Chapters Awakening: Another Adventure Continues
After what I have been through, I doubt anything could really affect me. Hell, that was before I was stolen away by that damned merchant. After all seeing fifty-one different universes changes some people, not always for the better.
It didn’t help that most of those dimensions while fun to play or to read about, can be pure hell. The only good thing I gained from that journey was my powers: Lifting twenty tons? I can do that. Flying through the air? Easy. Mastery of multiple schools, and systems of magic? Mastered that around my forty-eighth jump. Although was it worth it?
That is a question I asked myself every single day after my jump journey ended. I was told it was worth it, but not seeing it for myself still grates on me to this day. Over fifty jumps, I had taken just to save a multiverse segment. All my training, preparation, and blood I spilled for the work of another.
The work I did, the lives I saved, and worlds that I made better. I would have to say it was worth it even if I almost died in the end. I was looking forward to living the rest of my life in the comfort of my home dimension. No more inter-dimensional space whales, vampires, reapers, monsters, and impossible situations.
At least that was what I thought before I bought that damn necklace from that merchant.
==== ==== ====
It was a great day, the sun was shining, birds were singing, and I was at a local convention. I had been back home for less than a year now. After my journey I thought I would never visit a convention after living in the worlds of books, comics, games, and movies. However visiting this convention, I began to get a slightly smug feeling.
I could only compare it to the look I had seen the Doctor used when we visited a museum. He told me that it was his way of keeping score. In some sense, I felt that same way now as I looked at the con goers. Man, I missed that crazy man and his blue box, but I don’t miss the monsters that popped up around him.
I wonder what some of the Kingdom Hearts cosplays would give to hold a real keybalde? Maybe the Assassin’s Creed people to know what it was truly like to see through eagle vision? Heck, I wonder what kind of fight would break out for my pictures with the Justice League, or even the Avengers?
That is why I felt smug, the things I know, and the places I been would make any geek eat their heart out. Posters of characters I meet looked out at me with their goofy styles of drawing. I could help but smirk if people like Luffy, Naruto, or Natsu, happen to see this place. I bet they would have been killed by their ego crushing them. That or the fangirls/boys, mobbing them.
As I moved through the crowd, I was a shadow slipping between groups. If someone was paying attention, they would notice my movement match the assassins from Assassin’s Creed. It would had been noticeable if I was in some cosplay, but I wasn’t.
Instead, I was wearing a simple black hoodie and jeans. Sure the hoodie was well designed with white stripes forming a few square patterns. I was even stopped to ask where I bought it. I guess that what happens when you wear something from another universe.
I stopped at a booth looking at the products they sold. Most people would say the items there are well made. I, on the other hand, called them decent in make. I found it a little sad since, in this universe standard, they were well made. I guess it couldn’t be helped since I had the genuine articles of some of the replicas they were selling.
“I see not many things are catching your eye.” A creepy voice said from behind me. Turning around towards the voice I saw a vendor stall towards the corner. The owner was standing over his wares and motioning me over.
He was dressed as a character from some game I think; a worn and heavy dustier, scarf around his mouth, and even a large and heavy-looking backpack. However, there was something about him that set alarm bells off in my head. It wasn’t his voice, those types of voices I had heard before and they didn’t effect me much. No, it was his eyes showing from the shadow of his costume. They showed eyes of someone that has seen much, maybe someone like me.
“Having issues with your cosplay, hmm?” The merchant asked in his ever so creepy voice. “Perhaps I could help? As you can see, I have good quality items for quite cheap.”
“No, just looking around. Thinking about putting mine on in a little bit.” I answered back. It was a half-truth since I was thinking of putting on armor I was given during my time in Arthur's court.
“I see, then perhaps I could interest you in some trinkets then? As a souvenir of your time here?” The vendor said as he pulled a box that was hidden under a table. Inside were few rings, necklaces, and other items that I thought were very well made. Things that should be at a jewelers store and not at a stall in a convention.
Looking through the box I didn’t see anything that I would need. After spending in any magical world, in general, picking up trinkets like those came commonplace. However, one hidden in the corner of the box caught my attention.
A copper amulet about the size of my fist with a crystal in the center. That was nothing new, but the sigil carved into the crystal made me hold my breath. It was of a figure entering a portal and coming out the other side. The portal itself was made of Earths stacked over one another in a line. It was something I came to recognize as a Jumper sigil. Something that I wore myself not to long ago.
“Where did you get this?” I asked the merchant.
The merchant’s eyes were alight, not with the memory of the piece but of the potential of a sale.
“Oh, that old thing?” The merchant said with amusement. “I won it in a poker game a while back. Its former owner was a great craftsmen, someone that could almost match my own wares.”
I knew there was a chance that I might find another Jumper after I returned. After all stories about Random Omnipotent Beings, and people being garbed by them are all over the internet. Now I had a chance to find another like me. I wanted to talk with someone that experienced the same things I had.
“How much?” I asked the vendor holding the necklace.
“Oh, since it wasn’t originally one of mine, I’ll part with it for twenty-five dollars.”
“Deal.” I said reaching into the shoulder bag I always had with me. Reaching into it I willed twenty-five dollars from my warehouse, and into my hand. I paid the man and started to walk away from the stall.
My mind was a blur as I started to figure out a spell to find the original owner. However, I stopped when I heard someone say.
“You think that someone might disappear at this con?”
“You never know, although there was no sighting of the Merchant.”
“You mean that creepy guy from Resident Evil.”
“Ya, that’s…”
I never heard that end of the conversation as the world began to fade around me. Then I realized where that guy was from, Resident Evil. I didn’t know what this was about people disappearing, but I knew that something wasn’t right. Even as people faded from view, I turn towards the merchant. My hands outstretched as I felt a familiar power awakening.
“Thought it might interest ya.” I heard the merchant said with his eyes light before fading.
Then the convention faded into a forest.
“Why does this happen to me?” I shouted letting the power I was awakening into the air. There was a flash of green light as the energy shot from little orbs around me. I fell onto my back and looked up into the sky beyond the branches.
“What kind of R.o.b. was I taken by this time?”
==== ==== ====
“Come on Sweetie Belle,” A voice called from over the hedge to a young unicorn filly.
The white filly was looking around nervously with her hands clasped together. Her body language scream nervousness. Not even her white and pink dress could hide that fact. Her sandal covered hooves pawed at the ground as she looked around. Not even her white and purple mane and tail stood still. Her emerald eyes shifted and wondered what to do.
“I don’t know Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle called back. “Miss Cheerilee said to stay close.”
“Com’on Sweetie Belle, ain’t you just a little curious.” Another voice called out.
“Ah, forget her, let's go on ahead.” Voice belonging to Scootaloo called out farther than before.
“See’ya later Sweetie Belle.”
“Wait,” Sweetie Belle cried out before dashing through the hedge. Because the young filly was in a hurry to catch up, she didn’t notice a root sticking out to trip her through the shrubbery. She tumbled through a hole her friends had made and landed on her back.
Shaking her head and looking up, she saw two faces smiling at her.
The first belonged to an orange colored pegasus. Who’s short, spiked, purple mane, and smirk that made her look like a tomboy. It didn’t help that her tail was a dreadful mess as her sister would say. She also wore a rose-colored shirt, perhaps the only feminine thing of her apparel. If it wasn’t hidden by that denim jacket that matched her jeans.
The other was a cream yellow earth pony. The second of her friends, and somepony that actually had a sense of fashion. A pink bow to hold her mane and tail. A dark green shirt that was tough and comfortable that was found on many farmer ponies. Even fade jeans that gave her a casual country feel.
“Told you it would work Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo said looking over to the filly next to her.
“Eeyup,” Apple Bloom said.
There was a short silence before the fillies started laughing. They continued to giggle as the three of them ran down the path.
“I wonder what’s so special about this place?” Apple Bloom thought aloud as they walked down an old path.
“Ya, I mean why would anyone have a no-fly spell placed on a dingy old path like this?” Scootaloo said agreeing with Apple Bloom.
“Even more there is an illusion spell placed on this area.” Sweetie Belle adds to the conversation. However, her two friends looked at her with confusion. Sweetie Belle looked back at the other two and asked. “Did you even listen to what that guard pony said?”
“I honestly stopped listening after he said something about a treasure,” Scootaloo admitted as they followed the worn path. “I was too busy with looking for an opening in the hedge.”
“Which you only found by tripping.” Sweetie Belle shot back.
Scootaloo was about retort when Apple Bloom spoke up first.
“I’ve think we found somethin girls.”
Before them stood a small garden. Unlike the path they had just walked, this garden was well taken care of. The beds crisp and clean, with a multitude of flowers blooming. Even the best keep gardens had some problems with dead flower petals hiding between the stocks. However, this one was pristine. Around the edge that stood between the garden beds and the hedge were flags. Each were similar to each other in that they all were symbols of Celestia and Luna in one way or another. Suns, and moons, and even a few versions of Equestria’s national flag. However in the center of the garden stood a statue of a strange figure.
To the girls in looked like a pony, however, that was not right. The biggest clue was that the creature had no ears like they did, and it was missing the cloven hoofs. This statue had a flat limb where it’s hooves would be. It also had a mane like a lion with long knife like ears pointing outwards.
