Chapters Jeric heard his breath coming in ragged gasps as he ran down the dark underground tunnels of his quarries lair. Again he was stopped by the dead . Two ghouls blocked his path. They looked to have once been bandits. If their rotted and tattered leather armor said anything about them. The rest of thier body features were indistinguishable as the ritualistic mutilation had done its work. 'No time to slow down.' Jeric thought gravely and continued his charge.
"Vex!" He called out with a wave of his gloved hand. He was immediately rewarded with both ghouls joints locking up, painfully if thier cries were any indicator. One quick arc of his unique longsword and he felt their bones shatter and taught flesh rip. He quickly rounded a corner and continued chasing his prey.
"Dammit how did they find me?!" Servoth screamed as he attempted to grab all he could from his lab. He looked around at all his unfinished experiments. One in particular he was especially looking forward to. He eyed the elfs body even now. "No now is not the time, Herroc!" He called pulling another vile of strange liquid from a book shelf beside him.
"Yes my master?" Herroc said drifting lazily into the room. He watched in mild amusement as the necromancer his black robe flying around hurriedly grab anything he could fit into his small bag. Herroc couldn't understand stand why his master chose necromancy. By all human standards Servoth was quite attractive being lean with blond hair and blue eyes. 'Master is master.' The wraith supposed. He let his shadowy cloak like form drift over to help his master pack.
Servoth felt more of his minions disappear and concluded the he was packed. He sighed taking one last look around his lab. Had he the time he would have raised all the bodies around him and sent them to slay the interlopers. But a hasty portal exit would have to do. With a mental command to Herroc he turned and began the trek to his portal room.
Jeric burst into what could only be the necromancers main lab. He could only guess what the dark wizard had been preparing for, but one thing was clear it required a army. Jeric looked around the lab and found cear indicators that he had just missed the necromancer. He looked around once more for exits. He found three but due to recent activities in each couldn't tell which. Luckily he had a familiar for that. With a quick tap to the sternum of his chest the skeleton construct that lay dormant on his armor came to life. He took a step forward out of it as the creature realigned itself its dragon like skull shifting from helmet to deadly fanged snout . Over all Skully as jeric had affectionately named her had the appearance of a lesser dragon mixed with a veloceraptor With her scyth like footclaws long prehensile bladed tail and clawed arms. She yawned and stretched after witch she fell over into he normal bent over walk that all raptors had almost bird like.
"Skully tell me which way the necro went." Jeric said hurriedly. Skully looked over to her master. His dark hair and violet eyes always kind. He's was currently bruised and tired his scale mail slightly dented. She used her mind to quickly scan his for pain and finding not aside from muscle fatigue decided to comply.
"Of course Jeric." She stated coolly both in his head and aloud. "By the way do you mind if I stay awake and help you fight you seem tired?" skully went to all fours as she closely inspected the ground. Her large bat like wings opend a little as she had another idea. "Hey how about we go flying after this?"she asked excited at the prospect.
Jeric smiled Skully was always thinking of ways to entertain her self and him. "Sure after this we can go flying but before that how about some nice mammoth tusk?" He asked noting that she had some cracks and nicks from the fighting. Boneknight constructs were special. They were almost alive they ate and bred infact that was how he had gotten Skully she was nothing more than a helmet when he first got her. His brief revelry was broken as she let out a predetory screech. 'He close but running'. She thought to Jeric. Skully opend once more and he stepped back inside her protective form she readhered to his armor making it look as though it was made with her attached. This time she stayed awake addig her tireless strength to he masters waning stamina.
Servoth was now in his portal room. He was panicking and that was not good. Fear had really gripped him when he heard the screech it had been so close and alian. He had been foolish made his move too soon and now was to pay the price. "Herroc prepare the portal." He commanded " throw in a delay spell." he added as he knelt to draw a small rune at the entrance to the room. He smiled at his little trap. Knowing that even if his pressuer got through he would come out later and badly wounded. Hower this also meant that his planar portal had no guidance and therefore he could land anywhere. Herroc had finished the preparation so Servoth began his spell. It took less than a minute and the portal was opened. 'Just in time he thought.' As he heard foot falls in the hall behind him. "Come Herroc our new home awaits." He said stepping throught the portal.
Jeric assisted by Skully spotted thier prey go through the portal.
"We aren't really gonna follow?" She said.
"Of course we are its our job." He replied.
"But there's probably a trap."
"Probly but that's standard."
"We don't know where it goes."Her voice worried.
"Knowing necros that's a good thing." He laughs
'Once more into the breach then!' She replied mentally. 'And may our feet find solid ground and warm bed!' He replied as they ran towards the portal. As they hit the threshhold of the room jerric noticed to late the rune of explosion on the floor. Getting the warning mentally from Jeric. Skully used her wings to propell forward. They hit the middle of the room and the rune ignited hitting thier backs and pushing them through the portal. The last thing Jeric remembered was the smell of his burning flesh and the searing pain in his back.
Author's Note
! Hello and welcome to my fanfic. it my first time doing this hope you can't tell and I hope you enjoy the story. Now I know what you're thinking why no ponies. Well I felt that as a first chapter and written on my cell no less it might be good to keep it short. But don't worry ponies sho up next chapter and I'll describe that sword too. So leave a comment and adios for now.
A Druids Dream My Nightmare
Jeric awoke staring at a thatch roof wherever he was it was vibrant but otherwise normal. He felt a stir in his conscienceness letting him know Skully was also alive but not fine she was hurting almost as much as he was. He sat up letting the thick blanket on him slide down. He notice that there was a bandage wrapped around his armor and Skully since she was still attached. 'Probably couldn't get it off me.' Thought wigling his toes. Feeling and seeing his toes move under the blanket he felt relieved. Skully he noted was badly damaged. She was missing some of her self. Namely toes and fingers she would need bones to heal. But first he need to undress and see the damage to himself.
Fluttershy was in her living room tending her animals. It was her join in life especially since she was scarded of almost everything. Many including her friend Rainbow Dash said she was scared of her own shadow. 'And why should I be.' She that indignant,' Shadows a scary they are unknown the hide things.' She felt that the others just didn't know what that small constant darkness next to them meant. She sighed and brushed a lock of her long pink mane outof her face. Now that she was done tending her usual patients she could turn her attention to her special guest. She had found it wounded in the everfree forest on her way back from getting some poultices from her zebra friend Zecora. It had been laying in the path on he way home. She had been scared at first. After all there was this big bone pile in the middle of the dark forest. Flutttershy had heen about to take flight when she noticed the smaell of flames and blood. when the creature groaned in pain she immediately brought it home. She looked over at an object she had found nearby. It was long almost as long as she was tall.it had a handle of ivory with a small ball of onyx on one end and what looked like a very long double edged knife on the other. The blade looked to be made of two flat pieces of obsidion over a core of silver whitch held the cutting edge. Along the obsidion was glowing red letters she didn't recognize. Thinking of the strange creature made her want to check on the poor thing.
jeric found that taking off his armor was a chore and a half. Skully was catatonic after being hit by the brunt of the explosion. Her wings were the only thing that kept the explosion from turning his armors steel scale into deadly shrapnel. 'Thanks girl he thought and an was surprised when she flared up. 'Gods it hurts!' She exclaimed regaining subconsciousness. 'is it alright if I hang out here.' Jeric nodded as he took stock of his current possessions. ' Not good my sword is missing.' He thought grimly. He continued to check his clothes and gear for damages foe the next minute or so till he heard some soft steps on the stairs.
Fluttershy opened her door to find her guest was awake and checking himself over. She was a little intimidated by its size. 'He's as tall as Celestia.' She thought as she warily walked into the room.
"I'm glad your up you had me worried with how hurt you were." She said smiling.
Jeric turned to look at his host and to his surprise found himself looking at a yellow coated pink haired pony with three butterflies on her rump. He was also pleased to know that it spoke common not unheard of.
"Well miss druid I appreciate the aid but I have to go." He said with a slight nod and turned to leave.
"No you can't leave your still hurt just look at that carapice!" The pony nearly shouted. Jeric looked at her quizzicly. Druids were normally eager to kick out trespassers as soon as they could move. Fluttershy also looked confused. 'Whose this druid I don't know a pony by this name.' She thought trying to get a good look at her patient. His carapice was still heavily damaged. It truly concerned her that he was up and moving around. "Why you lay down I'll make some nice soup and we can chat about what ever is wrong?" She ask with the biggest pair of puppy dog eyes he'd ever seen.
"Uhm I have a serious problem to take care of and time is of the essence." Jaric said sitting on the bed trying not to offend his hostess.
"Oh no you were out for two days!" She exclaimed with worry. Jeric couldn't help but note hiw quite she was. He fell back on the bed. Servoth had escaped and now he was in the caee of a stranger and in a strang land.
"I guess my schedule just freed up." He said watching her resume her normal timid form.
"Why would anypony eat bones?" She said nearly wanting to cry at the thought of it. In answer Jeric sat up and hit the sternum of the skeleton that made up his armor. He watched the little pony's eyes widen as what she thought was a piece of him break off and form something else, something scary.
"That's how I thought you'd react eont worry though she only eats non sentients." He laughed a little ad he stood up again. Fluttershy looked him over again feom head to toe. She now saw that what she thought wash skin under a carapice was actually clothes and armor. She also realized he hadn't been treated properly at all. "I'll go ahead and head out now." He said standing to leave.
"No you won't you still need treatment mister. Now let Dr. Fluttershy look at the damage." She nearly demanded.
"Really your letting a pony push you around." Skully laughed.
"Pony she obviously a druid in wildshape." He said only ro have Skully shale her head no. "Wait your a real pony?!" He said shocked.
" every pony I know is a reall pony." She said confused. "Though that does raise the question as to what you are?" She asked quizzically.
"What me I'm human and Skully over there is my construct familiar." He said in introduction to the pony. "Oh and my name is Jeric." He said with a smile putting the little pony at ease.
"Pleased to meet you Jeric I'm Fluttershy my friends call me Flutters." She said with a slight curtsey. "But I will repeat I really should give you proper treatment. " she said confidently.
"Sure and while you're doing that why not explain exactly where we are." He said still smile. Inside he was worried if little Flutters was and indicator his nightmare was near very near.
Author's Note
Another short chapter I know but I felt that it was a good place to stop. next chapter I'll make longer I promise
Twilight Sparkle wandered her castle she appreciated that she had gotten it when her library house had been destroyed. She was looking to distract herself. She missed her books reading was a favorite past time of hers. Twilight would have loved to have her nose in a book right about now. She looked at her paltry supply of books. With a sigh she decided to go check on her baby dragon assistant Spike. She found her little purple scaled companion in his bed sucking his thumb. Thinking that the sight was adorable she tasled the dragons green spikes.
The purple alicorn began to wander her castle again. Something was off today normally she could break out of her funk but today. It hung like a dark depressing cloud in the air. She suddenly felt a rapid vibration on her flank and heard the sound of a small bell.
