Chapters Warmth.... a deep kind warmth not felt for years, though years felt so short a time frame to go by. Mathias had felt this before once, or twice, but what confused him more was the lack of a burning sensation. Lately when he felt this warmth it would soon become a burning holy flame consuming him. Now however, the old vampire opens his eyes... and found himself gazing at the sunrise. He could not honestly remember the last time he had watched such a sight, shifting his exhausted bones on a half broken throne room. But there it was.... sky a brilliant orange red, like a large flame leading the simple ball of fire into the sky.
"My lord.. you have awoken."
"While our forces have been predominately focused on the repairs to your castle Master. A few scouts have come to report that well... this place is not exactly our home. Peeping eyes and some of our flying scouts report that the near by town lacks humanity entirely, instead populated by equines. This forest is also populated with a great many beasts, some of whom match our own denizens but others which are different all together."
The pair of immortals turn away from the throne room, and began the walk down Steps many heroes had ran up. Even though they lead to his room the sight of his walk way made the Vampire nostalgic for older days. An unbidden memory of his son Alucard tripping on the steps came to his mind only to then be replaced by the expression of that same being only older and coming to fight. "the touch of the sun seems to have affected my mind. Memories I had not thought of in ages now come to me. Take my mind away from them old friend, and tell me of the beings of the forest."
Death gave a skeletal smile as he waved his assistants away. "Slogra, Gaibon, bring teams to repair the throne room. I shall call you when I need you." The pair nod and run back up the stairs barking orders. The Doors at the bottom of the steps open as the two watch countless skeletons and other creatures run about. "Cockatrice and manticores are two of the beings we have run across. Scouts have hear rumors of a hydra as well as a sea serpent. We have also found two beings that are most unusual. One being a sort of bipedal canine that feeds off rocks and gems, the other being a sort of wolf only made out of trees."
"You say they heard of rumors, this means the equine beings are capable of speech? Is it possible that the sun we see today is not the sun we saw in the past? Tell me Death, are we on another planet?" A smirk runs across his face before the elder vampire laughs. "The fact I even ask a question as strange as that boggles my mind old friend."
"That is the common theory to be honest mi-lord." The grim reaper replies with a nod. "Scientists have a strange theory that, perhaps when the heroes went to seal us in the moon... part of us well.. missed the target and we struck another place. Another theory is that while we landed on the moon, we were sent to another plane of existence, with its own similar moon, and arrived here as we normally would."
"Dimensional travel sounds the more likely. The forest and land is alien yet feels familiar at the same time. How much of this world has been explored?"
Death shrugs and shakes his head. "Some scouts have never returned... as for if they perished or are simply exploring, we simply don't know. This forest seems to be named Everfree and is considered a great danger by most of the villagers that we have heard from. The primary concern as I said before.. was the repair of our home."
"I concur Reaper, that is the primary concern for our forces. I shall leave you now to your work, I am going to over see the rest of my castle." Dracula folds his arms, hearing the sound of Death bowing and teleporting away. Suits of living armor stepped aside as the vampire explored his home, waiting for answers about their new domain.
-Canterlot-
"To think such a thing as time magic was even possible." Celestia rose her head as she watched the princess of the moon stalk around the main hall. "And that a mere unicorn would have the power to cast such a thing. How did Starswirl keep such a thing secret from you?"
Celestia shakes her head in response, but as it went unnoticed by the pacing sister of the night, the solar princess let out a sigh. "I do not know Luna. I heard he was working on something but to think he succeeded. The many futures Twilight spoke of are far more concern to me. To think those things still possible even if her friends had never bonded with her."
"The many futures to bring questions to mind.. such as how I was defeated by them, or how I was redeemed without the elements of harmony." Luna taps her hoof to her chin and shakes her head again. "Still I find myself wondering if Starswirl did not perish, but rather, went some place else. Perhaps maybe 'is' being someone else."
"The possibilities are endless Luna, though we cannot afford the time or luxury to consider all of them. Speaking of things to consider, did you ever find out what that glow in your moon had been from a few weeks ago?" Celestia asks, walking off of her throne to rest a hoof on her stressing sisters back. The resulting sigh spoke volumes to the sun goddess. With Twilight and her friends exploring the world to solve problems, and with things like time spells and vanishing wizards, the pair of alicorns had plenty to worry about. Celestia could not help but miss the reports from her student. If for nothing else than to at least hear she was alright.
"No.. I found nothing wrong with my moon... nor could I find out what cause any of that strange light. I can sense some sort of darkness growing some place... but I am not sure if its in my imagination, or if it was real at all." The moon princess let out another sigh as she and her sister sat together looking at the sun as it rose higher in the sky. "Something nags at me about it though... and I doubt ill get a good sleep until I figure it out."
