said dismissing the ponies, the arcane being and the planeswalker.

<…>

“How far is this ‘Ponyville’ place?” Ral asked.

“We are in the train for about two minutes, just be patient.” Twilight said.

“The Izzet do not like waiting. We like challenging the impossible, and science!” Ral said, while looking out the window.

“Mind explaining what this ‘Izzet’ thing is?” Twilight said, getting a notepad at the ready.

“I am also quite interested in knowledge from other planes.” Xerath said.

“It’s not like I have anything better to do. Let’s start off simple. I come from Ravnica, known among planeswalkers as the city of guilds.” Ral said. “In this plane there are ten guilds, each representing a combination of two colors of mana.”

“The Izzet League represent blue and red, we are the scientists of Ravnica and we always push further, going beyond the known boundaries of magic, often with explosive results. Our leader is the Dracogenius, Niv-Mizzet, he’s an ancient dragon with unfathomable knowledge.”

“The Azorius Senate are the legal and government sector of Ravnica, representatives of blue and white, while led by the Sphinx Isperia. They are very committed to their jobs, instantly imprisoning anyone who breaks the laws. To me, they block progress.”

“The Boros Legion are the white and red guild and the security forces, following their own rules to bring justice. Their leader, the angel Aurelia, doesn’t care if a rule or two are broken, as long as justice is made.”

“The Simic Combine, led by their prime speaker, a merfolk named Zegana. They are biomancers who use green and blue magic. They are scientists that use life instead of technology, basically… They play God. They make weird creatures called krasis by fusing the essences of two life forms together, it’s quite interesting.”

“The Selesnya Conclave uses green and white magic. They are very skilled healers and they are mostly peacekeepers. Currently they’re under the leadership of the driad Trostani.”

“In the House Dimir users of black and blue magic reside. Officially the Dimir do not exist but the citizens of Ravnica know who it is when there is an assassination or espionage. They are currently led by a skilled shapeshifter called Lazav.”

“The Grull clans represent red and green. A bunch of savages I tell you. Their leader, Borborygmos, wants to take down civilization. But having them around is usefull for managing everything related to nature.”

“The Orzhov Syndicate is the representative of black and white magic. Their leader is not one, but a council of very rich ghosts called the Obzedat. The Orzhov care a lot about money, you don’t want to be in their debt, that cost many people their afterlife. They manage finances back on Ravnica.”

“The Golgari Swarm are led by the lich, Jarad. They use green and black magic, manipulating the cycles of life and death. They deal with waste disposal and agriculture, being very important in Ravnica.”

“Last but not least the Rakdos Cult. Those psychpatic red and black magic users are fucking insane! They take care of mining and stuff of the sort, but they’re also renewed criminals who worship the demon Rakdos. And before you ask: Yes, he named his guild after himself.” Ral finished and leaned back on his seat.

“Interesting… So Ravnica is a city where the guilds co-operate for prosperity and peace?” Twilight asked.

“Not really. There are a lot of… Heated rivalries between the guilds. I’ve been in a couple of skirmishes myself.” Ral said shrugging. “When people get in the way of progress the most likely thing they will get is a lightning bolt to the face.” A jolt of electricity ran through his gauntlet.

“How can you speak of fighting so naturally?”  Rarity asked, a bit shocked.

“Conflict exists everywhere. In some places it’s less intense but it’s there. I suspect that the guilds of Ravnica fight for power.” Xerath said.

“Exactly! Each guild has been trying to rule Ravnica. The Guildpact, a magical document stopping all aggressions between guilds, was broken a long time ago and now, once again, the guilds vie for power.” Ral explained.

The rest of the trip went rather uneventful as they were on their way to Ponyville.

In an unknown plane…

Two beings met in a huge cavern, dimly lit by some torches. In it a man and a massive brown dragon met. The dragon, a being of untold power, held a gem through telekinesis between his long horns.

Strands of mana were flowing wildly throughout the cave as the dragon’s minions worked restlessly, researching ways to make their master even stronger and to make him master of the Multiverse.

“Things are almost ready in Equestria, master Nicol.” The man who brought Xerath to Equestria said.

“Soon the plane will be mine. You did a good job Lazav. Is there anything else that I should know?” Nicol asked.

“The planeswalker Ral Zarek is also in the plane, master. What would you have me do with him?” Lazav asked.

“Do what you please with the guildmage, just make sure he won’t get in the way.” Nicol said.

“It will be my pleasure, master.” Lazav bowed before planeswalking.

“It will be your turn soon…” Nicol said as a faceless figure appeared from the shadows. An arm of fire, another of water, a leg of wind and the other of wood, apart from that its whole body was a silvery metal.  The creature erupted into flames at Nicol’s command and planeswalked as well.

Back in Equestria...

“Wait a second there! We are staying in a library, which happens to be a tree, which happens to be your house?” Ral asked in disbelief.

“Yes, I don’t get what’s so weird about it.” Twilight replied as they got off the train having arrived to Ponyville.

“I have mixed feelings about this. I’m excited because it’s a library, I’m confused because it’s a tree, and I don’t really know what else to think because it’s your home. On the other hand, part of me just wants to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. I think I’m gonna go with the last one.” Ral said as he burst into laughter.

“It’s not weird, it’s just a library tree.” Twilight muttered.

“But in all seriousness though, you don’t have to do this. I can planeswalk and spend the night in Ravnica, and I doubt Xerath here has any need for shelter.” Ral said.

“But I insist. Walking across the planes of existence should be very tiring and I thought it would be better for you to have a place to stay here.” Twilight said.

<…>

Ral was now lying in the bed Twilight gave him. “Whatever is happening in Ravnica… I’m sure this will be more interesting.” He said with a grin before drifting to sleep.