“What do you think it is?” Scootaloo asked her friends.
“Ay haven’t seen anything like this before.” Apple Bloom said as she turned to Sweetie Belle. “Have you?”
“No, but I know Rarity would love to get her hands on the clothes.” Sweetie Belle said looking at the fabric like parts of the stone.
The girls moved closer to inspect the statue. That was when they realized that the statue was standing upon a fountain. The water ran so smoothly along the base of the statue that no sound could be heard. However, that was not the object of their attention. Standing before the statue was a pedestal with a pearl-like stone embedded deep within it.
Curiosity had gotten the better of Scootaloo to the point of her touching the stone. Before her friends could stop her, she touched the cream-colored stone.
“Scootaloo what do you think you're doing?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“What?” Scootaloo asked innocently. “It’s not like I am doing anything wrong.” The organ filly said as she moved her hand away.
However when her hand moved there was a reaction in the stone. The fountain sprang to life as the stone glowed. The sudden burst of action made the three fillies back away sharply. The sudden panic increased as Apple Bloom backed into a flag pole causing it to fall. The addition of the flag pole sacred the three into running around the garden, and in their panic trampled a few of the flowers.
Their panic was replaced by curiosity as a voice was heard from the stone in the pedestal. The water from the fountain was being sprayed a fine mist, and from the stone a light shine onto it. The image the three saw was that of the strange creature of the statute before them.
“I hope this thing is working.” Came a male voice from the stone. “Celestia, Luna, if you see this message then I am most likely dead.”
There was a short pause in the image before the creature spoke again.
“Or I could just be missing, or just gone in general.” The creature gave off a nervous laugh before continuing. “Anyways, the important thing is that I am no longer around. I know that this would be hard, but I don’t want you to grieve for me or even miss me. Like I told you before I didn’t belong in your world.”
The speaker paused for a moment as if trying to find the right words to say.
“When you first meet me, I felt that Equestria was a peaceful place, one that I might be able to find rest. However, the curse of what I am had followed me here, and I had to pick up my sword once more. I find it ironic that a place that is so peaceful that evil could even exist. Though all, I could think of was that this somehow my fault.”
The speaker gave a sigh before looking straight ahead.
“Because of this feeling, I ask you not to grieve for me. I feel like I brought this evil with me and that I also brought suffering to your land.”
The speaker shook his head before speaking again.
“I know that we are going to face an enemy that has been plaguing your land tomorrow. If somehow our plan works, and I do not make it out of the way. I would ask that…”
“HALT PONIES, WHY DOES THOU TRESPASS IN THIS PLACE!” A voice boomed behind the girls.
The three fillies up and turned around to see a pony behind them. However it wasn’t just any pony, but one that had wings and horn. The purple mane and tail had starlight flowing through it. She wore a simple but elegant purple dress made of the finest pieces of onyx woven into a star like patterns. She wore bracelets and shoes made from a black metal. Upon her head was a black crown with a sapphire embed in it. The crown marked her as Princess Luna one of the two sisters that ruled Equestria.
The three fillies all jump while saying ‘we’re sorry’ at the same time before they each started to ramble. Looking around Luna served the garden and found it a little worse for wear, but completely fixable. However, she needed to deal with the three fillies before her if she wanted to fix the garden.
Raising a hoof, Luna sliced the three fillies. She wanted to inform their guardian, of the mischief they were up to. However, their faces remind her so much of Celestia with her hoof caught in a cookie jar. Luna smiled at the three fillies, she knew that they meant no harm, and were just curious. If she let them go, she would be able to fix the mess they made.
“We understand that thee three were curious and meant no harm. If We let thee go, would thou promise to keep what thy saw here a secret?”
The three fillies nodded vigorously.
“Very well, however, thou must remember to behave, or else we will tell thy guardian.”
Luna’s smile grew as the three fillies agreed. She escorted them from the garden and felt slightly relieved as they exited. Since the garden the three had stumbled upon was the final resting place of a dear friend. She figured that if the fillies knew they would be horrified to learn they trespassed on someone's tomb. It was best if they left quietly, after all they would have fainted if they learned what they had done.
After closing the hidden exit, Luna trotted back towards the garden intent on fixing the damages.
==== ==== ====
“It was so good to be free again,” Discord thought out loud. He was currently looking at his reflection in a nearby pond. The Lord of Chaos looked at his glories form that looked like multiple animal put into a blender and set to mix. He grins at his reflection only for it to wink back him. He chuckled in amusement as he planned his next step.
He had already defeated the Bears of the elements of harmony inside the maze. Now he just needed to travel to Ponyville and spread more delicious chaos. He was about to leave when he felt a strange spell over an area in Celestia's garden. Grinning like his cousin Cheshire, Discord snaked his way towards the hedge.
“Oh, what secrets are you hiding dear Celestia?” Discord asked with a snap of his tail. The hedges that block his path was replaced by statues of himself. Gliding past them Discord was curious to see what Celestia was hiding along the path.
“Oh, so interesting.” Discord chortled as he saw the centerpiece of the garden. Before him was a creature of great power. Nowhere as close to him, but powerful none the less. Appearing around the statue, Discord tapped the forehead of the creature with his talon.
“Anyone home?” Discord asked holding his paw to his ear. Instead of hearing anything, he felt a presence begin to stir. However, it faded as fast as it awoke.
“Oh, don’t fall back asleep on me yet.” Discord said poke the statue some more. Once he was sure that the presence in the statute wasn’t going to fade he asked it a question.
“Tell me, did the pony sisters encase you in stone as well?”
He felt a slight response that he translated as a yes. However why would any creature respond with confirmation?
“Tell me how would you like to be free again? I know from personal experiences of how boring being a statue is.”
Discord was surprised that instead of a yes, that the creature said no. He didn’t even know that something could be so creative with the use of words like negative, seething, and few others that if translated would be inappropriate for the ears of a little foal.
“Oh very well, no reason to be nasty about it.” Discord said slightly offended by the creature. “If that is the case then I’ll let you sit in this prison to stew. However don’t expect me to free you, even if you beg on my next visit.”
A snap of his talon Discord was gone leave the statue of the creature in peace. At least that was the thought of the being encased in stone. Only the Lord of Chaos left a crack forming along the statute. After all, he wouldn’t let something so rude have whatever they wanted. In a month or two he would visit again, and see what kind of being the creature trapped in stone would be.
==== ==== ====
In what felt like eternity, I felt gravity again. However in my weakened state I could not hold myself upwards and I felt myself plummeting. Hitting the edge of the fountain, I barely made a noise expect a heavy thud of me hitting it. As I landed, I felt something familiar, a connection to one of the first powers I gained. I element that I bonded with, learned complete mastery over, and fearful respect for it. One of the most important elements of the world, water.
I felt a second nature kick in from my hand touching the water. Immediately it was drawn towards me then into me. It was like a the needed spark for turning the first wheel in a machine. Then it would turn the gears next to it. Slowly but surely every single gear would begin to turn.
As one energy filled, others began to grow. As one gate opened, another was soon to join. Then I would be able to stand and take in my surroundings. However, that was a long road as my energy was all but gone. As long as I had water, the sooner I would be returned to a human leveled strength. Right now I just laid there pulling the water into me.
==== ==== ====
I did not know how long I laid there in the day. However, once the moon started to rise, I started to regain a sense of time. As the moon raised into the air, I felt my power surge. I had feed off the water from the fountain with no signs of rapid progress or depletion of the vital source.
The higher the moon raised into the sky, the more energy I regain. Soon an ounce gave me a quarts worth of power, then a gallon. In a few minutes, I surpassed what took during the day. With my strength renewed, I stood to my feet and reach both arms towards the fountain. I began pulling the water with force now as I drained the fountain dry. Around me, I felt the water flow in pipes hidden underneath the ground. I wasn’t too full strength, but I didn’t care. I felt alive again after being encased in stone for who knows how long.
One of my goofiest grins plastered on my face as I leaped into the air. I flew higher and higher, past the clouds blocking the sky. I stopped my ascent to bask in the moon’s light. A constant friend, a respected teacher, and a reminder of the most fearsome of foes. I felt my years of exile melt away within the light of the moon. I breathed in deeply the clear air, a smile on my face.
Turning around i aimed myself towards the strongest source of magic. I felt two of them, one deep in the center of the castle I now hovered above, and the other in a tower. The one in the tower was flickering slightly, a sign that i came to know as sleep. That meant the other was my target. I let myself fall through the clouds aiming towards one in the center of the castle.
I closed my eyes as I fell, spearing my arms out to feel the wind as I pasted. I opened them and smelled the moisture in the air, even the sweet scent of apples from a nearby orchard. I savored every scent, feeling, sound, taste, and sight as I fell. Almost two thousand years in stone made me enjoy my freedom even more.
I cut my fall short as I adjusted my flight path to take me straight through a glass window. I didn’t know why but there was something satisfying from making an entrance through a window. Maybe it was that every eye would be on me, or it was from the satisfaction of scaring criminals senseless.
There was no more time to ponder as I crashed through the glass. I felt the spell placed on the window groan from my power before breaking along with the window. I stopped in the middle of the room in front of the being with massive energy. I was kneeling with a grin on my face. I could tell the few that were watching with shocked expressions on their snouts.
