Semper Ardere

Welcome, Sunseeker, to Inanis.

This is a realm that is everywhere and nowhere, between the tick of a tock, where reality is fantasy and fantasy; reality.

Whom am I, thou asketh? I am whom I am, and I am not whom I willst be; but I shallt ever be the same as I was.

Now… what brings thyself here to mine realm? Hmm?

… Thou seeketh someone dost thou not, Sunseeker? One whom sacrificed himself to prolong what thy call the “Age of Fire”, correct? Yes, I know of whom thou speak; the “Chosen Undead” as he hast been called.

… ‘Tis a strange twist of fate that a remorseless rogue which knew only misery wouldst sacrifice himself for a world he couldst care less about? What couldst have drove him to do something so contrary to his nature?

Mortal beings, quasi-immortality aside, art a strange breed. So full of mixed feelings, emotions; such chaotic flighty things thou art.

The one thou seeketh is no longer in thy realms, Sunseeker; Those-Above-All hast taken an interest in him. Why? I do not dare speculate the whims and whimsy of those far above mine station. Beings whom art beyond logic as thy mortal mind perceives it.

Do they feel sympathy for him? Or do they do this for their own amusment? Their reasoning is theirs alone, and incomprehensible to all others.

Now since thou came all the way here, I suppose I shouldst allow thou to witness his new life from the beginning, yes?

He hast accomplished much in his time there. He became a Knight of the Realm for his actions, he couldst have even become a prince and ruled alongside the rulers of the realm; but of course he declined said honor. Claiming it wouldst be too much a hassle or some such.

He is also known by many titles; Knight of Equestria, Grand Pyromancer, Master of the Chaos-Pyres, and the Ever-Burning Silence.

How didst he attain these titles or even a chance? Well someone, or rather somepony, decided that everyone deserves a second chance.

Chapter 1

--->>>Chosen Undead<<<---

“Gods be damned! My head!”

It’s just my luck really, I decide to actually do something for the “Greater Good” and I get summoned away! Probably by some moronic undead that bit off more than he can chew or something. Pushing myself off the ground I immediately sensed powerful magics amassing. Curious I decide to investigate.

You know the saying “Curiosity killed the Cat?” well it really doesn’t mean much when death is, at most, a temporary reprieve from everything.

As I approached the gathering magic I finally noticed that I’m in the ruins of a castle, but the style is unlike anything in Lordran! Could I have been summoned by an undead in a different country? It’s happened before! But I’m sure there’s has never been a kingdom past or present to use this particular style of construction. Most interesting!

I enter what must’ve been a grand throne room at one time, and I find myself completely and utterly befuddled.

“Are those… horses? No… too small… ponies then.”  I rubbed my eyes, “Colorful ponies… six of them bearing gaudy magical relics… standing against a large… winged… unicorn I believe? Honestly I would’ve thought I am dreaming if not for my splitting headache.”

Okay… apparently the large dark winged unicorn is the enemy? I, of course, am assuming this. And those relics can defeat her? Again, assuming. So I guess I should give the six ponies time to ready the magic? It’s my experience that some magics require time to properly build up charge to work, it’s a universal rule regarding any kind of magic really.

As I readied myself to do something foolish, I couldn’t help but feel a morbidly humorous thought enter my head.

“Gods, I hope this death doesn’t suck as bad as being incinerated like back in the Undead Burg that one time.”

--->>>Twilight Sparkle<<<---

I stood along with my new-found friends and stared down Nightmare Moon, though I look brave; inwardly, I am completely terrified. I mean come on: this is Nightmare Bucking Moon, who wouldn’t be bucking terrified? But this is something I need to do, not only for myself; but for my friends, my mentor, and all of the world!

I will not allow Nightmare Moon to encompass the world in eternal night!

“My friends and I will never bow to you!” Wow listen to me, a real-life superhero!

“My, my such brave little ponies!” Nightmare Moon mocked, “But I assure you if you all gave it a chance. I guarantee you wouldn’t want the night to end either.” Okay the way she said that makes me feel a tad uncomfortable.

However before either myself or the others could say anything a large biped creature in armor tackled, for the lack of a better word, Nightmare Moon and seemed to be trying to wrestle her into submission. The creature shouted something at us but it was in no language I knew.

As the Mare in the Moon and the creature wrestled around, and I think Nightmare Moon possibly forgot about her magic from being surprised, the girls and myself decided to make use of the creatures distraction knowing that if we let this slip by we’d never get another shot. Magic, as everypony knows, needs time to charge depending on the power requirements.

