Minecraft: A Pony's Tailby dragon191917ChaptersSpawnAridDarkness and Loads of BulletsTroubleEnder Lord ServerusUnconciousnessTo be a ChangelingRaidersCaptured(Not so) Friendly GreetingsSpawnExplorer Torch woke with a start. He was lying on his back in a clearing of a forest, with a small pond directly next to him. His head was lying comfortably against a pillow, oddly enough. He examined himself. He was a moderately sized Earth Pony with the resultant body. He had a light brown coat with uncut black hair, and a pixelated torch as his cutie mark. He looks into his brain, trying to find out how he got here, when he found absolutely nothing. All he knew was his name, some math, and several common things, like spelling and some basic science. Finding nothing in his brain, an innate instinct told him to stand up. Frustrated at his lack of ability to do anything, he trotted over to a tree and kicked it with all his might. To his surprise, the area of tree he hit, maybe a meter by meter area, dissappeared, leaving a cube-like representation maybe the size of a rubix cube. He picked up the small cube, and it dissappeared. Again by innate thought, he pictured the cube in his hoof, and it appeared. Continuing this odd spree of instinct, while Explorer was slowly getting a grip on things, he imagined planks of wood. Suddenly, the cube turned into four blocks of wooden planks. Explorer blinked, surprised. It only looked like one plank in his hoof, but somehow, he KNEW it was four. This time, using part innate ability and will, he thought; "A Crafting Table." Suddenly, the four cubes of wooden planks turned into a single workbench-type item. He slowly placed the table on the ground, and it grew to normal size, about a meter by meter square. He walked up to it, wondering what he could make, when he saw a notebook laying on it. It hadn't been their before. He opened it. It contained dozens of recipes for different items, from swords to guns to furnaces to nuclear fusion reactor cores. Explorer started simple. ... One house later... ... Explorer stood happily outside of his small wooden house. It was simple, with no lighting, but it would do. Next he looked at his new-crafted wooden pickaxe. Time to mine. ... By the time he had his first furnace and had made a few torches from some coal, the sun was rapidly disappearing below the horizon. When the final streaks of sunlight disappeared, Torch felt an awed sense of dread. Quickly, he locked his door, and looked around his house. No bed. Looks like he was't going to get some sleep. Suddenly, he heard a low moan. He turned, to see a grotesque, rotting face looking back at him. He took a step back as the zombie began to hit his door, attempting to bash it down. Quickly, he ran over to his crafting table. A gun... too expensive. A bow...not the right materials. A stone sword... "That'll work." The door blew in, splinters flying as a trio of zombie's charged in. The first one was impaled by Torch's mouth-held sword. That was followed up by a pair of stabs to the next zombie, throwing it up against the wall. The third zombie had it's head lopped off. The second, recovering from it's hits, was promptly kicked out of the glass-less window. Then, an arrow streaked by, narrowly missing Torch's skull. Skeletons. Of course, Skeletons. The skeletal unicorns held bows. More arrows streaked by. Torch deftly blocked, the feeling coming instinctively. Suddenly, he heard a creak above him. He looked up, just as the huge spider dropped, impaling itself on his sword. Torch pushed the abomination off his blade, only to feel an arrow enter his back knee. He was starting to really hate these guys. He whipped around, throwing his sword, which blew straight through one of the skeletons heads. He charged and retrieved his weapon, only to find himself beset by the enemy. He hacked and slashed, and, when the last Zombie fell, he heard a small sound behind him. Hisssssssss... He was blow against a tree. He felt bones cracking. Grasping his broken ribs, he looked up, to see a tall black figure approaching. He knew not to look into the things eyes, but he did anyway. He stared deeply into the things cruel purple eyes. Then, with the last of his strength, he drove his sword up to the monsters face. The second it touched the beasts nose, It dissolved, blowing apart into billions of purple dots. The enderpony then did the scariest thing it could've done. It smiled. An evil, soulless smile. Just as Torch began to slip into unconsciousness, he heard a terrible scream, several plinks, and hoofbeats. ,,, Arid looked at the unconscious pony. He looked closer, wondering why so many monsters had tried to kill this one pony. Then, he saw it. The clothes were his first hint. A miner. He was a miner. Well well well... Then, he saw the pony's facial features, and Arid physically took a step back. It's him... Arid lifted Torch onto his back, and looked into the darkness, and he heard the howls of the pained enderpony from there. Time to go. AridTorch's eyes fluttered open slowly. He was in a stone room, heavily decorated. He was laying in a plush queen-sized bed. His body was without clothes, covered in bandages. As he slowly sat up, a pony with a tray of food trotted in. He was wearing a gray coat. His fur was a dark brown, with a yellow mane. His eyes were a starling sapphire. He smiled. "Ah, sleeping beauty's awake. About time. Here, I brought some food. I guess I'm not that hungry anyway." Torch dove into the food, devouring it greedily. All the while, the pony sat near the edge of his bed. "You know, when I saved you, you were pretty banged up. I'm surprised you're doing so well." Torch shrugged and swallowed. "Well, I guess I can thank you for... wait, saving me?!" The pony laughed, standing up. "Your not the only one with fighting skills!" With that, the pony walked up to the door. "Oh, I don't have a name, but everypony calls me Arid." "Torch." "Well met. Meet me down stairs. Your clothes are in the dresser." He gestured to the ornate piece of furniture before disappearing out the door. Torch, after finishing the meal, stood up, and walked up to the dresser. It was full of his clothes, and a set of leather armor. He quickly grabbed up the armor, and slid it on over his clothes. He observed the room, and noticed a nice window. he waltzed up to it. Outside was a green plain, with a little walled village nearby. Beyond that was a sparse oak forest. Torch sighed and walked down the stairs. At the bottom was what Torch assumed was greeting hall. There Arid waited. Arid smiled. "Good. I'm going to wait to bring you up to speed on what's going on, Torch. For now, lets go see the village shall we?" Torch nodded. "Sure." Arid smiled. "Great. Just keep your leather armor on. Your clothes, well, they may not go along well with the villagers." Torch frowned. "Why?" Arid sighed. "You know those special things, the mining and stuff, that you an do?" "Yes. Why?" "Well, it's very unique, and your clothes are that worn by those rare ponies. The villagers, well, won't take kindly to it." Torch frowned, but, hey, if it was the rules, it's the rules. They walked out of the old abandoned castle where Arid lived, up to the gates of the village. "Open up, it's me." A guard looked over the wall. "Oh, hey Arid. Who's this?" "A friend. He wishes shelter against the storm that rages across this world." The guard nodded. "Alright. Give me a moment." With that, the pony disappeared, and the gates opened into a prosperous little town. Several ponies were in the streets, from two fillies playing tag, to an old stallion selling goods. However, Arid payed no mind. He instead bee-lined to a little chapel in the center of town. Torch followed as quick as he could. Arid opened the door quickly, and, suddenly, anxiety showing, he entered. Torch trotted in, followed by Arid bolting the door. "Father Water, I bring news!" He said to the priest at the podium. No pony was except the three of them. "Arid?" the priest said, confused. "What is this? Who is this?" Arid turned to Torch. "Take the armor off. You can trust Father Water!" Torch confused, slowly slid the armor off, revealing his clothes. Water's jaw slowly dropped. "A miner? Here? ALIVE?" Arid nodded. "And not only that! It's Torch's son!" Water froze. "What did you just say to me Arid." "It's Explorer Torch. He's Torch's son!" Water blinked three times, slowly. "Um, well......wow. Well Torch, it's good to have you aboard." Torch shook his head violently, confused. "Wait, what the buck is going on?! What's this about me being a son and a miner? CAN SOMEPONY PLEASE TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Arid sighed. "Water?" "No Arid. It's your story. You tell it." Arid sighed. "Once upon a time, this beautiful planet was peaceful, filled with happy ponies. Among these ponies were the miners, a group of rare individuals who were blessed with extraordinary powers. The world entered a golden age of technology and culture under them. However, a militant group began an uprising, originating in the continent of Pandora. War annihilated the peace, and millions died. Then, when the war was cooling down, monsters began to appear, murdering and pillaging. War started anew as they fought over the dwindling resources not held by the monsters. Not even the Miners could survive such an onslaught. They were wiped out. The greatest Miner of all, who held the title of 'Steve', died, leaving his only son. Only a few other miners survived. After the war, the world was divided into small groups, one of which is that militant group still based out in Pandora. The village you stand in is the tribe know as 'The Waters of Life.' They hold much pure water, and are mostly kindly. However, they dislike miners, and they blame them on everything that happened one hundred years ago." Torch nodded. "Ok. And why am I so important?" Waters turn. "Prophecy tells of a great miner who will rise up and restore the world, one torn between two. I have already ruled our mutual friend Arid out." Torch stopped him. "Wait, Arid, your a miner?" Arid smiled. "Sorta." Torch sighed. "Explain." "As the line goes on, recently less and less miners are simply created from two non-miner parents, so Miners have to try and pass their genes down to propagate. My father had the terrible luck of getting my non-miner mother pregnant before dying in a border fight between here and another faction. My mother gave birth to me, but I'm not a full miner. You have many abilities I can't use. For instance, how you mine meter-by-meter areas quickly, I must mine normally. However, I do have the sort of magical storage." As he said that, a small cube of stone appeared in his hoof, then disappeared. "Anyway, Pure Miners are hard to find. You are one of them." Torch nodded. "So, I have to save the world from division and a numerous legion of monsters?" Arid shrugged. "I guess." Torch sighed. "Your crazy." Arid chuckled. "Actually, I am. A good bit. To survive in this world, you can't be really sane." Torch groaned. "Great. And I don't even have a weapon." "Well, actually," Water said, scratching his neck, "You might have more weapons then you can count." Arid turned. "Water...." Water sighed. "The reason we built the town here is because it's built on an ancient military facility. We've been siphoning its resources, likes it's pure water, for years." Arid shook his head. "And you never told me this why?" Water perked up. "Because it's useless anyway. Other then the water purifier, almost the entire facility is locked up tighter then the worlds biggest diamond. I only brought it up now because we have somepony who might be able to use the weapons and items, and help you!" Arid sighed. "Alright. Take us down." With that, Water pushed his podium aside, revealing a pony hole. Darkness and Loads of BulletsIt was dark, and it was damp. Other then that, it was hard to discern anything. Then Arid lit a torch held in his mouth. The hallway was cramped and all around spooky. Next to them was the door marked 'Purifier'. Behind them was a collapsed door marked 'living quarters'. Lastly, in front of them, was a large sealed door marked 'Armory'. Arid looked towards Torch for a second. "It looks like an eye pass lock. Your going to have to put your eyes up to the scanner next to the door, and hope to high hell that yours is a match." Torch nodded, and slowly walked up to the scanner, pressing his eyes against it. "Scanning... Scan complete. Welcome Explorer