“Hello Princess Luna,” I said standing to my feet. “It has been a long time hasn’t it?”
==== ==== ====
Luna felt boredom growing with every passing minute. This had been her fourth time holding night court since her return. Once she longed for night court, a time that ponies would come to her seeking advice, or even ask a favor from the crown. That was a long time ago before she had slipped and fell into darkness.
She had missed those times when she was requested to defeat a monster. Advice on governing smaller plots of land. Even minor disputes of nobles that ended in a duel to see the truth through strength. Now ponies requested funds for projects that were unneeded. Ponies trying to work their way into her good graces.
Although there were a few that came to her in need of real help. Ponies that lost many things and needed help to regain their footing. Even a brave foal or two asking for pleasant dreams for a friend in hard times. Ones that she enjoyed helping, but they were far and few between.
As one pony spoke at lengths on the positive benefits of their so-called health hay, Luna wished for something to happen. She would even take Discord breaking lose if it meant saving her from this rabble of money grubbers.
As if on cue Luna felt a pressure build on a nearby window. Without thinking, Luna threw up a shield protecting the ponies from any stray pieces of glass. She stood towards her full height and was about to demanded the name of the pony that reckless barged into her court.
“Hello Princess Luna,” The pony spoke in a voice from long forgotten memory. “It has been a long time hasn’t it?”
Upon hearing the voice, Luna held her breath. Since the owner of that voice was lost long ago, yet she stood here hearing it once more. She watched with wondering eyes as the pony looked at her.
The pony before her wore a robe of vibrant blue, and brown pants that flared at the bottom. The ponies shirt was made of a scales formed in the pattern of swirling waves. At their side was a bag that hung on by a strap over one arm. Looking at the face recognition flooded her mind. This was no pony as they didn’t have a snout but a flat face. Around it was a messy mane like a lion that warped around his head and the lower jaw. Their ears were long and to a point like a dagger, but most important were a pair of bluish green eyes that reflected the vastness of the ocean.
“Cid,” Luna breathed the name of the being in front of her. With every piece of grace she held, she walked towards the intruder of her court. She watched as a wide grin grew even wider on his face with every step. A storm of emotions bolted through her as she stopped in front of him. Under normal circumstances, she would have kept her cool, but this was far from normal.
*Slap*
The sound of Luna’s hand slapping Cid echoed through the court. The ponies inside the court were speechless. Never had they seen a Princess show such emotion such as this. They were always kind to those that entered their court, or those that meant harm were stopped with their power. A slap, on the other hand, was unheard of.
“Thou does not have the right to grin for what thou did to our sister and we!” Luna almost shouted at Cid, who was busy rubbing his face.
“What did thou think when thee decided not to move. Then thy message! How could thou even think such a thing?”
Luna shouted as tears rolled down her cheeks. She grabbed him and brought him into a hug.
“Thou art an idiot Cid, one we missed dearly.”
Author's Note
Hello, all those of you who are reading this might be wondering what Cid's powers are. Well, there is a list, which I won't post here because it would take up more room than this chapter.
To put it simply Cid has many powers that come from a Jump Chain Adventure. A type of character builder that uses different worlds such as Kingdom Hearts, Marvel, Dc, Infamous, and many, many, many, more. Cid is a jumper that spent ten years in fifty-one worlds. Each world he learned something new or gained new power.
Since he is a jumper, normally displaced rules are thrown out the window. How will this affect the story? Well, stay tuned to find out.
Also, point out grammar mistakes so that I may fix them.
Oct 25, 2015/ I would like time to thank the users Tensemasterhalo , Boyzlightning21 , and Evergrand Storyteller for offering their services for editing this chapter for me. Please send them a message and give them some thanks.
Awakening: Dreams and Pasts
Celestia was floating in a vast ocean of stars. As she passed she watched memories float by from time long past. Many were of dear friends that had past with the curse of time. Even a lover or two past through her vision. However, she was stopped by one memory that was painful to watch. Only she continually found herself lost in the memory every time she passed it.
“Cid, we art ready!” Celestia shouted over the roar of fires. “Thou must move!”
“No Celestia!” Cid shouted back only to grunt with effort as he maintained numerous green beams. “If I move, this thing escapes! You must hit it now for your subjects!”
“Nay, Ser Cid! There must be another way!” Luna called out next to her.
“There is no time Luna!” Cid called back. He was at the end of his abilities to safely hold the monster at bay. Even now he was pushed back by a blast of black energy. His golden shield was already waning and could not hold out for much longer.
“Luna! Celestia! I am sure that everything will be fine, so trust me!”
Celestia looked to her sister who was battered from the fury of battle. Her armor was falling apart and was revealing the mail underneath the plates of black. Her own armor was in no better shape since she had to remove her helmet to even see clearly.
Celestia locked eyes with her sister, and in them were a reflection of her own. Sadness, the kind of sacrificing a friend for the safety of others. Thier hesitation was breaking apart at a flood of necessity. They held on to the hope of avoiding this fate.
“DO IT!” Cid yelled as another blast had cracked his shield. His words were the final blow that shattered the dam.
“Luna… we must.” Celestia said to her sister. Luna looked surprised at her sister but soon matched her expression. They pulled six gems from a satchel, three held by each one of their magic. Around them, the gems spun before covering the cavern in a bright light. Once it faded, both Cid and the monstrous wrath had been turned to stone.
Before they could move there was a second blast of light. One that caused them to close their eyes. As it faded, the monster they were fighting had been shattered. Dark magic still rolled from the destroyed statue. Somehow Cid had managed one last attack, one that did not fully defeat the monster.
Luna fell to her knees as tears welled in her eyes; Celestia just stood there unmoving. They had won, but at a cost that they never wanted to pay. Cid had sacrificed himself to be turned to stone along with the monster so that he could suppress its power. He told them that one day the monster’s power would disperse and then he would be free to return.
Celestia tried to remove herself from the dream but was instead pulled deeper. Around her was the black pitch of pure darkness. It moved around her as if trying to pull her into it’s depths. She pushed back against it and the darkness cringed from her might. As it pulled back, she felt a vision flash into her sight.
A warrior stood against a monster with a single blade in his hand. He looked battered beyond recognition as cuts stain his clothing red. The monster seemed to move on the warrior with many limbs that looked like thousands of blades. One flick of its limb the monster sent the warrior flying.
“Why don’t you just die?!” The monster bellowed.
“Sorry,” The warrior said as he fumbled to his feet. “But I am just too stubborn to die.”
“Then be swallowed into darkness!” The monster roar. More limbs shot from the shadows. Each one speeding like a missile towards the warrior. The limbs reached down to impale the warrior. Thousands of blades ready to…
Celestia awoke with a frighten gasped. Her heart was pounding a terrifying beat in her head. Her breathing was heavy and her eyes were wide as she breathed deeply. Her sheets were clasped tightly in her hands and moved them close to her heart.
Celestia had never felt a dream like that before. It was almost like the light of insight she gained when her people were in true danger. This one was something different, it was the complete opposite. She never felt anything that could compare to the malice she felt in that dream. She even remembers the images of the warrior and monster. Not a flash of impending danger that she had come to know.
A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts and pushed her towards the present.
“Yes?” Celestia asked glad for the distraction. Upon her response, a unicorn mare entered her personal quarters. The mare was of a white color with a mane of purple, pink and gold. She wore the normal attire of black and white assigned to castle maids. Only her uniform was lined with gold and had a sun embroidered into it. A symbol of the unicorn’s position of Celestia's head chamber maid.
“My Lady,” The unicorn bowed before addressing her princess. “A member of Princess Luna’s personal guard is here with a message from her Highness.”
There was a slight pause of hesitation from her head maid. Something that didn’t often happen, which only meant she was caught by surprise.
“To be delivered, to you and only you, my Lady.”
This was strange since Luna rarely need her help for anything. Let alone for the appeals of her Night Court. What ever had happened that Luna need her presents for something urgent.
“Every well Miss Potts,” Celestia said as she rose from her bed. “Please help me get dress so I can see what my sister wants.”
“Of course my Lady.” Miss Potts said without batting a single lash.
In a few minutes, Celestia was dressed in a white dress. The gold accented most of her figure without flaunting beauty. A simple dress that she wore during her rare and coveted free days. She exited her sleeping chambers wearing accessories of gold and detailed with images of the sun.
“Tell me where my sister is,” Celestia said to the Thestral guard.
“Your Majesty?” The Thestral asked confused by Princess Celestia statement.
“Where is my sister,” Celestia paused and looked at the guard armor. It was hard to tell on Thestral armor, but they did a rank hidden in the gem shaped like an eye. “Lieutenant?”
“Her Highness is located in the east wing sitting room you Majesty. The Everflow River sitting room.” The guard added quickly at the end.
“Thank you,” Celestia said to the guard and walked towards the Everflow River sitting room.
==== ==== ====
Angela Potts knew that the appearances of Luna’s guard tonight would mean it would be a long one. She also knew that tomorrow would be an even longer day. That meant she needed information to best adapt to her Princess needs. Thankfully there was a confused Royal Night Guard that she could coast information from. Thankfully she had a nice pot of tea that would do the trick.