And the Elements of Harmony aren’t exempt from the fundamental rules of magic.

“LET GO OF ME CREA- ARRGGGHHH!” Nightmare Moon screamed.

I briefly looked towards the struggling duo, the creatures right hand seemed to flare up like it was on fire and grasped her horn. I could hear sizzling and smell something, presumedly her horn, burning. I felt myself wince in sympathy, I can only imagine how much that hurts!

I was pulled from my thoughts when I noticed that the Elements had fully charged and waited to be directed, oh I hope the creature won’t be hurt!

“Let’s show Nightmare Moon the Magic of Friendship!” Maker, that sounded SO corny!

With that I released the concentrated harmonic energies into a beam of prismatic energy. The beam consumed both Nightmare Moon and the creature. Whereas Nightmare Moon howled like a wounded manticore the creature was slung back violently, and even over the sounds of Nightmare Moon screaming the room was filled with the gut-wrenching sound of bone snapping.

“Maker! I hope the creature is ok!”

--->>>Chosen Undead<<<---

“Snapped neck and pulverized spine huh? Well… that’s a first.”

It’s sad really, dying is suppose to a terrifying experience. Me? Honestly after dying so many times is rather blase and boring actually. If i didn’t revive? Then I would probably start freaking out. It’s funny how that works out huh?

Now being undead dying, as you can figure, isn’t clearcut and simple. Sadly the accursed Darksign quite literally traps us in an unending loop of life, death, and resurrection. And each resurrection isn’t a perfect one either, with each revival we, that’s all undead, lose bits and pieces of who we are. I myself can only remember my name now.

But as long as we, again all undead, have a strong will we will never truly go Hollow.

You have no idea how many strong-willed undead go Hollow. I’d be sad if I ever truly gave a damn.

Huh? What’s will all the sad faces? Haven’t they ever seen an undead before? And where’d those two winged unicorns come from? And where’d that one I was wrestling with go??

--->>>Luna<<<---

While I am glad to be free of the Nightmare; I must admit being forced go through my teenage years once again is a mite frustrating. Thank the Maker I won’t how to suffer through puberty! Well better me than Tia actually. The “Legend of Molestia” had to start somewhere after all.

It is an unfortunate thing, well fortunate for me that is, that Tia’s heat cycle hits her harder than it does me! Maker can you imagine? The “Legend of the Sultry Night Princess” or somesuch! The worst possible thing ever!!

Finishing those, bizarrely random, thoughts I quickly embrace my sister after a thousand years. I buried my head in her barrel and wept tears of joy. Finally after so long alone I’m reunited with my dear, dear sister!

“We art so sorry!!” I cried.

Tia didn’t say anything, just covered me with her wings and held me tightly. I could feel her own tears dripping on my head, but I didn’t care. As we embraced I couldn’t help but think of the strange creature that physically wrestled the Nightmare- wait! The creature!

“The creature!” I exclaimed.

Breaking free of Tia’s embrace I quickly trotted over to the downed creature. It was sitting against the pedestal where the Elements once sat, it’s entire body slumped over. It wore a strange amalgamation of plate mail and robes, making it seem like a warrior monk of sorts.

“Creature? Art thou well?” I asked cautiously.

The creature didn’t respond. Frowning I nudged its side gently, making it slide over with no trouble. My heart sank when it didn’t move to right itself. Maker no… it can’t be! I started to tear up slightly.

“Creature?” I tried again.

No response. Steeling myself I moved to push its hood back revealing its face. And when I did I think my heart stopped beating. Its neck was bent at an unnatural angle.

The collision with the pedestal had snapped its neck.

--->>>Chosen Undead<<<---

Now I’m a cold hearted bastard, or most in Lordran would have you know, but honestly I think before I gained the Darksign I had a weakness for cute things cause damn is my heart clenching

… For some reason… I feel like saying “Argh! The Feels!” for whatever reason?

… Huh? Oh look they decided to lay me out flat and cross my arms over my chest. Rather sweet of them actually, but I’ll only just disappear and reappear at the nearest bonfi- okay… this is weird?

--->>>All encompassing third-person<<<---

Luna as well as her sister and the new Element bearers observed the creature sadly, all of them having tears in their eyes. A sentient creature, or so they assume, gave it’s life unknowingly to allow the Elements to purge the Nightmare. And then there’s the long term psychological ramifications of killing another, if only by association.

However before Celestia could suggest they all return to Ponyville something strange started to happen to the creature’s body. It started steaming…?

They all watched as the creature’s flesh slowly start to steam and… shrivel? Its face, and they can only assume the rest of its body, started to wither until it looked like it was recently mummified.