"Finally!" She smiled, "Something to do." Twilight booked it to her castles map room. Only to find nothing. Her map was blank, just the normal mirror polished crystal with her star shaped cutiemark. A glimmer all around her drew her attentions to the thrones all around her. The thrones which numbered six exactly. Each with her friends cutiemarks. Each chairs mark was aglow with magic. The glow slowly faded what ever had caused the summoning was over, and that had her worried.
Jeric was pleasantly surprised to find his sword in Fluttershy's living room. The ivory hilt had been damaged but over all was fine. He had had one more surpise during his check up Fluttershy had discovered a tattoo on his shoulder. It showed his armored form slaying an undead and had been so graphic it had made poor Flutters squeak in terror. Skully made several wild party puns. To which he had replied remembering her making out with a cow skull. After that Fluttershy had insisted that he rest some more. She had also manager to get some bones from her bear friend's cave. Skully had devoured most of them, the unique venom in her fangs turning them to liquid for her to digest and magically convert to new mass. Jeric had taken a single rib from the pile to repair his sword. His magic converting it to a malleable state then hardning it to the strength of steel. After which he had spent most of the day in bed plotting out the best way to hunt a necromancer.
Rarity stared at her dresses wanting to create more designs. She felt limited working mostly on girls cloths. Every now and then she wanted the challenge of making men's clothes. The ideas began to flow again. , Maybe little Spikwiky would like some new cloths.' She thought with flick of her luxurious violet mane. She looked herself over in a large mirror she had up against a wall in her round building. She ensured that her her marshmallow white coat was immaculate. She stopped to admire her cutiemark three perfect diamonds. Finding that every thing was in order she decided to head for her friends castle.
After a couple minutes of walking Rarity found Twilight on the street. She watched as the alicorn flared her wings in apparent annoyance. Her main , dark puple with center red streak, parted around her horn in a ragged fashion. 'I really wish she would put more pride in her appearance. ' The white unicorn thought, 'Still better than Applejack.' She thought as she approached the fluster mare.
"Twilight dear you simply must make the attempt to look like a proper princess before leaving the castle." The white mare said.
"Wha... Oh Rarity what brings you out of the boutique. " Twilight responded looking around to see where exactly she was.
"What's the matter darling you look utterly beside yourself?" Raity asked concerned for her friend.
"Rarity can't you feel it magic strange and..." She shook her head trying to find the word, "Dark I think that's it. Its so strange and cold." As her friend mentioned it Rarity could feel it.
"Well did the map notify you of any problems deary?" She suggested helpfully.
"I think it tried busomething went wrong it failed." Twilight said still confused. She sat down on her haunches looking down. It was disconcerting how helpless she felt. She felt the tingling sensation again this time it fizzled as soon as it started. This time Twilight saw the sensation register in her friends eyes.
"Oh dear me that's what that was! " she said wide eyed.
"Don't worry Rarity." Twilight said comfortingly. "I'll try to get the map straightened out then we can fix what ever it is trying to tell us."
Fluttershy stood in her living room cinching her saddle bags on. Her new guest was some what draining on her food. 'He certainly has a healthy appetite.' She thought chuckling. Jeric came down stairs.
"Heading out?" Jeric said leaning on a wall watching the little Pegasus flap her wings.
"Oh I'm just heading out to buy some more food." She stated in that soft tone of hers. "You wanna come with I'm sure the fresh air would help you feel better." She said smiling even wider. " Besides I really want to introduce you to everypony they've never seen a human before."
"You sure that's a good idea I kinda stick out from everyone. " He said tapping Skully who was again asleep on his armor.
"Oh yeah most everypony else is a lot beaver then me." She said looking down at her hooves. "I don't think they'll be toff put by your appearance. " She finished looking up with a weak smile.
"Fluttershy I want you to remember one thing bravery is no more or less the ability to keep moving foward despite fear." Jeric said not liking seeing the little yellow pony looking down. 'I guess I should show her and meet the other neighbors.' "Alright no sense being a scardy cat I'll meet your friends." Jeric said patting his sword hilt.
"Oh you won't need that nopony will hurt you." Shesaid looking at his sword which she really didn't like. Jeric had explained not only what it was but his personal blades history, its long bloody history.
"Sorry Flutters but its not your friends I'm worried about, beside its better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it." Jeric said the hard learned lesson being repeated. "Its saved my life more then once if you remember." Jeric said remembering one of the stories he had told her.
"Well if you feel that strongly about it." Fluttshy stated sadly.
"Sorry little one but a knights sword is his life." He replied to her look of rejection. "Now let me help my pretty hostess with her bags." He said holding out his hand for the bag. She smiled and hand over her saddle bags.
"Hehe, Thanks." She said blushing, tone even quieter then normal.
"Apples fresh apple come a fill belly." Applejack called grinning ear to ear with her best salespony grin. "We got apples and apple goods. Come get your grub on." She said her souther accent thick as ever. She pulled her brown sesten hat back so her customers could see her smile better. She spied two of her favorite ponies in all Esquestria. "Rarity, Twilight what brings ya'all to this here market today?" She said happily beckoning the white unicorn and purple alicorn over. "Ya'all wouldn't want some of Granny Smith's famouse apple pie would ya?" She said sweeping up her right leg and leaning casually against her small wagon. Shemade sure her pride as an apple farmer showed as readily as her apple shaped cutiemark.
"Unfortunately dear we are here for a little fabric I convinced Twilight to let me make spike another suit." Rarity said with a smile. "Though we would certainly like a slice if we have any bits left." Her normal sophisticated speech showing her proper upbringing.
"Well then ya'all best hurry then while there's vittles left." The orange pony said pushing back part of her blond mane.
"Actually we can eat first I pay since you're giving Spike the suit Rarity." Twilight said smiling. Applejack smiled back and turned to grab a pie for her friends only to see a bag of bits and a pink pony eating most of her wares.
"Pinkie quit eating all ma vittles." Aj said trying push the pink earth pony away. Pinkie how ever was as unmovable as stone. She did however stop after consuming a entire pie in one bite.
"Okie dokie lokie." Pinkie said bouncing away as lite as air. "Oh by the way the cakes need four barrels of apples." She said bounding around as though she was on a never-ending-ending sugur rush.
"Golly ya'all sure you need that many." Aj said looking a bit reserved, she didn't like her apples being waisted.
"Sure do got big plans for Big Mac's birthday." The pink ball of energy whispered as though the information was top secret. Suddenly Pinkie Pie was air born her whole boy splayed out and she quivered all over. "Oh boy oh boy oh boy we have a new person in town and thier a doozy of a surprise!" She exclaimed taking off like a rocket.
"Well we better go rescue the pour soul." Twilight said with a chuckle
"I'll get the firstaid kit." Applejack deadpanned.
Jeric walked beside Fluttershy enjoying the lookes of the ponies gathered in the marketplace. Instead of the normal looks of terror and screams of terror his appearance normally invoked. He was only receiving looks of wide eyed shock and slacked jaws. 'projectile inbound.' Skully informed Jeric.
"Wha...?" Was all he managed to get out before he felt an impact right to the diaphragm. The force of the impact sent him backwards and to the ground. He sat there dazed for a second but recovered quickly due to his combat experience. "Ow what hit... Aah pink!" Jeric yelled seeing a massive amount of pink now on his chest. He qickly shoved the offending thing off and sitting up.
"That's...Wait that's not my name." The pony said bouncing up to all fours. "Now repeat after me Pinkie." She said pointing a hoof at herself. Not seeing the reaction she wanted. She repeated her self. "Pinkie." Jeric stood up brushing himeself off. He looked over at Fluttershy.
"Friend of yours?" He asked pointing at the pink pony with balloons tattooed to her rump.
"Hehehe yeah she's Pinkie Pie." Fluttershy replied Trying her hardest to not laugh, she was failing horribly.
"Ok hello Pinkie was it?" He said rubbing where she impacted him.
"That's me but who are you? What are you?" She said cocking her head quizzically. It only lasted a moment before she disappeared and reappeared on his back. "Why do walk on two legs, isn't four easier, what's with your hooves?" She said lback on the ground but somehow holding up his hands.
"To answer your questions. My is Jeric I'm a human Boneknight, my race all walks on two legs, no walking on four is not easier, and I have hands not hooves they make fine work easier and allow for grasping." He said with a wink to Fluttershy who nodded with the patience he was displaying.
"Wow...Hey do like parties? Oh no I'll be..." She suddenly trailed off eyes going blank. "Uhm what do humans eat? Your the first I've met." She said sheepishly.
"Well the answer to that is complex see humanity is omnivorous meaning we have to eat both plants and animals though for the most part plants are fine." Jeric answered truthfully. "Though for our part we do eat the meat after cooking it." He shrugged seeing both Pinkie and Fluttershy shudder.
"Do you atleast like cakes?" Pinkie asked worried.
"That depends." He smiled again winking.
"On what?" She was visibly sweating.
"Does it come in chocolate? " He said laughing. The party pony recovered completely.
"Of course." She said beaming. Fluttershy was happy how quickly he had befriended Pinkie. 'Hopefully it goes this well with everypony else.' She thought as jeric picked up her saddle bags and dusted them off.
" What, 'n tarnation is that." A distindistinctive voice sounded behind Fluttershy.
Author's Note
Hey guys it the author again. Well as promises chapter three guys hope you enjoyed it. Also as promised made it longer and funnier. Pleas forgive any spelling errors as my phone cuts off the sides of my text and auto correct really messes up some times. Have fun guys and hey if there are any problems or questions leave a comment.
Servoth stood in the middle of some abandoned ruins. His black robes fluttered in thre breeze that tore through the empty halls. He breathed in a large gulp of fresh air. This place was perfect, it was far from any point of civilization infact it sat on the edge of a serene forest and a desolate wast land. 'This blackened earth will be the birth place of my new army, andthis world will belong to me!' He thought raising his hands sleaves flowing around his hands. Horric drifted lazily next to him. The wraith watched silently as his master began to channel dark and ancient magic into himself. Once he had enough he molded it to his will.
"What say you Horric how bout a little remodeling?" He asked and without waiting for a reply started his chant. The eldritch power flowed from the man in swirling currents of black and white. It made stone flow like water and molded it like clay. Servoth summoned material from air making banners of skulls the symbol of his kingdom. He formed torches on the walls made of iron and magical fire. The walls and towers of his citidel began to rise and it began to take one a distinctive European style.
Servoth finisfinished nearly falling over from his exertion. Horric still hovered nearby taking in the newly restored and improved castle. He knew what came next, bodies lot of them some to fill the ranks for the dead army others for experiments. He didn't have to wait long for his master to issue the command. And with a simple, whospered, acknowledgment he set about his grim duty.
Celestia woke from a nightmare her light rainbow mane flowing on a invisible wind and letting the moon's light in etherially. She had felt it the cold touch of strange magic in her land. The princess lay troubled in her dream the dead had walked, no they had marched.
"Sister!" A dark blue alicorn with a mane like the night sky exclaimed rushing into Celeatia's room.
"Luna did you feel that dark magic has been cast!" Celestia said standing and flaring her wings. Luna looked at her toubled. The white alicorn was right, some form of dark magic had been cast but she could find a trace of it. It was disconcerting for the sisters who god like powers had been able to atleast find forsee trouble before.
