King Nothingby Raven ShadowChaptersSmoke on the WaterUnholyDreaming of Sweet DreamsSmoke on the Water Thousands of bodies littered the plains below, both of harmonious and chaotic creatures. One amongst them yet stirred to life, it's shape twisted as tendrils shot towards the many corpses. Sickening cracks and splashing of blood made a mockery of the battle field, once a final resting place of the dead. With bodies twisting into something else the world watched silently as this new strange creature rose from the ashes. Bones and flesh mending together from each one of the various corpses, the shape growing larger as each body was added. A massive head shot outwards with skin stretching to it's furthest and ripping away, roaring in unimaginable pain as it's body formed. It's cries were noticed by another, The Giver. She heard the pained shrieks, with a glad heart she went to help whatever made such noise. The creature of corpses brought forth a massive fore leg down onto the ground with force, still it's body wasn't complete. The Giver arrived to witness the creature being born of death and decay writhe as it's hind legs built themselves. The creature fought to stand as it's new found body was so weak and powerless, it's eyes darting around in confusion and fear. The Giver could no longer sit and watch this being's struggle, she had to help it somehow. With a careful grace she made her way towards it, caution permeating her motions. It's eyes locked onto her with fury, her eyes showed no fear. "I am no threat to you... I only wish to help." Her words soothed the creature as it no longer glared. "Can you speak?" "Drthaiw grogvh trask olgd." It answered back. The Giver stood dumb struck as it spoke vastly different from her. "I didn't understand anything you just said." The Giver deadpanned. "Perhaps you need some food? Or water?" As The Giver spoke she willed a lake before the creature, smiling as it crawled closer to the body of water. The creature plunged it's head under the surface taking in massive intakes of the liquid, pieces of it's flesh falling softly onto the water's surface like snow. It reared it's head out after drinking it's fill, crawling back to it's original spot. "Well someone was thirsty." The Giver giggled turning back to the lake, which now turned a sickly brown. "Huh, that's interesting." She scooted closer to the water's edge, the murky brown lake gave off a foul stench like a corpse. The Giver examined the water as it's sickly brown waves sloshed against the dirt, with a small amount of effort she conjured a fish in her hand and set it in the water. Seconds passed before anything happened, The Giver thought that the water had no ill effect upon life. The fish she conjured floated slowly up towards the surface: the eyes were blown out, it's scales ripped away leaving open cuts and deep gauges visible, it's fins mangled with twisted bones sticking out. The Giver stood aghast as the once living being floated lifelessly at the surface. "I do not understand, that water was clean and fresh." The smell of decay became too much for the loving spirit causing her to gag. "Only after he drank from the lake did the water become this way... born of death and decay... hmmm so many questions." It watched her with it's many eyes, all twelve focusing upon her with interest. It watched her throw something into the liquid and reacted vividly, scrunching her face in a revolted fashion. As young as the creature was it had a rough understanding of emotions, it watched silently with all of it's eyes on this woman. ########## King Sombra watched as his princess slept peacefully, he dare not wake her. With him just entering their room after four hours arguing with Cadence he wasn't willing to risk another unhappy princess. Since his soul of justice and honor won the battle of control life ran rather smoothly. His heart never stopped beating, the wedding would be within a month. "Ugh... Sombra? Is that you?" Called a very groggy Celestia with her arms outstretched. "Its late, come to bed." "Yes my angel." One could hear his smile that grew on his face. "I hope I didn't wake you." "Nonsense, how was your meeting?" "Well allow me to say I have never heard a princess yell so much about 'if I'm a threat' among other things. I couldn't wait to come to bed." Sombra slid next to Celestia, wrapping his arms around her waist. With his "little spoon" secured, Sombra fought to enjoy this moment before fatigue struck his body. "How was your day?" "Boring as ever." Celestia yawned as she snuggled closer to Sombra, she could feel his heart beating in his chest. "Delegates from Saddle-Arabia opening a new shipping route with Manehatten. Same things everypony does in power." "From what everypony has told me I did things differently." "Yeah well we all aren't connected to dark magic like you are, we simply can't just take things." Celestia giggled, the very same giggle Sombra would do anything to hear. "Plus no offense dear but we have allies whereas you ruled alone." His smile dropped ever so slightly, one with a trained eye could catch it... like Celestia. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring anything up my love." Celestia could feel her heart drop at the situation she caused. Until she was tackled and being tickled ruthlessly by Sombra. "All that's in the past, I live for the here and now my angel." His tickling subsided into cuddling with his beloved, both wore smiles. "I love you." "I love you too, my handsome king." Celestia gave Sombra a small peck on his lips. "But it's time for bed, I know what your thinking and the answer is no." "I am not thinking of anything of the sort!" Sombra quickly defended. "After being yelled at for hours I just want some rest." Sombra waited for Celestia's remark but none came, her gentle snores were her answer. He chuckled at her actions and she looked so cute when sleeping. His own eyelids grew heavy and soon sleep overcame him. When the the clock struck three Sombra awoke, three more hours till his angel would wake. He eased himself off the bed slowly and carefully as not to wake Celestia. Once he was sure he didn't wake Celestia he slowly opened the door to the hallway. The normally stoic guards were fast asleep. He shook his head with a chuckle at the famed royal guards. Down the hall he crept with his stealth levels increasing as he neared the throne room. His eyes quickly found the night guards, darkness was his element and all that went with it. They locked their eyes on him with a cautious look unhidden in their gaze, even after all this time many still didn't trust Sombra. "Is Princess Luna accepting visitors?" The once Godking asked with a small smirk gracing his features. "Or would I be wasting time?" "Her majesty is welcoming all who seek her council should they wish. Tread carefully master of shadows we will be watching you." The first guard hissed. "If Princess Luna should no longer wish to speak with you, you will leave immediately. Understood?" The second guard growled at Sombra, who merely smiled at these two. The large doors opened slowly, giving the throne room an ominous vibe. "Thank you Gentlecolts." In Sombra walked with his head held high as he was to face his rival of such time. There she sat with scrolls all around the lavish room, eyeing each parchment with care. Taxes