Tears and sadness momentarily forgotten, it was Rainbow Dash that accurately summed up their thoughts.

“What the buck?”

--->>>Chosen Undead<<<---

This… isn’t suppose to happen. As I try to process what’s happened I play dead, and I can do that with the best of them, the group of ponies and the two winged unicorns talked back and forth trying to figure out what happened.

The damnedest thing of it is that I can actually understand them now!

Of course I can’t really pay attention I was too busy focusing my senses on myself, trying to decipher what’s changed and what’s the same. The connection all undead have to the bonfires is gone! And instead I’m connected to… what? Gods… nothing is ever simple is it?

*sigh* I might as well make my survival known, gods I hope they don-… oh hell, I do hope they freak out! I need me a good laugh!

… I hope I have a human effigy with me…

--->>>Twilight<<<---

Whereas the girls and princesses gazed at the creature in both shock and amazement, I was trying desperately to rationalize the accelerated mummification I just witnessed. I have never heard or read of anything like this happening in all of Elyisum!

My eye twitched and some of my mane started to come undone and fray, making me look a bit crazy as I’ve been told.

However before I could go into “full researcher mode” as Spike’s called it the creature twitched and sat up.

… WHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTT!?!

--->>>Chosen Undead<<<---

Gods! Their faces!! Gods if I could laugh right now I would be cackling!

The rainbow maned one took off like a firebolt! The ivory unicorn screamed and fainted. The orange one started to swear, well I think she’s swearing, like a mad woman! Mare? Whatever. The pink maned one with wings curled into a ball and started shivering. Okay I got to admit that one made me feel rather bad…

The happy-go-lucky pink creature, I’m not entirely sure if she’s a pony despite looking like one, simply giggled madly and said something about… “giggling at ghosties”? … Moving on…

The white winged unicorn jumped and screamed, which was hilarious, but also launched a beam of concentrated light at a wall. Which melted like candle wax! Wow… that’s actually kinda impressive! Hmm… I wonder if I could do that with Combustion?

The second winged unicorn, I’m not sure if she’s a dark blue or an azure color though, simply jumped back and looked at me rather curiously. Now that’s interesting.

“Creature?” She said curiously.

Gods I wish I could speak in my Hollow form, shrugging I held up one finger. I think grabbed my bag of holding, why foolish merchants call it a “bottomless box” when it is obviously not a box is beyond me! However I’m just a buyer and if they want to call it a box then they can call it a box. Even a blind, deaf, and dumb man could tell you it isn’t.

*sigh* Stupidity is abound in Lordran if you couldn’t tell.

With a soundless chuckle I opened my bag and started it dig around in it. Hmm… I guess somewhere between the realms I lost most of my weapons and armor. Let’s see here… okay there’s the Chester set - bloody creepy bastard, good taste in clothes though - , the Shadow set when I feel like being all stealthy, oh Big Logans hat which I stole off him, and… that princess set I got after saving whatsherface from the crystal golem… why in the seven hells do I still have this??

… Ah ha! Here we go! I pluck out a human effigy and inspect it. Man these things are so much more convenient the sacrificing humanity to bonfires! In fact… how’s that going to work now? I mean… yeah I got plenty of the black sprites but… what do I sacrifice them to?

Shaking my head I crushed the effigy in my head and in a flash I’m back amongst the living so to speak, still undead so technically speaking… yeah nevermind.

Rolling my neck around I looked at the ponies, who were staring with a slack-jawed expression. Rather amusing really…

“So…” I drawled, “What are you all? Where am I? And where’d the winged unicorn I was fighting with go??”

--->>>Celestia<<<---

I will admit when the creature seemed to instantly mummify then proceed to get up I was on guard; I have heard of necromantic “sleeper” beings that do such things. They look alive and well but when your guard is down they can instantly transform into a grotesque monstrosities.

“Creature?” Lulu asked curiously.

The creature held on of its digits up, I’m pretty sure it isn’t a claw, then grabbed a bag off its waist and started to dig around in it.  After a few moments it pulled out a small item made of twigs, stared at it for a few moments, then crushed it. It was then engulfed in light and when it faded it looked as it had before it’s strange transformation!

It then rolled its neck and looked at us.

“So…” The creature drawled, “What are you all? Where am I? And where’d the winged unicorn I was fighting go?”

I and the rest of the girls jumped at the sound of his voice, before none could understand it; or so I was told. But now it’s speak in perfect Equestrian with a Trottingham accent! The accent suited the creature rather well actually… strange? I called upon my centuries as a princess to address the creature.