“Why don’t you set down for some tea dear.” Miss. Potts said to the Thestral guard. Her sudden suggestion startled the young bat pony.
“Ma’am?” The guard asked her with surprise on his face.
“I said sit down young stallion, you look like you are dazed and about to pass out.” Miss Potts chastised the young stallion.
At times like this she aced like an old mother hen. A type of personality she developed when dealing with her Lady Celestia when she ran herself ragged. She also found it slightly funny that it was similar to how Celestia dealt with some of the nobles. Only a slightly more forceful personality. She even uses it on her children, which they hated since they now had foals of their own.
Miss Potts ushered the Night Guard to a smaller sitting room used by the Chamber staff; there she pulled out a tea pot and started brewing something calming. It was always good that she could brew tea for the Princess, but she also liked to brew tea for other ponies. As Miss Potts proceeded to brew, she had started to slightly glow as her cutie mark began to shine. It was that of an old tea pot polished to perfection that glowed through her uniform.
“I take it you like tea ma’am?” The guard asked, noticing the glow around her.
“Yes, I do.”
Miss Potts didn’t say another word on the matter. It was true that she liked tea, but there was more to her mark then just that. She loved to share a spot of tea with ponies and talk. It didn’t matter what the subject is, but most the time it was about problems in their life. She helped many ponies through difficult times just with tea and talking. That was her special talent and it shone brightly every time she practiced her craft.
It was even because of that talent she ended up as Celestia’s head chamber maid. The position that was even with the castle steward. One that she would not give up for anything in the world. Because her Lady Celestia needed her, all because Miss Potts knew things that would break the hearts of other ponies. Sadly these were things her Lady dealt with every day for almost a thousand years.
That was why she took time to talk with a Night Guard, to learn what her Lady might need. A long process that started in small talk, but made its way into the information she needed. Even as she talked, she started to plot on getting her Lady a few extra cakes. Mainly because it sound like she could use them. They even continued to talk about other things after she had gained the insight she need. She was about to bid the guard goodbye when he asked her a question this time.
“Um, Miss Potts,” The guard asked with a shaky start. “Do you think I can ask you for some advice about a mare friend of mine?”
“Oh dear,” Miss Potts thought. “It looks like another lost pony has come to me for advice.”
“Of course,” Miss Potts said with a reassuring smile. “Let me start another pot of tea and you can tell me all about it.”
==== ==== ====
Celestia paced herself down the hall leading towards her sister. Any ponies that she pasted knew that she was in a hurry from her posture. She moved stiffly with her cloven sandals echoing through the halls. It was a telltale sign to staff and nobles that she was not to be disturbed.
As she neared the Everflow River room, she heard laughing. Not just any laughter, but that of her sister. This was a curious turn of events since her sister would only call her for something important. She turned the corner and saw the doorway that headed to a room with one of few indoor water fixtures. It was a room designed to help keep ponies calm, especially those that are nervous to meet her or a noble.
“We said then,” Celestia hear her sister as she almost entered the room. “Thou undergarments art showing.”
As she entered the room, she saw her sister talking to a pony whose back was towards her. It looked as if the pony was in pain since it was hunched over. It wasn't until it spoke did she learn that they were laughing to hard.
“Luna no more,” The pony said laughing. “Too much, I can’t, laugh anymore.”
That was odd, no pony has moved to first name bases with luna. Very few had ever made it to first name bases with her. Most of the time most referred to her as ‘your majesty,’ or the rare ‘Lady Celestia.’
“Luna,” Celestia said softly while standing in the doorway. “Why did you send for me at this time of night?”
“That would be my fault, Celestia.” The pony who was talking to Luna said while standing to face her. “After all, my sense of time has never been the best.”
Somehow after a millennium, she was not surprised to see an old friend again. Especially when the old friend had lived a longer lifespan than most creatures, and seen more than creatures older than him. Cid McConroy, Jumper of the multiverse, and one of the biggest idiots she had ever known.
Celestia smiled and moved to embraced him. “Hello Cid, it is good to see you again.”
Cid embraced her for a moment before pulling back. He grinned at her with a goofy smile. One that she learned match what he thought about life. It was something it should be lived to its fullest. A lesson he learned on his jumps, one he said was taught to him through a school of hard knocks. Although he never did say what kind of school it was.
“It’s good to see you again Celestia. Hopefully this time I don’t bring any trouble with me.” Cid said with a laugh.
Celestia didn’t find it funny. Both she and Luna learned that he felt it was his fault that monsters had been attacking at the time. He was a fool that felt like he had to lift the world on his shoulders. It had been that attitude that made him believe being stuck in stone for over a millennium was the only way. A feeling that both her sister, and she wanted to smack out of him. That reminded her.
“Man being stuck in stone for a thousand years give you such a crick in the neck,” Cid said rolling his shoulders and neck. He was smiling brightly as if he made a joke that neither she nor Luna knew the secret behind.
“Let me help you with that Cid?” Celestia suggested as she moved beside him. Her lips were turned into a tight smile, but her eyes told that she had malicious intent.
“It’s fine Celestia no need to trouble yourself,” Cid said with his sense of danger telling him to run. He tried to slip away, but Celestia had grabbed his arm and was holding with an ever tightening grip. Before Cid could ask Celestia too, please, let him go; a fist collided with the back of his head. Unfortunately, the Jumper had found himself imprinting the floor by a good six inches.
==== ==== ====
I really should have expected this. After all Luna had made it quite clear on how they felt about my message. However, I knew Celestia was once a bearer of the element of kindness. I thought she would at least avoid physical reaction and just stick to a lecture. However, I was wrong and forgot, at times, she was a believer in tough love. After all, she was like that when we first meet.
I had been stuck in this world for less than a week and I have found that it doesn’t match any of the worlds I knew. The best I could tell was that it was based on a late medieval era. There was magic evident in the air, and a few individuals that could use magic in a village I found. The weird thing was instead of humans I found horse like humans.
I knew that being taken by the merchant had changed the rules, but not the game. That meant I needed to know what world I was in. I knew current things didn’t mixes well in some universe. One the of common ones I found was sciences and magic. Those gave me a headache when ever I ended up in a world with over half or more of my abilities locked.
I made sure to keep myself hidden in a tree line as I watched the town. No matter how many times I had staked out a house, or followed someone, boredom always sets in. I had boredom struck about three hours ago. What I really needed right now was some kind of distraction. Heck, I would even take a monster attack right now.
I was at that moment that I hear a roar from the other side of the village. I cursed my Jumper luck, and murphy’s law since both liked to show up hand in hand.
Within a second, I was from the treeline to the standing on a rooftop in the village. God, I loved that teleportation ability I picked up in the Teen Titans universe. Absolutely no sign of a teleportation, just there one second and then find yourself at the destination. Although I hated vertigo, I could get with too many teleportations in rapid succession.
“Welp that’s new,” I said looking at the monster attacking the village. I remember the animals in the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but this thing takes the cake.
It looked like a giant spider, the ones about the size of a bus. However instead of the furry body I had come to know with giant spiders, this one body looked like tar. Like literature tar, that was black, stick to stuff, and if anything hit it would spread out slightly before reforming its shape slightly. If that weren't enough this had ten appendages, seriously why did it needed two giant crab-like pincers. Although I didn’t understand why it had the body of a beetle, wouldn't a normal spinner work?
I didn’t have time to ponder as the monster grabbed a civilian with its massive claws. I was stuned in horror as the creature's jaws unfolded. When the heck did the Predator, have a child with a spider? Then a frog-like tongue shot from its mouth and attached itself to the person in its grasp. Then I felt it draining energy from the person, a greedy pull that would turn its victim into a husk.
I couldn’t stand by and observe anymore since there was someone in danger. I lunched myself into the air and sped towards the creature. My jacket flapped around me as I shot through the air. My eyes squinted as I fly through the air, I really needed new glasses if I was going to be flying much. I filed that thought away for later and thought of a weapon I needed.
There was a flash in my hand as I brought a blade from my warehouse to my hand with a requip spell. It was a simple blade with no guard and a simple wrap for its handle. However no matter how simple it was, the blade strike cut through the creature's tongue. The blade bites clean causing the monster to howl in pain as it drops it’s captive.
Using a flip, I changed direction and catch the civilian. I had to slow as they landed in my arms before speeding up. It was a misconception that you could catch a person at full speed. However, I learned from a web slinger that normal people can’t handle things like I can. Even the little things to me could leave lasting harm on a normal person.
Once I was a good distance away, I placed the person on the ground and checked their pulse. It was weak but stable. I wanted to do a deeper inspection of their vitals, but I had a monster to deal with. Lifting into the air, I flew towards the monster that was still recovering from the wound I had inflicted. Hovering above the creature, I swung my blade at its claw. I was expecting it to slice cleaning through the limb. Only my blade was stopped before biting deep.
It took all my physical strength to rescue my blade. That was saying a lot because if I wanted to I could lift and throw a tank. Now that my weapon was free I could see the tar-like substances stuck on the weapon. It felt familiar, and not in a good way. I had felt something like this in many universes, but one screamed in the back of my mind.