increasing and decreasing as the nobles would have dictated for the past five hundred years, something Luna would change very soon. The sound of coughing brought her out of her study, Sombra smiled with a small bow of respect. "What do I owe the honor of having my sister's stallion in my court?" Still some tension even after two years. "Or do you simply wish to annoy us?" "Quite the contrary Luna, I came to ask a question." "Oh? Then ask and we shall answer the best we can." Luna stated, preparing for whatever question he could ask. "Why do you harbor such mistrust and suspicion towards me?" Luna sat with a dumbfounded look as if she had been struck. "Why must we always be at odds? Is it because you feel like I'm stealing your sister away, I couldn't do that." "Yes, we felt it was an attempt to take what only family we have away from us... We... I thought you just wanted her all to yourself and never saw me as a part of her. She is the only sister I have. I don't want to be separated from her again..." Luna fought back her tears as she confessed the root of her contentment, as she choked out her sadness Sombra wrapped her in a comforting hug. "I'd never split a family apart, not by my choosing. I consider you my sister, I would also like to give my apologies for when I was that monster." Sombra sat with Luna for an hour. "Luna, I would be honored if will you accept my hand in friendship." "Of course I will..." Luna's tears lessened after what was said, she wore a weak smile. "Do not expect us to not prank you." "I'll wait for it when it happens." ############ Death himself knew the terror of the creature born from his cold embrace, it wasn't his child. It wasn't part of the design of life created by The Giver, no it was something far from natural. It was alien to the cycle as it could kill but not die, it knew of pain though. But to hurt it was vastly inferior to what it would retaliate with. It carried a sickness that bent the cycle out of shape, to be reborn in it's image. It's horrible presence would poison everything around it. Death watched the great battle between The Giver and it, the lands were warped beyond saving. The Badlands. So many tainted by it's poisonous presence. Death saw it all play out. The Giver landed with a crack of thunder echoing, her stance shows she has no other options anymore. Across from her it stands. She has dubbed it The Beast for it knows nothing other than all that she stands against. The Beast ripped the head of an enemy with it's fingers, it's head turns towards it's new foe on the field of battle. All of it's eyes lit with an hellish rage born from the very blackest pits. The Beast charged headlong ignoring many of the other combatants as it surged, The Giver watched it move at incredible speed towards her. She collapses onto the once lively plains as The Beast smashes into her, it's eyes searching for weaknesses it could exploit. "Beast many a time I've tried to reason with you, yet this is what you wish!" The Giver spits, her voice is heard all around on the battlefield. "Whtophsr grah tresha duhmith!" The Beast challenges with it's claws at the ready. Faster than lighting The Beast's claws rain in a barage of melee strikes. Many are blocked yet a few land upon The Giver, she screams in pain as one of the claws pierce her armor. The Beast can feel the blood rushing out onto it's claws, with a satisfied snarl it licks the blood away. Hours turned to days as the battle continued with the only two fighters left, gods who clash with enough force to move mountains. They both wear heavy wounds but only one is worn from the fight. She will not allow this monster to roam freely upon the world. As her strength wains she knows what she must do. The Beast growls as it's form begins to heal the cuts, once done it charges again. The Giver's body lightens from within causing The Beast to halt in confusion. "The world needs not to remember what you are, I pray for you to one day know the light and cease this madness. I shall not allow you to destroy what I created being born from death and decay, for you shall be imprisoned far from what lands you have tainted with your sickness!" With her words the ground around The Beast rose in massive pillars that leaned over The Beast's form. It growled again in defiance at these words, it charged her once more only to fall. The Beast's eyes locked onto a stone shackle the held it's legs down tightly, it pulled it's own leg trying to break free and kill The Giver. As The Beast roared it's hatred and rage to the skies another shackle locked onto it's neck holding The Beast still, The Beast thrashed in pain as said shackle tightened. The Giver smiled as The Beast couldn't escape it's bindings, with one final push she ended her life, creating nine special objects. The first three were her daughters: Faust, Celestia, and finally Luna. Each one still infants. The six other pieces became the Elements of Harmony, found within the the Tree of Harmony that was created from The Giver's body. All these came from The Giver as the final things to be given from her, and each one was carried to a far off land. Before The Giver closed her eyes for the last time she stole a glance at The Beast that was being swallowed by the earth. It thrashed as hard as it could to escaped it's prison, yet there it stayed within it's shackles to be forgotten to time and memory. Unholy All things die. All things succumb to the void. Except for his father. As the first born of The Beast's sickness Uthra felt his father's power to break the cycle's limits. Uthra started life with The Giver as a weak and pathetic fish, but his father made him powerful. How odd it was on the day of battle to side with The Beast instead of the one who granted him life. Uthra pondered these simple things of his extremely long life. He remembered his mother's look of shock at his rebirth, how she regarded him with disgust and revolt. How dare she mock his appearance, how could she turn him away? "Moloch! Open the portal!" Uthra growled as he approached two creatures who were reborn. "My father has ordered to begin our return." "Why? The world will still be there tomorrow." Moloch grumbled. Uthra, who in his long life had listened to many virtues of time and patience, slammed his hardened fore arms into the fat sack of flesh in rage. "Because it is what is expected from us! I thought you knew better than to question my father." Uthra snarled as his arm began to draw blood. "You are lazy, gelatinous, and unfit to even be apart of my father's grand scheme! Give me one reason not to flay you here and now." "Cause... I know... how to successfully... open... the portal." Moloch gasped as his throat was being crushed by the first born. "Good, you know your place then." Uthra's face split in two for the briefest second before reforming into a wide smile. "Now earn your keep." Uthra dropped the overweight mass to the floor, watching as the portal slowly opened before his nine eyes. ####### Sombra sat with Luna through the night playing whatever games she decided upon. Very few times did Luna suggest to prank Celestia, all of which Sombra declined immediately. He never wanted to deal with her angry. "Well Tia will be up in a few minutes shall we meet her in the dinning hall?" "I agree, plus I am feeling famished. Two birds one stone I suppose." "Don't