"Do you Twilight can help she is the princess of magic?" Luna asked hopefully. Celestia looked at her sister the night princess was so young and her imprisonment had not done much for her naivety. This was new never before had magic like this eever been felt. This magic had been cold, it had been dark.
"Luna this is not magic from our realm." The realization had come as a shock to her. Sge could barely believe it. 'My realm is supposed to be to far from any others to interact.' She thought silently still contemplating the implications. 'Still I had better let Twilight know. She and her frienda might know something.' She grabbed a quill and piece of parchment.
"Oh and sister that dream you were having..." Luna trailed off unsure of what to say.
"What is it dear sister?" Celestia asked concerned.
"Another is having one just like it." She said witha down cast gaze her eyes having a far off look as she looked through the veil of the mind.
Jeric hated this dream. Well it was more of a memory. He was foghtong for the lives of every towns member in Snow Haven hos home town. He was wearing a simple leather suit of armor with the rown guarda symbol of a howling wolf engraved on the arm. His weapon was a simple iron sword. And infront of him shambling down his mainstreet was a hord of undead. Thmass of rotten flesh and hanging viscera was enouhh to make even the hardiest man puke. Yet there he wastrying to buy the guards time to evacuate the houses. A rotted had reached out for him its putred green flesh oozing puss and bone showing where parts had fallen off. His sword flashed up in an arc of reflected light biting through the zombie's arm. He felt the flesh give before the bone broke with a sickening crack. Blackened blood and lime green puss followed in the blades wake.the zombie its dead milky white eyes continued on itsremaining upper arm outstretched not realising that the rest had just been cut off. Jeric reversed his swing bringing the arc up into the creature's neck. Blood sprayed out as his swing decapitated the monster. It's headless body fell to the ground. More began pressing in around him. A sudden scream shifteed his attention further up the street where his house was. He started swinging trying to fight through body parts and heads being lopped off necrid blood coating him and dying his armor dark red. The more he fought the more zombies blocked his path. Jerocs house door was pulled from its hinges as a large bloated Frankenstein type monster plowed its way onto the street his little sister being pulled by her hair in its grasp. Jeric tried to scream, tried to fight to her when it all stopped.
"This is horrible. " A serene and young voice said with more than a little sadness.
"This is why I fight. " Jeric said turning to the voice. What he saw was a blue alicorn with a ethereal nightk sky mane and a cutie mark that also looked like a night sky. "Incase your wonder no I never found her and most od townfolk died." He stated flatly his rage subsiding.
"I am sorry to hear that." Luna said bowing her head in silence. She looked up before continuing. "What is this why do your dead walk?" She asked looking around at the nightmarish scene. In the mob she spied a giard getting his throat torn out by a zombie the blood spray was frozen mid air.
"Magic," He spat in derision. "A most heinous type called necromanc." He walked through the crowd to his siter, it had been the last time he saw her. Her face was contorted in fear as she screamd for her life and was dragged off to an unknown fate. He felt his resolve grow. His will to fight coming back.
"The man I came here hunting wants to do the same or worse to this world." He said looking at the alicorn. His appearance was altered he was now wearing his armor and holding his sword , midnight. "I will not let this happen again!" He exclaimed as his sister morphed between his new pony friends. Luna was shocked by tje sudden transformation the thing infront of her was now emanating power. Even enough power to break his dream scape.
"Spent five years mastering magic and sword to prevent this slaughter from happening again. This time he will not escape this time I will have the necromancer's head on a spike." He vowed waking up to a new morning.
Luna felt the sun's rays and let out a weak sigh. She took solice in now knowing What was going on. How ecer it also scared her she had seen what was going to happen, and she felt she hadn't seen everything that he knew. 'But atleast I found what little hope we may have.' She smiled a little. 'Looks like my sister and I are going to Ponyville.'
Author's Note
Alright thought I'd through in some back story and gore hope you guys liked thos chapter and let me know if the chapters are long enough. Have fun and see you next chaper.
And Low the Dead Shall Walk
Knock, knock, knock, Jeric woke to the rapid rapping on Fluttershy's front door. Some one was yelling but he couldn't make out who but it sounded somewhat urgent. Jeric reached over and grabbed his sword belt. Sitting up in bed he listened to the knocking. He belted the sword around his waist.
"Coming." Came the male voice from inside Fluttershy's house. It shocked poor little Rainbow Dash. 'She has a stallion over?' The little cyan mare thought confused. 'Wait maybe its some one with a pet emergency like me.' She tried to justify the odd occurrence. She jump a little as her friends door opened. Though she was relieved to see that it wasn't a stallion.
"What the heck are you?" The little rainbow haired mare asked hovering infront of him to look him in the eye.
"Oh my names Jeric I'm a human." He said smiling his best. "You must be Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy told me about you." He said motioning her to enter. "I think Fluttershy is still sleeping your friend Twilight kept us up late asking questions." He told her only to see her nod in sympathy.
"I can come back later. I have some concerns bout my pet but I don't think its too serious." She said looking down.
"Well I think it should be alright..." Jeric trailed off his eyes narrowing he felt it like a shockwave resounding through his soul. He sent the mental command for Skully to wake up. "Rainbow can you get to any form of guards or military. " He said hurriedly as he heard his familiar come bounding down the stairs.
"Sure Twilight can even contact the princess but what's going on." Rainbow said concerned. Jeric thought for a moment he needed to think. Think of a way to tell some one anyone what was coming some one who knew what he meant.
"Hey." He said an idea coming to him as crazy as it sounded. "Do you know an Blue alicorn that incades dreams." He asked hoping for her to say yes.
Celestia was looking forward to her impromptu trip to see her favorite student and best friend. The only reason she hadn't gone immediately when Luna had told her that the solution to her worries might be there was that she had dignitaries that wouldn't wait. Her packing was interrupted by a flash of green fire and a scroll floating in front of her. 'Oh Twilight can't you wait.' She thought playfully. That's when she noticed tha that it wasn't addressed to her but her sister.
"Ah Luna you got a letter." Celestia called confused. Luna came trotting in also looking confused. Celestia magically passed the letter to her sister. Who opened it and read.
Dear Dream Invader,
P.S. Bring a map showing major grave or battle sites.
Sincerely,
"Sister I believe we should call the guards have them meet us at Twilight's." Luna said matter of factly. "Have the servents pack we don't have the time." She said stopping her sister cold.
"Midnight Shimmer, Would you be so kind as to inform guard captain Sonica Rain that we need her to meet us with a company of troops at Twilights." Celeslia inform a blue black unicor with white and black hair.
"Yes ma'am." The unicorn said leaving at a quick trot.
Twilight finished making sure all preparation for her teacher's arrival was done. She really wanted to know what Jeric had sent to Luna. Jeric was circling Twilight's map. He was waiting for the others to show up. Rainbow Dash had gone off to get Pinkie, Applejack, and Rarity. Twilight and Fluttershy simply sat in thier thrones watching him.
"What's wrong Jeric?" Fluttershy asked concerned by her friends dark mood. He looked at her then Twilight.
"It's really hard to explain, and you'll get the full story when you're friends arrive. What I will say is that someone very evil is building an army." He said placing a hand on the table map.
"Building an army?" Twilight said confused. "But there hasn't been any reports of recruiting." she said cocking her head.
"For now lets just say he's doesn't recuit." Jeric intoned he felt something in his palm and tattoo on his shoulder. Dam this cutiemark it itches. He thought scrathing both shoulders.
"Fluttershy why is scratching like that?" Twilight said looking at Jeric who was now getting worried.
"Uhm I might have a problem here." He said gribbing his shoulders the mild irritation turning to a full burning sensation. 'Why does this hurt so much.' He was burning up inside his armor. A purple glow bloomed around him as Twilight used her magic to get his shirts off. As soon as his shirt was off they saw his cutiemarks alight with a white black light. Twilight watched in amazement as her map began to react and a new throne formed next to hers the map suddlenly sprung to life showing a small village in the mountains and with a dark shadow encroaching. A white light struck out from between his fingers striking both the map and the chair. His mark was inscribed upon the throne and now floated as a magical projection above the village. "What was that?" Jeric asked standing back up and shrugging back into his armor.
"It means that the tree of harmony has chosen you as a new element." She said in shock. Now she had even more questions. "Why didn't you say that he had cutiemarks." She asked Fluttershy who shrugged in he meek manner not knowing how to reply.
"So what's the map thing." Jeric asked changing the topic.
"Oh it tells us where problems are and who can solve them." Fluttershy said happy for the change in topic. "Though I wonder what problem that town has." She said looking at the map.
"That's easy if I am to solve it then its the necromancer." He said looking at the growing darkness. 'It may not be his location but I'll be happy to save lives for now.' He thought now that he had something to go on.
His thoughts were interrupted by the other girls walking into the room. Along with two alicorns and quite a few bat ponies. The white alicorn and Rarity were speaking to each other.
"Princesses thank you for joining us. Also I wish to apologize for the last minute invite. But my new friend has important information for us." Twilight said as thentwo taller alicorns bow in greeting.
"Princesses, " he said with a deep bow Celestia found the new creature interesting but restained her self from questioning him. "I'm sorry to say this but your entire civilization is in danger from a threat known as a necromancy. Now I know that it will sound strange but that village is about to be attacked by dead reanimated via magical means." He said looking at the faces around him. Seeing mostly confusion and disbelief he decide to show them one example. "Know this but what I'm about to do is frowned upon in my order but you must know what we face." He said and with motion of his hands he brought a half rotten carcass in through the window. There were several exclamations of disgust especially from the necrid stench. With a sigh he placed his hand on the rat carcass he had found. He uttered the forbidden wordsasnhis hands touched the rotted flesh and he could feel the juicy bloated body.
Princess Celestia couldn't believe what she was seeing the human, as she was to understand the species was called. Was standing in the room touching a dead half decayed rat chanting. As she tried to figure it out she felt the air chill around her. As magical energy Coursed around her she felt that cold foreign energy again. The rats flesh began to melt away and a sickly blue light filled the where the eyes should have been. When the man finished his chant the rats skeleton was standing on its on and making horrid noises.
" this is necromancy and these are one of the things our enemy can create." Jeric said with a wave of his hand the rat skeleton crumble.
"Of coarse he can." Sonic Rain said glumly her face not betraying any emotions. "So how do we kill them?" She asked flaring out he bat like wings. Jeric smiled finally someone he could relate too.
"Most undead have the same weaknesses; fire, bashing in thier skulls, daylight silver, and any thing sanctified." he said laying his blade on the table. So they could see the blade.
Author's Note
Welp chapter 5 and we'll finally see some real heroics next chapter. However regret fully I must in for you that my phone can only hand about 1,000 word chapters before I start having issues so I might start two part chapters. As always fewl free to leave a comment about anything and have fun.
Seventeen heavily armed individuals sat in a train car. The bright pastel colors of the train didn't match the moods of the people who were mere hours away from a fight for thier very survival. As they sat and waited many adjusted their armor and weapons. Jeric sat as the rest taking a whet stone to his swords silver edge. His long practiced strokes betrayed no hints of malice or nervousness. He was there for one purpose combat. Sonica Rain walked the isle in between the car seats. She was nervous this was to be her first real combat experience. She looked over at the stranger who was acting so calm. She stared at his armored form its white ivory skeleton being it's most prominent feature.