"You should try and rest anyway dear sister. I will look into my records again to see if there is any mention of something that I missed." Luna looked up at her and nods her head, a yawn capitalizes the moment as the princess of the night slowly left the main room. A contingent of Night Guards, who looked about ready to fall over, lazily joined their princess as the group rounds the corner and out of sight.
The Solar princess stood still for a moment before going to the balcony. A sigh escapes her lips, as she gazed out towards Ponyville, the home of her student and those who had once bore the elements of harmony. Princess Twilight Sparkle, the name still brought joy to the sun princesses face, but she could not deny the longing for older days that still had an echo in her heart. A squeak brings her back to reality as she watches a bat flap away from above. Celestia tilts her head, confused for a moment at the strange sight of a nocturnal being flying towards the sun... towards Ponyville in fact. A spark of paranoid fear threatened to overtake the solar princess, but was quashed in rationality. "Haha chasing a bat... she would certainly not believe such a silly thing."
Author's Note
Well this was a fun chapter to write out as a starting spot. Setting after the events of the last season Finale, and the Castlevania Demon castle wars, with Dracula as usual being a late riser compared to his castle. As for why the Sun does not harm Dracula, its pretty simple honestly. The Equestrian Sun is a magical construct managed by Celestia and not a holy ball fo plasmic flame. The Feeling of seperation was in reference to the 'children scions who were born with Dracula like powers. A direct reference to Soma Cruz as well. Particularly the soul split between Mathias and Walter from Lament of innocence. One [walter] was reborn as Soma the other [Mathias] appearing here in equestria. The first few chapters are mostly going to be logical ones with Dracula getting used to seeing the sun and perhaps interacting with Luna. I plan to run Mathias/dracula as a more reserved soul that is not really nto the whole 'take over the world' thing. More hes tired of war and battle and would rather just sit and discuss things than fight simply to exist.
"I just wanted to take a walk."
In the span of a few hours, Dracula was certainly pleased with his servants. A bat was fluttering about him chattering about random gossip he had heard in the town, as well as how it found this huge castle and the supposed leaders of the modern day. Skeleton soldiers and living suits of armor had begun patrols along the corridors as they were repaired. Zombies shambled along lead by Lesser vampires and squadrons of blond and brunette Witches.
"So even though they are called 'princess' they are by definition the 'queens' of the world as we would see them?" Dracula asks softly as the bot bobs up and down happily. "and there are four of them each controlling a special aspect of something?" The bat pauses as if in thought and shakes her head.
"There are the Rulers of the Sun and moon, Celestia and Luna, who run the majority of the government as a monarchy. A third princess said to be the 'Princess of Love' that rules over what is called the Crystal Kingdom, and the fourth is an enlightened Unicorn that simply has that giant castle in the town." the bat replies softly before she perches on her master's shoulder. "According to our intelligence the fourth one, a miss Twilight Sparkle, does not run the town or have much real authority at all. Shes more of a figure head that seems to randomly leave town with some of her Fellow Bearers."
"Yes the Elements of Harmony. your cousin spoke of those, apparently six simple ponies bore incredibly powerful positive emotions and used those emotions as some sort of magical weapon." Dracula taps his chin a few times as he contemplates it all. "Only now this weapon is not available and the 'heroes' have taken to random trips?"
"Twilight Sparkle is supposedly very intelligent in regards to the pony population. Her lack of authority and these 'trips' around Equestria feel like they are related. As if the reason she holds no authority is why shes allowed all this travel, or perhaps because of it." The small Bat confirms. "thought to be honest, it was strange how easy it was to gain all of this information from just listening to people."
"You have been out there, and watched these beings for days now, tell me, what would you recommend we do next?" Dracula asks, smiling softly as the bat flies off his shoulder and seems to hover, flapping her wings in mental confusion. The sound of hissing snakes and a particular set of bones draws the Vampire lord's attention to Death and Medusa. "Ah Good to see you Medusa. How goes reconstruction of your lair?"
"Swimmingly sire." The Gorgon replies, the snakes in her hair hissing as if to enhance the S sounds she made, though she did not do so these days. "The Tunnels and Water ways have been repaired and returned to function. Sewers, swamp lands, and plumbing have been complete. Al that remains is my Statue resting place." The Greek creature of Myth fiddles with the Toga she wore at the moment and blinked her pale Green eyes. "There are rumors that this is a place of peace, among the snakes and reptiles. Do these words ring true?"