allow Fluttershy hear you say that, she might faint." Luna giggled at the image of the kindest soul passing out at a saying. Sombra didn't need much time to figure that one out on his own, making a mental note as well. They walked mostly in silence expect for the nostalgia of the distant past, like when Luna threatened to throw Sombra into the dungeons for even speaking with Celestia. They shared laughs knowing that many more hilarious moments would soon become a fact of life. The doors opened with the vast table in full view, each seat with it's owner upon them. Blueblood, Cadence, Shining Armor, and Celestia all turned to the door at the pair as they made their way towards the rest of the "family". If not for Celestia Sombra would felt completely out of place, but her smile was one that always welcomed him. Not so much for the rest of the group. "Well I see we were the ones late Luna." Sombra tried to ease the awkward tension, only to be rewarded with more. "That would appear to be so." "Sombra come and sit with me, I have wonderful news." Celestia beckoned the once madman to the chair beside her. As he sat, Celestia pulled him closer with a good morning kiss. "I spoke with the planner just before you arrived and she wants to hold the wedding in the Crystal Empire. Cadence and I agreed it would do you some good for their populace to see you for who you really are." "Now wait, wouldn't that be a horrible idea seeing the ex tyrant?" "Well it would be if you were that monster, but not as you really are my sweet prince." Her smile shattered any resolve he could have in that very moment. "Cadence has already spoken to her subjects about how you changed, they are curious about you." Sombra turned to the princess of love with a glare. "Then why did you spend four hours shouting at me?!" He chided. "I had to be sure you weren't all dark and evil, oh and I brought your journals back from the empire. I may have read them before bringing them... sorry." Her trailing voice could be mistaken for a small whisper. "Well they belong with Celestia now, I believe she could learn more from them than myself." Sombra smiled to his one time foe with a slight chuckle. "She deserves to know what happened to me." Uthra began his quest in the griffon lands, with his shape easily noticeable flaw. He was twice their size. His father instructed Uthra to bring a false peace to the lands so once the fires of war came none would be prepared for it. The Beast was clever and cunning, aways thinking ahead. A trait passed to Uthra. Uthra was never instructed how to bring peace, only left with his own intellect to finish his mission. So with a clever plan in mind he began to speak in the town square. "Brothers and sisters, I've come from the farthest reaches of the world to tell you about the glory of my father. For he favors the griffons with love!" Uthra began spinning the web of deceit into their minds. A religious movement would be sure to have these fools fold into submission. "Why should we believe you?" "Because my father wants the griffons to reach the glorious rebirth! He is the lord of this world and he is generous to all who return his love! I am living proof of his love, I will demonstrate." Uthra smiled to the growing crowd, his attention fell upon the guards watching. "You there, stab me." The crowd and the said guard gasped as Uthra closed the distance, his gaze still soft and cunning. He reached the guard and impelled himself. Those who held their lunch down found themselves emptying their stomachs as Uthra pulled the weapon from his gullet to reveal a large gaping wound, his skin reforming together quickly. "My father has bestowed this gift upon me, for I know no pain or fear of harm! He has given me life anew, for I was weak. He made me strong." Uthra pulled the crowd in with his words. "You are all weak, but my father will make you powerful beyond your wildest dreams! He has seen your troubles and offers his hand in loving faith to uplift the griffons, he has sent me here for a reason. I only wish to introduce the girffon kingdoms to my father's love." "Wait he gave you the power to heal yourself and he wants to grant us this gift as well?! Why would he?!" A crowd member shouted. "Because he favors the griffons, in the days of old he could hear their praise of grand fortune. He watches us even now! His will alone has kept the griffon race safe from the horde of insects known as Changelings, for he too hates those that forsake his kindness." Uthra smiled inward as the crowd began to murmer amongst themselves. "How do we know you're telling the truth?" "Because I never have reason to lie, where does lying get you? My father does not tolerate liars in his keep." Uthra watched as the griffons began to slowly believe his web of deceit. Soon they would begin to build churches all devoted to The Beast. ####### Celestia couldn't stop reading all that she missed of Sombra's life in the form of his journals, tears flowed freely as she felt her own heart break in his past suffering. The shade did this to him! Lied to him! Turned him into a tyrant of tragedy and fear, she cursed herself for allowing it to happen. "My love, please take a break. That all happened in the distant past and I'm not going anywhere soon, please sit with me." Sombra whispered silently to Celestia to calm her. "I'm so so sorry Sombra I never had any idea this would happen to you, I feel like I failed you..." The tears threatened to break free once again, her fears were thrown to the breeze as Sombra held her in a loving embrace. "It wasn't your fault... but my own." Dreaming of Sweet Dreams [youtube=Children Of Bodom - Hate Me! Original Single Vers…: http://youtu.be/NNA8Da3Ua\_c] The Giver never wanted war, this terrible gift on the world. Yet The Beast wouldn't stop. His sickness spread to all and any, breaking the cycle and all the natural laws she had created to the finest detail. Yet The Beast continued it's path of destruction of every sacred to her, if not dealt with soon nothing would contain it. Her life was ebbing away ever since coming into contact with The Beast that first day. It's sickness draining her so very slowly that at first she didn't notice, that is until she tried to capture The Beast the first time. With the situation becoming more desperate by the hour something needed to be done. Her power of sight brought forth horrific images of the "reborn" hacking at their former loved ones with ruthless abandoned, all the while The Beast crushed the defenders along the wall. Each of the "reborn" rushing towards the once safe parts of the city, women and children would soon feel The Beast's sickness that would twist them into shells of their former selves. "Rthai gthreawy iolp trumm destrax!" The Beast roared as The Giver closed the scene before her, it had to be stopped. Her sorrow went out to those who had yet to suffer this curse upon time, for they too would lose their way of innocence. "How can I stop it when it has nothing that weakens it? Why did it come to be?!" She wept to herself in the confines of her palace. She could only think of one solution, sacrifice. "May all I create with my soul forgive me." ########### Uthra watched as the griffons sculpted a perfect church fitting for The Beast, the alter would be bathed in their blood soon. Everything was coming