The dark brown coated bat pony used her wing to adjust her breast plate and stomped her hoof to adjust her claw shoes. 'Horse feathers this armor is uncomfortable.' She thought swishing her black tail. The whole thing left a bad taste in her mouth. Her eyes moved back to the new guy. ' Why in tartarous are we following this creature and its strange magic.' Suspicions gnawed at her mind. Still she had to admit the man looked impressive. He stood head and shoulders taller then any one else she had brought along. She watched and walked the stranger taking most of her attention.
"Ma'am if you stare any longer he might notice." One of her soldiers said with a chuckle. She looked at the stallion with a glare that would normally make him wince. Her blushing face however made him want to laugh.
"Midnight Flare you will not mention this to anypony is that clear!" She told him her blush fading. With a nod from Midnight Flare she continued. "The way I see it he knows too much about this threat and might be behind it." She whispered. This time it was Midnights turn to give the human an suspicious look. Jeric having overhead the conversation. Decided to put his two bits in.
"Listen up everypony." He said standing up and sheathing his sword. "I understand that some of you may be suspicious of my intentions I know I would be. I'm a stranger to most of you. But know this what is about to happen the horror that one man is about to unleash upon you I have sworn to stop. Even at the cost of my life." He said trying to atleast gain thier cooperation. " If the attack hasn't started we will have about a day to try and set up defences." Jeric anounced trying to give atleast an ounce of hope. He sat back down to wiat for the train to reach its destination. He looked out the window the sun blazing as though it was noon. 'Guess I'll have to thank Celestia for leaving the sun up.' He thought with a grin.
"I think our friend didn't like your badmouthing." Midnight laughed causing Sonica to blush once more. Though Jeric speech did seem to give her some confidence in his purpose. Jeric reached out his skeleton claw gloved hand to the bat pony next to him. For a hoofshake, the bat pony looked at him oddly. Then with a huge grin grabbed his hand and shook it.
"Hi I'm North Star, maps and logistics specialist." She said still grinning. North had a white coat and black mane her cutiemark was a black field with one star. Jeric Smiled at least someone on this trip was friendly.
"Jeric Boneknight." He said copying her introduction. She let out a little giggle. Jeric felt a sinking feeling as he realized just who he was bringing into battle. "Hey have you ever been in combat?" He asked pure concern in his voice.
"Actually its my first time in active combat. Truth is I'm a little nervous." She said unable to keep her excitement over the prospect of her first fight out of her voice. Jeric pitied her she had no clue what was coming. Jeric made a quick motion to Sonica. When she saw his motion Sonica contemplated ignoring him but since Luna had put him incharge she had to.
"Can I help you." She asked walking close. She looked him in the eyes and immediately regretted it. The moment her dark blue eyes met his violet ones she was entranced, the feeling shot through her like lightning and all her paltry concerns about him melted away. "I mean ah yes sir." She fumbled the words not coming out right.
"Well I was wondering if any of these troops have seen combat?" Asked now concerned over her sudden demeanor change. "Are you alright? You seem distracted."
"Oh no your fine.." Realisation crosses her features. "Uh, I mean no, your not distracting..." Again she trailed off hernwords flustered and confused. 'Horse feathers, we aren't even the same species.' She thought trying to regain her composure. "What I mean is no this our first combat mission and since our inception when Princess Luna returned." She said trying to look composed. She was fine till somepony laughed in the back. 'I'll have to court marshall the lot of them.' She thought trying to silence her embarrassment.
"I see then make sure they know. Aim for the head and never stop attacking. The enamy is tireless the don't breath or sleep, and don't let them touch you." He stated coolly. 'There's nothing I can do now to prepare them. Heck was there any to do to begin with.' jeric was about to dismiss Sonica when he saw a question in her eyes, along with something else.
"Sorry I just have to ask how old are you." She asked truly curious.
"Oh, is that all I'm 25 been fighting undead for five years now." He said with a shrug.
"Wait but that means you are as old as me... That means you have five years combat experience. " she said amazed. " show me your scars sometime." She said with a toss of her mane wchid had a single lock of purple. She sauntered off feeling as giddy as a filly.
"What was that?" Jeric asked North Star.
"Well I think you might have just gotten added to the rookery." She said giggling again with a blush. The other ponies that had seen the display were also laughing. 'I think Sonica just asked to see you naked.' Skully chimed in laughing. 'Well at least you finally have a girlfriend.' Skully said into the the comfusion in his mind.
The train came to a stop about an hour later. The troops left the train car. They lined up right out side the station on the tarmac. Both Jeric and Sonica inspected the troops walking up and down the line. He found it quite disconcerting how she now stayed extremely close to him. She was within five steps but stayed within that bubble five steps. Sonica began to address her troops. It was the normal hooha that was meant to raise morale and inspire. She finished her little speech and they started thier march into town.
As they approached the town the saw a sign reading, 'Hoofvill.' They marched I to a few gasps and wide eyed stares most of which were directed at the ivory covered knight. As they made their way to the center of town, the mayor of the town came bounding up with a worried look.
" Can I help you ah guards." The mayor a pale coated blue haird stallion asked nervously.
"I am Sonica Rain captain of the Lunar Guard we have reason to believe this town is in imminent danger of attack." She said not sugar coating a drop.
"But there is no tactical advantage if they take this town. " They mayor said confuse. He'd normally be right.
"Its not for tactical reasons the man behind the attack wants soldiers." Jeric said sweeping his hand to indicate the populace. The mayor's eyes went wide with shock.
"Then how can I help." He said with a salute.
They talked to the mayor whose name turned out to be Tax Bracket. The plan was simple Celestia would buy them time. During this time they would fortify the town. Sonica had some pegasie bring in clouds for archers to use. The mayor had several earth ponies fortifying the rest of the town they focused on a building that was large enough for the towns peoples and had strong enough walls to give the enemy pause. The rest of the town would also fortify the rest slightly to slow down any army that attempted to breach it.
"Jeric found the village to be to his liking. It was nestled in the middle of a canyon preventing invasion from more the two vectors. He noticed a pegasus that had just finished moving a cloud into place. Using his mental link with his familiar he flared his wings. He heard gasps from the ponies around him as his fifteen foot wingspan sprung to life. He was up next to the poor frightened white pegasus in a flash. His speed seemed to surpise everyone. He ignored the distraction to talk to the pegasus.
"Hey do you have any pegasai out scouting the area we need it for a fifty clicks down both sides of the canyon." He said as authoritative as possible.
"Yes sir we'll get right on it." the white pegasus said zipping off. Then coming right back. "Uh sir what are we to look for?" The little guy asked confused.
"Well it will be a mass of bodies probably decaying they might be moving they might not, or you'll see darkness moving like fog." Jeric said sending the pony off again. He then looked at the cloud. It just hung there where it had been placed. Looking around he saw any number of winged ponies perched on them. He waited a moment before climbing above the one he was next to. Taking a deep breath he cut his wing power and landed.
"You can walk on clouds!" Sonic rain exclaimed in surpise. 'Well atleast it makes inviting him over easier.' She thought coily.
Jeric smiled a little this was useful it gave him a good vantage point, but he had to see if it was himselfnor Skully that could walk on clouds. With a mental command he brought her to concieness. 'When I do this prepare to catch me.' He instructed hitting the sternum of his armor. Skully opened up her rib cage spreading apart and the rest of her detaching from his armor. Again he took a deep breath and stepped forward. Skully let out a surprised shriek as she plummeted beneath the cloud. Only to reappear flapping her wings for flight. The mystical red fire that made up her eyes an lit the insidesnof her rib cage flared in anger. 'Why is it your the only one benefiting from this venture?' She thought angrily.
"What the horse apples did you do?" Sonica asked Jeric and pointing at Skullly.
"Oh that's Skully she's my familiar and right now she's jealous of my new found cloud walking ability." He said with a smile. Skully huffed indignantly. 'what a stallion!' Sonica thought seeing what Jeric really looked like under his familiars protective embrace. 'Wait nows not the time for that.' She thought disdainfully.
"Is she going to be a problem?" Sonica said eyeing the construct. 'This thing gets to embrace him all the time.' She thought angrily.
"Oh she won't cause problems she's a construct and a familiar litteraly she is bound to me though more a sister than a servent." He said affectionately petting Skully on the head. 'I wish he'd... Sweet Celestia he's got me bad!' Sonica thought grimly. She landed on his cloud as the white pegasus he had sent out came back. Sonica cursed her luck under her breath.
"I saw them coming from the west." The winded pony said sweet pooring off his brow. "There's got to be a rhousand troops out there and you.." He stopped thinking about it. "You were right some where half falling apart others were full skeletons." He wimpered The site truly disturbed him.
"Only a thousand I feel insulted." Jeric said with a laugh. His joke seemed relieve the ponies fears. "Don't worry friend I've been doing this for five years there is no way I'll let them win." He promised. With a snap of his fingers Skully adhered to his armor. "Sonica I want to take five of the troops the rest should stay here incase some get through." Jeric said gravely.
"Get the through what?" Sonica said dreading the answer.
"Get through me." He said taking off from his cloud and heading west.
Jeric landed with bone jarring force before the undead army. Behind him keeping at a good fifty yards fice bat ponies, including Sonica. Watched as Jeric instructed. He wanted them to learn, they needed to see the dead as they are and to see how to fight them. The acrid stench of decay floated around him on the breeze. Jeric heard one of the ponies behind him wretch. His first time against the dead flashed in his mind. He could feel his leather armor. His first time smelling them he too had lost his lunch. He skipped most of th rest of the memory going strait to his fight alone against the enemy. The horde he was currently about to fight was getting closer he could feel the ground trembling. He let his emotions out of thier pen inside his mind he left fear wash over him worry bury it self in his soul. The raging storm threatened to consume him that was where he found what he was looking for. He grapped the red ember in his mind. It felt like fire in his mind. He let his mind go back to the memory bringing him face to face with his sister's kidnapper. He let rage consume him burning away the fear and apprehension. The enemy was now within reach.
"Vex," He called hand elevated and fingers splayed. The first row of zombies froze their joints locking up as his magic took effect. They let out beastly roars at being stopped thier brains not regestering the pain. They broke thier bones trying to move the jagged white sprouting from putrid green skins. "La!" Jeric called out adding more lower behind the spell. With a simple downward hand motion he dragged the fifty enemies into the ground with enough force to cause a shockwave and blood and bile was flung skyward. Magic and rage mixed red in his eyes as he drew his blade and rushed the horde.
Sonica had nev er seen anything like it in her life. Jeric had rushed in alone and with a command and gesture he had slain fifty of the decrepit ponies their flesh falling off in places. Jeric was currently using claw and sword to dance through the undead rankes. She watched as he deftly danced around claws made of former wings. It was then that she noticed that swirling around Jeric was a trail of ivory. The moment she saw the white trail he started using it as a weapon. Parts of it he used almost like darts solidifying them and kinecticly sending them through skulls.
