Infinity Wars Book 1: The Cult

“So is this whole place inhabited by ponies?” Jayce asked.

“Not really. There are also griffons, dragons, maticores and plenty other beings.” Twilight answered.

“Yeah whatever, I’m just gonna search for a place where I can setup my lab. See ya’ later!” Ral said checking the monitor of a small gadget.

“I think I know of a place, If you follow me I can take you there!” Twilight said.

“Thanks I guess. But by the way, how far is the nearest house to the place you are talking about?” Ral asked.

“About nine-hundred meters.” She replied. “Why?”

“Let’s just say that distance might, emphasis on might, be safe.” Ral said, causing Twilight’s eyes to widen.

“What are you going to do?” She asked fearfully.

“The Izzet League without explosions is like an ocean with no water. Said explosions are a side effect of science.”  Ral answered.

“Maybe you should be a bit careful with that. You don’t want to harm anyone or destroy anything, do you?” Emmara asked.

“Of course not, I’m not part of the Rakdos! I’m a man of science, and it’s inevitable to have lab accidents! I just have a lot of them!” Ral exclaimed.

“Fine then, I’ll take you to the place.” Twilight said.

“Do you mind if I come too?” Jayce asked, drawing the attention to him. “As a man of science myself I would also like to go with you.”

“I don’t see a problem with that, what about you Twilight?” Ral asked.

“Sure, why not? It’s this way.” She said, and with that, the group of three walked off.

“So I guess it’s just us now?” Xerath said.

“Apparently… You’re made of arcane energy aren’t you?” Emmara asked.

“Your point?” He asked, confused as to the elf’s motivation to ask that.

“Oh it’s nothing, but, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s that rune for?” She asked back, pointing at the rune holding the sarcophagus together.

“It’s a seal. A seal to encase my true power. The mages of Shurima were afraid of how I would use my magic, so they put me in this sarcophagus.” Xerath said.

“Yet I feel that you’re completely devoid of the need for revenge. How come?” Emmara asked.

“I have no need for petty things such as revenge. Time has turned the mages of Shurima to dust, and only I remain. My lack of need for revenge prevents my rage from eating me up from inside.” He answered.

“Oh, I see… What do you want to do now?” Emmara asked.

<…>

“This is the place.” Twilight said as they arrived at a large clearing.

“Alright, just step back and I can start.” Ral said, both Jayce and Twilight did so. Ral began channeling mana from the terrain, strands of energy coming out of the ground and going into him. One by one machines of all sorts began appearing, soon followed by a concrete floor and walls, and finished with a glass roof, to let the light in.

Ral fell to his knees, panting for air, utterly exhausted. “Are you alright?” Jayce asked kneeling next to Ral.

“Don’t worry *cough* I’m fine. I just *cough* need some time to *cough* recover.” He slowly said.

“On the bright side, the lab is built.” Jayce noted.

“It’s impressive how you just summoned an entire lab from nothing!” Twilight said in awe.

“All mages of the Izzet are prepared for emergency experimenting, resulting in having to build a lab on the spot.” Ral said with a grin, slowly getting up with Jayce’s help.

“Impressive.” Jayce said.

“Thanks for the help but I think I’m good enough now.” Ral said as Jayce stepped back and let Ral stand by himself. A mettalical roar came from behind them. “YOU MUST BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!” Ral bellowed as an elemental creature appeared with a flash of light. It was the same creature to who Nicol was talking to before. None of the beings currently residing in Equestria, however, had no idea of the dragon’s presence.

“Stand back Ral and Twilight, I got this!” Jayce said, picking up his hammer.

“The hell I am standing back!” With a thrust of his arm upward a lightning bolt fell upon him. Twilight, Jayce and the creature watched as Ral began crackling with electricity, charged from the lightning bolt.

“What just happened?” Twilight fearfully asked.

“I can make a lightning bolt fall on me, super charging my gauntlet and giving me increased physical capabilities. Shocking, isn’t it?” Ral said smirking at his pun. He was cut off as another lightning bolt fell, this time on Jayce.

“Transformation complete!” He shouted as his hammer transformed into an energy cannon.

“Woah…” Ral looked at the cannon. “That’s awesome!”

“Thank you, but I believe we have other things to worry about.” Jayce pointed with his head towards the creature.

“Why didn’t it attack yet? It had the perfect opportunity!” Ral exclaimed.

BOSS BATTLE

RAL ZAREK & JAYCE VS. ELEMENTAL GOLEM

“I don’t know why it didn’t attack but I’m not about to give it that chance!” Jayce shouted as he set down an energy gate and fired his cannon. The creature burst into flames as the projectile went through the gate it got ridiculously faster, impacting it and causing a medium explosion. The elemental golem, however, did not budge. “What!”