together perfectly. "Gaston! I wish to speak with you privately." Uthra called to his head priest, a small but griffon with his right eye missing. "Yes noble prophet?" Gaston reported with a smile gracing his features. "What is it you require of me?" Uthra smiled as he drapped an arm over the the enforcer of the faith, once they reached a secluded area Uthra spoke softly. "You have proven your faith so virtuously over the last weeks, bring our church from rubble into a glorious work of art. For these reasons I am leaving you in charge, I must take my leave to commune with my father for my next task. I have the utmost confidence that under you my father's will could be spread to every griffon throughout the land." Uthra smiled as the griffon puffed his chest out. Perfect pawns. "I will not fail this holy mission, noble prophet!" Gaston swelled with pride. "But I must ask, where will you go?" "To the kingdoms that need my father's word to guide them to a brighter future, where ever my father decides I will go. Maybe to the Zebra conclave, only my father knows." Uthra looked towards the skies to give the impression that his father was truly holy. Everything would fall into place soon. The Beast watched the world with a cold glare, especially glaring at the ponies of the world. They lived perfectly to The Giver's design, he watched them for eons. Their smiles were sickening, their laughter would be replaced with the sounds of panic and pleas for mercy. He knew of two daughters of The Giver, for they held to their mother's beliefs without knowing her, he slashed the stones around him in fury at their happiness. His shades failed in conquering that mud hole, but they did infect one who could open the door. Sombra. A pony who embraced evil into his heart for love, little pathetic fool. The Beast watched Sombra become a beacon of hatred and destruction, so quickly he became perfect for the grand scheme. Until that idiot of a shade killed him. The Beast couldn't help but wonder where Sombra's soul went, obviously someone knew of his existence. Who? Who could even have the faintest idea of his prison, did The Giver survive? The Beast twisted and writhed in loathing at his enemy, the very thought of the weak one brought new rage surging through his veins. His chain gave only so much before halting causing the God to pull harder as he wanted to feel her blood run down his throat. Every son and daughter of The Beast tried to make themselves smaller and hide from their master's wrath, they knew his wrath wasn't something to be stopped by anything but time. His jaws snapped shut on the chain causing his own diseased blood to spill, the entire world around him shook as he bashed the chain's origin spot. Yet noting happened, for all his anger and pain, he couldn't free himself from this pit. But Sombra could. Yes Sombra was the catalyst for his return. The Beast began to whisper through the walls that separated reality from the dreaming world, seeking his prey like a snake. His whispers poisoned the dreams all around him, turning them into demonic prophetic visions of what was to come. Two orbs stood out from the rest, they were connected by the dreamers. They had to be the one The Beast searched for, one at least. His whispers drilled into the orbs without the dreamers noticing, foolish mortals thinking nothing was wrong. His essence slipped inside without notice, there The Beast found his prize... Sombra. With careful caution The Beast advanced closer like a lion about to pounce a unware zebra, his horrific presence twisted the orbs until one popped. Sombra's orb still remained. The Beast warped the dream into the near future with but a thought, creating a grisly scene. The Beast watched with a twisted smile as Sombra began to panic. "Celestia?! Celestia please wake up! Why aren't you waking up?" The dreamer cried into the dream Celestia's shoulder. Sombra looked to her eyes, nothing happened. Sombra felt movement from the ground beneath him, with a small amount of effort he lifted the dream Celestia onto his shoulder. His legs carried them five feet before the ground erupted up, revealing monsters of the blackest pits crawling towards the couple. Their entire bodies looked like a horrid twisted joke at life, long arms extended from their backs with blades ending the limbs. Sombra felt a sharp pain coming his lower back, turning his head to face the attacker he gasped. Celestia looked like one of those things, her lower jaw missing with blood flowing like a fountain. His heart stopped as she rammed into his side with gusto, as he lay upon the ground looking up to the horror that was his princess. She lept for his throat with her new bladed hands, he just waited for the blow. After what felt like hours Sombra opened his eyes to see nothing before him, he glanced around his area for those monsters. "Celestia? Where are you?" The dream Sombra called out, answered by a monstrous thud coming from behind. "Dwuth qitrh frherth topbvd, htirew." The voice rumbled out, but Sombra heard was a soft familiar voice saying "It is coming and it is hungry". With no small effort Sombra turned. His eyes met with the twelve of a creature that in no way should exist, a horrible abomination by nature's design. "Keep away from Celestia monster! I don't know what you are but you will not live if you harm her!" Sombra shouted only to be met with a deep dark laugh, a laugh that mocked. "Trcali qorty unhthi!" The creature roared. "Begone from this mortal's dream Beast for you have nothing to gain tormenting him!" That voice sound so kind and caring, Sombra swore he knew it. Within a flash of light Faust appeared with a battle armaments adorning her frame. "Beast I will not allow you to run rampet!" The Beast narrowed his eyes upon her with a spark of desolation smoldering within his blackened soul. Before him was the last daughter of The Giver, she would suffer like the rest of them. He felt his essence burning as he was pushed from the dream, with a final roar of hatred The Beast vanished. "I... uh thank you miss?" Sombra began. "We have already met young one, I am Faust. The one who allowed you to redeem yourself. But time is something we don't have anymore, the great enemy is now actively seeking you." "So what was that thing?" "The Beast. He has no other name. He is the one responsible for the great evils of the world, he is a sickness that will reshape the world into a mockery of what The Giver has created." Faust stared at the spot where The Beast was, even in the dream world he twisted everything. "He is coming and he is hungry." As Faust finished speaking Luna popped into the dream with the pair. "Sombra! Something horrifying latched onto your dream I couldn't banish it like a normal nightmare and... who are you?" Luna now focused on the other figure. "Little sister it is so good to see you." ########## The Beast shot forward as his will was forced back into his body by what had to be the third daughter of The Giver. His entire form shook with his desires to shed her life fluids across the dirt for even existing! With a enraged surge The Beast shot towards the door that held him, his chains holding fast still locked him down in his pit. The Beast growled his unfathomable anger but all would soon be right. His eyes glowed with his malicious intent becoming vastly evident. The world would learn the wrath of a God.
