Rising Hope: Birth Of The Transcendents

A Look Into The Past

When one refers to the concept of being loyal to a cause, a loved one, or even the very way they are certain to die: this much can, and most of the time is: a farce.

Cold.

It appears to some as hope.

Lost.

But, in truth: nothing is absolute for all who dwell in the small fragment of the world in which we live.

Fun?

...No, this is something much more than any one entity could comprehend of their own volition.

One should not take the charity of another so lightly...it has the capacity to be one's downfall and will be that if motives are not clear.

Rise

''THIS IS AWESOME!'' Hina and Rina roared at the of their lungs, savoring the euphoria joy of adrenaline bringing the most wicked of smiles along with it. The whipping of the air through their manes, the almost complete feeling of weightlessness, and the ever so fulfilling sense of the unknown made the smallest of thrill pale in comparison.

''WHY?!~'' Cadence nearly hurled up her lunch, her body being forceful jerked in varying directions with the speed of a train.

''IT'S FUN, OF COURSE!''

Those words failed to comfort the Princess Of Love into calming down. If any, she only panicked even more.

''SOMEPONY, PLEASE!~'' Applejack cried her teeth clamping a fierce some grip on her hat in a attempt to numb the lighting quick sensations around her. ''STOP THIS CRAZY THING!''

''I-I S-SECOND THAT!'' Flashing and Renoir both yelled.

''This is a heap of bullshit!'' Jamir thought, covering his mouth with a free hand as the other searched for a stopper of sorts: something...anything to make the nightmare stop! The human certainly shares the same amount of kick as the twins, but more so widespread into protecting his loved ones, yet this is a bit much, even for him.

The source of everyone's discomfort was, at least someone like Spike or Frank would consider this simple. Following the defeat of Ms. Taika Panthera in a game of Chess by Jamir, the 2nd task: Strategy was completed and now the 3rd one: Loyalty was to be underway. However, the mode of transportation to the next one in the newly dubbed: Spectral Void was to take a mega slide to it. And the biggest issue was the matter of how there is literally no support system between the slide and the ground! And to make matters even worse, this was more or less forced upon the group in a millisecond. However, the one thing that ran past everyone's mind was the apparent need for fanfare!

''I just hope this will be over soon!'' a growing headache formed which he staved off with a small numbing spell. ''I don't think I could-

THAWCK!

''HELLLLLLP!a portion of the slide broke off.

''Applejack!'' Jamir shouted, preparing to jump over to catch the falling mare.

''Ha!'' a deep voice shouted from behind, past the rushing winds that muffled the sound of something mildly exploding. Craning his head over so slightly made him slack-jawed as he did sigh in relief. Taika pushed off with accuracy, easily reaching Aj's position in a few seconds, grabbing hold of her.

''What the hay?'' Aj looked confused.

''...Fly.'' was all Taika whispered as her feet contacted a black triangular magical platform with trimming along the edges with a marking of a trio of green claw marks. In a instant, the pair was rocketed back over, the force of slamming back into the slide forced a sizable shift in direction, causing the speed of the death-ride to be even faster.

''YOU GUYS OKAY?!'' Jamir managed to find his voice after the shock, only to lock his eyes with a cerulean portal sparking erratically before a bright light engulfed his view.

''I want to be strong...''

''You certain about your choice to do this?''

A current of terrifying energy swirled in the air.

''I want to be fastest in the world!''

''It'll take a lot more than just words to make that happen. Take my guidance, and you can be faster than light itself.''

''I wish for the power to overcome my demons...''

''Not even immortals can come to terms with the natural darkness in their hearts...yet you may try.''

''I need...I need...''

''What is that you need, lost one?''

''...The truth.''

The pitter patter of water in a broken motion dulled out the sounds of clashing and screaming faded in and out of his consciousness, threatening to rip his mind apart. Vivid, almost lucid scenes flashed back and forth with intensity. Yet, a displacing ominous feel bore down the human's mind.

''I'm not asking you as your king, I'm asking you because you're the only ones who can help do something. You guys wanted a chance to make up for your wrong doings, then here's your chance: fight besides me.''

''Master, we all have done things in the past that Yevon made us do out of fear, but ever since you came along we've been given a steady and firm push in the right direction. We all want to atone for all the bad things that we did, so if fighting besides you can help change that, then you have our full allegiance.''