"Wow I've never seen magic like that." North Star said in amazement as Jeric used a particularly grandiose maneuver impaling several zombies and sending multiple spikes into them. "Captain he's amazing. " North stated watching her friend rip a zombies head off with his bear hands. She shuddered as her was drenched in blood and other unidentified fluids from his enemies.
Jeric looked at the remainder of his enemies their shambling forms still taking up his view. He knew he only had about 400 left, after all Skully had been counting. Another zombie came lunging at him both arms raised in an attemp to grapple. Jeric kicked it in chest. With a wicked grin he sank Skully's scyth like claw into the things bloated chest. He quickly brought his other clawed foot up and severed its head from its shoulders. Witth a quick back flip he sent the headless corps over his head. From his now crouch position he used his wings to spring forward. Midnight his sword danced in his hands. Contrails of blood and chunks of flesh danced through the air around him.
The combat ended no more than Six hours after he had started. When he had whittled down the enemy to a mere hundred he had let the five bat ponies help out. He made them take turns to ensure that he could cover them as they fought the undead. Sonica's turn came up again and she swooped into the fray. She let her momentum carry her as she stood on her hind legs and spread her front wide. The long blades that were strapped to her wrist cut through several of the obominations. She came to a stop panting And dropped to all fours. Movement on her left caught her attention. To her dismay a skeleton she had missed had sprung toowards her. She stumbled back unable to react. She watched in horror as the creature reached out. It hoof was nothing more then a razor blade now. She looked in its empty eye sockets. She was about to scream when a clawed hand darted over her. 'My hero.' She thought as Jeric gabbed the creatures skeletal snout and slammed it into the ground shattering the creatures skull like glass. Again she couldn't help but give into her feelings for him. With that the fight had ended. The oncoming army had been slain.
"Are you ok." Jeric asked helping Sonica to her feat.
"What oh yes I'm fine." She said embarrassed at her ineptitude. "I can't believe that just happened! " she groaned as they left the battlefield. 'I wonder if he dislikes clumsy girls.' She thought blushing again. Once they were back in formation Jeric relaxed.
"Well I think today went rather well." He said laughing. The others lookedxat him as though he were mad. "Hey no one died, and you guys got a little training in how to fight these things." He said flaring his wings. Several chunks of rotted flesh fell from them causing North Star to crinkle her nose.
"I really need a bath after that." North said using the clawwed hook on her wing to pick at some zombie entrails that was stuck on her armor. "I won't be able to get the smell out of my coat for weeks." She complained. Jeric chuckled again he had long ago learned to ignore the stench, atleast till he could wash it out.
"A good tomato juice bath will get that out." He said with a smile happy that his unit had survived.They arrived in town finding everything in order. Both the mayor and the white pegasus waited to greet them. The two of the were chatting away.
"He was amazing he slew almost the entire horde by himself you shuold have seen it." The white pegasus saidin hush tones. Jeric sighed he had hoped only the five would have seen it. 'Shambling hordes are the easiest to defeat, I had only hoped to inspire some of the troops and give them hope.' He thought walking up to them.
"I hear you made sure that the army never even reached our borders." He said trying not to look disgusted by the smell they were eminating. Jeric saw himself in a window, 'Dear gods I'm more gore than man.' He thought chuckling again. 'Atleast we can hopefully get cleaned up.' He thought as Sonica asked the mayor for a large vat of the juice to be prepared. As soon as the she had a time estimate they walked back to the others.
"Welp crisis over and in about ten minutes we can get cleaned up." Sonica said happily feelings of pride and relief swelling in her chest.
"Well that's all good but lets talk about what happened out there." Midnight Flare said. He tried to look intimidating puffing his chest and flaring his wings. Midnight had not liked being showed up especially by a stranger.
"Back off Flare he just showed us how to fight those things." North Star said angrily. She didn't much care for her brothers attitude. She stared down the large cream colored bat pony.
"If you have any questions I can answer them if you want to complain then next time jump in sooner." Jeric said since he wasn't one to let others fight his battles. Flare nearly tripped over his own feet as Jeric let out his wings. The stallion looked terrified as he felt earthquakes with each step. "Those abominations were the weakest of thier ilk. He used them because he was low on materials and magic." He said voicing his own complaints and fears. "There are hundreds of creatures he can produce. Each with a dozen ways to kill you." He said using a clawed finger to drive his point home. "I fought monsters and the men who created them. I have watched as friends were turned or eaten. I was powerless to save my villige and my family." He said eyes going to that dark place. "I never want to see the people I care about dragged of to fates worse then death again." He breathed regaining his composure. He didn't feel like continuing not caring what the others thought of him. He decided to see if the bath was ready Skully was complaining in his mind bout how she wasn't supposed to have skin.
"Most dangerous man in our world and you decide to get on his bad side." North sighed watching as Jeric walked away.
"I didn't know about his family." Flare said scratching at his red mane. "And how is he the most dangerous man? I thought the necromancer was the most dangerous?" He said confused.
"No stupid think about it. How can the necromancer be more dangerous if he's Jeric's prey." North Star said proudly as she went to follow Jeric. "Hey captain he probably won't be wearing his armor in the tub." She said with a mischievous grin and a wink.
Jeric didn't go straight for the building that the tub was being set up in. Instead he went to the local well and pulled out a bucket of water. He splashed it over himself washing the gunk from himself. With a quick wave of his hand the grisly muck at his feet turned to ash and drifted away on the wind. Jeric sighed leaning against the well. 'I may have gone a little too far.' He thought as he slid down to a sitting position. He was tired it was the first time he had fought so many at once. 'Why'd I go take the whole army on myself its why I had the team.' He contemplated the quandry for a little while longer before chalking it up to anger. With another sigh he stood up. 'Man I hate tomato baths.'
Author's Note
Welp another chapter down. I hope you enjoyed the combat. I tried to make it badass. And good news I'm geting a proof reader starting next chapter so most of my previous spelling errors should disappear. Also if you hadn't notice I added a little romance, sure it may be cross species, but hey at least its funny. So have fun and see you next chapter.
Sonica sat on the train home. She was dreading the arrival to Ponyville. She might be separated from her very special somepony. The train pulled into the station and off loaded its passengers. Twilight and her friends stood on the tarmac. They were all smiles except Pinkie Pie she was a storm of happy. Also as she had feared standing on the tarmac was Princess Luna. She felt the sadness grow a little the prospect of being sent home to the rookery without Jeric. Luna looked at the little bat pony. She had to stifle a giggle seeing how down trodden the pony was. Sonica's dreams had already revealed her sorrows to Luna.
The dream had been quite saucy, atleast it looked like sauce. 'It was atkeast tomato based.' She thought with a smile. The dream had revolved around them bathing each other. Luna had been about to interrupt not wanting to end up seeing something she really shouldn't. When Sonica spoke.
"You still haven't shown me your scars." Sonica said looking almost as if she was about to jump him.
"The only scar I care to show is the one you've given me." The Dream Jeric said about to pull Sonica into a kiss. It was then that Midnight flare walked in and woke Sonica up. Luna sat down in her dream scape. She looked down the long hall with many doors. The doors floated within nothing an endless multicolored void made up the walls. There was one door unlike the others. She how ever knew it, while all the others where basic wooden doors, this door was heavy stone with skulls and archaic runes decorating it. There was a new addition she saw. There was now a large chain with a lock.
"Wow first time someone has locked me out." Luna said examining the lock. She spotted some writing on the lock. 'Please knock for entry.' She read nearly laughing. "He really doesn't like visitors. " she laughed knocking. The lock gave a resounding click and the chain receded.
Sonica cleared her throat pulling Luna back to the present. Sonica stood at attention along with the rest of her platoon. The seventeen bat ponies stood completely still as their Princess inspected them. Jeric walked over and saluted Luna.
"They performed their duties admirably ma'am." He said keeping a stern expression his years of training keeping him stoic. His helmet help a lot with iding emotions. "I even managed to get some of them combat experience." He reported eager to get the debriefing out of the way. Since all she did the night before was notify him the map was back to normal, and request his teams return to Ponyville.
"So I heard mister 925." Luna said chuckling as Jeric sheepishly tried to hide his embarrassment. "So seem to have left quite the impression on a quite a few ponies." Luna said beaming at how well every one was adjusting to him. She turned towards her bat ponies. "It has come to my attention that the necromancer is still at large. So I have decide to move our Rookery to Ponyville for the time being." She said smiling at there small cheer that went up from the crowed. "And don't worry we'll have plenty of tomato sauce handy." She whispered to Sonica who blushed. "Perhaps we should add a foal care." Luna mused walking away to talk to the ponies she had charged with moving the rook.
"Your highness I feel that as a knight I feel I should make this official." He said walking up to Luna. When he caught up to her, he took a knee and bowed his head. "Your highness I pledge my sword and life to your sevice." He said drawing his blade and laying his sword across his palms. Luna looked at the display in utter confusion. "Oh, right ah you would normally take the sword and perform a knighting but I guess you don't do that." He said looking up at Luna he could see gears turning in her head.
"Actually we have something like that bow once more please." Luna said with a smile. When Jeric complied she drew a little magic into her horn. "I now knight you Sir Jeric Knight of Bones." She said placing her horn on his shoulders one at a time. "Now rise my new knight." She said letting her horn go dark.
After to brief ceremony which had thrilled Sonica greatly, tat is until she realized that he outranked her again. She made her way over to Twilight and friends. She had a problem and they might be able to help.
"Hi Sonica do you need help." Twilight said noticing Sonica's approach.
"Actually I was wondering if any of you would be." She stopped think over her words and trying to squash her embarrassment. "I need to know how to get a stallion's attention. " she said in a tone almost as soft as Fluttershy's.
"Oh that's simply marvelous darling whose the lucky stallion!" Rarity said her eyes shining at the prospect.
"He's right over there." Sonic said pointing in his general direction. The girls looked over and then ack in confusion.
"You mean you like my brother?" Applejack asked to be sure.
"What?" Sonica said looking over to see Jeric and a large red pony talking. "Not the red one." She said with a sigh. 'Why is this so hard." She thought in dispare. 'Just say his name!' She screamed inside.
"Oh my." Fluttershy said catching on. She was blushing even more so then the captain. "Girls I think the captin has a serious problem." Fluttershy said in pure sympathy.
"Why is that darling does he have a marefriend." Rarity said with a gasp. It was a good and juicy scandal in her mind.
"If only that was the issue." Sonica groened.
"Then what is the problem." Pinkie pie asked.
"He's a not exactly the same species as us." She said with a blush that showed just how badly she liked him.
"I see how that could be a problem." Twilight said looking over at Jeric who was aiding Big Mac with barrel of apples. He hefted a second barrel using his free hand. 'Ok I see it.' She thought as she looked back at Sonica. "So how can we help?" Asked with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Oh I know exactly how to help." Rarity said with a seductive smile.
Sonica sat on her haunches looking a lot like a puppy. She watched as Rarity grabbed every piece of cloth she could. Rarity had first said that a makeover was in order. Luna also had tagged along to add moral support. At least that what she had said. Really, she was there to enjoy the show. Rarity finally stopped running around. She then selected a dark purple material and then began to mark out a design.