“That will not work. The only way to defeat an elemental golem is to use the opposing element or sheer physical damage. When he’s neutral only electricity works.” Ral explained. “Luckily I have at least some knowledge of elemental magic.”  He then launched a torrent of water towards the golem, which shrieked in pain before changing to another element.

The wind began picking up as it began charging an attack. Within seconds, a mighty tornado appeared in front of Jayce and Ral. As they were both sucked in, the golem floated up and launched a concentrated blast of air knocking them back to the ground. It floated back to the ground and its body began glowing blue as water started to seep out of its joints.

Ral quickly got up and charged forward, summoning winds to surround his gauntlet for a devastating punch. With the super charge from the lightning bolt, the golem barely had time to react before receiving a barrage of wind empowered punches and kicks. The elemental swiftly backed away before it could take any more punishment and released the wrath of the waters against Ral. The planeswalker put against the super pressurized water, got effortlessly pushed back.

“Hammer time!” Jayce bellowed, taking the opportunity to sneak around the golem and hit it as hard as he could with his hammer, much like he did in the fields of justice. “To the skies!” He jumped as high as he could and slammed the golem with his hammer. “I’m not done yet!” He clicked a button on his hammer, causing a static field to surround him.

The golem, however, had other plans. His whole body turned into water and moved into safety where it changed element again, most of its body becoming wood. The elemental thrust its arms up and vines trapped Jayce in their embrace. Ral hurried to his aid and blasted the vines, allowing him to dodge the thorn coming his way. With Jayce safe Ral charged the golem again.

It stood there, motionless as Ral approached. When Ral was close enough it spawned a tree, blocking his path. Much to its surprise Ral burst through the tree effortlessly and punched it as hard as he could with a flaming fist. Before it had time to recover, Ral burst into flames and tackled the elemental, carrying it with him as he rocketed forwards. Suddenly Ral stopped and the golem was launched against some trees nearby, which broke from the impact and fell on top of it.

Jayce ran over to Ral and looked at the rubble in front of them, hoping it was over. He was proved wrong as the golem burst into flames, burning the trees, and sending a beam of searing heat against both. Jayce was hit in the shoulder while Ral got hit on his entire left arm. The attack seemed to weaken the golem a bit as it had gone back to neutral. “Ral! If you can still fight, now’s our chance! I’m going to fire an energy blast, try to power it as much as you can!” Jace shouted out setting up an acceleration gate.

“I can still fight! Don’t worry about me!” Ral replied. As soon as the confirmation went off Jayce fired the energy sphere through the gate. This was joined by Ral summoning all kinds of lightning magic he could muster into the blast. With blinding speed it hit the creature, creating a massive explosion and destroying it.

“Feel the thunder!” Both victoriously said in unison.

“You use that line too?” Ral asked.

“All the time!” Jayce answered, resulting in a burst of laughs from both.

“We need to get you both to the hospital immediately!” Twilight said, remembering the scientists that she was there the whole time.

“I’m fine Twilight, I’ve had much worse.” Ral reassured.

“This is nothing compared to Brand’s burns.” Jayce said.

“I don’t care! I’m getting you both to the hospital now!” Twilight said, picking both up with her magic and taking them to Ponyville.

<…>

“This is quite a nice town, reminds me of Vitu-Ghazi. In the everything is peaceful kind of way.” Emmara said as she and Xerath took a stroll through the streets of the town.

“I have to agree, this is very peaceful. Shame it won’t last for long.” Xerath said.

“What do you mean?” Emmara asked.

“Ever since my arrival here I’ve been sensing a very powerful signature, at the level I would be if I was free.” Xerath said. “But there’s something evil in this signature, so I’m afraid this peace won’t last.”

“So you mean a God or something of the sorts is going to destroy this place or something?” Emmara asked.

“I’m not sure, but it is possible. The only way we’ll stand a chance is if I’m free.” Xerath said.

“I see… But what about-” Emmara was interrupted as she heard Twilight yelling.

“Get out of my way! I need to get them to the hospital!” Twilight yelled out as she turned the corners of Ponyville. In her way she was met by Emmara and Xerath.

“Calm down Twilight! What is wrong?” Emmara asked.

“She’s scared about a little burn.” Ral answered.

“That is hardly what I call ‘a little burn’!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Calm down Twilight. I’m a healer by profession. I can take care of them, as long as you put them down.” Emmara said. Twilight complied and put them on the ground.

Emmara looked closely into Ral’s wounds. “This is actually quite serious. But I think I can heal it, just wait a second.” Strands of white and green energy surrounded Emmara as she healed the lightning mage. “There you go, all done!”

“Thanks Emmara! You’re a really talented healer!” Ral said, examining his arm.

“You’re quite welcome! As for you, defender of tomorrow.” She said with a light giggle. “This will be easy to heal.” With only a small flash of green the burn was healed. “Now… how did you two get injured like this?” Emmara asked.

“I’ll explain when we get everyone together. You know how much I hate to explain things twice.” Ral said.