Just a thought of that universe brought forth the weapon I wield there. Unlike a flash of light, this one appeared in a swirl of orbs made with light. Once the light faded, my simple blade was replaced by one shaped like a key. A keyblade, it felt like a century since I last felt its call. Unlike other keyblades, this one was shaped like a circuit with each branching into each other. On the top were three waves that were made from whirlpools.
‘Jumper’s Creed, how long since the last time I called for you, my friend.’ I thought as I watch the weapon of light burn away the tar-like substances. Because of my reminiscing I let the monster recover enough to swing a giant claw at me. On reflex, I raised my keyblade to block the attack. The force of the attack pushed me from the air and back on to the ground. I slid backward on the ground with my feet creating a trench as I tried to stop myself.
I looked back at the monster once I stopped only to see it claws held a shine to it now. It seemed that the monster harden its body around it claws for more power. It reminded me too much of black blood from Soul Eater then I would like.
I put aside my thoughts as I charged the monster. It was easy getting in close because the monster tried to smash me with it giant claws. I knew from experiences that it would be pointless to attack them. Instead, I bypassed the claws swing for it legs. Jumper’s Creed sliced cleanly into the monster causing its tar like skin to melt on contact. Knowing this, I forced my keyblade to slice it all the way through. Only my weapon was stopped once it reached the center.
I didn’t know what was wrong, but I didn’t have a chance to ponder as I over exerted myself. I was wide open as one of the giant claws slammed into me and I was sent flying. I was tossed into a building causing it to fall on me. I was stunned by the blow, but it was more of the confusion of what this monster was. I had never faced something that could counter my adamantium blade, then a keyblade. Whatever the thing was, it was pushing me from my normal tactics
I had barely stood when the monster was upon me once more. It speed was impressive as it swung a claw to smash me. I was barely able to counter with a glowing shield made from my esper ability. The claw smashed into the shield and was stopped cold. Whatever the claw was, it was tough because my esper ability is able to make particle beams. Not even the plasma of matter could affect the claw, that left magic as the answer.
“Citizen, thou must leave for thy own safety.” I heard a voice shout behind me. However ignored them trying to focus on some kind of plan.
“Listen to thy rulers, your effort is valued, but you must leave to safety.” I heard another voice say closer to me. I was getting tired with this and I needed them to leave.
“Look,” I began while still focusing on the monster. “I am not one of your subjects and you two need to leave for your own good!”
“Such insolence to thy rulers,” I heard the first voice shout. I guess I pissed them off. “Thou will respect thy Princesses, Pony!”
To my side, I glimpsed a figure clad in black armor moving towards me. They must have been a hothead because trying to interpret someone with an active shield is just stupid. They even forgot battlefield awareness because the monster’s free claw was heading right for her. I jumped to the side letting me sheild fall. The claw slammed into the ground as I grab the figure clad in black.
“Look out!” I shouted as I pulled them with me. There was a yelp of surprise as we moved out of the way. I had barely recovered as the monster slammed its claw down on me. I caught it at the last second, but the force had caused a creator where I kneeled. I heard a gasp from the person I just saved, I must have done something that shocked her.
The other claw was about to slam into the first but was stopped by a burst of golden magic. I heard the monster scream in pain from the attack. I saw it rearing back and took my chance. Around me formed three glowing green orbs with my esper ability. The orbs shoot out in focused beams of power that slammed into the monster. The first hit it’s claw and barely left a scorch mark. The second hit it’s face, and the soft tar-like skin bubbled then evaporated from the strike. The last hit it’s socket joint for the other claw before cutting through and dug a molten trench through the ground that cooled into glass.
The monster roared and stumbled onto it’s back. Using its stumble, I jumped from the creator and saw the damage done. My third beam had cut straight through the joint and severed the limb. I saw its tar like skin melting into a vile miasma. However I saw the real kicker to the monster, its skeleton was robotic in nature. That was the reason why Jumper’s Creed couldn't cut through it.
Knowing why my attack didn’t work was another step to beating the beast. I also gained an idea on how to beat it. I blasted the remains of the claw with some ice and was satisfied seeing in freeze solid.
“Thou art insane,” I heard the figure in black say to me. “No Unicorn is strong enough to block that creature’s physical strength.”
“Can you create a strong shield?” I asked ignoring her comment.
“What?”
“I said can you create a strong shield?” I said locking eyes with her.
“Yes,” She said a little confused.
“Good, make one around me and that monster.” I pointed at the creature that a figure in gold was fighting.
“What!?” She shouted at me.
“Just do it,” I said as I rushed the monster.
I ran towards the monster and started running through signs with my hands. I felt another energy bubble up inside me as I ran. I knew after this battle, I was going to be sick with all the different energy running through my body. However, that didn’t matter until the battle was over.
“Shadow Clone Jutsu.” I shouted and two clones appeared beside me. The two clones split off from me and rushed ahead. Once we were in the position, I noticed a blue shield of magic surrounding me and the monster. Now that we were in an enclosed space, my clones and I hit our fists to the ground. Another power of mine shot forth in a wave of ice spears. The pillars met in the center and formed a three-point star with monster trapped in the center. Inside the shield, the temperature plummeted severely. After a second the ice shattered into a freezing mist with the monster frozen in the center.
The massive spider was unable to move as it skin was now frozen solid. My clones disappeared in a puff of smoke as I charged. The monster tried to move but was unable to do anything other than twitch. Then my fist impacted the monster straight in the face. There was a tinkling sound as the monster skin shattered, as the clunks of frozen tar fell from the monster’s robotic skeleton.
Before I was able to perform my next attack, the monster moved thanks to being free from it skin. It swung it massive claw towards me but missed as I dodge to the left. The monster wasn’t done with just a simple swing of its claw. No, it’s beetle like back unfolded to reveal a rather large cannon. There was a blast of dark energy that shoot towards me. I was barely able to dodge as I flew into the air. Only the monster’s weapon followed my trail through the air.
I heard the sounds of the blue shield starting to fail. I needed to finish this fast and in one shot. There was a flash of light as I requip a large broad sword. It was unlike a normal weapon because it looked like two giant mortar barrels were welded into the middle. The orange weapon was fitted with my hand as I pulled the trigger on the handle. There was a blast of light from the barrel that covered the sword’s edge. Another pull of the trigger and the weapons glow brighten.
With the glowing weapon in my hands, I felt myself fall. The beam of dark energy had hit me causing great pain, but I pushed through. The monster had stopped its assault because it believed me dead or injured. However, it was a mistake as I lunged through the smoke. I swung my weapon twice towards the monster. Each swing I sent large beams of light that sliced through the robotic skeleton.
To the normal eye nothing happened, but this attack was of my semblance that I gained in the universe of RWBY. The Light of Space was like my Thaumaturge in that they both reacted to space. One the basic concepts of the world, and I could bend it rules to suit my needs. In this case severing the skeleton at the atomic level.
The skeleton fell apart into four pieces and I finally let down my guard. It was over, and I could focus on healing. Looking at my body I was covered in burns and some nasty gashes. However, my advance healing was already knitting my flesh back together. I was about to ask if they could drop the shield when I heard a spark coming from the skeleton. I forgot an important rule when fighting robots, they explode when defeated.
There was a bright flash of light and everything went numb. Dark energy really screws around with my nervous system at times. When I opened my eyes, I saw the golden figure standing above me. She had a disapproving scowl on her face as she looked at me. It reminded me of the one that a mother gives a child even they had been naughty.
“This is for thy own good,” She said as she slammed a pommel of her sword into my temple. That was the last thing I saw of that day.
==== ==== ====
I groan as I pushed myself out of the floor. If I was at half strength, or even a quarter of my strength that punch wouldn’t even hurt. Sadly it did and I had a feeling Celestia did it for that reason alone.
“Did you really need to make a mold of me Celestia?” I asked with a groan as I stood.
“Oh, Cid, why must you complain over something so little,” Celestia said with a perfectly even tone. She was sitting on the couch next to Luna and was sipping a cup of tea. More than likely she was sipping the tea to hide her grin.
I glared at Celestia and wished that I had gained laser vision during my jumps. I moved over to a chair and sat down before reaching my hand out to the fountain. The water in turn flowed into my hand and eased my pain from being a human stake.
“Really Ser Cid, thou must heal after a small blow?” Luna asked as she watched me absorb the water.
“Yes Luna,” I replied with a slight wince. “I must because I am nowhere near my old strength. I might not be there for at least a month or two.”
Celestia looked slightly guilty because she didn’t know how bad my condition was. I doubt either of them knew how bad I truly was. I wasn’t even going to tell them that it was only because of the full moon that I could move.
“Tell me, Cid, what is your plan now that you are awake seven hundred years early,” Celestia asked.
I didn’t want to think about it. Discord had ruined my carefully laid out plans. I was meant to be trapped in stone for close to two thousand years. Instead, I was freed seven hundred and forty-three years early. Honestly, my only plan right now would be to recover as fast as possible. The creature we had defeated was the sources of the Desolate Fiends in this world. A name that I grew to hate.
“I don’t know Celestia, but I need to recover enough strength to fight any Desolate Fiends that attack Equestria,” I said looking into her eyes. I saw sadness and understanding in there because she knew it was true. Before I appeared, they were having trouble with the Fiends. It was mainly both Luna and Celestia that drove the monsters back. Only it was not without a price.