"So darling tell me what it was like, falling in love." Rarity said wistfully as she began taking Sonica's measurements.
"Well at first I didn't trust him. I mean he was so odd." She said looking back at Rarity and smiling. "But the moment I looked into his eyes, wow it felt like my mind was struck by lightning and my body was engulfed in a warm cloud. After which I couldn't do anything right and kept embarrassing my self." She said sheepishly.
"Ahhh, that's so sweet." Sweetie Bell Rarity's little sister said as she walked in carrying some gems her sister had asked for. "So who's your special somepony?" She asked putting her hooves on the daise and hopping on her back legs excitedly.
"It's a little embarrassing but uhm Jeric." Sonica said blushing andpulling one of her wings over her face. Sweetie Bell looked confused by the gesture but instantly became distract by the lack of something on Sonica's flank.
"Your a blank flank too?" She exclaimed shocked.
"Oh, I forgot I still had on my my make up." Sonica said as she used her wing to wipe her flank revealing her cutiemark, it was a bat shaped microphone with musical notes around it. "I cover it up so my fans won't bother me on duty." Sonica explain blushing again.
"Why your a star deary why did you not say so before." Rarity asked looking at her dress as it was coming together via her magic. 'Will this be good enough?' She thought.
"Its not that important besides I have enough to deal with trying to win my desired ones heart." Sonica said exasperated.
"Why not just ask him. I'm sure he would love to hear you sing." Sweetie Bell said perky as ever. Sonica sat dumbfounded she hadn't thought of that. Rarity agreed but mention that there need to be more. Saying that Sonica would need to properly court her man. She continued with the dress.
"You see Sweetie Bell Miss Rain must first get her feelings across to Sir Jeric, and unfortunately the poor dear has no clue how." Rarity said with a wink to Sonica.
"No but give here a couple gallons of tomato sauce and she can get pretty close." Luna laughed watching the confusion on the little filly's face. Sonica let out a groen and hid deeper in her wings. "Lets just say she had a very saucy dream." The blue alicorn explained playfully.
"Oh my, princess were you peeking at a personal matter." Rarity chided while laughing. "Though food is a good way to win a stallion's attention." Rarity thought aloud. Sonica was now out of he wings and sitting at attention. "Another good way is perfumes and learning what they do for fun." She continued as she finished up Sonica's dress. "Let see oh right show your vulnerable side men love to feel strong." She finished giving the dress to Sonica.
"And if that fails just throw some pasta at him." Luna laughed once more.
Jeric stood infront of one of the many restaurants in Ponyville. This particular eatery was Italian, he could smell the garlic from where he stood. He was dressed as requested in the suit Rarity had made him. The suit it self was superb. It was a light breathable black silk with red stripes down the legs. It also had a fine silver trim to compliment his sword. The white under shirt with red vest showed well against his decorative twin tail jacket. 'I feel like a fool.' He thought looking around and playing with his black silk neck tie with ruby clip. 'The princess said 8 sharp.' He shifted his weight. 'And what could we possibly be meeting about at a restaurant.' He thought watching the finely dressed patrons entering and leaving. The patrons offten gave him an odd look too.
"Don't worry deary you look smashing." Rarity said happily.
"Its not the dress I'm worried about, Anyways why an Italian place." She asked dreading the answer.
"Oh Luna suggested it. She mention something about you drawing power from the sauce." Rarity explained innocently. Sonica however was now huddled in a corner out of embarrassment. 'That's it she dies... I wonder if he likes pasta.' Sonica thought frazzled. The carriage came a stop. She peeked out felt he heart freeze and whipped back inside clinging to wall like she was falling. "What ever is the problem.
"You did this." Sonica glared at Rarity. "I thought he couldn't get any more gorgeous but no you just had to stick your hoof in and make him divine." Sonica gave a peak out her window. She felt her legs turn to jello an clung even tight to the wall. 'Oh boy does she have it bad.' Rarity thought as she magically pried Sonica from the wall.
"Listen darling I'm not going to force you out there." Rarity said she however turned toward the door. "How ever your guest has waited long enough, and besides he does look smashing in that suit." Rarity opened the carriage door. Sonica lunged the thought of the prissy mare eating with her stallion sending her over the edge. To late she realized that Rarity had tricked her, and one deft side step from the unicorn later. She found herself outside the carriage trying to maintain her balance. Jeric was at her side in moments hhelp to steady her. 'Sweet Celestia don't ever let me go!" She thought as he steadied her.
"So here forthe meeting as well, I think we are the first." He said happy to no longer be standing around. Much to her disappointment he let go. "By the way you look good." He said taking note of her oriental style dress and silver crawling shoes. In her hair she wore a single three feathered barret with a large violet crystal as its center. He also noticed her cutiemark. "So you do have one of those." He said indicating her mark.
"Why of coarse its a ponies pride and joy." Sonica said he led her to the entrance. "Why is yours covered?" She asked disappointed. 'Not that the view is lacking at all from this angle.' She thought as she lingered a little to long.
"Actually my mark in on my arm so you can stop staring at my backside." He laughed as she blushed. She gazed upon his smile and something clicked in her mind. 'I want to see that smile for eternity.' She thought all her doubt and fear leaving. 'I will be what makes him happy.'
Jeric looked down at her. She had stopped moving which concerned him. Looking down at her he saw an expression he couldn't describe directed at himself. Not knowing what to do he gave her a little head pat. She responded by nuzzling his hand. 'Wait did she just?' He thought shocked. Sonica snapped to attention and blushed.
"I ah... ah I." She fumbled with her words. "Ok I'll be straight with you." She took a deep breath. "I love I know there's no rhyme or reason and we only met a few days ago and we barely know each other but I'm wild about you. Your the most interesting pony I know your strong handsome and all you want to do is protect others. This isn't some meeting its a date that princess Luna set up and I really want to be on." Her face registered concerned. 'What if he rejects me right here?' She thought scared.
"Well ain't that just a pip and here I thought I was in for a boring dinner with a bunch of politicians. A date with you my lady sounds like a much more promising prospect." He said with a broad smile. "Oh and don't worry bout the whole cross species thing back in my world there are lot wierder couplings." He said opening the door for her. She thanked him and they entered the restaurant.
The two were seated at a prime table close to a stage where a grey mare with a treble cleft cutiemark played a chello. The waiters bustled about bringout numerous vegan dishes and pastas of all sorts.
"Man I could really go for a nice steak right now." Jeric said wistfully imagining a nice juicy steak its fatty sides slightly browned the top blackened with a nice pink center. It was about this time that he noticed the look of disgust on Sonicas face. "Sorry my race is omnivorous meaning we eat both." He explained as he picked out a nice pasta from the menu.
"Well I guess there has to be one flaw." Sonica said with a sigh. "You don't ah eat your young right?" She asked concerned. Jeric nearly choked on nothing.
"No we don't we protect and guard the young." He said then a thought struck him. "I know how bout I tell you about human social structure I think you'll find it familiar." He said, Sonica shook her head.
"Twilight would like that though she loves that stuff." Sonic said smiling. "Though I would love tobhear all about you. After all your my prize tonight." She said her eyes turning predatory.
Luna sat in the restaurant's balcony watching the show with her sister and friends. Twilight was taking notes as per the usual. Celestia was simply watching as the courtship continued. She wwas hopiing that the human would find a reason to stay. Luna how ever was more interested in the evenings entertainment value. She watched the events unfold waiting for her special guests to show up.
"So what plans do you have for after we catch the necromancer?" Sonica asked off handedly.
"Well being as I made a blind planar jump I can't just go home. See the planes are a maze and one off coordinate will send you to the wrong place some deadly just to step foot in." Jeric explained leaning back in his chair. "Besides why would I leave my present company." He smiled his best smile.
"Oh well I have pretty nice company my self." Sonica said as thier food arrived. She watched as jeric grabbed the eating utensils that unicorns used. "Those things are useful." She said pointing at his hands.with her wings.
"Yeah they really help with every day chores." He said as he splayed his finger. Looking at her he thought for a moment. 'Well why not show off.' And with a smile he cast a spell that brought into existence a beautiful silver necklace it had two unicorns holding a blood red ruby.
"How did you?" Sonica said amazed she had seen unicorns do a lot of amazing things. But conjuring something out of nothing was unheard of even alicorns hadn't done it. "Thats amazing you can create things. Even the princesses can't do that!" She exclaimed drawing the entire restaurants attention.
Luna was just staring shocked. Twilight was no longer taking notes she more then anyone was petrified her studies of magic had never revealed magic like that. Celestia was highly concerned again she had felt magic move in a strange way and this time it had happened before her. 'Jeric is far more powerful then he lets on.' She thought solemnly.
"Luna I think you may have nighted a prince." Celestai said as her sister nodded.
Jeric stood in a clearing just outside Ponyville. The three princesses and Sonica stood around him. They had ushered him out of the restaurant to avoid panic. They the princesses looked at him warily. Jeric however didn't see the problem. 'It was just some conjuration nothing dangerous.' He thought looking at the princesses.
"How did you do it?" Princess Celestia asked stepping closer. "How did you create something from nothing?" She asked seeing the confusion in his eyes.
"You mean you can raise the sun but can't do simple conjuration." Jeric said thinking of how incredibly ridiculous it sounded. "Its really easy I can teach it to you guys its not that hard." He said wrapping his hand in magic and weaving it together to create a shining silver sword with a gem encrusted crossguard. He gave the sword a swing back and forth. "See its just mana manipulation its as simple as forming it into the right components. Though if I was better I could create even more abstact creations and summon creatures of flesh from other dimensions." He said watching the princesses. Twilight's mouth was agape. "Well I have one more trick though I primarily use it against large opponents." He said with a smile.
"I would love to see it sometime but first we must gauge just how powerful you are." Twilight said as she set up a small machine. "This is a magic reader it will tell me how much power you put out." Twilight said stretching out some wires. "Princess Celestia said that she will go first." She said hooking the princess up to her machine. Overall it reminded Jeric of some odd gnomish device. Twilight flipped the machine on. "Ok princess put as much power as you can." She said with confidence. Celestia's horn lit up as she pumped as much magic as she could. "There we go 8, 999 points." Twilight said pulling off the wires. "Your turn Jeric but I think you'll have trouble beating that score." She said as he walked up to her machine. "I mean even currently I'm only at 8,000." She continued on hooking him up to the machine. She placed one of the wires on his hand. "Ok just like the princess pump out some magic." She said way to enthusiastic.
Jeric reached deep into himself and pulled the mana to his hand. Twilight was reading the output and a look of confusion crossed her face. Jeric focused on his magic and drawing it out he was oblivious to his suroundings and didn't notice when his power began to affect everything. Sonica looked up at the clouds as they began to swirl and darken.
"Princess this can't be right he's... he's over 9,000 and climbing." Twilight shouted over the winds as they continued to gain speed. Her machine let out sparks and sizzled unable to keep up with the rapid growth in power. Jeric feeling that he had shown off enough but not going to let mana just explode anywhere focused just a little more turning the magic into a daylight spell and unleashed it into the air. The massive orb of pure sunlight rocketed up into the air bathing Equestria in sunlight once more.