However it seemed Twilight to beat me to the punch.

"We're ponies, you're in Equestria, she's right here with all the evil in her now purged thanks to your help, and HOLY CARAMELIZED HORSEAPPLES ON A STICK, YOU'RE UNDEAD!!!" Applejack seemed to take personal offense to that particular swear.

“Huh… ponies…” The creature scratched its chin, “...Not the strangest thing I’ve ran into…” It added trailing off lost in thought.

--->>>Chosen Undead<<<---

… Yeah in fact I think the weirdest thing I’ve ever come across is an entire group of Hollows ganging up on another Hollow and…

… Moving on…

“I’m a human. Well, was; but now, yeah, I’m undead.” I said giving a little mock bow, “I have to say honestly I was expecting another undead to need help, not ponies. So… what was that rainbow beam you hit me with? I feel rather… odd?”

The purple unicorn pulled herself together, amazingly enough, and started to cast a series of spells that I couldn’t make heads or tails of. But then again being a practitioner of the “barbaric” and “uncivilized” art of Pyromancy I don’t know a lot about magic outside of that. I can only assume they’re scanning spells or somesuch.

“Huh, that’s strange?” The purple unicorn muttered.

The large white winged unicorn and the smaller winged unicorn, hmm… is that second one dark blue or azure; I can’t really tell? Anyway the two approached the smaller unicorn to discuss something, so I decided to occupy myself.

I looked at the rainbow-maned winged pony.

“So… while they talk about whatever, can you tell me a little bit about Equestria?” I asked politely, “I have a feeling I’m going to be stuck here for a while.”

“Uh… sure dude.” The rainbow pony said.

--->>>Luna<<<---

I listened as my sister and her student discussed what exactly Twilight learned from her spells. I myself couldn’t bring myself to really care, Tia was always the more scholarly between us. Me, I was more of a tomcolt then anything! Though I will admit I am a prodigy in both mind magic and dream manipulation, what with those being my special talent!

Oh and I’m an unrepentant prankster, something both Tia and I share in common.

In fact I think it was about a century before my banishment did Tia discover… what was it called? Trolling I believe? Yes! Trolling! Oh how she would drive the nobles mad!

“So, you believe the creature is now connected to the Elements somehow?” Oh I better start listening!

“Yes, Princess Celestia. From what the spells say the creature now shares some sort of connection with the Elements.” Well that’s interesting, I think.

Knowing the discussion was about to get a whole lot more technical I decide to go speak to the creature after all why not? It did assist in freeing me of the Nightmare! Silently trotting over I couldn’t help but notice how uncomfortable… Rainbow Dash I believe her name is?

Yes! That’s her name!

I couldn’t help but notice how uncomfortable she is.

“Art thou well Rainbow Dash?” I asked curiously.

She mumbled something before quickly returning to her fellow Elements. Huh well that was rather rude! I was actually about to chastise the rainbow pegasi when the creature put his hand on my withers stopping me.

“She’s never seen anyone die.” I offered, “It’s understandable really. So, you’re the one I was fighting eh?”

I looked up at the creature; it had a smirk on it’s face. The creature then proceeded to mess my mane, which won’t regain it’s ethereal quality for some time, much to my displeasure. I apparently I started pouting without realizing it as the creature started laughing.

“Well…” the creature chortled, “...You are probably the cutest thing I’ve ever fought!”

I couldn’t help but blush at that. I am not cute! I’m an ethereal beauty the likes stallions and mares endlessly long for!

“We art not cute” I protested.

--->>>Chosen Undead<<<---

I watched as the smaller winged unicorn stomped, trotted? Off in a huff. Deciding I riled up enough people, or ponies rather, I decide to check over my equipment. Walking over to the nearest broken pillar I sat down and went about removing my chest piece.

“Gods I wish I still had my smithbox.” I muttered.

The chest piece wouldn’t protect me from a shove let alone a sword as it is now! And I honestly doubt it could be repaired in the first place! Which kinda sucks cause I went to great lengths to make this! I used the Gold-Hemmed robes as a base and used Dark armor to… well… give it armor!

Honestly I spent months working on this! Even Andrei was proud of my work!

Now it’s destined for the scrap heap! Gods be damned!

Sighing I decide to check on my sword. And if my sword is ruined then… well… fuck all! With a practiced motion I unsheathed my  katana Washing Pole. I never understood why it was called that, I mean sure it’s abnormally long but really? Why would anyone call a weapon that can behead a group of people in a single swipe “Washing Pole” it just don’t make any gods damned sense!

“Huh… I won’t be using this in a fight till I repair it.” I muttered.