“I understand Cid, but before you focus on recovering your strength. I ask that you spend some time with us.” Celestia said with a smile.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I said with my goofy grin spreading over my face. We talked through the rest of the night until both Luna and Celestia had to move the Sun and Moon.
Author's Note
Another Chapter done. Now my head feels like someone is pounding a pickaxe through my skull.
Anyways on to the notes. I know this question will be appearing from now on, so let me answer it now. Cid has been to over fifty universe in the multiverse during his time as a Jumper. However I won't reveal each world right off the bat, but I will list worlds that powers or abilities that had been used in each chapter. Now as for which reference belong to which universe, is up to you the reader to figure out.
Avatar: The Last Airbender, Justice League Unlimited, Teen Titians, A Certain Scientific Railgun, InFamous, RWBY, Naruto, Fairy Tail, Marvel Comics, Kingdom Hearts,
P.S. Feel free to point out grammar mistakes because my Dyslexia makes it impossible.
Oct 25, 2015/ I would like time to thank the users Tensemasterhalo , Boyzlightning21 , and Evergrand Storyteller for offering their services for editing this chapter for me. Please send them a message and give them some thanks.
Awakening: A Doctor, and A Outsider.
“Come along Miss Hooves, we mustn’t be late.” A chipper chestnut stallion said as he exited a blue box. Well, the blue boxcar that he had hitched a ride in. He jumped onto the station platform and observed the surroundings. To most he looked like he’d just departed from business class cars from his sharp pen striped suit. However, his white sandals and the twinkle in his eyes would betray that perception.
“Coming Doctor!” A mare shouted from the boxcar. She was gray and had bright blond mane and tail. The mare was wearing the bright blue uniform of the Equestria postal services. She jumped from the cart but was off balanced by the postal bag that hung at her side. She had to stabilize herself by opening her wings so she didn’t crash into the platform.
Before the gray mare could finish departing the train, her companion had already started to move. She hurriedly caught up with the chestnut stallion, but only after knocking over four stacks of baggage.
“Doctor, why are you in such a hurry?” The mare known as Derpy Hooves, or as her family calls her Ditzy Doo, asked her companion.
“Because Derpy, the world is filled with adventure, and we don’t want to miss one second of it.” The Doctor said pointing out on the horizon before settling on the palace. “Also a letter from the Princesses asked me to come to the palace as soon as possible.”
“Any clue why you’re being summoned by the Princesses?” Derpy asked as she shifted her mailbag to a more comfortable position.
“None whatsoever.” The Doctor said with biggest grins that he could muster. Like a kid in a candy store, the Doctor rushed through the crowds to the palace.
Derpy sighed as the Doctor disappeared from view. There was no way she could keep up with him with the crowds of Canterlot in her way. However, she knew where he was going and she should be able to catch up to him. Taking to the skies, Derpy headed for the castle and wondered what adventure awaited them.
==== ==== ====
“What do you mean that I am not allowed in?” A brown stallion asked Ground Treader and his partner.
“The Princesses have asked to keep everyone out of the castle until certain matters are cleared.” His partner said in an even tone.
“But I was called to the palaces by the princesses!”
“Sir, we were not informed of anyone by the name of ‘The Doctor,’ so please remove yourself from the grounds.” Ground Treader said in a slightly more hostile tone.
“I told you I was invited by the princesses, I even have a summon!” The Doctor shouted at them before searching his suit.
“Oh blast it all, where did that letter disappear to?” The Ground Treader heard the Doctor mumbled as he searched his suits many, many pockets for the letter. He and his partner gave each other a look that asked who should take care of the pony before them.
‘You or me?’ His partner postured asked.
‘You,’ Ground Treader replied using a slight nod of the head.
‘Really?’ His partner responded with a glare
‘What?’ He asked using a shrug.
His partner didn’t say anything but just pointed toward his mane. He was confused but then remembered an instance that happened a week ago and he was the cause. There was still a large portion of the guard needing to use helmets with fake manes after the bubble gum fiasco.
‘Fine,’ Ground Treader admitted in defeat, but still glared at his partner. Just as he stepped forward, a mail mare appeared and started to call the stallion in front of him.
“Doctor, you forgot this on the way from the train station!” The gray mail mare shouted holding up an envelope.
He knew the mare, it was Ditzy Doo, a friend from his foal years. Last he heard, she had moved to Ponyville and worked at the post office. Although he did remember that her name came through attached to an another file. Although he couldn’t remember the file for the life of him.
“Thank you, Derpy.” The Doctor said taking the letter and showing the content to him.
Ground Treader didn’t have time to seethe at his friend being called by that horrid nickname. He always took great pleasure blocking the entrance of other foals, now nobles that used that nickname and now wished to gain access to the princess court. He lightly gazed at the message and saw that it was official looking, but he needed to confirm a few things.
“You are Timer Icarus Turner, and your companion is Ditzy Doo.” Ground Treader stated instead of asked. Only because when he said the name out loud did he remember the file. Both his mind and body said the same thing together. ‘Oh, Bucking Horse Apples.’
“Yes, yes.” The Doctor said. “That is my name, but I do prefer to be called Doctor Whooves.”
“Let me confirm with the desk sergeant and you will be escorted in shortly.” Ground Treader said as he retreated inside the gate. His partner just looked at him with confusion and worry at his sudden disappearances. Ground Treader did feel a little bit guilty leaving his partner there, but if their roles were reversed, he would do the same.
Bursting through the door next to the main gate, Ground Treader rushed to the sergeant and snapped a quick salute.
“Sir, I am reporting a Code D.W. at the front gate.” Ground Treader said quickly because the sergeants look said this better be important.
“Care to repeat that, Private?” The Desk Sergeant said as he stood to full height. His presence said that if this were a joke there would be flanks to burn.
“Sir, Doctor Whooves, and his companion Ditzy Doo are waiting at the front gate with a summons from the princess.” Ground Treader barked out an answer his superior as he held out the letter he took from the Doctor.
It was then that he learned that the stories about Equestrian Marines having mouths worst then minotaur sailors were true. Since the desk sergeant was falling into old habits of the Marines before he transferred to the Royal Guard.
“Corporal Fast Track,” The Sergeant bark. “You find Captain Armor and let him know of the situation. I will try to distract the Doctor until a member of the special Unit can replace me.”
Ground Treader followed the Sergeant back to his post. Once there the Sergeant fabricated a story and asked the Doctor to follow him. He returned to his stock posture and stared out in front of him.
“He calls me Derpy with affection,” Ditzy said to him as she passed. “So you don’t need to worry about it. After all, I moved past it.”
Ground Treader felt good that his old friend had remembered him. How she knew it was him, he would never know, but then again Ditzy did see the world differently.
A few minutes had passed before his partner finally spoke.
“You’re an ass Ground Treader.”
He didn’t say anything, but his posture shifted to smug satisfaction.
==== ==== ====
“Please come this way, Doctor.” Princess Luna said as she motioned down the hall.
She had intercepted the Doctor and his companion that were being lead through the palaces. She had heard from her sister the troubles that Tuner family had involved themselves in during her banishment. However, the lengths that the royal guard went through to keep tabs on them was staggering.
A small unit just to deal with the exploits of Doctor Whooves seem a little much. Even the rules for if the Doctor was seen at the palaces. Did they really think that keeping watch on statues all times during his visit was worth the effort? It didn’t matter for now, but she would get some answers from her sister on the matter soon.
“Of course your highness.” The doctor said with a smile. “Although could you shed light on why you called me here if only just a smidgen?”
“Of course, we called you here to help assist the recovery of a friend of ours.” she said as she spied the Sergeant she dismissed following them.
“You know Princess Luna,” The doctor started while rubbing the back of his mane. “I am not that kind of doctor.”
“We were informed that thee might say as much. However, this is no ordinary patient.” Luna told the Doctor as she opened a door to a room. She gestured for them to enter but not before sending a look towards the Sergeant that she dismissed.
“Well, I’ll be,” The Doctor said with amusement clearly in his voice. “What in Equestria are you, my friend?”
Laying on a bed next to a fountain was a being that the Doctor had never seen before. True he had seen many things in his time, but this was different.
“Red mane similar to that of a manticore, and elongated auditory lobes that end in a point.” The Doctor mused out loud as he inspected the being in bed.
“Canines and molars suggest an omnivore for dietary needs, five digits on hands… And even feet similar to primates. Fascinating, where did you ever find a being like him?”
Luna gave a slight cough at the way Cid was being treated as he slept but still answered the question.
“Ser Cid, appeared during a Fiend attack on a village that is now Manhattan. He was able to defeat it using the unique magics that he possess.”
“Magic?” The Doctor asked in surprise before grabbing a tool from his pocket. “Well then, this calls for a deeper scan.”
From the tool, a glowing blue light appeared with a strange sound. Princess Luna watched as the Doctor moved the device as if searching for something.
“Princess Luna, if I could be so bold, but you said he was your friend?” Derpy asked as she watched the Doctor work.
“Yes,” Luna said as she turned to the mail mare. “Cid is a friend that our sister and we met a long time ago. He has recently returned however he is comatose during the day, and visibly weak at night. When he returned he just seemed tired, but now it seems to have worsened.”