Dracula nods simply and smiles. "Yes from what I have heard. I also intend to keep it that way, though once the Arena is complete I'm sure your Warrior Lizard men will have plenty of ways to keep busy. My main worry comes from how the residents of that town, Ponyville, will react to our castle when it is found. I highly doubt the many patrols and sounds of repair have gone unnoticed."
"I worry you place these ponies too highly. If they are anything like the humans then they are likely blind by choice. Choosing that which they wish to believe." the Gorgon brushes her hand along a few of the snakes in her hair. "We have all felt that sting Sire. I hope you are correct, but do not be surprised if things come another way."
The bat flaps up and nods. "so why don't we go out and find them first? If WE go out to speak to THEM instead of THEM freaking about the castle, we might not be seen as totally evil monsters." The Gorgon chuckles and slithers off as Death walks closer pondering the idea.
"There is plenty of merit in the idea. Besides, if this princess of the night is so attentive with her moon there is no doubt she will soon find us." The Reaper says in a soft tone. "The young one may be correct on this idea."
"I still worry about making contact before all of the outer wall repairs are complete Death. While I agree with the basic idea the little bat has come up with... I cannot help but worry that our arrival will spark fear and that the will suddenly attack us." He replies softly and slowly. "I believe I shall go and explore for a bit... see this Everfree forest for myself. Perhaps I may even find a solution to our problem."
"Oh no.. please... stay back I do not mean any harm, I'm not dangerous, oh please please don't eat me."
"That was never my intention please do not worry. None of us are going to harm you." The golden armored Final Guard at his right Seemed to face palm, as on my right A second smaller golden knight which was riding atop of a giant usually threatening wolf called a Warg. The Warg's rider shrugs as his mount seemed incredibly happy to see the still freaking pegasus. "I'm sorry my friend scared you like this." Dracula says calmly giving the Warg a gentle swat to the nose.
"Its... not? But it just jumped out of nowhere.." The Yellow one seemed to try and relax and upon seeing the sorrowful look on the giant wolf's face, immediately gave it a hug, nearly de-seating the suit or armor riding on top. "Oh its OK I know you didn't mean to scare me, you just a cute little puppy aren't you?" The two suits of armor and the Vampire all shared a look as they regarded the happy tail wagging Giant monster of a wolf as it playfully nuzzled the Pegasus that would probably vanish in two or three bites. "Oh your just so big and so adorable with your burning eyes and that giant fluffy fur." The rider gave up and climbed off his wolf as it then collapsed into a crouched shockingly adorable position. The motion shook the ground as trees around them complained and birds squeaked in irritation. The shock wave slowed down, the warg Rider helping the final guard back to its feet. "Besides.." the pegasus says looking over at the trio of bipeds. "It was you three who scared me. Not this great adorable pile of fluff." She smiles rubbing the wolfs chin, making its tail and paw slam the ground repeatedly, unsettling even more birds, and re introducing the armor suits to the ground. "I thought it was the being on the wolf that was hunting me down, what with that giant spear and the glowing eyes."
"I'm sorry my men scared you Little pegasus is there anything we can do to make it up to you?" Dracula asks softly, the suits of armor look at him.
"well I was working on.."
Dracula, The Prince of Darkness to some, the Lord of Castlevania, Bane to All Who Live, The Impaler, and to a few the Polar opposite of GOD him/her/itself found himself chuckling as he and his elite guardians were reduced to picking flowers and gathering herbs. The Pegasus sat on top of the Warg leading to a very strange and admittedly hilarious sight. Which probably explains why the purple alicorn, who appeared in a bright flash of light, seemed to suddenly suffer cardiac arrest. So now Dracula, Lord of Vampires, was chasing his own Wolf and its riding pegasus, while carrying what his subjects would call one of the Princesses of the land. A swift trip down memory lane, and a name shouted by the yellow pegasus, confirmed that the comatose equine in his arms was miss Twilight Sparkle. The Forest line broke off as the Warg halts at a small cottage. The yellow pegasus, who had introduced herself as Fluttershy shortly before Twilight's arrival, became a blur of motion as the Alicorn suddenly vanished from Dracula's grasp, a flash of pink tail and a slamming door was all the vampire could register. The living armors soon arrived as Dracula found himself pacing in place. It did not take long for Ponyville to notice them. The vampire spotted a growing crowd and sighs.
"I just wanted to take a walk."
As Dracula was standing by the small cottage, a great many things happened all in a sequence the first occurring in Canterlot at the moment Miss Sparkle's brain decided to pause from reality.