Torch. My name is Shelia, the computer running this facility. What do you need?" Torch took a step back. "Um, hello Shelia. I would like prompt access to the armory please. Also, unlock all locked chests containing weapons." "Of course. Anything else?" "No, thank you Shelia." As Torch finished that last sentence, the doors into the armory opened, and, just as the trio stepped through, the lights blinked on. Everyponies jaws dropped. Inside were racks upon racks of weapons. And, at the end of the room, was a glass case with a beautiful diamond sword. Torch slowly walked up to the sword as Water grabbed a dagger and Arid tried (unsuccessfully) to inventory it all. His mouth closed around the swords grip. Wow, it fit like it was made for him. However, the dramatic moment was ruined by an alarm followed by Shelia's voice. "Warning, Warning. Sun is setting. Hostile forces detected nearby. Torch, I believe they are looking for you." "Sheila, why are they looking for me?" "Scanning, data corrupted. I do not know sir. I apologize. I suggest you evacuate the area Immediatly." Water paled. "They're looking for you Torch! They're going to tear the village apart! We need to get up there and evacuate!" "Wait." Sheila continued. "I recognize your companions Torch. The first is a priest who visits for water. The second... Data classified." Torch's eyes narrowed glancing over at Arid. "Sheila, I'm Torch, rememeber? What's the classified info?" Silence. Then: "Your companion reminds me of somepony from one hundred years ago. He was...odd. He was nicknamed Arid." Arid smiled. "Torch, come here." Torch reluctantly stepped forward. Then, before he could say anything, Arid put a hoof up to Torch's forehead. Suddenly, everything good and soft in Torch's body was gone. Cruel, sadistic, evil feelings took their place, swelling. It only lasted a second, but to Torch it felt like eons. He collapsed, gasping for air. Meanwhile, a wicked smile spread across Arid's face, and his eyes an evil green. He breathed deeply. "Ah, that was good. Torch, Water, go! Water, I need two potions of invisibility. Evacuate the civilans. I'll catch up." Without hesitation, Water tossed two glass vials of white liquid to Arid, who deftly caught them. With that, the two left. As they ran towards the exit, Torch asked "What just happened?" Water chuckled. "Your friend has duel personality disorder. One is quiet, pacifistic. The other is evil beyond reckoning. Couple that with some of his abilities, well, he ain't a nice guy to mess around with when's he's protecting lives!" As they ran out, the guard from the gate met up with them. "Father, we're under attack! Wheres Arid! We need him mad NOW!" Water nodded. "He's following us. Evacuate the town. The enemies are too numerous. Let the civilians hide away until morning. Then come back. We'll hold here. Your guards need to protect them with their lives. Move out." The guard nodded, and started barking orders. His crossbow was strapped to his back, and he ran off with as much speed as he could possibly put on. Torch sprinted up to the front gates, Water and two leftover guards right behind him. He felt a sense of awe as he got to the open gate. Outside was hundreds of monsters, from dozens of zombies, skeletons, and spiders, to several of the tall black things, and several of the green exploding ones. All in all, a massive force. Torch turned to Water. "Have they ever been this organized?" Water shook his head. "Never. My goddess.... close the gates!" "Belay that order guards." Came a cruel, deep voice. Torch turned around, only to be horrified at the look of Arid's other side. He was a changeling. His brown cloak had been replaced by a long black cape, with obsidian body armor underneath. Upon his head was a nightmare-black wide-brimmed hat, with purple feathers. His eyes were catlike and cruel. Best of all, he was completely unarmed. He walked out, about ten feet outside of the gate. Suddenly, Torch felt something brush up against him. He turned, and saw nothing. He dismissed the thought. One of the tall black things teleported up in front of Arid. "Well well well, I'm honored that you send that many monsters against me Endy, but I'm not letting you get the miner." The enderpony spoke, sort of. Telepathically. "Arid. So we meet again. Last time we met, I was tamed by the great Steve. He was a fool. I loved watching as Pickaxe burned. That was such a beautiful city While it died anyway. So many screams. You and I fed well that night." Arid shivered. "No. I did no such thing! I SAVED LIVES!!! YOUR NOTHING BUT A MONSTER!!!" Suddenly, the invisibility potion wore off, and now Torch understood. Every single weapon in the entire armory Arid levitated around. The enderpony took a step back. Arid smiled, showing two cruel fangs and a whole lot of grinning teeth. "Lets see you dodge this." TroubleArid licked his lips as he pulled the triggers. All of them. The entire battlefield was lit up and millions of bullets, arrows, explosives of all kinds, axes, daggers, swords, and more shredded through the massed monsters. The light was just as bright as any sun, and those observing would have sworn that Celestia's sun had decided to change its course and rise for a short time. After a minute or so, weapons started running out of ammo, breaking, etc. By the time all the weapons were depleted, the monsters were gone. All but one. The enderpony, who was bleeding from several wounds. Torch, looking upon the wounded beast as an opportunity, charged, diamond sword held high. Arid, exhausted from his concentration, looked up just in time to see Torch charge the enderpony, and, worse, it was no normal enderpony. Arid paled, his body changing into its pacifist form. "Wait! Torch, DON'T!!!" Too late, Torch plunged the sword towards the enderpony's head. It impacted, but only just barely. It simply grazed the beast. Then, it dissolved into a billion shards, just like the stone sword had. Torch paled. Oh crap. Just as he thought himself dead however, the enderpony disappeared, and a crossbow bolt flew over where the enderpony's head had just been. Torch turned around. Standing there was the guard captain, grimacing. "I'm not leaving without teaching those abominations a thing or two." Water blinked. "HEY!!!" he shouted. "Why are you here? Your supposed to be guarding the civilians!" The captain shrugged. "The other guards got it handled. You looked like you were in trouble. I came to help." Water blew his top. "Oh yeah! If so much as one of those civilians are dead, I will personally have you hanged! Anyway, pull them back. The town is secure." Arid laughed, a cruel, hysterical laugh, and his eyes once again changed green. "Come back?! HA! Come on Water, you know what these beasts are like! If they failed toay, they'll be back tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that! When those demons have their soulless eyes set on something, they don't give it up, never! We leave as soon as possible!" Water, attempting to control his rapidly increasing temper, took a deep breath, and replied quietly, dangerously so, "Well then Arid, where do you suggest we go?" This time, Torch inturrupted. "Well, if I'm a part in this whole prophecy thing, is there anypony out there who could give us the whole story, and at the very least, fill me in a little on my role in all this?" Water bit his lip. "Well, no, except for..." he trailed off, and looked straight at Arid, who was maniacally smiling, completely back into his changeling form. "Oh no. Nonononononononono!" Water warned. Arid smircked. "Come on, Water. Only one faction knows about the past. Ironically, it's the very same one who managed to ruin it for all of us. The United Military Empirate, the original secessionist group from the golden age of this realm, and the only ponies who could possibly tell us how to figure this out!" Water sighed. Torch frowned. The name rung many bells, but he couldn't put a hoof on it. "Alright, where do they live?" he said. Water shook his head. "Pandora. It's a land far from here, and the only way to get there is via portal. The closest one I know of is a week trip." Torch frowned. "A week. Alright then. Captain, get some civilians back here with guard escort. Grab as much as you can carry. Food, water, weapons, clean sets of clothes, etc. Just get it done. Arid, you and I will lead the group when we do leave. Water, you will help anyone who needs it. You are a priest after all." Water, surprised at the sudden initiative take by the young stallion, took a step back, but them smiled. "We'll make a hero out of you yet." Ender Lord ServerusSeveral hours later, just as the sun began to peak it's way above the horizon, the group set out into the forest. With Arid and Torch at the lead they encountered no difficulties for a good while. During this time, Torch started asking questions with Arid. "So, what happened that shattered this golden age kingdom?" Arid smiled. "The Empirate was a secessionist group. They left the kingdom, and eventually destroyed the capital Pickaxe." Torch looked up. "Wait, Pickaxe? As in the city that the one enderpony mentioned? How did he know you?" Arid sighed. "Yes, Pickaxe was the capital. And yes that enderpony did mention it. His name is Ender Lord Severus. He is a cruel thing. Although, at the time, he was simply a vassal. Somepony else was talking through him via magic. He is special because he can banish away any weapons that so much as touch his head or chest, like he did when you foolishly tried to kill him." Torch, blushing in embarrassment, changed the subject. "So, what happened once everything fell apart?" Arid frowned. "Everypony split apart. Some tried to stay together in peaceful villages like ours. Others, more chaotic, unlawful ones became roving bands of raiders and bandits, killing, robbing, and stealing mares where ever they go. Generally, they aren't good ponies. I hate them all. Now, just recently, monsters that hadn't been around since the early days of the kingdom started showing up again, and they've been doing so in force. The Empirate just ran off to hide in Pandora." Torch nodded, then continued. "What's Pandora like?" Arid chuckled, his frown disappearing, "You'll see when we get their." Then, still smiling, he continued, "We've got company." As soon as the words left his mouth, a band of foul-smelling ponies jumped out of concealment, mostly armed with bows and swords. The leader, who held a crossbow, smiled evilly. "All right, give us everything of value and a good mare and nopony gets hurt!" Immediately, a trio of the guards, including the captain, ran up, only to find themselves hopelessly outnumbered. The captain stopped dead in his tracks, suddenly realizing he would have to comply. "Well, I guess..." Arid inturrupted, his voice cracking into his not-so-nice one. "Stop right there. I will allow you to leave, with none of our supplies nor mares, and you will do so without me murdering every single one of you!" The pony laughed. "Oh really? We have you out numbered three to one! And you expect us to just leave?! Wow, this guy's funny! Oh well. Now, give us the treasure and the mare, and I might not kill you." Arid suddenly stood stock still. "Alright then. We will give those to you on one condition." "What would that be?" the leader asked, confused. He had never seen some ponies eye color change so fast. Quickly as a hummingbird, Arid was completely changed over, and he whipped out a pair of repeating hoof-crossbows, and let them have it. One struck the leaders neck, three others found themselves embedded in three raiders' chests. Then, he drew his sword, and delt with the rest quickly and efficiently. Torch simply stood there, awed at the amount of speed put into that attack. Not a single raider was living. Arid, back to normal nodded. "Let's move on. There is little time to waste. Loot the corpses and move out!" Torch shook himself out of his daze, and caught up to Arid, and asked one final question. "Arid, who are you?" Arid, his face emotionless, replied, "A single pony. That is all." With that, the group marched quickly on. ... That night, Arid stood silent vigil over the camp. He grasped his pair of hoof-crossbows, loaded and ready. Torch, having just eaten a filling meal made by Water, walked up to the strange stallion. "Hey, whats..." "Shh!" hissed Arid quietly. "You and I are going hunting. Our friend is out there." Torch blinked and looked out. "The enderpony? Why would he be here?" "Chasing