Smoke on the Water Thousands of bodies littered the plains below, both of harmonious and chaotic creatures. One amongst them yet stirred to life, it's shape twisted as tendrils shot towards the many corpses. Sickening cracks and splashing of blood made a mockery of the battle field, once a final resting place of the dead. With bodies twisting into something else the world watched silently as this new strange creature rose from the ashes. Bones and flesh mending together from each one of the various corpses, the shape growing larger as each body was added. A massive head shot outwards with skin stretching to it's furthest and ripping away, roaring in unimaginable pain as it's body formed. It's cries were noticed by another, The Giver. She heard the pained shrieks, with a glad heart she went to help whatever made such noise. The creature of corpses brought forth a massive fore leg down onto the ground with force, still it's body wasn't complete. The Giver arrived to witness the creature being born of death and decay writhe as it's hind legs built themselves. The creature fought to stand as it's new found body was so weak and powerless, it's eyes darting around in confusion and fear. The Giver could no longer sit and watch this being's struggle, she had to help it somehow. With a careful grace she made her way towards it, caution permeating her motions. It's eyes locked onto her with fury, her eyes showed no fear. "I am no threat to you... I only wish to help." Her words soothed the creature as it no longer glared. "Can you speak?" "Drthaiw grogvh trask olgd." It answered back. The Giver stood dumb struck as it spoke vastly different from her. "I didn't understand anything you just said." The Giver deadpanned. "Perhaps you need some food? Or water?" As The Giver spoke she willed a lake before the creature, smiling as it crawled closer to the body of water. The creature plunged it's head under the surface taking in massive intakes of the liquid, pieces of it's flesh falling softly onto the water's surface like snow. It reared it's head out after drinking it's fill, crawling back to it's original spot. "Well someone was thirsty." The Giver giggled turning back to the lake, which now turned a sickly brown. "Huh, that's interesting." She scooted closer to the water's edge, the murky brown lake gave off a foul stench like a corpse. The Giver examined the water as it's sickly brown waves sloshed against the dirt, with a small amount of effort she conjured a fish in her hand and set it in the water. Seconds passed before anything happened, The Giver thought that the water had no ill effect upon life. The fish she conjured floated slowly up towards the surface: the eyes were blown out, it's scales ripped away leaving open cuts and deep gauges visible, it's fins mangled with twisted bones sticking out. The Giver stood aghast as the once living being floated lifelessly at the surface. "I do not understand, that water was clean and fresh." The smell of decay became too much for the loving spirit causing her to gag. "Only after he drank from the lake did the water become this way... born of death and decay... hmmm so many questions." It watched her with it's many eyes, all twelve focusing upon her with interest. It watched her throw something into the liquid and reacted vividly, scrunching her face in a revolted fashion. As young as the creature was it had a rough understanding of emotions, it watched silently with all of it's eyes on this woman. ########## King Sombra watched as his princess slept peacefully, he dare not wake her. With him just entering their room after four hours arguing with Cadence he wasn't willing to risk another unhappy princess. Since his soul of justice and honor won the battle of control life ran rather smoothly. His heart never stopped beating, the wedding would be within a month. "Ugh... Sombra? Is that you?" Called a very groggy Celestia with her arms outstretched. "Its late, come to bed." "Yes my angel." One could hear his smile that grew on his face. "I hope I didn't wake you." "Nonsense, how was your meeting?" "Well allow me to say I have never heard a princess yell so much about 'if I'm a threat' among other things. I couldn't wait to come to bed." Sombra slid next to Celestia, wrapping his arms around her waist. With his "little spoon" secured, Sombra fought to enjoy this moment before fatigue struck his body. "How was your day?" "Boring as ever." Celestia yawned as she snuggled closer to Sombra, she could feel his heart beating in his chest. "Delegates from Saddle-Arabia opening a new shipping route with Manehatten. Same things everypony does in power." "From what everypony has told me I did things differently." "Yeah well we all aren't connected to dark magic like you are, we simply can't just take things." Celestia giggled, the very same giggle Sombra would do anything to hear. "Plus no offense dear but we have allies whereas you ruled alone." His smile dropped ever so slightly, one with a trained eye could catch it... like Celestia. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring anything up my love." Celestia could feel her heart drop at the situation she caused. Until she was tackled and being tickled ruthlessly by Sombra. "All that's in the past, I live for the here and now my angel." His tickling subsided into cuddling with his beloved, both wore smiles. "I love you." "I love you too, my handsome king." Celestia gave Sombra a small peck on his lips. "But it's time for bed, I know what your thinking and the answer is no." "I am not thinking of anything of the sort!" Sombra quickly defended. "After being yelled at for hours I just want some rest." Sombra waited for Celestia's remark but none came, her gentle snores were her answer. He chuckled at her actions and she looked so cute when sleeping. His own eyelids grew heavy and soon sleep overcame him. When the the clock struck three Sombra awoke, three more hours till his angel would wake. He eased himself off the bed slowly and carefully as not to wake Celestia. Once he was sure he didn't wake Celestia he slowly opened the door to the hallway. The normally stoic guards were fast asleep. He shook his head with a chuckle at the famed royal guards. Down the hall he crept with his stealth levels increasing as he neared the throne room. His eyes quickly found the night guards, darkness was his element and all that went with it. They locked their eyes on him with a cautious look unhidden in their gaze, even after all this time many still didn't trust Sombra. "Is Princess Luna accepting visitors?" The once Godking asked with a small smirk gracing his features. "Or would I be wasting time?" "Her majesty is welcoming all who seek her council should they wish. Tread carefully master of shadows we will be watching you." The first guard hissed. "If Princess Luna should no longer wish to speak with you, you will leave immediately. Understood?" The second guard growled at Sombra, who merely smiled at these two. The large doors opened slowly, giving the throne room an ominous vibe. "Thank you Gentlecolts." In Sombra walked with his head held high as he was to face his rival of such time. There she sat with scrolls all around the lavish room, eyeing each parchment with care. Taxes increasing and decreasing as the nobles would