[SNAP Thud] Celestia found herself gasping as she collapsed to the floor, taking in hard labored breaths as she felt Twilights brain slip slightly further to the right. This was not the sensation of death, Alicorns are far stronger than that she knew. But that did not mean Sudden heart attacks could not still hurt like hell. Though the princess had to admit to herself, that she was not positive Twilight had grown all of the necessary defenses Alicorns seem to have. After all her young student had not been BORN an Alicorn, she had ascended to the status of an Alicorn. However the fact remained that the pain did not feel like death, so the rest of the questions seemed irrelevant, particularly when her sister and Cadance both seemed to appear out of nowhere. Celestia watched the two of them shout at her at the same time, their words mingling into an incomprehensible mess that only made her head hurt worse.
"Quiet down you two... I'm alright. Twilight is, probably alright as well don't worry." The sun princess adds, thankful to see Cadance relax yet noting the odd expression on her sister. "That is what your hear about right?"
"No sister I came to tell you I found the source of that dark magic. It just left the Everfree forest. I told you we should have checked there." Luna replies softly and slowly. "Whats this about Twilight?"
"Wait a minute, the Everfree? That's where Twilight was when she fainted." Celestia's eyes went wide with shock only to slowly begin to narrow. "So.. it was not random.. but an attack on her?" Luna starts to reply but, find herself squinting and stepping back, watching her normally calm sister's rage begin boiling over. Looking down the Lunar sister noticed the stone and floor below the Solar princess had begun to melt, and the white body and Rainbow mane now shifted to that of a Dimmer version of the morning sun. "We leave at once are you prepared?"
"Sister calm down please, it will take time to get the train rea- " Luna stops as Celestia walks to a window opening, as solid looking rays of light flow into the room. "Travel by sunlight? Is that even possible?"
"Aye it is Sister.. summon your weapon, the time to strike is now!" Rays of Light engulf the royal sisters, blinding Cadance for a moment before they vanish completely.
"I understand that we all must look very strange.. but trust me we mean you no harm." The Crowd of ponies grew, with four ponies in the lead, the remaining 'elements of harmony' the Vampire supposed. "Once Fluttershy comes out im sure she will explain that everything is just a strange random accide-" A metal hand taps his shoulder, pointing up at the sun...and giving the Vampire lord just enough time to dive to the side as a Raging beam of condensed Sunlight slams into the floor. Dracula picks himself up slowly as the ponies step back, shock and surprise hitting them all. Two figures slowly coming into view, one blazing with the fury of a sun, and a glare that should probably have turned him into dust, the other an armored living shadow. The living solar flare exploded from her place, rushing forward only to slam into a grey wall of energy.
"You Shall not harm our lord." The Final guard shouts in anger. The Shadow however did not seem to care for his words as a Spear flew at it side... only for it to be intercepted by the great leg of the warg. The Great wolf shouting out in pain as the spear dug deep into its body. Its Rider runs to the Wolf's side, only to be kicked away by an angry Orange pony wearing a stetson. "My Lord please.. you must run away. We cannot stop them all." the guard calls. "I feel that they shall not listen to any form of reason, even from the Yellow one."
"Yellow one? You mean Fluttershy? What did you do to her?" A cyan and rainbow patterned pegasus calls out angrily. "If you have harmed her at all I swear I shall..."
"She is fine and tending to the purple mare. " Dracula says softly with a raised eye brow. "We have done nothing wrong and she will vouch for us."
"Yes... all of you go check on your friends while we kill this monster." Celestia replies coldly, making her younger sister twitch as she looks over.
"But if everyone is fine.. then there is no reason for us to fight this being. Sister.. we should wait. It would not do well to harm them further if they are innocent." Luna replies softly.
"I take it you four, and these two... are you the Elements of harmony I have heard about?" The vampire asks he spares a quick glance to the side, as the Rider got back to his feet. "You two take care of the wolf alright? Let me handle things."
"As you wish mi-lord... please be careful." The guards say softly, as they help the warg move more out of the way.
"You do not know who we are? .... I am Luna Princess of the moon and Ruler of the Night. This is my sister, Princess of the sun and Ruler of the Daytime. These four are indeed Elements of Harmony, as are the yellow pegasus Fluttershy and the purple mare Twilight Sparkle. Are you an invader from another world?"
The vampire blinks and folds his arms. "I am from another yes... but my desire is peace. I used to engage in war,and have fought one against my enemies for longer than I can remember. This world.... I see it as a new beginning, a clean slate for me and my servants. I pray you take no insult, for one of the Titles from my old world was Lord of the Night. I will bow to your authority, but please take no offense if my people refer to me as such." Dracula says softly.
"ENOUGH!!! You Shall poison my Sister no more with your silver tongue Devil!" Celestia screams out as she rushes forward her spear swings from above, as a Shadow Rushes from the Forest and intercepts the weapon. "ah.. your true colors are shown demon!"