you, I presume." Arid whispered. "Here. Its an iron sword. Use it well." With that, Arid tapped Torches shoulder, and again Torch felt every good feeling in his body vanish. He looked at Arid, who was already in his obsidian plate, black cloak, and ridiculous feathered hat. "Let's go." With that, the pair stalked out into the forest. Torch noticed several glowing red eyes. "We're being watched." "I know." Arid said simply. "They wish to see what shall happen." Soon, they reached a clearing, and Arid stopped. The darkness was thick, and Torch could hardly see anything. Then, it was dimly illuminated as Arid's horn began to glow defensively. Suddenly, out of no where, Ender Lord Severus appeared. "Well well well, if it isn't the new hero and the old traitor. Arid, so good to see you! How did your memories of Pickaxe go? Badly, I do hope. Anyway, I assume you want to kill Severus here? Well, go ahead. He is quite the combatent though." With that, the voice died off, and Torch drew his sword. Knowing that he could not aim for vitals, he swung for the beasts legs, but stumbled and missed. Arid, as fast as usual, drew his crossbows and let them rip, peckering the things torso with bolts. The beast roared, and disappeared. Torch, finding the thing gone, looked around quickly. Then, the monstrosity popped up behind him. He struck, hiting the chest. Torch, blind with pain, swung madly, and, by some stroke of luck, took of the Enderpony's left foreleg, crippling the abomination. Lord Serverus attempted to teleport, only to find some sort of magic holding him in place. He searched crazily for the source, until his gazze fell apon Arid, who had his own iron sword out. Arid smiled. "Are you getting this, old friend? I do hope so. If you havn't already figured it out, I'm draining all emotion from this enderpony, which means he is unable to teleport, and can't disintegrate weapons. I want to send a message however. If you think, in some thoughtless way, that you can win, you can't. This war will end with you dead. I hope you realize that." With that, Arid lodged his sword firmly in Lord Serverus's chest. Only then did Arid notice Torch lapsing into unconsciousness. UnconciousnessAs Torch slipped into unconsciousness, he thought of only one thing; What is going on? ... "Come on, we have to save them!" Torch shouted above the roaring flames. The figure opposite of him shook his head, his pale white eyes flickering. "Torch, we can't. The city is doomed." Torch nearly blew a vein. "What do you mean, doomed! We need to save dad! We need to save the ponies in there! Part of your name is hero, and that's what I've always looked up to. You're my older brother. We can do this." His voice quieted as he continued. The figure sighed, his breath frosty even in the burning heat. His eyes glowed brighter. "Half Brother. I'm only your half brother." Torch stomped on the ground, his diamond armor shattering the stone road. "What does it matter! We need to be there! Dad always helped us. Why can't we help him?" Torch's brother (he had a brother?!) looked straight into Torch's eyes. "I'm sorry. This is for your own good. Even if Pickaxe dies, this is my final merciful act on my little brother. Goodbye." His horn flashed, and Torch knew no more. ... Torch woke in a cold sweat, surrounded by Water, Arid, and several of the villagers. They were back in camp. Before anyone could speak, Torch looked straight into Arid's eyes, and asked: "Who am I?" Arid froze. He was in his normal form, and he brown eyes blinked. "A common pony told to fulfill a prophecy." Torch snarled. "Liar! I may not remember much, but I do know that a 'common pony' doesn't normally wear diamond armor! I also know that a common pony doesn't live over a hundred years! I was THERE when Pickaxe burned!" Arid, his face emotionless, bit his tongue, and prepared a reply, when Torch, in a moment of revelation, blinked and continued: "As were you." Silence consumed the small group. Then, without a word, Arid stood up, and slipped into his tent, sealing it behind him. For another minute, the gathering remained quiet. Then, several of the ponies walked off. Water, however, stayed. "Torch," he said. "You had a dream? Of Pickaxe? You wore diamond armor?" Torch nodded. "Yeah. And I learned something else." Water blinked. "What would that be?" "I have a brother, and my best theory right now is that he's why I'm here." To be a ChangelingTorch easn't the only one having dreams that long night. As Arid layed down to sleep, he too drifted off into a world of the past... ... A younger Arid walked out onto the back porch of his family home, a few miles from Pickaxe. It was a small wood cabin, with a beautiful sight of far off mountains. There, he encountered his father, smoking a pipe while on a rocking chair. Arid, gathering up all the courage he could muster, asked, "Dad, why do all the other colts at school say I'm a monster? That all of us are monsters?" The rocking chair froze. The pipe rearranged itself in his fathers mouth before he replied. "Well, I would guess thats because we are." Arid, flabbergasted, took a step back. "What?! What do you mean?" His father shrugged. "We're changelings. We feed off of the love of others. Add that to our appearence, which is hardly normal, and you could almost consider us monsters." Arid, struck dumb by his fathers words, continued to deny him. "But... I'm not a monster! I'm just me, a normal pony. On the inside." His father shook his head. "Believe what you will. You are only what you are." Arid, angry now, replied in kind. "Well then, I AM normal. I'm not a monster like you! Why do you have to be my father!? I don't want to be this!" With that, he stormed away. ... Arid woke the next morning, to hear the sounds of the rest of the camp stirring. He scolded himself. He let himself slip. Normally he was up much earlier. RaidersThe group continued to move. It had been a good while since they had left the old village. According to Water, they were getting close to Pandora. Meanwhile, Arid and Torch spent most of their time away from one another. Arid easily managed to stay away from Torch, and Torch didn't really care. Anyway, Torch had more delicate things on his mind. He had a brother? He thought. What was his name? Something to do with hero. And he was only his half brother. And, if Torch was alive, was he alive too? All this thinking drove his thoughts away from the real world, so even when Arid shouted a warning, he was slow to react. As several arrows pierced the ground around him, he ran to the Captain. "Get these ponies out of here! We'll cover you!" The captain nodded, and he gestured to Water to help. They managed to begin routing the civilians away. Meanwhile, Torch and Arid looked towards the trees from which the arrows were coming. Immediatly, a dozen raiders ran out from the ambush, and quickly surround the pair. Then, to both the raiders and Torch's confusion, Arid switched over to normal, and dropped his weapon. "I surrender." he said. Torch looked at him incredulously, then thought otherwise. If the raiders were distracted by them, they wouldn't go after the civilians. With that, he too dropped his sword, it clattering to the ground. The raider leader, holding what looked like a harpoon, nodded, then smiled wickedly. "Alright boys, let's take 'em back!" Torch opened his mouth to ask when he was whacked on the head with a blunt object. ... Water ran, just behind the rest of the civilians. He didn't stop until they got to a clearing. There, he shouted for them to stop, and took a rest, panting. The captain trotted up to him. "None of our ponies were hurt or in any other way lost. Well, except for Arid and Torch. Celestia preserve them." Then, he blinked, and asked a question he wanted answered: "Why are you helping them so much Water?" Water smiled. "Arid's practically a god. Torch is a young amnesiac who's delusional. I'm a simple priest. However, as a priest, I have to help ponies. That is my duty. Ever since I was born, my dad would say to me: 'Son, you may just be a simple pony, but you can make a difference. You can help others at ever turn.' I have followed those words to this very day, using my magic for good, and aiding those who need it." The captain nodded. "I think they were captured. What now? We lost our way into Pandora." Water shook his head. "No, actually. The portal is a mile from here, and will take us onto the Empirate's doorstep." "Do you think it was a smart move? Abandoning the town and all for a small chance of salvation that rests in the hands of an amnesiac? Was it worth it?" Water shrugged. "I have no idea. I can only hope. And you want to know something? Hope is something that's kept us alive all our lives. I think we can keep doing it for a little longer." ... "My lord, they have nearly reached Pandora, and soon they will have the Empirate's aid. We should act." "No. I don't think we shall. They will go after your friend first, and in doing so have to fight through our gloirfied campfire." "Of course sir. Should I warn him he may have visitors?" "Yes, but tell him not to expect them for a while. They have much yet to do. I want to see how it plays out." "Um, my lord?" "Yes?" "What if they get past him?" "Well, the he will have to get past you to get the artifact." "What about the guardian of the artifact?" "He will be assisting you. Good luck my servant." "One last think, Sire." "Yes?" "What of his companion?" "Kill him." Captured"No!" BANG BANG ... "My god, he's alive!" ... "Let me through! I can save him!" "Your highness, my lady, he can't be saved!" "Quiet fool! I can save him or else I will personally step down as queen!" ... "Arid, hey, Arid!" Arid's eyes fluttered open. He was in normal mode, pinned to a tree by a half-dozen ropes, and was surrounded by raiders. On the tree next to him was Torch, who was the one talking to him. "Let me guess, you want to know how I plan on getting out of this?" Torch nodded. "You've always had a plan before." Arid sighed, then heard the hoof-steps. He turned to see what he could only guess was the raiders' leader. He was a full head taller then Arid, with worn iron armor covering his body. His eyes glowed a cruel yellow. "Well well, boys, look what we got here! A pair of stallions who just threw down their arms to be captured by us! Too bad we're not recruiting!" "Yes, indeed. Such an inconvenience." Arid drawled, interrupting the leaders speech. "Too bad. You'll have to kill us. What a shame. Oh well. Get it over with. Kill me." The leader, initially confused by Arid's words, smiled. "We aren't going to kill you so easily, We'll torture you, long and grueling. We'll make you suffer. We'll tear you apart, limb by limb, but keep you alive, so we can just torture you some more. You'll have to watch as your friend dies." Arid yawned, temporarily untying his ropes to scratch the back of his neck, them politely retied them around his hooves. Then, menace in his voice, he replied in kind. "Indeed. And I will suffer as bad as you say. However, it will never match the suffering I'm going to do to you. I will start by murdering everypony you ever loved, and forcing you to watch them die in agony. Then, I will dig out your eyes slowly, one after the other. Next, I will cut off your tongue, so, even when you want to, you can't scream, and no one will hear you. Following that up, I will use a cheesegrinder to slowly cut up your limbs, inch by inch. While you cry in agony as you slowly loose your legs, I will cut your tail off. I will peel your body, so your blood will bleed all over the ground. Your nose will go next. Your ears will be long gone. And no, I won't kill you. I will leave you, and you will just lay their until your brain finally decides to shut down. And then, your soul will go straight to the Nether, where you soul will be reincarnated as one of Evil's soldiers. And even then, you will not be safe. I will hunt you down even in the Nether, and I will do the same, again and again, for eternity! So, be warned, I will not suffer a millionth of the grievances I will put you through!" Every single raider in the vicinity had take a step back, and Torch's mouth hung as loose as if he had been on the noose. He had never seen Arid act say things so violently. It disturbed him, and it certainly wasn't the Arid he knew. The Arid he knew was a kind and generous friend. He blinked. Where did he get that notion? Meanwhile, the leader, recovering from Arid's words, whinnied. "Ha. But