have dictated for the past five hundred years, something Luna would change very soon. The sound of coughing brought her out of her study, Sombra smiled with a small bow of respect. "What do I owe the honor of having my sister's stallion in my court?" Still some tension even after two years. "Or do you simply wish to annoy us?" "Quite the contrary Luna, I came to ask a question." "Oh? Then ask and we shall answer the best we can." Luna stated, preparing for whatever question he could ask. "Why do you harbor such mistrust and suspicion towards me?" Luna sat with a dumbfounded look as if she had been struck. "Why must we always be at odds? Is it because you feel like I'm stealing your sister away, I couldn't do that." "Yes, we felt it was an attempt to take what only family we have away from us... We... I thought you just wanted her all to yourself and never saw me as a part of her. She is the only sister I have. I don't want to be separated from her again..." Luna fought back her tears as she confessed the root of her contentment, as she choked out her sadness Sombra wrapped her in a comforting hug. "I'd never split a family apart, not by my choosing. I consider you my sister, I would also like to give my apologies for when I was that monster." Sombra sat with Luna for an hour. "Luna, I would be honored if will you accept my hand in friendship." "Of course I will..." Luna's tears lessened after what was said, she wore a weak smile. "Do not expect us to not prank you." "I'll wait for it when it happens." ############ Death himself knew the terror of the creature born from his cold embrace, it wasn't his child. It wasn't part of the design of life created by The Giver, no it was something far from natural. It was alien to the cycle as it could kill but not die, it knew of pain though. But to hurt it was vastly inferior to what it would retaliate with. It carried a sickness that bent the cycle out of shape, to be reborn in it's image. It's horrible presence would poison everything around it. Death watched the great battle between The Giver and it, the lands were warped beyond saving. The Badlands. So many tainted by it's poisonous presence. Death saw it all play out. The Giver landed with a crack of thunder echoing, her stance shows she has no other options anymore. Across from her it stands. She has dubbed it The Beast for it knows nothing other than all that she stands against. The Beast ripped the head of an enemy with it's fingers, it's head turns towards it's new foe on the field of battle. All of it's eyes lit with an hellish rage born from the very blackest pits. The Beast charged headlong ignoring many of the other combatants as it surged, The Giver watched it move at incredible speed towards her. She collapses onto the once lively plains as The Beast smashes into her, it's eyes searching for weaknesses it could exploit. "Beast many a time I've tried to reason with you, yet this is what you wish!" The Giver spits, her voice is heard all around on the battlefield. "Whtophsr grah tresha duhmith!" The Beast challenges with it's claws at the ready. Faster than lighting The Beast's claws rain in a barage of melee strikes. Many are blocked yet a few land upon The Giver, she screams in pain as one of the claws pierce her armor. The Beast can feel the blood rushing out onto it's claws, with a satisfied snarl it licks the blood away. Hours turned to days as the battle continued with the only two fighters left, gods who clash with enough force to move mountains. They both wear heavy wounds but only one is worn from the fight. She will not allow this monster to roam freely upon the world. As her strength wains she knows what she must do. The Beast growls as it's form begins to heal the cuts, once done it charges again. The Giver's body lightens from within causing The Beast to halt in confusion. "The world needs not to remember what you are, I pray for you to one day know the light and cease this madness. I shall not allow you to destroy what I created being born from death and decay, for you shall be imprisoned far from what lands you have tainted with your sickness!" With her words the ground around The Beast rose in massive pillars that leaned over The Beast's form. It growled again in defiance at these words, it charged her once more only to fall. The Beast's eyes locked onto a stone shackle the held it's legs down tightly, it pulled it's own leg trying to break free and kill The Giver. As The Beast roared it's hatred and rage to the skies another shackle locked onto it's neck holding The Beast still, The Beast thrashed in pain as said shackle tightened. The Giver smiled as The Beast couldn't escape it's bindings, with one final push she ended her life, creating nine special objects. The first three were her daughters: Faust, Celestia, and finally Luna. Each one still infants. The six other pieces became the Elements of Harmony, found within the the Tree of Harmony that was created from The Giver's body. All these came from The Giver as the final things to be given from her, and each one was carried to a far off land. Before The Giver closed her eyes for the last time she stole a glance at The Beast that was being swallowed by the earth. It thrashed as hard as it could to escaped it's prison, yet there it stayed within it's shackles to be forgotten to time and memory.
Unholy All things die. All things succumb to the void. Except for his father. As the first born of The Beast's sickness Uthra felt his father's power to break the cycle's limits. Uthra started life with The Giver as a weak and pathetic fish, but his father made him powerful. How odd it was on the day of battle to side with The Beast instead of the one who granted him life. Uthra pondered these simple things of his extremely long life. He remembered his mother's look of shock at his rebirth, how she regarded him with disgust and revolt. How dare she mock his appearance, how could she turn him away? "Moloch! Open the portal!" Uthra growled as he approached two creatures who were reborn. "My father has ordered to begin our return." "Why? The world will still be there tomorrow." Moloch grumbled. Uthra, who in his long life had listened to many virtues of time and patience, slammed his hardened fore arms into the fat sack of flesh in rage. "Because it is what is expected from us! I thought you knew better than to question my father." Uthra snarled as his arm began to draw blood. "You are lazy, gelatinous, and unfit to even be apart of my father's grand scheme! Give me one reason not to flay you here and now." "Cause... I know... how to successfully... open... the portal." Moloch gasped as his throat was being crushed by the first born. "Good, you know your place then." Uthra's face split in two for the briefest second before reforming into a wide smile. "Now earn your keep." Uthra dropped the overweight mass to the floor, watching as the portal slowly opened before his nine eyes. ####### Sombra sat with Luna through the night playing whatever games she decided upon. Very few times did Luna suggest to prank Celestia, all of which Sombra declined immediately. He never wanted to deal with her angry. "Well Tia will be up in a few minutes shall we meet her in the dinning hall?" "I agree, plus I am feeling famished. Two birds one stone I suppose." "Don't allow Fluttershy hear you say