“Then why call the Doctor?” Derpy asked trying to understand why her friend was called to look over somepony.
“We tried to have a normal physician look him over, however, the results were less than pleasing. Thus, our sister summoned Ser Turner for assistance.”
“This makes no sense!” The Doctor yelled at his tool and caused both Derpy and Princess Luna to look at him.
“Three types of mana converters, too many different magic pathways and even two fused on top of each other, a chi system with corrosive ki flow, signs of mechanical appendages yet none at the same time, and what do you mean two personal realities trying to overwrite each other!”
“Is everything alright Doctor?” Luna asked slightly confused at the sudden outburst.
“No, how is your so called friend even alive?”
“We do not follow thee Doctor.”
“I saying that your friend's body looks like a complete mess. It looks like somepony slapped a lot of things into his body and called it smashing. Not to mention all the void radiation. I am almost surprised that he doesn’t have three heads.”
Then the Doctor looked and asked, “He doesn’t have three heads right?”
“Nay, Ser Cid never had mentioned having three heads before,” Luna said shaking her head. “Does thou have some remedy to ease his recovery Doctor?”
“Yes, but no.” The Doctor said rubbing his temples. “The problem Princess, is not his body, but his magic. I count no less than fifteen different magics mixing in his body. Keep in mind that this problem is magic alone, and not spiritual or other things I found in his body. Each of these magics are trying to restore themselves.”
The Doctor saw that Derpy was starting to become lost and changed to something simpler.
“Basically different parts of his body are trying to take all the magic energy, and are not sharing it.”
“Oh, you mean that some parts of his body are fighting over a single muffin.” Derpy said as she translated what the Doctor said into a familiar concept.
“Yes, Derpy that is exactly what is going on.” the Doctor agreed with an approving smile.
“Then why don’t you give him more muffins?” Derpy asked as she pulled a muffin that she had hidden in her mailbag. “That way this body is no longer fighting over one.”
“A good suggestion Miss Hooves, but one I am afraid that won’t work with just muffins.” The Doctor said to his companion before turning to Princess Luna. “Your Highness, I don’t suppose you have any magic crystals or anything that can produce a large amount of magic?”
“Yes, but pray tell what would such things do to help Ser Cid recovery?”
“It simple, I am going to overload his nervous system with magic and let his body absorb it. With a little luck, I should have your friend Cid up, and his magic no longer acting all willy nilly.”
With that, the Doctor strode towards the door and opened it to a surprised Stallion on the other side. The Doctor knew that it was a pony most likely from the special unit to keep an eye on him.
“Hello my good pony, I need you to go pick up a few thing for me.” The Doctor said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.
==== ==== ====
Despite what people might believe, recovering from magic exhaustion takes longer than it looks. I remembered in the universe of Familiar of Zero it could get pretty bad. Their system of magic relied on willpower to cast spells. If willpower was depleted, then death was a serious issue.
Even now as I floated in the depths of my subconscious I remembered the various rules for each system of magic I knew. Even now various elements of my magics were trying to recover their reserves. It was barren ocean inside of me, and any water added was striped by several whirlpools.
Even so as I focused on regaining my mythical strength, I knew with my regenerative abilities that my body was in perfect condition. Until I get caught up in a fight or a battle. My mind was still sharp as ever, but it was foggy until I regained my magic.
As I rested, I could still feel the connection to the world around me. I felt Princess Luna nearby and several others that came and went. Around me I felt an influx of magic, I didn’t know what for, but if I had to guess Luna had doctors look after me again. I told them the other night that the next full moon I would have recovered enough to function again.
Then again it might have been idiotic of me to crash through the window and make an entrance when I was still weak. Might had given them the impression that I was perfectly fine from being encased in stone for over a thousand years.
...
I spent too much time with Naruto, some of his bad habits are still rubbing off on me.
I felt someone place something on me but didn’t pay attention. They could do all the tests they wanted, and I doubt it would effect me. After all, I took a punch from Doomsday once. However, it did hurt like hell and I wasn’t walking for at least two weeks afterward.
It was at that moment I felt fire pour into my nervous system. Fire wasn't the right word since it was like water flood my system, but with the heat of a plasma bolt. As it flooded through me, I wanted to scream, but my body was unresponsive. That’s what happens when someone pours something into another person's nervous system.
As the fire flowed, I felt myself absorbing it and metabolizing it into magic. My magic circuits relished the flow of fire, and my fae core was reforming deep within me. I could feel my power will return in force as well. That was just what I needed to force my body to move. I snapped opened my eyes and lifted my left hand. On it appeared a mark, one that I channeled my spirit through.
The mark was that of a compass needle pointing towards the horizon made from arcs. On the other end, a small tail of the needle was next to a small letter that might have been an N for north. It was the mark of the Outsider, something that I had buried long ago in my mind.
At this moment, I need to move and the mark awakened to answer my call. In the blink of an eye, I was pulled to the other side of the room. I felt the wire that was on me ripped off with my escape. Once there I recollected myself and stood. Whoever thought it was a good idea to send pure magic into someone's nervous system needed to be smacked. It was true that this method was effective, but it hurt like hell.
“Who was the idiot that sent pure magic through my nervous system.” I all but yelled.
Looking around the room, I saw Princess Luna hooked up to a wire, along with various magical items. In one corner of the room was a gray mare looking down with a slightly guilty look on her face. There seemed to be two other unicorns in the room that wore the armor of the Royal Guard that I learned from my talk with Luna and Celestia. They both had the look of someone doing what they were told and realized that it meant poking a bear with a stick.
Then my eyes spotted the mastermind behind the plan. A chestnut stallion was hurrying over to me with a twinkle in his eyes. In his hand was a familiar tool that glowed blue and hummed as it scanned me. The pin striped suit, the sonic screwdriver, and the grin on his face screamed the Doctor.
“No. No.” I said stopping the stallion approach with an outstretched hand. My voice had a tone of hope in it, but it was smashed by the dread as I spoke. “You better not be the Doctor.”
“Why, yes I am, but tell me chap, how did you know that?” The Doctor asked as he put his tool away. He was now more curious about how I knew him then checking the results of his ‘helping.’
“Ok, but first two questions,” I said to him. I had to be sure if he was my Doctor or the Doctor of this universe. “First, what do spoilers mean to you? And Second, who is Rose Tyler.”
“Spoilers, I hate them. Nasty little buggers that ruin a perfectly good story. As for Rose Tyler, can’t say I have heard of her.” The Doctor said with a little pondering. “Unless you mean Roseluck, lovely pony, but on the little dramatic side if you ask me.”
This really didn’t give me much information, so I had to ask another question just to be sure.
“Are you a time traveler Doctor?” As I asked, I saw a look of horror grow on the two guards faces. I wonder what was eating them, but returned my attention to the Doctor.
“Ah, time travel.” The Doctor said like an old man reminiscing about a long lost dream. “I wish that it was possible. To see the future, past, and present with just a flick of a switch. A mystery of the world one that is waiting to be discovered. A project that I have spent years/centuries on understanding.”
One of the guards pushed past the Doctor and walked up to me.
“Excuse me Doctor, but I need to run a medical spell on the patient.” The guard said with his horn a light but leaned into a whisper. “Don’t get him started, he his bad enough without time travel. I can only imagine the problems that would arise if he could.”
“Finds strange monsters wherever he goes?” I asked my face removing all emotion. The guard only nodded at my question. “Smarter than anypony he meets, travels around with a companion, and cause massive collateral damage in his attempts to defeat the same monster?”
The guard nodded at every question but looked at me with a questioning stare.
“Ya, no.” I said and ran through an open door. There were shouts as I bolted past ponies and ran down the hall. I heard the familiar click of hooves running down the laid stone halls and knew somepony gave chase.
I continued my flight, but I needed an exit and fast. Looking around I saw an open window and jumped. It didn’t matter what was on the other side as long I as I got away from the Doctor. I remembered a jump spent in the Doctor's universe once. It didn’t help that my luck and his got along so well, and tried to kill us every time we meet.
As I hit the ground, I felt my body falling into old habits. Bending of the knees, a shoulder out and lean into, and then roll into the fall. Parkour, a skill that I learned and had drilled into my body during my jumps. It allowed me to recover faster from seeing my chaser. The Doctor stood at the fourth-floor window that I made my escape. His face was beaming and I even heard him say that my landing was brilliant.
The rest of the Doctor’s words were drowned by the sound of my feet upon the gravel path. I didn’t stop to think oh how silly it looked of me running away from the Doctor. Personally I had fun with the crazy man, but apart from luck there was another reason why I needed to leave. That is why it is necessary to get a good head start to even hope to avoid a Doctor.
Running down the path, I saw another open window. Without thinking, I jumped into the window and back into the castle. Once inside I closed the window and drew the blinds. After closing my entry, I found myself standing in a darkened room. Using my esper ability, I create a glowing orb next to me. The small light was enough to bathe the room in a faded green.
Around me stood bookshelves that reached to the ceiling. A desk and few chairs littered the floor space. Around the room parchment and maps were scattered about and stuffed amongst the shelves. Apparently the room I chose to make my escape was a study of some sort. One that looked like it was lived in by the state of the room.