how are you supposed to do that when your all tied up? You can't hurt me!" Arid smiled, and changed in front if their eyes. The raiders, taken aback by the fact Arid was a changeling, froze up for a quarter of a second. All Arid needed. Immediately, the ropes came off, and Arid pushed off the tree, flew through the air, and rammed straight into the leader, snapping his neck instantly. The leaders sword flew into the air, and Arid, using his magic, deftly caught it with his magic, and murdered the closest three raiders. This all happened in the time it might take for a plane flying at full speed to go a foot. For another three seconds, silence dominated the camp. Then, every single raider drew a weapon, a full count of fifty well armed raiders vs 1 changeling. They didn't stand a chance. Arid dealt with them quickly. Withing a minute or two, it was all over. Arid, walking back to Torch, stopped when he heard a sniffling. He turned to see a young mare, another raider. Desperately, she swung a dagger at him. He caught her hoof deftly, disarmed her, and pushed her back, and she fell to the ground. Arid, consumed by a rage, used his magic to chain her hooves to the ground. Torch, realizing what he was doing, tried to stop him, but being tied to a tree reduced him to shouting. "Arid, don't! It's an instinct, overcome it! Arid, your a good pony! Your not a changeling! Your a kind pony, whose not only my guide through this but my friend! No!" Despite spewing words even Torch didn't understand why he was saying, Arid ignored him, consumed by the one thing that drives any changeling: To feed. ... An hour later, after Arid was done with the mare, and finished untying Torch, the pair, items retrieved, walked out of the dead raider camp, heading back where they came. They were utterly silent, Arid completely ignoring anything Torch tried to ask. After a while of silence, and as the sun was going down, Torch finally stopped with Arid's lack of answers. "Why'd you do it?" Arid stopped dead. For a moment, he remained silent, but then he began. "A changeling can and must feed. It's natural, and it lended me strength." Torch scowled. "So, instead of letting her die in piece, you torture her? Arid, you aren't that type of pony! You're a good pony! You're my friend, and you certainly aren't normally like this! What has gotten into you! You're keeping secrets, lying to me, and now you act like some beast! Arid, answer me!" Arid, still not facing Torch, looked down. "I don't know Torch. It's been a long time, and I'm trying to figure it out myself. I remember my past, unlike you, but I can't make much sense out of it anymore. So you and I are in the same boat. Once I figure it out, I will tell you unless it will harm you. Until then, I will not answer your questions." Torch sighed. "Fine. But don't do that again." Arid internally flinched. He had lied. (Not so) Friendly GreetingsAs Arid and Torch walked in the direction of Pandora, Torch noticed something: It was getting dark. Torch groaned. "Arid. It's getting dark." Arid looked up and swore. "Alright. We need to get moving. Now! Its not to far off." The pair instantly sprang into action, ignoring the beauty of the land around them as they ran in the direction they hoped led to safety. Behind them, they could hear the monsters. An arrow streaked by, missing Torch by mere inches. Torch didn't turn. He just kept running. Arid meanwhile, was content to run while levitating his two one-hoof crossbows. Still, he was't aiming, and he doubted he would hit. He could take the monsters behind them easily, but he didn't want to put Torch in danger. After what seemed like hours, they ran out to a clearing. Ahead was a glowing purple portal guarded by a pair of ponies with camouflaged leather armor. The two ponies hadn't seen them coming, and were taken by surprise. They were even more so when nearly a dozen monsters sprang out hot on Arid and Torch's heels. Torch shouted "Run!" Instead, the pair of guards, a unicorn and an earth pony, pulled out guns. Arid and Torch reflexively dropped to there stomachs as bullets ripped through the air. Then, they were up and running again. The pair of soldiers, Arid, and Torch all lept through the portal, it closing behind them. Torch sighed in relief. However, they did not have time to respite. Instantly, both the companions were knocked to the ground, guns to the backs of their heads. One of the guards asked "Who are you, and what do you want?" Arid answered. "We are but a pair of weary travelers, sir. We wish shelter among our friends. Was there a group that also passed through looking for shelter?" The pony acknowledged. "Aye. They said that two would be coming through. Alright, I trust you two, but nothing crazy, or these AKs will tear you apart." They were let up, and Torch saw they were right. Each guard had an AK-47. Then, Torch saw there surroundings. The sun was just rising. Then, he saw the mountains ahead move. He blinked. No way... Three minutes later, as they moved along, he found his answer. He also found out why Pandora was unique. Floating Islands. He stood at the edge of a bottomless drop. In front of him was an old bridge that led across to an island topped by a mountain. All around were smaller islands. Arid smiled. "Ah, it's been too long. I forgot how fun Pandora was. Cautiously, the pair of guards and Torch, not believing the bridges stability, started out on the structure. Then, Torch turned around, facing Arid behind him. "You coming?" Arid smiled, and changed into changeling form (freaking the guards out a good bit). "Wings." He replied smoothly. With that, Arid vaulted, catching himself mid-air. Torch gritted his teeth. "No fair!" He shouted as Arid easily glided to the other end of the expanse. Slowly, the trio made their way across the bridge. When they finally reached the other end, unscathed, they found Arid, back to normal, polishing his crossbows. After a few rude words, the unicorn guard interrupted. "Hey, come on! The capital's close. Quickly." Torch sighed. "Arid, at least don't leave us in the dust." Arid nodded. Then, the group set out. After a few more minutes, the group rounded the small mountain. There, Torch felt his jaw fall. Arid smiled. "So, this is where you guys are hiding?" he smirked. Ahead, another island away, was a gargantuan city built into a floating mountain. The air around it was bustling with airships and pegasi. The group walked across a sturdier bridge, into an island where farms dominated. As they trotted, they were given several stares by some of the ponies there. There were also several guards who tightened their grips on their various weapons. Which brings up another point. Apparently, the Empirate was not the best armed group. The pair of guards must be comparatively well-armed. Most guards carried a sword and a musket, along with leather armor. Hardly a heavy outfit. Then, crossing yet another bridge, they got to the main gate. It was guarded by four more guards. These were better armed with old M1 Carbines and bronze armor. One stopped us. "Whats your business?" The unicorn, apparently the more chatty of the two guards, replied. "A pair of stragglers from the refugees that arrived earlier." The guard nodded. "Alright. But they better not cause any trouble." Arid smiled. "Don't worry. I only raze towns I don't like." The guard gave him an evil eye. "Alright. Open the gates!" Torch looked awed into the city. The road ahead was crowded, but not impossible to navigate. It did lack one thing: Technology. It was surprisingly low on that item. Even when power was present, it was in the form of simple copper wires or primitive redstone circuits. The buildings were cobblestone with wooden support and touches. Not that bad. Of course, the farther the group went, the more advanced the place was. Buildings started to be made out of iron and steel, with iron fences and other luxuries. Here, Guards were more often, and tend to have heavier weapons. Torch counted at least four with some sort of assault rifles. However, he had yet to be truly impressed. As soon as he walked into the noble district, he remembered that the Empirate was very much a militant nation. Guards were stationed at regular intervals,, most armed with shotguns and assault rifles, while a few had sniper rifles or grenade launchers. It was a show of supreme firepower. The buildings were made of marble and other precious items, but still held a military touch. Torch noticed that several of the houses were armed, with turrets on the roof and poking out windows. Arid walked through, he was hardly as distracted as Torch. Even in his kinder form, he still felt no fear from such open displays of power. Finally, they came up to a gate where the armament of the Empirate became apparent. Six soldiers, all dressed in diamond armor, held the gate to the Royal Palace. Two, flanking the gate, manned Machine Guns. Brownings, to be exact. The other four were armed with lighter machine guns and diamond swords. One stopped them. "No entry." He said. "The king is in attendance of a group of refugees." Arid nodded. "Yeah. We're with them." The guard stared, then nodded. "Alright. Come on in." They entered to see Water conversing with a unicorn who could only be the king. He was a dark brown, bith his mane and coat, and wore a luxurious golden suit, a diamond crown fitted across his head. He simply looked at Torch for a moment, then turned his gaze to Arid. Then, he turned as pale as a ghost. "YOU!!!" Arid shifted into his changeling form, weapons openly displayed. He drew his obsidian blade. "Me." He said matter-of-factly. The King cringed. "You were the beast the Old Kingdom used. You were their greatest weapon!!!" So I am. The words weren't spoken, so much as shot through the thoughts of every pony in the room. Arid advanced. Instantly, a pair of diamond swords crossed in front of him. Two mean guards in full diamond armor held. Arid smiled. Then, he slashed, disarming both guards in one sweep, and, upon grabbing ahold of their manes, banged their head together. With a loud clang of diamond helmet against diamond helmet, both guards collapsed. Almost in the same second, six guards opened up with machine guns. Arid deflty lept, and chucked an... Egg (?) at one of the guards. He fell, a suddenly born baby chicken fluttering around his eyes. Arid grabbed another item, and threw it. The next guard tumbled down, a pumpkin on his head obscuring his vision. Next, Arid grabbed a bunch of pastries from a well-adorned snack platter. One gunner stumbled backwards, a cake splattered across his face. The next was knocked out cold by a glass bottle to the head. Arid lept out into the middle of the hall. The final two guards raised their weapons. Arid simply smiled. Click click. The guards looked down, to see the ammo clips for their weapons missing. They looked back to Arid. Arid held the clips up, smiling manically. Both guards drew swords. One flew through the air as his own ammo clip slammed into his head. The second was better. He dodged the clip only to have Arid's hoof send him into the wall. Arid sprinted up the the king just as a score of more diamond armored guards swarmed into the room. Arid held his sword to the king's throat, and lifted up a miniaturized block of TNT. "Stop where you are or I shove the TNT down his throat!" The guards stopped. Torch, who had been flabbergasted the whole time, finally found his voice. "Arid, what the hell are you doing!!!" Arid simply, looked at him. Then, he scowled, and, lifting the King up high.... .... And threw the Monarch with all his might, right into the cluster of guards. They went down like bowling pins. Arid walked over to the King. The king, hurting in all sorts of places, groaned. "Kill me already." Arid sighed, and, to the King's astonishment, offered a hoof up. "My Lord, if I wanted to kill you, I would have walked into this room and shot a single explosive dart from one of my crossbows, where it would have hit you on the head, killing you quite instantly. If I wanted to destroy the Empirate, I would have simply work my way up from the city gates, letting you watch as I slowly destroyed all you have built." Arid had turned into his normal self, but there was an edge of menace behind his voice. The King reluctantly took Arids hand. "Then what was that all about?" "I simply wanted to show that if you messed with me or any I protect and love, then I will very well shove a chunk of TNT down your throat."