that, she might faint." Luna giggled at the image of the kindest soul passing out at a saying. Sombra didn't need much time to figure that one out on his own, making a mental note as well. They walked mostly in silence expect for the nostalgia of the distant past, like when Luna threatened to throw Sombra into the dungeons for even speaking with Celestia. They shared laughs knowing that many more hilarious moments would soon become a fact of life. The doors opened with the vast table in full view, each seat with it's owner upon them. Blueblood, Cadence, Shining Armor, and Celestia all turned to the door at the pair as they made their way towards the rest of the "family". If not for Celestia Sombra would felt completely out of place, but her smile was one that always welcomed him. Not so much for the rest of the group. "Well I see we were the ones late Luna." Sombra tried to ease the awkward tension, only to be rewarded with more. "That would appear to be so." "Sombra come and sit with me, I have wonderful news." Celestia beckoned the once madman to the chair beside her. As he sat, Celestia pulled him closer with a good morning kiss. "I spoke with the planner just before you arrived and she wants to hold the wedding in the Crystal Empire. Cadence and I agreed it would do you some good for their populace to see you for who you really are." "Now wait, wouldn't that be a horrible idea seeing the ex tyrant?" "Well it would be if you were that monster, but not as you really are my sweet prince." Her smile shattered any resolve he could have in that very moment. "Cadence has already spoken to her subjects about how you changed, they are curious about you." Sombra turned to the princess of love with a glare. "Then why did you spend four hours shouting at me?!" He chided. "I had to be sure you weren't all dark and evil, oh and I brought your journals back from the empire. I may have read them before bringing them... sorry." Her trailing voice could be mistaken for a small whisper. "Well they belong with Celestia now, I believe she could learn more from them than myself." Sombra smiled to his one time foe with a slight chuckle. "She deserves to know what happened to me." Uthra began his quest in the griffon lands, with his shape easily noticeable flaw. He was twice their size. His father instructed Uthra to bring a false peace to the lands so once the fires of war came none would be prepared for it. The Beast was clever and cunning, aways thinking ahead. A trait passed to Uthra. Uthra was never instructed how to bring peace, only left with his own intellect to finish his mission. So with a clever plan in mind he began to speak in the town square. "Brothers and sisters, I've come from the farthest reaches of the world to tell you about the glory of my father. For he favors the griffons with love!" Uthra began spinning the web of deceit into their minds. A religious movement would be sure to have these fools fold into submission. "Why should we believe you?" "Because my father wants the griffons to reach the glorious rebirth! He is the lord of this world and he is generous to all who return his love! I am living proof of his love, I will demonstrate." Uthra smiled to the growing crowd, his attention fell upon the guards watching. "You there, stab me." The crowd and the said guard gasped as Uthra closed the distance, his gaze still soft and cunning. He reached the guard and impelled himself. Those who held their lunch down found themselves emptying their stomachs as Uthra pulled the weapon from his gullet to reveal a large gaping wound, his skin reforming together quickly. "My father has bestowed this gift upon me, for I know no pain or fear of harm! He has given me life anew, for I was weak. He made me strong." Uthra pulled the crowd in with his words. "You are all weak, but my father will make you powerful beyond your wildest dreams! He has seen your troubles and offers his hand in loving faith to uplift the griffons, he has sent me here for a reason. I only wish to introduce the girffon kingdoms to my father's love." "Wait he gave you the power to heal yourself and he wants to grant us this gift as well?! Why would he?!" A crowd member shouted. "Because he favors the griffons, in the days of old he could hear their praise of grand fortune. He watches us even now! His will alone has kept the griffon race safe from the horde of insects known as Changelings, for he too hates those that forsake his kindness." Uthra smiled inward as the crowd began to murmer amongst themselves. "How do we know you're telling the truth?" "Because I never have reason to lie, where does lying get you? My father does not tolerate liars in his keep." Uthra watched as the griffons began to slowly believe his web of deceit. Soon they would begin to build churches all devoted to The Beast. ####### Celestia couldn't stop reading all that she missed of Sombra's life in the form of his journals, tears flowed freely as she felt her own heart break in his past suffering. The shade did this to him! Lied to him! Turned him into a tyrant of tragedy and fear, she cursed herself for allowing it to happen. "My love, please take a break. That all happened in the distant past and I'm not going anywhere soon, please sit with me." Sombra whispered silently to Celestia to calm her. "I'm so so sorry Sombra I never had any idea this would happen to you, I feel like I failed you..." The tears threatened to break free once again, her fears were thrown to the breeze as Sombra held her in a loving embrace. "It wasn't your fault... but my own."
Dreaming of Sweet Dreams [youtube=Children Of Bodom - Hate Me! Original Single Vers…: http://youtu.be/NNA8Da3Ua\_c] The Giver never wanted war, this terrible gift on the world. Yet The Beast wouldn't stop. His sickness spread to all and any, breaking the cycle and all the natural laws she had created to the finest detail. Yet The Beast continued it's path of destruction of every sacred to her, if not dealt with soon nothing would contain it. Her life was ebbing away ever since coming into contact with The Beast that first day. It's sickness draining her so very slowly that at first she didn't notice, that is until she tried to capture The Beast the first time. With the situation becoming more desperate by the hour something needed to be done. Her power of sight brought forth horrific images of the "reborn" hacking at their former loved ones with ruthless abandoned, all the while The Beast crushed the defenders along the wall. Each of the "reborn" rushing towards the once safe parts of the city, women and children would soon feel The Beast's sickness that would twist them into shells of their former selves. "Rthai gthreawy iolp trumm destrax!" The Beast roared as The Giver closed the scene before her, it had to be stopped. Her sorrow went out to those who had yet to suffer this curse upon time, for they too would lose their way of innocence. "How can I stop it when it has nothing that weakens it? Why did it come to be?!" She wept to herself in the confines of her palace. She could only think of one solution, sacrifice. "May all I create with my soul forgive me." ########### Uthra watched as the griffons sculpted a perfect church fitting for The Beast, the alter would be bathed in their blood soon. Everything was coming together perfectly. "Gaston! I wish to speak