"Wait you created a new sun!?!" Twilight exclaimed in confusion.
"Its called a daylight spell it'll dissipate after a while... I think." Jeric said looking at the massive orb of sunlight still going up. 'That is a big spell.' He thought watching the orb as it lit everything up.
"Hey your messing up my night." Luna joked to nervous to do much else.
"20, 000." Twilight whispered her brain trying to compute what sh had just seen.
"Wait what?" Sonica exclaimed looking at her man. ' That actually seems,' looks at jeric,' right he's awsome.' She thought proud of her stallion.
"How is this possible he's stronger then Celestia?" Twilight asked herself looking from her notes to Jeric. "How did get so strong?" She asked no one inparticular. Twilight began to approach jeric her curiosity overriding her caution. "Everything about you is unprecedented. Please, Jeric I need to study you." She said holding up a hoof to touch him.
"Hey princess or not you touch him you face me." Sonica said darkly. It was begining to annoy her. 'They don't need to treat him like a monster.' She thought getting closer to Jeric. Luna and Celestia walked a little bit off and began to whisper. "So ah, some first date eh." Sonica stated looking a little down. Jeric smiled at her her and with a wave of his hand made the sun burst into a brilliant flare of falling sparkling light.
"Hey at least it ended with a bang." He said kneeling to look Sonica in the eyes.
Servoth walked the dark empty halls of his castle. As he walked the stone corridor he looked out at serene sky. It was as he watched the clouds drift by that he realized one bizarre truth. 'I'm lonely.' He thought sadly, 'I need a companion. Someone to help with my work maybe even give me some fine company.' His lonely mind changed as he began head to his throne room.
"Yes," he said gazing around the empty room. "This place needs a woman's touch. Herroc!" He called sizing up the room again. Herroc floated into the room from a side chamber and silently waited for his master to speak. "Herroc I need you to fetch something for me."
"What do you wish to have master?" Herroc asked his unstable master.
"I want a woman, nay a dark queen to teach my art to but also be my bride." Servoth said turning to face the wraith. The crazed look in his eyes he had when he was on the verge of creating a new abomination. "Also see if you can find out anything about what happened to our army." He said waving his hand dismissively. Herroc bowed and exited the chamber.
"Well Sister what's the verdict." Luna said looking over to her sister who sat across from her in their carriage. Celestia shook her head confused.
"I don't know sister he's so powerful we can't just leave him be." Celestia said leaning back in her seat. "Yet all he wants to do is help why can this never be easy." She sighed rubbing her temple with a hoof.
"Don't worry sis it seems that Sonica's feelings are bearing fruit he didn't outright reject her." Luna said trying to give her sister hope.
"Yes but that might not be enough." Celestia said solemly. "We need to fully solidify his allegiance to us something that will make him feel obligated to choose both Equestria and Sonica." Celestia turned to look out the window when it hit her. "We could give him a title and kingdom. Also marriage to Sonica could cement the deal make it so he wouldn't turn against us." Celestia said with a faint smile.
"Sister we can't just marry the two of them its wrong." Luna said in despair.
"Sure I can after all I'm going to adopt him first." Her grin broadened. "After all the poor dear has been without a family for too long. I figure why not us and with a lovely bride to be to boot."
"Because dear sister he may not want to. Besides for him his duties take precedence over all." Luna said shaking her head she knew Jeric well having seen his dreams and memories.
"Would you rather him fancy yourself dear sister?" Celestia asked quirking a eyebrow at Luna.
"Sister, while it is true that I wish to find a stallion like him someday I would never..." Luna stopped she couldn't say it. Something deep inside told her it was true. If she saw even the slightest chance she would take him in a heart beat. "I would like that." She admitted. "He could have me for the asking. You however have a consort I don't and he would be perfect Jeric is perfect." Luna said sadly. Celestia was surprised that any man could steel Luna's heart.
"I'm sorry sister I didn't notice where your heart was but what now." Celestia put a hoof around Luna.
"We will go with your plan." Luna said still wishing she had acted sooner. "We adopt him and then we work toward getting them married and if ever they separate I shall snatch up my prize." Luna said a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
Jeric woke the next day to rapid knocking at his door. He walked over to it yawning, the magic from the night before left him tired. He opended his door and a little purple alicorn walked in. She moved to the middle of his room in the rookery and plopped down her face was a mask of focused intent.
"Can I help you?" He asked concerned.
"Teach me." Twilight replied sternly.
"Teach you what?" Jeric asked wondering why she was acting so oddly.
"Every thing you know. Luna showed me what you did on the battlefield and what you face I will. Not sit by and let it happen." She said looking him in the eye. Jeric was impressed the little alicorn was showing guts.
"Alright then, first one of the most basics. Your magic is pointless." Jeric said drawing a look of shock. "What I mean is its pointless all you ponies do is draw magic from yourself for doing pointless things like levitating a quill. Magic is so much more then that. It can tear the ground asunder, summon mighty beasts, change the very foundations of reality. Once I teach you your world will never be the same." He said wathing Twilight's mouth drop. "Alright princess let first talk about what magic truly is and how amp things up." He said indicating that they should leave. "It could be dangerous to practice indoors besides I need to draw a magic circle." Walked from the room twilight in tow. The rookery was a building made out of clouds to look like a cavernous city. He walked to the center of th city where there was a large circular clearing. "Alright princess you are now my squire after all if you wish to learn from me you will learn like me!"
Twilight stood in the middle of a magic circle Jeric had drawn. 'I really don't see why its called a magic circle.' She thought looking at the runes he had made. Jeric was walking the edge double and triple checking his work. He had explained to Twilight that when a circle was used it had to be perfect or else things could go horribly wrong. He had even gone so far as to carve it into the ground to ensure no one could break it.
"Alright I'm going to envoke the spell." Jeric said closing his eyes. He gathered as much energy as he could into his hands as he chanted away in some ancient tongue. As he finished the chant Jeric slammed his hands onto the circle. The circle came to life every rune and line glowing and Twilight let out a light gasp as she was monetarily blinded by a flash of light.
"It's beautiful." She said when her eyes finally adjusted. Coarsing all around her were lines of coursing colors. Each line pulsating every now and then. Some she noted disappeared into thin air where others vanished when they hit the sides of the circle.
"That is pure magic and what I tap into every time I cast." Jeric said walking into the circle. Ash he did so Twilight noticed that many of the lines attached to a white glow in his hands. He noticed her look. "Ah I see you already noticed my hands. See the human body naturally emits the most magic from our hands. The brain however decides what magic we tap and how that magic is shaped while our fingures weave the spells to make it so." He said as he demonstrated by using his hands to weave the lines throuhh the air.
"Wow I've never heard of magic like this." Twilight said. She again looked at all the colors flowing around her. "So what are the colors?" She asked pawing at one.
"Well color more often thrn not indicates what realm the magic is being pulled from. It also helps us break it down into the schools and subschools wizards like to use." Jeric said wrapping some of the colors around his hand. "Ok Twilight what I want you to do is simple use your horn to grap one of white lines." He said going for an easy test.
Twilight had never learned how to use magic she had just always had. This made Jerics request hard for her to do. She first channeled hir magic into her horn. She had hoped that it would work like a magnet pulling the lines to her but instead nothing else happend. Jeric raised a eyebrow as he watched her struggling to grab a single strand of magic. Seeing his reaction made her feel like a novice again standing infront of Celestia for the first time.
"Ok you have plenty of power pumping now use ti to weave the threads." Jeric said letting go of all magic but his own which glowed in his hands. "Watch and try to repeat." He said letting the magic flow away from him and to a white strand once it they were touching he sent a pulse of enery through his msnna trail and merged it with the other magic bringing back to him. With a auick hand gesture and a word he created a small globe of light. "That simple, after all the word and hand gestures are just to help the brain for the mana." Twilight still struggled with grabbing the foreign magic. "Maybe you need to feel it first." He said walking over and releasing the magic he had grabbed instead he magically reached out once more this time grabbing Twilight's magic. Twilight shuddered a little at the oddly pleasant sensation. "Easy now, we are going to try to grab that white one again." He guided her magic away from her and towards the white line in the sky and with a quick thought had her magic adhered to it an moving back to her.
"It feels so strange using magic like this." Twilight said as she formed the ball of light which she then let fly off. She was made to do it again this time with out help. When she did she found it was quite easy and didn't drain her like magic used too. "How come I'm not tired like before?" She asked noting the phenomenon.
"Its simple you see before you were using the magic naturally produce by you body this time you used magic naturally occurring around you." He said smiling. He had her try it with several other colors letting her get use to the new powers she could touch. "Now little missy want to try seing if we can get a bat pony to try it." He said pointing to the crowd that had formed around them. Twilight ever the curious filly agreed to it.
Sonica who had been standing in the crowd heard his comment to Twilight and pushed forward untill she was with in the circle. She walked up to one of the lines and waited for Jeric to approach.
"So how do I do this." She said casually. Jeric how ever shrugged and repeated his first showing reaching out and grabbing the magic. Sonica watched and lifted her hoof she concentrated all her will power, and nothing happened. She sighed seeing it as just another way she and her love where to be seperated. Jeric however laughed.
"Well I didn't expect it to work at least not yet." Jeric said still smiling. "After all I couldn't do magic at first either." Jeric said to everyone's surprise. "Hey not all humans are mages. Heck world would be pretty boring if we were. I learned magic after I was a bone knight." He laughed patting his little pony on the head. With that he reached into his pocket. From it he produced a small skull that hung from a pendant and a bracer made of bone with a single onyx piece in its center.
"What are those for?" Sonica asked wanting to back up but not allowing her self to.
"Well Skully and I decided it was time to start training more knights. After all we can't be certain that we can stop him especially in our lifetime. So we decided you should be the first." Jeric said with a smile that nearly made Sonica want to faint. Jeric watched the stunned pony waiting for her reply. "Don't worry it doesn't mean you gotta have my kids or any thing." Jeric joked.
"Aw. Now don't go say'in that it was the part she was looking forward to." Some random bat pony called out causing the crowd to laugh.
Sonica was paralyzed the simple mention of kids had shut down her brain. The poor mare knew itvwas acjoke but wanted it not to be. Jeric was standing there waiting for a reply. She wanted to reply she nedded to reply.
"How many do you want?" She said it was the only thing she could think of.
Jeric stood there shocked as the crowd erupted in another bout of laughter. He had really not expected that answer. 'Please say she's asking how many knights I plan on making.' He thought nervously.
"Alright lad you best no be answering that ther question, but rest assured shed be more than happy to be a knight in your corp." A male midnight black bat pony said. Jeric nodded relieved that someone was answering.
"Ok well now that that's out of the way if you accept you can take these from me and I can begin your lessons." Jeric said handing the gear over to Sonica who still was recovering her senses. "Now slip on the arm band and I'll introduce you guys."
"Introduce me to who?" Sonica asked slipping on her new bracer.