SpawnExplorer Torch woke with a start. He was lying on his back in a clearing of a forest, with a small pond directly next to him. His head was lying comfortably against a pillow, oddly enough. He examined himself. He was a moderately sized Earth Pony with the resultant body. He had a light brown coat with uncut black hair, and a pixelated torch as his cutie mark. He looks into his brain, trying to find out how he got here, when he found absolutely nothing. All he knew was his name, some math, and several common things, like spelling and some basic science. Finding nothing in his brain, an innate instinct told him to stand up. Frustrated at his lack of ability to do anything, he trotted over to a tree and kicked it with all his might. To his surprise, the area of tree he hit, maybe a meter by meter area, dissappeared, leaving a cube-like representation maybe the size of a rubix cube. He picked up the small cube, and it dissappeared. Again by innate thought, he pictured the cube in his hoof, and it appeared. Continuing this odd spree of instinct, while Explorer was slowly getting a grip on things, he imagined planks of wood. Suddenly, the cube turned into four blocks of wooden planks. Explorer blinked, surprised. It only looked like one plank in his hoof, but somehow, he KNEW it was four. This time, using part innate ability and will, he thought; "A Crafting Table." Suddenly, the four cubes of wooden planks turned into a single workbench-type item. He slowly placed the table on the ground, and it grew to normal size, about a meter by meter square. He walked up to it, wondering what he could make, when he saw a notebook laying on it. It hadn't been their before. He opened it. It contained dozens of recipes for different items, from swords to guns to furnaces to nuclear fusion reactor cores. Explorer started simple. ... One house later... ... Explorer stood happily outside of his small wooden house. It was simple, with no lighting, but it would do. Next he looked at his new-crafted wooden pickaxe. Time to mine. ... By the time he had his first furnace and had made a few torches from some coal, the sun was rapidly disappearing below the horizon. When the final streaks of sunlight disappeared, Torch felt an awed sense of dread. Quickly, he locked his door, and looked around his house. No bed. Looks like he was't going to get some sleep. Suddenly, he heard a low moan. He turned, to see a grotesque, rotting face looking back at him. He took a step back as the zombie began to hit his door, attempting to bash it down. Quickly, he ran over to his crafting table. A gun... too expensive. A bow...not the right materials. A stone sword... "That'll work." The door blew in, splinters flying as a trio of zombie's charged in. The first one was impaled by Torch's mouth-held sword. That was followed up by a pair of stabs to the next zombie, throwing it up against the wall. The third zombie had it's head lopped off. The second, recovering from it's hits, was promptly kicked out of the glass-less window. Then, an arrow streaked by, narrowly missing Torch's skull. Skeletons. Of course, Skeletons. The skeletal unicorns held bows. More arrows streaked by. Torch deftly blocked, the feeling coming instinctively. Suddenly, he heard a creak above him. He looked up, just as the huge spider dropped, impaling itself on his sword. Torch pushed the abomination off his blade, only to feel an arrow enter his back knee. He was starting to really hate these guys. He whipped around, throwing his sword, which blew straight through one of the skeletons heads. He charged and retrieved his weapon, only to find himself beset by the enemy. He hacked and slashed, and, when the last Zombie fell, he heard a small sound behind him. Hisssssssss... He was blow against a tree. He felt bones cracking. Grasping his broken ribs, he looked up, to see a tall black figure approaching. He knew not to look into the things eyes, but he did anyway. He stared deeply into the things cruel purple eyes. Then, with the last of his strength, he drove his sword up to the monsters face. The second it touched the beasts nose, It dissolved, blowing apart into billions of purple dots. The enderpony then did the scariest thing it could've done. It smiled. An evil, soulless smile. Just as Torch began to slip into unconsciousness, he heard a terrible scream, several plinks, and hoofbeats. ,,, Arid looked at the unconscious pony. He looked closer, wondering why so many monsters had tried to kill this one pony. Then, he saw it. The clothes were his first hint. A miner. He was a miner. Well well well... Then, he saw the pony's facial features, and Arid physically took a step back. It's him... Arid lifted Torch onto his back, and looked into the darkness, and he heard the howls of the pained enderpony from there. Time to go.
AridTorch's eyes fluttered open slowly. He was in a stone room, heavily decorated. He was laying in a plush queen-sized bed. His body was without clothes, covered in bandages. As he slowly sat up, a pony with a tray of food trotted in. He was wearing a gray coat. His fur was a dark brown, with a yellow mane. His eyes were a starling sapphire. He smiled. "Ah, sleeping beauty's awake. About time. Here, I brought some food. I guess I'm not that hungry anyway." Torch dove into the food, devouring it greedily. All the while, the pony sat near the edge of his bed. "You know, when I saved you, you were pretty banged up. I'm surprised you're doing so well." Torch shrugged and swallowed. "Well, I guess I can thank you for... wait, saving me?!" The pony laughed, standing up. "Your not the only one with fighting skills!" With that, the pony walked up to the door. "Oh, I don't have a name, but everypony calls me Arid." "Torch." "Well met. Meet me down stairs. Your clothes are in the dresser." He gestured to the ornate piece of furniture before disappearing out the door. Torch, after finishing the meal, stood up, and walked up to the dresser. It was full of his clothes, and a set of leather armor. He quickly grabbed up the armor, and slid it on over his clothes. He observed the room, and noticed a nice window. he waltzed up to it. Outside was a green plain, with a little walled village nearby. Beyond that was a sparse oak forest. Torch sighed and walked down the stairs. At the bottom was what Torch assumed was greeting hall. There Arid waited. Arid smiled. "Good. I'm going to wait to bring you up to speed on what's going on, Torch. For now, lets go see the village shall we?" Torch nodded. "Sure." Arid smiled. "Great. Just keep your leather armor on. Your clothes, well, they may not go along well with the villagers." Torch frowned. "Why?" Arid sighed. "You know those special things, the mining and stuff, that you an do?" "Yes. Why?" "Well, it's very unique, and your clothes are that worn by those rare ponies. The villagers, well, won't take kindly to it." Torch frowned, but, hey, if it was the rules, it's the rules. They walked out of the old abandoned castle where Arid lived, up to the gates of the village. "Open up, it's me." A guard looked over the wall. "Oh, hey Arid. Who's this?" "A friend. He wishes shelter against the storm that rages across this world." The guard nodded. "Alright. Give me a moment." With that, the pony disappeared, and the gates opened into a prosperous little town. Several ponies were in the streets, from two fillies playing tag, to an old stallion selling goods. However, Arid payed no mind. He instead bee-lined to a little chapel in the center of town. Torch followed as quick as he could. Arid opened the door quickly, and, suddenly, anxiety showing, he entered. Torch trotted in, followed by Arid bolting the door. "Father Water, I bring news!" He said to the priest at the podium. No pony was except the three of them. "Arid?" the priest said, confused. "What is this? Who is this?" Arid turned to Torch. "Take the armor off. You can trust Father Water!" Torch confused, slowly slid the armor off, revealing his clothes. Water's jaw slowly dropped. "A miner? Here? ALIVE?" Arid nodded. "And not only that! It's Torch's son!" Water froze. "What did you just say to me Arid." "It's Explorer Torch. He's Torch's son!" Water blinked three times, slowly. "Um, well......wow. Well Torch, it's good to have you aboard." Torch shook his head violently, confused. "Wait, what the buck is going on?! What's this about me being a son and a miner? CAN SOMEPONY PLEASE TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Arid sighed. "Water?" "No Arid. It's your story. You tell it." Arid sighed. "Once upon a time, this beautiful planet was peaceful, filled with happy ponies. Among these ponies were the miners, a group of rare individuals who were blessed with extraordinary powers. The world entered a golden age of technology and culture under them. However, a militant group began an uprising, originating in the continent of Pandora. War annihilated the peace, and millions died. Then, when the war was cooling down, monsters began to appear, murdering and pillaging. War started anew as they fought over the dwindling resources not held by the monsters. Not even the Miners could survive such an onslaught. They were wiped out. The greatest Miner of all, who held the title of 'Steve', died, leaving his only son. Only a few other miners survived. After the war, the world was divided into small groups, one of which is that militant group still based out in Pandora. The village you stand in is the tribe know as 'The Waters of Life.' They hold much pure water, and are mostly kindly. However, they dislike miners, and they blame them on everything that happened one hundred years ago." Torch nodded. "Ok. And why am I so important?" Waters turn. "Prophecy tells of a great miner who will rise up and restore the world, one torn between two. I have already ruled our mutual friend Arid out." Torch stopped him. "Wait, Arid, your a miner?" Arid smiled. "Sorta." Torch sighed. "Explain." "As the line goes on, recently less and less miners are simply created from two non-miner parents, so Miners have to try and pass their genes down to propagate. My father had the terrible luck of getting my non-miner mother pregnant before dying in a border fight between here and another faction. My mother gave birth to me, but I'm not a full miner. You have many abilities I can't use. For instance, how you mine meter-by-meter areas quickly, I must mine normally. However, I do have the sort of magical storage." As he said that, a small cube of stone appeared in his hoof, then disappeared. "Anyway, Pure Miners are hard to find. You are one of them." Torch nodded. "So, I have to save the world from division and a numerous legion of monsters?" Arid shrugged. "I guess." Torch sighed. "Your crazy." Arid chuckled. "Actually, I am. A good bit. To survive in this world, you can't be really sane." Torch groaned. "Great. And I don't even have a weapon." "Well, actually," Water said, scratching his neck, "You might have more weapons then you can count." Arid turned. "Water...." Water sighed. "The reason we built the town here is because it's built on an ancient military facility. We've been siphoning its resources, likes it's pure water, for years." Arid shook his head. "And you never told me this why?" Water perked up. "Because it's useless anyway. Other then the water purifier, almost the entire facility is locked up tighter then the worlds biggest diamond. I only brought it up now because we have somepony who might be able to use the weapons and items, and help you!" Arid sighed. "Alright. Take us down." With that, Water pushed his podium aside, revealing a pony hole.