I walked towards the door ready to leave when a sudden chill fell over me. Behind me shown a purple light that competed with my green. Around me a mist formed and the air filled with a smell of sea water. The last time I experienced this was almost three hundred and thirty years ago. One that I swore to never have any contact again, because I learned the truth of his gift. I let my own light disappear as I turned to face the figure now inside the room.
“Outsider.” I spat his name as I glared at the being before me.
The bastard never changed, he appeared the same way as the first time I met him. A leather jacket, and the same gray pants, that never seemed to change. Even his sunken eyes and black hair stayed the same. I doubt a single hair on his head ever changed as well.
“Hello, Cid.” The Outsider said with a neutral greeting. “I knew we would meet again.”
“What are you doing here? I thought I cut ties with you since I learned what your gift does to those that rely on its power.”
“Even if you refused to acknowledge my gift, I still watch over you.”
“That is not what I asked.” My tone was starting to gain an edge as I spoke. “What are you doing appearing before me?”
“It is simple Cid. You are a curiosity.” The Outsider said pointing at me. “One I enjoyed watching. Even now in the midst of the unknown you still fight.”
“Of course I still fight.” I was slightly offended that he would even say that. “If I lost that drive an entire universe would have been ravaged. Isn’t that one of the reasons you gave me your mark?”
The outsider just shook his head at my question. Even now he still kept the air of neutrality.
“You had a part to play in my universe. I made sure you played it, and in returned I gave you my mark. That is all I do, nothing more and nothing less.”
“Then tell me, what do you want this time? You talk of being neutral, but your presence is enough to change outcomes. Even your mark twist the bearer.” To make a point Cid was holding his mark in front of him.
“Oh, and how does my mark twist its bearer?” The outsider asks lifting an eyebrow. Something that seemed impossible since he rarely showed any form of emotion.
“You know very well. I found it twisting my soul as I used it. There is no telling what happens with continued use.”
“Cid.” The Outsider's voice seemed to change just a little. “Your knowledge of my mark is lacking. However, it is not up to me if you use it or not.”
There was a moment of silence between us. Me with a rage directed to beings like the Outsider, and him with the cold expression of neutrality. It felt like this stalemate could go on forever, but the Outsider broke it.
“Despite our differences Cid, I still watch over you. Thus, I am here to inform you of your current displacement.”
“Fine,” Cid said with a small breath. “I’ll put aside my ‘irritation’ to learn about what happened. So spill, who was that merchant?”
“He is known as ‘The Merchant,’ a dweller of the void with powers beyond a normal human’s understanding.” The Outsider started, around him his aura grew to cover the room in an overpowering purple light.
“He is a being without rhyme or reason and acts as he pleases. He plucks humans with unknown purpose and send them into a version of Equestria. Each as a character from a form of entertainment.”
“Wait,” I said holding up my hands. “You mean this guy has taken more than just me? Then he sends them in all to an alternate dimension of the world I am in?”
“No, he sends them to an alternate universe.” The outsider said shaking his head with closed eyes. “Each one he has sent with powers of the one they dressed as. Many ripped away from their homes and now must live among a new land.”
I felt my blood boiling again. However, it was not directed towards the Outsider. This Merchant has destroyed so many lives, all for what. There were no reasons for his actions, yet he went ahead and plucked people away from their homes. I wanted to give him a punch square in the jaw, but I knew that it was likely impossible. The Merchant was an R.o.b. and anything I could throw he most likely would laugh at.
I felt the injustice of it all but was powerless and could do nothing. Even now, after a journey across the multiverse, I was powerless against R.o.bs. Every person has a right to choose their own path, even it leads to destruction. Even paths we are forced to walk, we can still choose on how we tread upon them. I chose a path to be a defender, a shield to those weaker than me, yet I could do nothing to shield others from this fate.
“What kind of sick game is he playing?” I asked aloud, not to the Outsider, but to myself.
“One that only he knows the rules.” The Outsider responded. “Rules he doesn’t share, and to even take a rook from another Void Dweller.”
“You mean DZ.” I burst out. I wanted to know what happened to my old Jumpmaster. “Why hasn’t she contacted me?”
“In truth Cid, you are hidden deep within the Merchant's game. Even DZ, who claimed you, cannot reach you. You are hidden behind a veil to her, one that she has tried to tear away.”
That didn’t bode well for me. DZ was a strong being, one that could do many things, but even she couldn’t reach me here. How powerful was this Merchant if he could hide me from her? I bet the only reason the Outsider could find me was because of his mark and because I used it.
“Fine, so what is the Merchant's endgame?” I demanded, with a voice growing in rage and volume. However, all I received was a black stare from the Outsider.
“Even you don’t know. Then what do you know?!”
“I know many things Cid, some useful and others worthless to you. However, I have a question in turn. Do you know who you are?”
“Of course I know.” I snarled at the void dweller. “What kind of question is that?”
“Humor me then, tell me who you are.” The Outsider said. However, his voice carried a power, one I have never seen from him before. A power that demands to be obeyed, and one I did not dare to cross.
As if under a spell, I closed my eyes and felt everything I have done washed over me. All my mistakes, trails, challenges, hopes, dreams, friends, and family. Everything that had forged me had passed through me in a small instance before I spoke with power all its own.
“I am Cid McConroy, a former Jumper of the Multiverse. A champion of one that dwells in the space between, and savior to many.”
I remember the first time I met DZ. She had just kidnapped me and forced me on my journey. I didn’t have a choice in the matter, but I did choose how I would perform. In the end, I did what no one before me had done and I was knighted her champion for it.
“I am a soldier that has waded through a sea of bloodshed so others did not have to. I have seen the brightest lights, and darkest nightmares that many worlds hold.”
I rarely killed at first in my adventure. I had only killed two people by the end of my first world. However it didn’t stop there, and I was forced to kill again. By my thirteenth jump my kills reached the hundreds and kept climbing higher. After my twenty-fourth jump, I had reached the thousands. However with each life I took another was saved and given room to grow.
Even in the darkest hours, I found hope from those around me. I soon begin to understand both the lights and darks of the worlds I ended up in. Each nightmare I encountered was just another resolve to protect those basking in the light.
“I am a hero that gives his all to protect others.”
I learned that being a hero isn’t just putting on a cape and saving people. It was much harder, to the point that it would break others. It even broke me, but I got back up. Picking up the pieces I reforged myself to be a shield against the torrents of malice. In the last moments of my jump, I gave it all to protect everything. I laid my life on the line, but even then it wasn’t enough to stop the monster I was facing.
I opened my eyes and looked at the Outsider who returned the same gesture back at me. I felt that something had happened, but I was clueless on what it was. Around me, I felt a swarm of energy that focused on the Outsider. Only it was not him, but something he held in his hand.
“And the token is complete.” The Outsider said holding out his hand. In it was the amulet I bought from that Merchant. The copper amulet with a crystal held within the center. However, it seemed to glow with some power as the sigil glowed with changing colors. A man jumping through portals that were Earths glowed against the purple of the Outsider.
“As I said some of the things I know would be useful for you.” The Outsider said holding up the amulet. “One such thing is that of tokens. An item sent into the void that connects Displaced with each other.”
“Displaced? That is the second time you used something similar, so what does it mean?” I asked folding my arms, still wary of the amulet the Outsider held.
“That is what those taken by Void Dwellers here call themselves. You are now one among them and this token allows them to reach out to you and in return you to them.” The Outsider said dropping the amulet which disappeared into a portal of blue and white.
“Wait, what do you mean for them to reach out to me?” I asked the Outsider a little concern about what he said.
“That is for you to find out Cid. Now I must be off, but do keep things interesting.” As the Outsider spoke his last words, he disappeared. Nothing flashy just him and his light fading into nothing. A neutral exit for a being that was neutral in every sense of the word.
As it returned to the darkness, I found a chair in which to sit. I felt the crinkle of parchment underneath me but didn’t care. Damn that Outsider, his visit only brought more questions than answered.
Who are the Void Dwellers that take people away from their homes? That was worrying because it meant that there was more than just one R.o.b. that took people. Who are the Displaced? He said they are people taken dressed as characters from entertainment. Only that didn’t give me any clues on what it meant to be displaced. The most concerning was the token. What did he mean by reaching out to me, and in turn them?
This questioned raced in my mind as I sat there. Hands folded together and thinking in the darkness of the room. So many unanswered questions and I had a feeling that it would only grow from here.
Author's Note
I want to thank again both Evergrand Storyteller, and Boyzlightning21 for taking the time to edit my story and correct mistakes I cannot see.
Also, my story is unoriginal to those in No Originality Bridge. Welp, I can only keep writing and see if they change their mind as the story progresses.
Now onto notes about my story. We are about to come to a close for the Awakening Arc of Displaced Jumper. I would like some feedback from people on what they think about my story.
Next chapter I do not believe there will be any references from any sources of entertainment other then MLP if it goes to plan. Also depending on who the story progresses you will find out about the main villains of my story, The Desolate Fiends, and what they are.
In case you didn't know, I used two different references from entertainment in this chapter. First being the Doctor Who, but most already know that because of Doctor Whooves. The other was The Outsider from the Dishonored series.