"To your new construct." Jeric said as her skull necklace came to life. The skull which resembled a ravens head with fangs. "Lesson one is caring for your construct. See boneknight constructs are special in that they grow. This means the better care you take of your construct the more it can care for you. First and foremost you need to feed the little guy. Also Skully will have your hide if her first child dies."
"Wait what do you mean her child?" Sonica asked confused.
"Well you see she's the one that enchanted that piece of onyx on your leg and her bite that gives the little guy his fangs." Jeric said as he began leading her from the crowd. "You see she wanted you to have him since you and I are a couple." He was taking her through a back alley. "Now the biggest thing about him is he needs to grow which means you have to give him bones we'll steer clear of gryphins and ponies but the little guy needs to add mass to himself." Jeric finished brining her to a little cloud hollow. In it she saw bones lots of them. "Fluttershy's bear friend gives us his leftover bones so we keep a goodly supply." Jeric said picking up a large thy bone he held it near the raven skull. It bit down and drank the bone with its fangs. The little thingblet out a contented chirp when it was done. "Don't take off that bracer." He said pointing at the ivory bracer he had given her. "Its doing two things its binding that little guy to you and its rewiring your body to use magic. I will show you what to do when its not needed." He said pointedly. "Other than that unless we are on a job I'll be teaching you and any one else who wants to be a boneknight what we are and do. That is after the princesses mayic lesson." He laughed. "And now all we need do is recruit a few more if I can get five mre ponies we should be able to handle any thing the necro can throw at us."
"Herroc tell me did you find her?" Servoth said asvthe wraith entered his throne room. The shadow like wraith nodded and motioned to two skeletons that brought in a sqirming thrashing sack. They unceremoniously dumped out it contents.
Hera found herslf in a very bad position to be in. Something had kidnapped her from her roost. Her eagle like head and eyes roamed the cold stone room she was in and to the gryphins surprise she saw two pony skeletons and shadow all standing around.
"Please I don't have a lot of bits and I..." she trailed off as the air went cold and her blood froze. She lloked behind and spotted the human with hisvdark robes and hungry eyes.
"Don't worry my dear see I need you alive." He said with a pleasant demeanor.
"You do?" She asked scared.
"Why yes see you'll be my apprentice." Servoth purred revelling in her fear and slowly growing piece of mind.
"I will you mean you just wanna teach me." Hera said calming down a little.
"Yes you'll keep my secrets and bear my children." Servoth laughed as fear returned to the gryphin's eyes. With a wave of his hands he placed a collar aroubd her neck with a chain leading to his hand. "Herroc see that our new guest is comfortable, and find us a priest we have a wedding to plan.
Jeric was on a train once more. He brought his wetstone down the edge of his sword giving it a gleeming keen edge. Both Sonica and North had chosen seats next to him they chatted happily. Todays mission was far less tense than their first. This mission was a simple skirmish with changlings. Jeric was unworried he had faced shape-changers before they were tricky but each had tells. Princess Luna had decided to journey with and oversee the battle. This however made it so that Jeric could not enter battle as he was charged with her protection.
"So Jeric are you disappointed to not see battle this time?" Luna asked walking up to sit across from him. She gave him her best smile. She had taken a liking to the human.
"Begging your pardon but I do not seek to end lives war is a horrid thing. It is however necessary and as such must be prepared for. I simply am one who is prepared." Jeric answered hoping that he had gotten his point across.
"I see." Luna said thinking about what he had said. "Still I feel better that your here. We don't exactly know what the changlings are after." She said changing the subject.
"Does it really matter they're parasites feeding just to survive and propagate." Sonica offhandedly said with a slight snear. She didn't like changlings they stole emotions from thier victims, draining them till there was nothing left but a hungering void that turned them into just another changling. Their favorite food was love something she had just found.
They continued to talk as the train plumed black smoke as it moved toward the small border town. Jeric felt uncomfortable between the three girls as the talked. They talked about every thing including how to accessorize with their armor. 'I'm so glad your not like that.' He thought at Skully. 'Yeah I'm a tomboy.'she replied.
"Now before we arrive I want to do something to ensure we can tell each other apart." Jeric said standing. Hereached under his seat and pulled out a bag full of cloth. "I got us each a bandana what I'm going to do is magically place a mark on each of us then we'll cover it with the bandana. If the enemy can copy anything the see then it may be the safest way to tell each other apart." He said pulling out the first black bandana. Sonica was the first she wanted to show that she supported his idea. Jeric knelt and let her rest her right leg in his extended right hand. Using his left hand he drew a magical glowing rune from his world. Jeric figured the more unknown factors the less chance the changlings could copy it. The moment he had finished with Sonica Luna and North both looking more than a little happy to be under his care. "For you princess I'm changing the rune." He said marking her with a rune that represented her name. He tied her bandana around her arm. He continued to pass out bandanas and runes for the rest of the train ride. When they finally arrived and filed out every one had a bandana on their right leg. "Alright our first goal is to secure the town. Focus on finding a well defendable building we can house the princess and the towns people. The less buildings we need to defend the better." Jeric said walking back and forth inspecting his troops. This time he also had several pegasai for back up.
Without further delay they walked into town. A single smiling pony walked up to them. His blue mane and eyes he had a mottled blue red coat and his cutiemark was a quill. He greeted them friendly enough though jeric felt something was off. The lack of other ponies and general activity seemed completely out of place. 'Skully does this place seem strange to you?' He asked knowing she could see more than he could. Her eyes came to life, the blue flames acting as a true seeing spell allowing her to see through magical effects. 'Yep that's not a pony atleast not a normal one.' Skully said flatly. With little warning jeric cast dispell one the pony in front of him. Instead of the mottled blue red pony what stood befor the party was a black carapiced horned pony with solid blue eyes. It had holes in its legs and green membrane for mane, tail and wings. The changling opened its mouth to speak and froze as a simple growl came out. It looked truly shocked as it just stared at them blankly its white fangs showing in its mouth.
"Didn't know I could do that huh." Jeric said crossing his armes and looking down at the little creature. It wimpered as he toward over it letting his armor strike terror into the hapless interloper. The little changling suddenly burst into tears. "What the?" Jeric said turnig to luna who shrugged.
"I'm sorry!" The changling said still balling. "I lived here and hid when the others came they took almost every one." It said sniffling as it said that a little pink unicorn came running from one of the buildings.
"You leave Mister Change alone!" She shouted as she rand towards them her horn lowered as she charged.
"Well this is unexpected so which one of you sent the SOS?" Luna stepped forward giving the changling and its unicorn companion her sweetest smile. The changling raised it front hoof as it stayed staring at the ground.
"Well then sir I extend an apology for my earlier actions." Jeric spoke softly letting his demeanor of fury ebb into one of understanding. "Though next time be strait forward about what you are." He chided rising back to his full height. "However I would like to get the rescue underway as soon as possible." Jeric scanned the nearby buildings. He spotted a squat sqare building with few windows that he could see. "Hey what's thst building?" He pointed it out to the others.
"Oh that's actually city hall the mayor had it redesigned so as not to be easily destroyed." The unicorn filly said proudly.
"Can it fit every one in town?" Jeric asked as an idea formed in his head.
"Yes with extra room why do you ask?" It was the changling who spoke this time.
"Because we need a defensible position that can also work as a medical center." Jeric stated cooly as he walked towards the building in question. He circled the building taking stock of the thing. It had fairly thick walls small elevated windows that were barred and only one visible entry. Jeric tried the door and found them locked tight. 'Five gold says the mayor locked himself in.' Skully said with contempt. Jeric honestly hoped she was wrong but still delivered several strong hits to the door. As the sound of his knocking faded they heard some shuffling inside.
"Go away no business while the changlings are about." Avoice called out from inside.
"Its alright we were sent to help is anyone else in there with you?" Jeric called up. There came no reply which gave jeric his answer the coward had locked himself away and let the rest of the town suffer. He didn't want to wast any more time on this loser. Jeric pointed at the door and intoned his magic in a spell that unlocked it. As he heard the lock click open he kicked the door. He got the satisfaction of seeing the mayor scared form huddling in a corner. "This building is commandeered for use in the upcoming rescue effort!" He called striding into the building like he owned it. "Sonica take the princess and find her a safe hide away." He said starting to prepare. "Change I'm giving you a simple task help those four," he said pointing out four two pegasai, North, and Flare. "And show them where the changlings went. This is a simple scout mission guys no sense attacking without evac for the civs." He said as he turned towards the others. "Ok who here knows even the basics of medical care?" He asked surveying the room. Three ponies in all, including Luna raise their hooves. "Okay how are you not more popular than your sister?" Jeric asked while smiling.
"I'm less social." Luna deadpanned.
"Alright but enough levity you three are in charge of getting this place ready to receive patients." He was actually impressed with the progress so far. "Alright the rest of you will be split into three teams!" Jeric called out turning to the thirty or so ponies he had left. "Firstly is our breach team you'll be charged with entering whatever hole the enamy has dug for itself and neutralizing it. Then comes the defensive team you will be split between here and the enamy position your goal is to ensure that the civs and attack groups have a place to come back to. And finally we need a evac team for the civs and wounded." Overall Jeric let the teams form on their own that way the ponies could use their knowledge of each other to the fullest. He was genuinely surprised when he found that the rescue team had taken the initiative and grabbed several sky wagons so the could take more at once. As he made his round checking on the preparations he spotted the little unicorn filly running around trying to get the adults attention. Jeric walked over to her curious. "Excuse me little one but can I help you?" He said to the pink unicorn.
"Ah rattles, I want to help!" She said defiantly.
"Help with what?" Jeric asked bemused by the fearless filly.
"Well ah... uhm..." She hadn't thought that far ahead. "I'm Snuggles." She said unable to think of anything.
"Ok Miss Snuggles why don't you help the medics?" He said watching her get excited. "But you can only help if you promise to do everything they say, as it could save a ponies life." He had to hold back a laugh as her eyes grew wide with wonder. Then to his surprise she threw a pretty decent salute complete with a 'aye aye' and everything. "At ease nurse Snuggles." He said returning the salute. He then escorted her to Luna.
Luna watched as the little pink unicorn went to each of the finished emergency cots and made the look as comfortable as possible. Jeric had left her in Luna's care under the guise that she was to help while he debriefed the scout team that had arrived. 'So he's good with kids too.' She thought looking over at him while he reassigned the scouts. To her surpise jeric unleashed His skeleton armor and assigned it to a group. 'What is he upto?' She thought trotting over to eavesdrop.
"Ok now since I can't personally go into combat this time I'm sending Skully with you. As such stay behind her by atleast thirty steps." Jeric said in a hushed tone. "Skully is a living weapon almost every part of her is designed for that purpose. Besides that we need to ensure that the rescue team can work in peace."
Luna couldn't help but look at his figure without the construct. She had seen him this way several times in his dreams but the real thing nearly stole her breath. 'Get a hold on your self he has a mare.' She thought tearing her eyes away. 'Hes just a friend a, strong, handsome, herioc friend.' She glanced back towards Jeric. 'I might be introuble.' She sighed causing Snuggles to look over at her. With little else to do every one went about finishing their assignments and then rested for the upcoming opperation.