Darkness and Loads of BulletsIt was dark, and it was damp. Other then that, it was hard to discern anything. Then Arid lit a torch held in his mouth. The hallway was cramped and all around spooky. Next to them was the door marked 'Purifier'. Behind them was a collapsed door marked 'living quarters'. Lastly, in front of them, was a large sealed door marked 'Armory'. Arid looked towards Torch for a second. "It looks like an eye pass lock. Your going to have to put your eyes up to the scanner next to the door, and hope to high hell that yours is a match." Torch nodded, and slowly walked up to the scanner, pressing his eyes against it. "Scanning... Scan complete. Welcome Explorer Torch. My name is Shelia, the computer running this facility. What do you need?" Torch took a step back. "Um, hello Shelia. I would like prompt access to the armory please. Also, unlock all locked chests containing weapons." "Of course. Anything else?" "No, thank you Shelia." As Torch finished that last sentence, the doors into the armory opened, and, just as the trio stepped through, the lights blinked on. Everyponies jaws dropped. Inside were racks upon racks of weapons. And, at the end of the room, was a glass case with a beautiful diamond sword. Torch slowly walked up to the sword as Water grabbed a dagger and Arid tried (unsuccessfully) to inventory it all. His mouth closed around the swords grip. Wow, it fit like it was made for him. However, the dramatic moment was ruined by an alarm followed by Shelia's voice. "Warning, Warning. Sun is setting. Hostile forces detected nearby. Torch, I believe they are looking for you." "Sheila, why are they looking for me?" "Scanning, data corrupted. I do not know sir. I apologize. I suggest you evacuate the area Immediatly." Water paled. "They're looking for you Torch! They're going to tear the village apart! We need to get up there and evacuate!" "Wait." Sheila continued. "I recognize your companions Torch. The first is a priest who visits for water. The second... Data classified." Torch's eyes narrowed glancing over at Arid. "Sheila, I'm Torch, rememeber? What's the classified info?" Silence. Then: "Your companion reminds me of somepony from one hundred years ago. He was...odd. He was nicknamed Arid." Arid smiled. "Torch, come here." Torch reluctantly stepped forward. Then, before he could say anything, Arid put a hoof up to Torch's forehead. Suddenly, everything good and soft in Torch's body was gone. Cruel, sadistic, evil feelings took their place, swelling. It only lasted a second, but to Torch it felt like eons. He collapsed, gasping for air. Meanwhile, a wicked smile spread across Arid's face, and his eyes an evil green. He breathed deeply. "Ah, that was good. Torch, Water, go! Water, I need two potions of invisibility. Evacuate the civilans. I'll catch up." Without hesitation, Water tossed two glass vials of white liquid to Arid, who deftly caught them. With that, the two left. As they ran towards the exit, Torch asked "What just happened?" Water chuckled. "Your friend has duel personality disorder. One is quiet, pacifistic. The other is evil beyond reckoning. Couple that with some of his abilities, well, he ain't a nice guy to mess around with when's he's protecting lives!" As they ran out, the guard from the gate met up with them. "Father, we're under attack! Wheres Arid! We need him mad NOW!" Water nodded. "He's following us. Evacuate the town. The enemies are too numerous. Let the civilians hide away until morning. Then come back. We'll hold here. Your guards need to protect them with their lives. Move out." The guard nodded, and started barking orders. His crossbow was strapped to his back, and he ran off with as much speed as he could possibly put on. Torch sprinted up to the front gates, Water and two leftover guards right behind him. He felt a sense of awe as he got to the open gate. Outside was hundreds of monsters, from dozens of zombies, skeletons, and spiders, to several of the tall black things, and several of the green exploding ones. All in all, a massive force. Torch turned to Water. "Have they ever been this organized?" Water shook his head. "Never. My goddess.... close the gates!" "Belay that order guards." Came a cruel, deep voice. Torch turned around, only to be horrified at the look of Arid's other side. He was a changeling. His brown cloak had been replaced by a long black cape, with obsidian body armor underneath. Upon his head was a nightmare-black wide-brimmed hat, with purple feathers. His eyes were catlike and cruel. Best of all, he was completely unarmed. He walked out, about ten feet outside of the gate. Suddenly, Torch felt something brush up against him. He turned, and saw nothing. He dismissed the thought. One of the tall black things teleported up in front of Arid. "Well well well, I'm honored that you send that many monsters against me Endy, but I'm not letting you get the miner." The enderpony spoke, sort of. Telepathically. "Arid. So we meet again. Last time we met, I was tamed by the great Steve. He was a fool. I loved watching as Pickaxe burned. That was such a beautiful city While it died anyway. So many screams. You and I fed well that night." Arid shivered. "No. I did no such thing! I SAVED LIVES!!! YOUR NOTHING BUT A MONSTER!!!" Suddenly, the invisibility potion wore off, and now Torch understood. Every single weapon in the entire armory Arid levitated around. The enderpony took a step back. Arid smiled, showing two cruel fangs and a whole lot of grinning teeth. "Lets see you dodge this."
TroubleArid licked his lips as he pulled the triggers. All of them. The entire battlefield was lit up and millions of bullets, arrows, explosives of all kinds, axes, daggers, swords, and more shredded through the massed monsters. The light was just as bright as any sun, and those observing would have sworn that Celestia's sun had decided to change its course and rise for a short time. After a minute or so, weapons started running out of ammo, breaking, etc. By the time all the weapons were depleted, the monsters were gone. All but one. The enderpony, who was bleeding from several wounds. Torch, looking upon the wounded beast as an opportunity, charged, diamond sword held high. Arid, exhausted from his concentration, looked up just in time to see Torch charge the enderpony, and, worse, it was no normal enderpony. Arid paled, his body changing into its pacifist form. "Wait! Torch, DON'T!!!" Too late, Torch plunged the sword towards the enderpony's head. It impacted, but only just barely. It simply grazed the beast. Then, it dissolved into a billion shards, just like the stone sword had. Torch paled. Oh crap. Just as he thought himself dead however, the enderpony disappeared, and a crossbow bolt flew over where the enderpony's head had just been. Torch turned around. Standing there was the guard captain, grimacing. "I'm not leaving without teaching those abominations a thing or two." Water blinked. "HEY!!!" he shouted. "Why are you here? Your supposed to be guarding the civilians!" The captain shrugged. "The other guards got it handled. You looked like you were in trouble. I came to help." Water blew his top. "Oh yeah! If so much as one of those civilians are dead, I will personally have you hanged! Anyway, pull them back. The town is secure." Arid laughed, a cruel, hysterical laugh, and his eyes once again changed green. "Come back?! HA! Come on Water, you know what these beasts are like! If they failed toay, they'll be back tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that! When those demons have their soulless eyes set on something, they don't give it up, never! We leave as soon as possible!" Water, attempting to control his rapidly increasing temper, took a deep breath, and replied quietly, dangerously so, "Well then Arid, where do you suggest we go?" This time, Torch inturrupted. "Well, if I'm a part in this whole prophecy thing, is there anypony out there who could give us the whole story, and at the very least, fill me in a little on my role in all this?" Water bit his lip. "Well, no, except for..." he trailed off, and looked straight at Arid, who was maniacally smiling, completely back into his changeling form. "Oh no. Nonononononononono!" Water warned. Arid smircked. "Come on, Water. Only one faction knows about the past. Ironically, it's the very same one who managed to ruin it for all of us. The United Military Empirate, the original secessionist group from the golden age of this realm, and the only ponies who could possibly tell us how to figure this out!" Water sighed. Torch frowned. The name rung many bells, but he couldn't put a hoof on it. "Alright, where do they live?" he said. Water shook his head. "Pandora. It's a land far from here, and the only way to get there is via portal. The closest one I know of is a week trip." Torch frowned. "A week. Alright then. Captain, get some civilians back here with guard escort. Grab as much as you can carry. Food, water, weapons, clean sets of clothes, etc. Just get it done. Arid, you and I will lead the group when we do leave. Water, you will help anyone who needs it. You are a priest after all." Water, surprised at the sudden initiative take by the young stallion, took a step back, but them smiled. "We'll make a hero out of you yet."
Ender Lord ServerusSeveral hours later, just as the sun began to peak it's way above the horizon, the group set out into the forest. With Arid and Torch at the lead they encountered no difficulties for a good while. During this time, Torch started asking questions with Arid. "So, what happened that shattered this golden age kingdom?" Arid smiled. "The Empirate was a secessionist group. They left the kingdom, and eventually destroyed the capital Pickaxe." Torch looked up. "Wait, Pickaxe? As in the city that the one enderpony mentioned? How did he know you?" Arid sighed. "Yes, Pickaxe was the capital. And yes that enderpony did mention it. His name is Ender Lord Severus. He is a cruel thing. Although, at the time, he was simply a vassal. Somepony else was talking through him via magic. He is special because he can banish away any weapons that so much as touch his head or chest, like he did when you foolishly tried to kill him." Torch, blushing in embarrassment, changed the subject. "So, what happened once everything fell apart?" Arid frowned. "Everypony split apart. Some tried to stay together in peaceful villages like ours. Others, more chaotic, unlawful ones became roving bands of raiders and bandits, killing, robbing, and stealing mares where ever they go. Generally, they aren't good ponies. I hate them all. Now, just recently, monsters that hadn't been around since the early days of the kingdom started showing up again, and they've been doing so in force. The Empirate just ran off to hide in Pandora." Torch nodded, then continued. "What's Pandora like?" Arid chuckled, his frown disappearing, "You'll see when we get their." Then, still smiling, he continued, "We've got company." As soon as the words left his mouth, a band of foul-smelling ponies jumped out of concealment, mostly armed with bows and swords. The leader, who held a crossbow, smiled evilly. "All right, give us everything of value and a good mare and nopony gets hurt!" Immediately, a trio of the guards, including the captain, ran up, only to find themselves hopelessly outnumbered. The captain stopped dead in his tracks, suddenly realizing he would have to comply. "Well, I guess..." Arid inturrupted, his voice cracking into his not-so-nice one. "Stop right there. I will allow you to leave, with none of our supplies nor mares, and you will do so without me murdering every single one of you!" The pony laughed. "Oh really? We have you out numbered three to one! And you expect us to just leave?! Wow, this guy's funny! Oh well. Now, give us the treasure and the mare, and I might not kill you." Arid suddenly stood stock still. "Alright then. We will give those to you on one condition." "What would that be?" the leader asked, confused. He had never seen some ponies eye color change so fast. Quickly as a hummingbird, Arid was completely changed over, and he whipped out a pair of repeating hoof-crossbows, and let them have it. One struck the leaders neck, three others found themselves embedded in three raiders' chests. Then, he drew his sword, and delt with the rest quickly and efficiently. Torch simply stood there, awed at the amount of speed put into that attack. Not a single raider was living. Arid, back to normal nodded. "Let's move on. There is little time to waste. Loot the corpses and move out!" Torch shook himself out of his daze, and caught up to Arid, and asked one final question. "Arid, who are you?" Arid, his face emotionless, replied, "A single pony. That is all." With that, the group marched quickly on. ... That night, Arid stood silent vigil over the camp. He grasped his pair of hoof-crossbows, loaded and ready. Torch, having just eaten a filling meal made by Water, walked up to the strange stallion. "Hey, whats..." "Shh!" hissed Arid quietly. "You and I are going hunting. Our friend is out there." Torch blinked and looked out. "The enderpony? Why would he be here?" "Chasing you, I presume." Arid whispered. "Here. Its an iron sword. Use it well." With that, Arid tapped Torches shoulder, and again Torch felt every good feeling in his body vanish. He looked at Arid, who was already in his obsidian plate, black cloak, and ridiculous feathered hat. "Let's go." With that, the pair stalked out into the forest. Torch noticed several glowing red eyes. "We're being watched." "I know." Arid said simply. "They wish to see what shall happen." Soon, they reached a clearing, and Arid stopped. The darkness was thick, and Torch could hardly see anything. Then, it was dimly illuminated as Arid's horn began to glow defensively. Suddenly, out of no where, Ender Lord Severus appeared. "Well well well, if it isn't the new hero and the old traitor. Arid, so good to see you! How did your memories of Pickaxe go? Badly, I do hope. Anyway, I assume you want to kill Severus here? Well, go ahead. He is quite the combatent though." With that, the voice died off, and Torch drew his sword. Knowing that he could not aim for vitals, he swung for the beasts legs, but stumbled and missed. Arid, as fast as usual, drew his crossbows and let them rip, peckering the things torso with bolts. The beast roared, and disappeared. Torch, finding the thing gone, looked around quickly. Then, the monstrosity popped up behind him. He struck, hiting the chest. Torch, blind with pain, swung madly, and, by some stroke of luck, took of the Enderpony's left foreleg, crippling the abomination. Lord Serverus attempted to teleport, only to find some sort of magic holding him in place. He searched crazily for the source, until his gazze fell apon Arid, who had his own iron sword out. Arid smiled. "Are you getting this, old friend? I do hope so. If you havn't already figured it out, I'm draining all emotion from this enderpony, which means he is unable to teleport, and can't disintegrate weapons. I want to send a message however. If you think, in some thoughtless way, that you can win, you can't. This war will end with you dead. I hope you realize that." With that, Arid lodged his sword firmly in Lord Serverus's chest. Only then did Arid notice Torch lapsing into unconsciousness.