Up and down the blade were countless nicks, fractures, and flat out cracks in the blade. Honestly I could lightly rap my palm on the blade and it’d probably shatter! And honestly I’ve been too much bloody effort into making this thing into a blade Gravelord Nito would be proud of for it to be destroyed! Granted it still can’t do much to plate or dragon scale but if I can get enough power behind a stab with this? I can kill almost anything!

“This beaut’ saved my ass in the Valley of Drakes…” I mused.

Granted, it was a lucky shot really. I mean what’s the chances of stabbing a drake in the eye without actively aiming for it? Non-existent that’s what! After I gathered that things souls and some dragon scales I got the hell outta there!

Satisfied I sheathed the sword, afterwards I take it and slide it into my bag, completely ignoring the fact that I’ve apparently stupefied everyone there. Everypony? Whatever. I then reach in and start pulled out the Chester set, and with little care of modesty I started to disrobe and change.

Did I care if these ponies saw my goods? No, not really. I think I might’ve been an exhibishionist given my lack of modesty.

After pulling on the trench coat I turned towards the gaping ponies. Okay, now I just gotta screw with them!

“What never seen a naked undead before?” I ask sarcastically.

--->>>All encompassing third person perspective<<<---

“Oh my!”

*pomf*

Ardeo, not that they knew his name, tilted his head at the odd reactions he garnered from the ponies. For all the winged ones, except for the big white one, their wings shot straight up like they were spring-loaded! The others were just gaping, while the large white winged unicorn simply had her brow raised.

“Something wrong?” Ardeo asked.

That snapped them all out of their funk and they went about trying to brush it off.  Shaking his head Ardeo then put on the hat to complete the set, he had of course removed the mask when he first came into possession of it.

“So… can someone explain what’s suppose to happen now?” Ardeo tilted his head, “And maybe introduce yourselves? It’d be easier than referring to you by your coloration or if you haves wings and a horn.”

--->>>Celestia<<<---

“Allow me. If I won’t be interrupted this time.” Twilight blushed and kicked her hoof around, “I am Princess Celestia, Herald of the Dawn. This is my sister Luna, Herald of the Moon.” I said gesturing towards my shorter sister, “And this is my faithful student Twilight Sparkle and her friends.”

“Applejack.”

“Howdy!”

“Rainbow Dash.”

“Sup dude!”

“Rarity”

“Charmed.”

“Fluttershy.”

“H-Hello…”

“And this is-”

“HimynameisPinkiePiedoyouwanttobefriends!DoyoulikepartiesIlikepartiesyouwantacupcakecanIthrowyouaparty?”

The creature stared at Pinkie completely dumbfounded; which I’ve learned to expect from anypony from the Pie family. I then took in his new apparel and while it does look good I can’t help but frown at the leather, I do hope the creature that provided that leather wasn’t sapient!

“Uh… yeah…” The creature muttered, “My name’s Ardeo, a pleasure.” Ardeo added after shaking off his daze.

“Ardeo, eh? My, such a strong name full of meaning! It’s Ancient Equestrian I believe. Hmm… I do wonder if you live up to that name?” I ask curiously.

Ardeo shrugged, “I guess, I’m pretty good at burning things.” To prove his point he conjured a massive fireball in his left hand.

However the fireball wasn’t like a normal one, it seemed to burn red instead of orange. The flames didn’t seem natural either, most curious? I wonder what kind of fire Ardeo has called into existence?

“Wowy how’d you do that!” Gasped the excitable Pinkie Pie.

“I’m a Pyromancer of the Great Swamp.” Ardeo answered simply, “And this here is the Great Chaos Fireball spell! I learned it from the Fair Lady of Blighttown.”

Chaos Fire? Fair Lady? Blighttown?? I admit I am rather curious about Ardeo’s origins but I can’t help but feel… apprehensive about asking. The way Ardeo holds himself, and their can be no question regarding his gender now, screams of a warrior baptised by the flames of combat and death. And judging by his resurrection earlier not all those deaths were solely his enemies.

“Chaos Fire!? Tia, he might be in league with Discord!” Lulu whispers to me quickly.

“Calm yourself Lulu.” I gently chided, “We long rooted out Discord’s allies and sympathizers. I believe it to be a simple coincidence.”

Lulu didn’t looked convinced, but accepted the truth of my words. After we sealed Discord we spent the better part of a century rooting out his followers and sympathizers. I look back to Ardeo, who had managed to banish the fireball, I wonder how he will affect Equestria? Maker, sometimes I wish I was gifted with the Sight like Mother was…