''Alright, get these warriors prepared for battle in 5 minutes!''

''Sir, yes sir!''

Visions of slaughter of Dragons, Cockatrices, Manticores, and Timberwolves struck at every nerve, unrelenting and careless: The very notion warping what little of a reality the human could fathom. A rejection of sorts fought back against the perpetual darkness, forcing the bad omens away. But, with a clash, a disturbance changed perspective:

''No, what Is pathetic Is your preconceived notion that you've won: but the lord of chaos always has a trick of 3 up his sleeve.'' a voice belittled and seemed to slash at the already open, infected wound. The recipient of said message eluded the human at the moment, his mind foggy from a dark cloud overhead, scrambling all thoughts.

''W-Where~?'' he croaked, his voice on the border of cracking, his throat feeling to be raked by rusty nails. Amidst the confusion and pain, a beacon of light provided temporary relief.

''It's those fears who make you who you are, cause even I have them.'' he listened for a voice, familiar but foreign.

''R-Really?"

''Yea, I'm afraid of a lot of things and I would admit them openly, but the one thing that takes precedence over all is you girls. I'd do anything, even lay down my life if it meant you girls would be safe so of course I would never leave over something so silly.''

Fear...now he understood a little bit, only a little. A huge portion of...he didn't know to call have more parts to it, that much he knew. As it increased, so did the growing insanity.

''Then that's all that matters: we can handle that as the issues fly to us but this'll take one hell of a explaining to do back home.''

''You know that you will have a lot to atone for, right? Just because I have forgiven you does not mean the girls and everyone else you wronged will be so willing to do the same. At the very least, the death penalty can be off the table with a little convincing.''

''Thank you.''

''W-Who?'' the strain of speaking was in a category of its own. This feeling, whatever it was felt like the epitome of having Death's hand on the back of your neck: pressuring, fearful and chilling even the toughest of hearts to frost. His breath hitched, every breath swindled from his lungs like a thief stealing from the poor. The feeling of his soul struggling to vacate his body rippled across his skin in a flash of fire.

The sound...it hurts.

''Wake up, child.'' a majestic and caring voice requested. Yet it was out of mild shock, an unmistakable gasp following afterwards. ''Oh, my, you're hurt...who did this to you?''

''U...U-u-uh...''

A faint hum of magic activating probed at his mind as if searching for an answer. A flicker of light grew, illuminating the dark void with light. Slowly, a figure's shape rose.

''Oh, now I see. My child, you need to wake up from this place of hatred. You still are not ready for the next step...there still is something else tethering you to this world and you must solve the issue in front of you.'' golden light began to filter the darkness, showing the figure's shape to be a colossal dragon, more majestic than even the Elites.The sheer size alone could speak of the raw, burning power within. Golden scales that shone brighter the sun itself effortlessly provided a haven. The beauty and confidence exuded just by existing told a thousand words. Words any sane-minded person would instantly understand.

This dragon was The Matriarch and was not be defied.

''M-Mikagura~?...''

''Hush...let this comfort your ailment.'' she displaced a small sphere of light travelling to the human. ''You will no doubt feel pain awakening from this nightmare but I must impart some knowledge upon you that only you must hear...not even your Alicorn lover's bond can bypass my magic, so listen carefully.''

When those the most resembling to your kind walk upon four legs, will come to you and beg. At the point where there is a tremendous cost, they will come bear when hope is lost. At the period beggars cast their plea, the fate of their life will fall to thee. In the end, you must look past their plight and never, not even once lose sight.

''When we meet again, you must have attained a new power, you must keep repelling the darkness to hold out for the light. You will be tempted with promise of things beyond your current capabilities..and it will be hard, yet I believe you are capable of holding out until the time of. Until then...''

Feeling woke him up. More so, the flaring of every single nerve alerted him that he, unlike most times he was knocked out let him know he was very much so awake. Secondly, the blaring of voices in his ears also told him. Yet he still was unable to truly discern real from dreams. It was uncanny how real it felt. The tugging vibrations pushed him to his limit.

''Master!'' a familiar voice called.

...