UnconciousnessAs Torch slipped into unconsciousness, he thought of only one thing; What is going on? ... "Come on, we have to save them!" Torch shouted above the roaring flames. The figure opposite of him shook his head, his pale white eyes flickering. "Torch, we can't. The city is doomed." Torch nearly blew a vein. "What do you mean, doomed! We need to save dad! We need to save the ponies in there! Part of your name is hero, and that's what I've always looked up to. You're my older brother. We can do this." His voice quieted as he continued. The figure sighed, his breath frosty even in the burning heat. His eyes glowed brighter. "Half Brother. I'm only your half brother." Torch stomped on the ground, his diamond armor shattering the stone road. "What does it matter! We need to be there! Dad always helped us. Why can't we help him?" Torch's brother (he had a brother?!) looked straight into Torch's eyes. "I'm sorry. This is for your own good. Even if Pickaxe dies, this is my final merciful act on my little brother. Goodbye." His horn flashed, and Torch knew no more. ... Torch woke in a cold sweat, surrounded by Water, Arid, and several of the villagers. They were back in camp. Before anyone could speak, Torch looked straight into Arid's eyes, and asked: "Who am I?" Arid froze. He was in his normal form, and he brown eyes blinked. "A common pony told to fulfill a prophecy." Torch snarled. "Liar! I may not remember much, but I do know that a 'common pony' doesn't normally wear diamond armor! I also know that a common pony doesn't live over a hundred years! I was THERE when Pickaxe burned!" Arid, his face emotionless, bit his tongue, and prepared a reply, when Torch, in a moment of revelation, blinked and continued: "As were you." Silence consumed the small group. Then, without a word, Arid stood up, and slipped into his tent, sealing it behind him. For another minute, the gathering remained quiet. Then, several of the ponies walked off. Water, however, stayed. "Torch," he said. "You had a dream? Of Pickaxe? You wore diamond armor?" Torch nodded. "Yeah. And I learned something else." Water blinked. "What would that be?" "I have a brother, and my best theory right now is that he's why I'm here."
To be a ChangelingTorch easn't the only one having dreams that long night. As Arid layed down to sleep, he too drifted off into a world of the past... ... A younger Arid walked out onto the back porch of his family home, a few miles from Pickaxe. It was a small wood cabin, with a beautiful sight of far off mountains. There, he encountered his father, smoking a pipe while on a rocking chair. Arid, gathering up all the courage he could muster, asked, "Dad, why do all the other colts at school say I'm a monster? That all of us are monsters?" The rocking chair froze. The pipe rearranged itself in his fathers mouth before he replied. "Well, I would guess thats because we are." Arid, flabbergasted, took a step back. "What?! What do you mean?" His father shrugged. "We're changelings. We feed off of the love of others. Add that to our appearence, which is hardly normal, and you could almost consider us monsters." Arid, struck dumb by his fathers words, continued to deny him. "But... I'm not a monster! I'm just me, a normal pony. On the inside." His father shook his head. "Believe what you will. You are only what you are." Arid, angry now, replied in kind. "Well then, I AM normal. I'm not a monster like you! Why do you have to be my father!? I don't want to be this!" With that, he stormed away. ... Arid woke the next morning, to hear the sounds of the rest of the camp stirring. He scolded himself. He let himself slip. Normally he was up much earlier.
RaidersThe group continued to move. It had been a good while since they had left the old village. According to Water, they were getting close to Pandora. Meanwhile, Arid and Torch spent most of their time away from one another. Arid easily managed to stay away from Torch, and Torch didn't really care. Anyway, Torch had more delicate things on his mind. He had a brother? He thought. What was his name? Something to do with hero. And he was only his half brother. And, if Torch was alive, was he alive too? All this thinking drove his thoughts away from the real world, so even when Arid shouted a warning, he was slow to react. As several arrows pierced the ground around him, he ran to the Captain. "Get these ponies out of here! We'll cover you!" The captain nodded, and he gestured to Water to help. They managed to begin routing the civilians away. Meanwhile, Torch and Arid looked towards the trees from which the arrows were coming. Immediatly, a dozen raiders ran out from the ambush, and quickly surround the pair. Then, to both the raiders and Torch's confusion, Arid switched over to normal, and dropped his weapon. "I surrender." he said. Torch looked at him incredulously, then thought otherwise. If the raiders were distracted by them, they wouldn't go after the civilians. With that, he too dropped his sword, it clattering to the ground. The raider leader, holding what looked like a harpoon, nodded, then smiled wickedly. "Alright boys, let's take 'em back!" Torch opened his mouth to ask when he was whacked on the head with a blunt object. ... Water ran, just behind the rest of the civilians. He didn't stop until they got to a clearing. There, he shouted for them to stop, and took a rest, panting. The captain trotted up to him. "None of our ponies were hurt or in any other way lost. Well, except for Arid and Torch. Celestia preserve them." Then, he blinked, and asked a question he wanted answered: "Why are you helping them so much Water?" Water smiled. "Arid's practically a god. Torch is a young amnesiac who's delusional. I'm a simple priest. However, as a priest, I have to help ponies. That is my duty. Ever since I was born, my dad would say to me: 'Son, you may just be a simple pony, but you can make a difference. You can help others at ever turn.' I have followed those words to this very day, using my magic for good, and aiding those who need it." The captain nodded. "I think they were captured. What now? We lost our way into Pandora." Water shook his head. "No, actually. The portal is a mile from here, and will take us onto the Empirate's doorstep." "Do you think it was a smart move? Abandoning the town and all for a small chance of salvation that rests in the hands of an amnesiac? Was it worth it?" Water shrugged. "I have no idea. I can only hope. And you want to know something? Hope is something that's kept us alive all our lives. I think we can keep doing it for a little longer." ... "My lord, they have nearly reached Pandora, and soon they will have the Empirate's aid. We should act." "No. I don't think we shall. They will go after your friend first, and in doing so have to fight through our gloirfied campfire." "Of course sir. Should I warn him he may have visitors?" "Yes, but tell him not to expect them for a while. They have much yet to do. I want to see how it plays out." "Um, my lord?" "Yes?" "What if they get past him?" "Well, the he will have to get past you to get the artifact." "What about the guardian of the artifact?" "He will be assisting you. Good luck my servant." "One last think, Sire." "Yes?" "What of his companion?" "Kill him."