with you privately." Uthra called to his head priest, a small but griffon with his right eye missing. "Yes noble prophet?" Gaston reported with a smile gracing his features. "What is it you require of me?" Uthra smiled as he drapped an arm over the the enforcer of the faith, once they reached a secluded area Uthra spoke softly. "You have proven your faith so virtuously over the last weeks, bring our church from rubble into a glorious work of art. For these reasons I am leaving you in charge, I must take my leave to commune with my father for my next task. I have the utmost confidence that under you my father's will could be spread to every griffon throughout the land." Uthra smiled as the griffon puffed his chest out. Perfect pawns. "I will not fail this holy mission, noble prophet!" Gaston swelled with pride. "But I must ask, where will you go?" "To the kingdoms that need my father's word to guide them to a brighter future, where ever my father decides I will go. Maybe to the Zebra conclave, only my father knows." Uthra looked towards the skies to give the impression that his father was truly holy. Everything would fall into place soon. The Beast watched the world with a cold glare, especially glaring at the ponies of the world. They lived perfectly to The Giver's design, he watched them for eons. Their smiles were sickening, their laughter would be replaced with the sounds of panic and pleas for mercy. He knew of two daughters of The Giver, for they held to their mother's beliefs without knowing her, he slashed the stones around him in fury at their happiness. His shades failed in conquering that mud hole, but they did infect one who could open the door. Sombra. A pony who embraced evil into his heart for love, little pathetic fool. The Beast watched Sombra become a beacon of hatred and destruction, so quickly he became perfect for the grand scheme. Until that idiot of a shade killed him. The Beast couldn't help but wonder where Sombra's soul went, obviously someone knew of his existence. Who? Who could even have the faintest idea of his prison, did The Giver survive? The Beast twisted and writhed in loathing at his enemy, the very thought of the weak one brought new rage surging through his veins. His chain gave only so much before halting causing the God to pull harder as he wanted to feel her blood run down his throat. Every son and daughter of The Beast tried to make themselves smaller and hide from their master's wrath, they knew his wrath wasn't something to be stopped by anything but time. His jaws snapped shut on the chain causing his own diseased blood to spill, the entire world around him shook as he bashed the chain's origin spot. Yet noting happened, for all his anger and pain, he couldn't free himself from this pit. But Sombra could. Yes Sombra was the catalyst for his return. The Beast began to whisper through the walls that separated reality from the dreaming world, seeking his prey like a snake. His whispers poisoned the dreams all around him, turning them into demonic prophetic visions of what was to come. Two orbs stood out from the rest, they were connected by the dreamers. They had to be the one The Beast searched for, one at least. His whispers drilled into the orbs without the dreamers noticing, foolish mortals thinking nothing was wrong. His essence slipped inside without notice, there The Beast found his prize... Sombra. With careful caution The Beast advanced closer like a lion about to pounce a unware zebra, his horrific presence twisted the orbs until one popped. Sombra's orb still remained. The Beast warped the dream into the near future with but a thought, creating a grisly scene. The Beast watched with a twisted smile as Sombra began to panic. "Celestia?! Celestia please wake up! Why aren't you waking up?" The dreamer cried into the dream Celestia's shoulder. Sombra looked to her eyes, nothing happened. Sombra felt movement from the ground beneath him, with a small amount of effort he lifted the dream Celestia onto his shoulder. His legs carried them five feet before the ground erupted up, revealing monsters of the blackest pits crawling towards the couple. Their entire bodies looked like a horrid twisted joke at life, long arms extended from their backs with blades ending the limbs. Sombra felt a sharp pain coming his lower back, turning his head to face the attacker he gasped. Celestia looked like one of those things, her lower jaw missing with blood flowing like a fountain. His heart stopped as she rammed into his side with gusto, as he lay upon the ground looking up to the horror that was his princess. She lept for his throat with her new bladed hands, he just waited for the blow. After what felt like hours Sombra opened his eyes to see nothing before him, he glanced around his area for those monsters. "Celestia? Where are you?" The dream Sombra called out, answered by a monstrous thud coming from behind. "Dwuth qitrh frherth topbvd, htirew." The voice rumbled out, but Sombra heard was a soft familiar voice saying "It is coming and it is hungry". With no small effort Sombra turned. His eyes met with the twelve of a creature that in no way should exist, a horrible abomination by nature's design. "Keep away from Celestia monster! I don't know what you are but you will not live if you harm her!" Sombra shouted only to be met with a deep dark laugh, a laugh that mocked. "Trcali qorty unhthi!" The creature roared. "Begone from this mortal's dream Beast for you have nothing to gain tormenting him!" That voice sound so kind and caring, Sombra swore he knew it. Within a flash of light Faust appeared with a battle armaments adorning her frame. "Beast I will not allow you to run rampet!" The Beast narrowed his eyes upon her with a spark of desolation smoldering within his blackened soul. Before him was the last daughter of The Giver, she would suffer like the rest of them. He felt his essence burning as he was pushed from the dream, with a final roar of hatred The Beast vanished. "I... uh thank you miss?" Sombra began. "We have already met young one, I am Faust. The one who allowed you to redeem yourself. But time is something we don't have anymore, the great enemy is now actively seeking you." "So what was that thing?" "The Beast. He has no other name. He is the one responsible for the great evils of the world, he is a sickness that will reshape the world into a mockery of what The Giver has created." Faust stared at the spot where The Beast was, even in the dream world he twisted everything. "He is coming and he is hungry." As Faust finished speaking Luna popped into the dream with the pair. "Sombra! Something horrifying latched onto your dream I couldn't banish it like a normal nightmare and... who are you?" Luna now focused on the other figure. "Little sister it is so good to see you." ########## The Beast shot forward as his will was forced back into his body by what had to be the third daughter of The Giver. His entire form shook with his desires to shed her life fluids across the dirt for even existing! With a enraged surge The Beast shot towards the door that held him, his chains holding fast still locked him down in his pit. The Beast growled his unfathomable anger but all would soon be right. His eyes glowed with his malicious intent becoming vastly evident. The world would learn the wrath of a God.