''AAAGGGHH!'' Jamir woke with a cold sweat, the intensity of his heart beating at the speed of sound, His bones thrummed in tandem with the high-pitched whining noise in his ears. His skin rippled and grew hot, burning almost. The shudders of his body told of his immersion still into the high-filled adrenaline rush that caused his stomach to keel over on itself, a emptiness present. He grew scared. More so then witnessing the trickery and betrayal of Azure Light. The emotions with the fight with Sombra paled in comparison to this. Even having his mind defiled and broken by Chrysalis seemed to be a literal walk in the park.

The pain was unbearable.

''Master!'' Chrysalis called, nudging the human with her cheek, trying to coax him out the soulless thousand-yard stare he had.

''O-o-oh.~ A-A-a-ah-hh.~''

"Calm down!''

Smack!

Silence held steady for a few seconds before Jamir came to a realization. He was just slapped. By who?

''...Who...was that?'' a plume of hot air exited his mouth, quickly thickening as it rose in the air of the damp cavern. ''Because I want to-''

''Uh, that was me, Master.'' a voice replied, only it wasn't Chrysalis. ''We didn't know what else to do.''

Looking over to the source of the voice, it was Taika standing next to him, fidgeting back and forth with her hands in front of her quivering face. This was bad, not only was the sounds of the human's nightmare giving everyone a jump-scare, the thought of how he would react from what he endured scared and thrilled her. He was certain to be agitated.

Wait, ...Master?

''-to thank you.'' Jamir brushed the tears and spit off his pale face, in a attempt to look slightly better. ''I was going through straight Hell, so thank you, Taika.''

''You're welcome.'' she smiled back to which he did the same.

''Also, one other thing.''

''Yes?''

''Didn't you just call me Master?''

''That I did.'' Taika simply replied. ''Is there something wrong?''

''Actually, no. But why? I didn't do anything to be your Master.'' the statement before hand confused him.

''That's is where you're wrong: I did say when you bested me in the Chess game that I would follow you where you go.''

''But I thought that just meant-''

''Also, I have been alone for hundreds of years without the company and care of something of your caliber. I am mighty in my own right, but I know I can be of use to your mission. Hina and Rina have told me of your adventures: where you came from, how you got here, and the sacrifices you made to protect the ones you care about. After hearing it...I wish to join you on your quest for glory and peace. There is no real place for me anywhere, not since my people were exiled from this realm, and I am the only one of my kind here. I am alone. Me and Queen Chrysalis have discussed this before you had your night terrors and she approves. So I ask you, please take me under your guidance,'' she displayed her determination by bowing before him and grasping his hand, placing a small kiss on his left hand, the kiss mark left behind contorting into the symbol depicted on the magical circle she used to rescue Applejack appearing on his skin and on hers.

''Chrysalis?'' Jamir questioned. ''What says you?''

A simple nod told him.

''I would be glad to be your mentor. Rise, Taika.''

''Yes...Master.'' Taika grew giddy at the thought of having someone to follow. Her life's worth has increased, no matter what anyone told her!

''So, where...are we? And where are the others?''

''That would be a bit tougher to explain: We too also woke up like this.'' Chrysalis helped his master up to his feet, placing her head behind one arm as her forehoof held the other up. ''I attempted to contact Cadence, but the twins told that everypony else is safe but has completed the same task as you. The task was to face our demons that haunt our consciousness.''

''What about me?''

''You have already passed, Rina confirmed it by means of her own.''

''And now what?''

''We will be sent back any second now where everyone else is currently monitoring us.''

''Wait!'' Jamir yelled. ''That's not-''

POOF!

''Now that was something, now was it?!'' Hina cheered as the human, Changeling, and Tiger landed on the ground. But the ground felt soft and lush, grass perhaps?

''Yea, sure: getting my mind fucked yet again was fun, buuuuut now I...wait. Hey, we're back in Aister!'' he observed his surroundings: being at the exact same place as they were post being sent in to the Spectral Void; right by HitchCaw's ranch.

''How observant, Jamir.'' Rina deadpanned. ''The last two Tasks take place here: so be at ease. P.S. you look like...Ugh. Hina?''

''That would be shit.''

''And everybody else?'' he ignored that comment. Yet, why was the pair smiling?

''Jamir!" a pressure of two weights knocked him out of Chrysalis's grasp and to the ground. Now would be the time to groan and ask why but considering what just transpired was the gnat on the wall he chose not to acknowledge.