Captured"No!" BANG BANG ... "My god, he's alive!" ... "Let me through! I can save him!" "Your highness, my lady, he can't be saved!" "Quiet fool! I can save him or else I will personally step down as queen!" ... "Arid, hey, Arid!" Arid's eyes fluttered open. He was in normal mode, pinned to a tree by a half-dozen ropes, and was surrounded by raiders. On the tree next to him was Torch, who was the one talking to him. "Let me guess, you want to know how I plan on getting out of this?" Torch nodded. "You've always had a plan before." Arid sighed, then heard the hoof-steps. He turned to see what he could only guess was the raiders' leader. He was a full head taller then Arid, with worn iron armor covering his body. His eyes glowed a cruel yellow. "Well well, boys, look what we got here! A pair of stallions who just threw down their arms to be captured by us! Too bad we're not recruiting!" "Yes, indeed. Such an inconvenience." Arid drawled, interrupting the leaders speech. "Too bad. You'll have to kill us. What a shame. Oh well. Get it over with. Kill me." The leader, initially confused by Arid's words, smiled. "We aren't going to kill you so easily, We'll torture you, long and grueling. We'll make you suffer. We'll tear you apart, limb by limb, but keep you alive, so we can just torture you some more. You'll have to watch as your friend dies." Arid yawned, temporarily untying his ropes to scratch the back of his neck, them politely retied them around his hooves. Then, menace in his voice, he replied in kind. "Indeed. And I will suffer as bad as you say. However, it will never match the suffering I'm going to do to you. I will start by murdering everypony you ever loved, and forcing you to watch them die in agony. Then, I will dig out your eyes slowly, one after the other. Next, I will cut off your tongue, so, even when you want to, you can't scream, and no one will hear you. Following that up, I will use a cheesegrinder to slowly cut up your limbs, inch by inch. While you cry in agony as you slowly loose your legs, I will cut your tail off. I will peel your body, so your blood will bleed all over the ground. Your nose will go next. Your ears will be long gone. And no, I won't kill you. I will leave you, and you will just lay their until your brain finally decides to shut down. And then, your soul will go straight to the Nether, where you soul will be reincarnated as one of Evil's soldiers. And even then, you will not be safe. I will hunt you down even in the Nether, and I will do the same, again and again, for eternity! So, be warned, I will not suffer a millionth of the grievances I will put you through!" Every single raider in the vicinity had take a step back, and Torch's mouth hung as loose as if he had been on the noose. He had never seen Arid act say things so violently. It disturbed him, and it certainly wasn't the Arid he knew. The Arid he knew was a kind and generous friend. He blinked. Where did he get that notion? Meanwhile, the leader, recovering from Arid's words, whinnied. "Ha. But how are you supposed to do that when your all tied up? You can't hurt me!" Arid smiled, and changed in front if their eyes. The raiders, taken aback by the fact Arid was a changeling, froze up for a quarter of a second. All Arid needed. Immediately, the ropes came off, and Arid pushed off the tree, flew through the air, and rammed straight into the leader, snapping his neck instantly. The leaders sword flew into the air, and Arid, using his magic, deftly caught it with his magic, and murdered the closest three raiders. This all happened in the time it might take for a plane flying at full speed to go a foot. For another three seconds, silence dominated the camp. Then, every single raider drew a weapon, a full count of fifty well armed raiders vs 1 changeling. They didn't stand a chance. Arid dealt with them quickly. Withing a minute or two, it was all over. Arid, walking back to Torch, stopped when he heard a sniffling. He turned to see a young mare, another raider. Desperately, she swung a dagger at him. He caught her hoof deftly, disarmed her, and pushed her back, and she fell to the ground. Arid, consumed by a rage, used his magic to chain her hooves to the ground. Torch, realizing what he was doing, tried to stop him, but being tied to a tree reduced him to shouting. "Arid, don't! It's an instinct, overcome it! Arid, your a good pony! Your not a changeling! Your a kind pony, whose not only my guide through this but my friend! No!" Despite spewing words even Torch didn't understand why he was saying, Arid ignored him, consumed by the one thing that drives any changeling: To feed. ... An hour later, after Arid was done with the mare, and finished untying Torch, the pair, items retrieved, walked out of the dead raider camp, heading back where they came. They were utterly silent, Arid completely ignoring anything Torch tried to ask. After a while of silence, and as the sun was going down, Torch finally stopped with Arid's lack of answers. "Why'd you do it?" Arid stopped dead. For a moment, he remained silent, but then he began. "A changeling can and must feed. It's natural, and it lended me strength." Torch scowled. "So, instead of letting her die in piece, you torture her? Arid, you aren't that type of pony! You're a good pony! You're my friend, and you certainly aren't normally like this! What has gotten into you! You're keeping secrets, lying to me, and now you act like some beast! Arid, answer me!" Arid, still not facing Torch, looked down. "I don't know Torch. It's been a long time, and I'm trying to figure it out myself. I remember my past, unlike you, but I can't make much sense out of it anymore. So you and I are in the same boat. Once I figure it out, I will tell you unless it will harm you. Until then, I will not answer your questions." Torch sighed. "Fine. But don't do that again." Arid internally flinched. He had lied.
(Not so) Friendly GreetingsAs Arid and Torch walked in the direction of Pandora, Torch noticed something: It was getting dark. Torch groaned. "Arid. It's getting dark." Arid looked up and swore. "Alright. We need to get moving. Now! Its not to far off." The pair instantly sprang into action, ignoring the beauty of the land around them as they ran in the direction they hoped led to safety. Behind them, they could hear the monsters. An arrow streaked by, missing Torch by mere inches. Torch didn't turn. He just kept running. Arid meanwhile, was content to run while levitating his two one-hoof crossbows. Still, he was't aiming, and he doubted he would hit. He could take the monsters behind them easily, but he didn't want to put Torch in danger. After what seemed like hours, they ran out to a clearing. Ahead was a glowing purple portal guarded by a pair of ponies with camouflaged leather armor. The two ponies hadn't seen them coming, and were taken by surprise. They were even more so when nearly a dozen monsters sprang out hot on Arid and Torch's heels. Torch shouted "Run!" Instead, the pair of guards, a unicorn and an earth pony, pulled out guns. Arid and Torch reflexively dropped to there stomachs as bullets ripped through the air. Then, they were up and running again. The pair of soldiers, Arid, and Torch all lept through the portal, it closing behind them. Torch sighed in relief. However, they did not have time to respite. Instantly, both the companions were knocked to the ground, guns to the backs of their heads. One of the guards asked "Who are you, and what do you want?" Arid answered. "We are but a pair of weary travelers, sir. We wish shelter among our friends. Was there a group that also passed through looking for shelter?" The pony acknowledged. "Aye. They said that two would be coming through. Alright, I trust you two, but nothing crazy, or these AKs will tear you apart." They were let up, and Torch saw they were right. Each guard had an AK-47. Then, Torch saw there surroundings. The sun was just rising. Then, he saw the mountains ahead move. He blinked. No way... Three minutes later, as they moved along, he found his answer. He also found out why Pandora was unique. Floating Islands. He stood at the edge of a bottomless drop. In front of him was an old bridge that led across to an island topped by a mountain. All around were smaller islands. Arid smiled. "Ah, it's been too long. I forgot how fun Pandora was. Cautiously, the pair of guards and Torch, not believing the bridges stability, started out on the structure. Then, Torch turned around, facing Arid behind him. "You coming?" Arid smiled, and changed into changeling form (freaking the guards out a good bit). "Wings." He replied smoothly. With that, Arid vaulted, catching himself mid-air. Torch gritted his teeth. "No fair!" He shouted as Arid easily glided to the other end of the expanse. Slowly, the trio made their way across the bridge. When they finally reached the other end, unscathed, they found Arid, back to normal, polishing his crossbows. After a few rude words, the unicorn guard interrupted. "Hey, come on! The capital's close. Quickly." Torch sighed. "Arid, at least don't leave us in the dust." Arid nodded. Then, the group set out. After a few more minutes, the group rounded the small mountain. There, Torch felt his jaw fall. Arid smiled. "So, this is where you guys are hiding?" he smirked. Ahead, another island away, was a gargantuan city built into a floating mountain. The air around it was bustling with airships and pegasi. The group walked across a sturdier bridge, into an island where farms dominated. As they trotted, they were given several stares by some of the ponies there. There were also several guards who tightened their grips on their various weapons. Which brings up another point. Apparently, the Empirate was not the best armed group. The pair of guards must be comparatively well-armed. Most guards carried a sword and a musket, along with leather armor. Hardly a heavy outfit. Then, crossing yet another bridge, they got to the main gate. It was guarded by four more guards. These were better armed with old M1 Carbines and bronze armor. One stopped us. "Whats your business?" The unicorn, apparently the more chatty of the two guards, replied. "A pair of stragglers from the refugees that arrived earlier." The guard nodded. "Alright. But they better not cause any trouble." Arid smiled. "Don't worry. I only raze towns I don't like." The guard gave him an evil eye. "Alright. Open the gates!" Torch looked awed into the city. The road ahead was crowded, but not impossible to navigate. It did lack one thing: Technology. It was surprisingly low on that item. Even when power was present, it was in the form of simple copper wires or primitive redstone circuits. The buildings were cobblestone with wooden support and touches. Not that bad. Of course, the farther the group went, the more advanced the place was. Buildings started to be made out of iron and steel, with iron fences and other luxuries. Here, Guards were more often, and tend to have heavier weapons. Torch counted at least four with some sort of assault rifles. However, he had yet to be truly impressed. As soon as he walked into the noble district, he remembered that the Empirate was very much a militant nation. Guards were stationed at regular intervals,, most armed with shotguns and assault rifles, while a few had sniper rifles or grenade launchers. It was a show of supreme firepower. The buildings were made of marble and other precious items, but still held a military touch. Torch noticed that several of the houses were armed, with turrets on the roof and poking out windows. Arid walked through, he was hardly as distracted as Torch. Even in his kinder form, he still felt no fear from such open displays of power. Finally, they came up to a gate where the armament of the Empirate became apparent. Six soldiers, all dressed in diamond armor, held the gate to the Royal Palace. Two, flanking the gate, manned Machine Guns. Brownings, to be exact. The other four were armed with lighter machine guns and diamond swords. One stopped them. "No entry." He said. "The king is in attendance of a group of refugees." Arid nodded. "Yeah. We're with them." The guard stared, then nodded. "Alright. Come on in." They entered to see Water conversing with a unicorn who could only be the king. He was a dark brown, bith his mane and coat, and wore a luxurious golden suit, a diamond crown fitted across his head. He simply looked at Torch for a moment, then turned his gaze to Arid. Then, he turned as pale as a ghost. "YOU!!!" Arid shifted into his changeling form, weapons openly displayed. He drew his obsidian blade. "Me." He said matter-of-factly. The King cringed. "You were the beast the Old Kingdom used. You were their greatest weapon!!!" So I am. The words weren't spoken, so much as shot through the thoughts of every pony in the room. Arid advanced. Instantly, a pair of diamond swords crossed in front of him. Two mean guards in full diamond armor held. Arid smiled. Then, he slashed, disarming both guards in one sweep, and, upon grabbing ahold of their manes, banged their head together. With a loud clang of diamond helmet against diamond helmet, both guards collapsed. Almost in the same second, six guards opened up with machine guns. Arid deflty lept, and chucked an... Egg (?) at one of the guards. He fell, a suddenly born baby chicken fluttering around his eyes. Arid grabbed another item, and threw it. The next guard tumbled down, a pumpkin on his head obscuring his vision. Next, Arid grabbed a bunch of pastries from a well-adorned snack platter. One gunner stumbled backwards, a cake splattered across his face. The next was knocked out cold by a glass bottle to the head. Arid lept out into the middle of the hall. The final two guards raised their weapons. Arid simply smiled. Click click. The guards looked down, to see the ammo clips for their weapons missing. They looked back to Arid. Arid held the clips up, smiling manically. Both guards drew swords. One flew through the air as his own ammo clip slammed into his head. The second was better. He dodged the clip only to have Arid's hoof send him into the wall. Arid sprinted up the the king just as a score of more diamond armored guards swarmed into the room. Arid held his sword to the king's throat, and lifted up a miniaturized block of TNT. "Stop where you are or I shove the TNT down his throat!" The guards stopped. Torch, who had been flabbergasted the whole time, finally found his voice. "Arid, what the hell are you doing!!!" Arid simply, looked at him. Then, he scowled, and, lifting the King up high.... .... And threw the Monarch with all his might, right into the cluster of guards. They went down like bowling pins. Arid walked over to the King. The king, hurting in all sorts of places, groaned. "Kill me already." Arid sighed, and, to the King's astonishment, offered a hoof up. "My Lord, if I wanted to kill you, I would have walked into this room and shot a single explosive dart from one of my crossbows, where it would have hit you on the head, killing you quite instantly. If I wanted to destroy the Empirate, I would have simply work my way up from the city gates, letting you watch as I slowly destroyed all you have built." Arid had turned into his normal self, but there was an edge of menace behind his voice. The King reluctantly took Arids hand. "Then what was that all about?" "I simply wanted to show that if you messed with me or any I protect and love, then I will very well shove a chunk of TNT down your throat."