Death floats in place holding Celestia's spear in place. "You certainly do live dangerously my lord. Care to explain what part of keeping the peace involves fighting its rulers?" Death thrusts his hands up, forcing the solar princess back, the reaper floating back behind Dacula.
"You claim to be here in peace... yet bear beings like that into my world. A living dead abomination has no place in my world." Celestia replies softly, making the reaper laugh as a bat flew to him....
"I see... so that is whats going on is it?" The Reaper comments after a moment. "Looks like you have one option my lord. you must wait for Fluttershy to leave her dwelling, for that end take my Scythe. She claims you seek destruction and death and will not wait to listen to you alone. Show her your Power of Dominance, the bond you share with your servants and open her eyes."
Dracula nods slowly taking the scythe. "Know this all of you. I shall do my best to leave your Light princess unharmed. But I see I must show my power to prove my desire for peace.. is this fine with you Ruler of the night?" Luna blinks and nods, as the elements and lunar princess walk past and into Fluttershys' cottage.
The rulers stand across from each other, the other ponies now watched from far away, the vampire could not help but chuckle as he over heard what appeared to be bets being placed on them. "Tell me, Celestia, declare the meaning of this battle."
"You have harmed one most precious to me. Even in the case of an accident, I cannot forgive any ill that befalls her. My sister and others may see things as fine. But the feeling of her suffering, the panic and horror I felt in that moment. I cannot let them stand. Earn your life Dark one." the Solar princesses voice sounded calmer now as she raised her spear to the front.
"I know the feeling well enough. While I forgive your sister for harming my wolf. For the sake of my servants who have worked hard to defend me." Dracula spins Death's Scythe above his head and Slams it down, tip embedded partially in the floor, and weapon pointed forward, toward the Solar ruler. "Heaven or hell, right or wrong, I shall show you the full force of my resolve."
Dracula smiles as he drops the scythe and cracks his knuckles. "I can do plenty Princess, just not as well as them. That and im trying to not kill you after all." The spear flies down from above, his hand glows with a fiery aura as he launches a fierce upper cut, slamming the tip of the spear with his fist. A cut forms on his hand making him grunt in pain. The spear flies as its recalled to Celestia, who readies it for another throw.
"FLUTTERSHY ARE YOU In.... here?" Rainbow stops and stares as shes aw her pegasus friend putting an ice pack on the groaning and awake Twilight Sparkle.
"Ugh.. do you need to be so loud? My head hurts still." Twilight groans as Fluttershy lets out a giggle.
"Twilight dear, are you alright?" Rarity asks as the Alicorn nods. "We thought you were in trouble."
"Trouble? No, I am fine Rarity. What is that huge power i'm feeling outside?" Twilight asks as she sits up in the couch, holding teh bag of ice with her hoof.
"That would be my sister fighting that strange man." Luna says with a sigh as she sat down,
"YEAH she was all 'RAWR you hurt my Student!' and he was all 'your hurt my wolf' and they are being all weapon clashy and it is so awesome!" Pinkie replies happily as she opens the window. The sounds of battle now entering the magically sound proofed cottage. "Seriously this is awesome! i had bet ten bits on the new guy!"
"Oh dear.. the wolf is hurt? Why are the fighting at all?" Fluttershy asks as Luna walks over, and sums up events from outside.
"Yeah, its true I fainted, but when you teleport into the face of a giant monster wolf and your already exhausted then it makes sense to faint." Twilight says softly. "I guess I was pushing myself to hard lately and.. well it caught up in a sudden wave."
"You should get some rest sugar-cube, ah think you have certainly earned it. ah also think Celestia has been under a lotta stress herself lately." Apple jack replies in a soft tone.
"Sister has certainly not be herself lately. I believe twilight is only part of the reason she is out there fighting. She needs to let off steam, and now she has a focus and a target." Luna glances out at the window. "She does not have a being like the Tantibus to vent her frustrations to. She does not have time to rest and relax as much as we all do."
"Is that why we need to let them fight? I still don't like that idea at all, but, I do understand being that upset. Wanting to explode, and not knowing how to do so properly." Fluttershy says softly. "We.. really should go out there."
"Yeah if this is because of me, then we need to stop this battle." Twilight moans softly as she gets up to her feet. "Besides.. I should get home and sleep anyway right?"
"Aww but I wanted to watch the fight.. it was getting good to now that hes using martial arts!" Pinkie grumbles complaining.
"Ah dunno the fight doesn't seem that fair if hes stuck on the ground. All she needs is him to trip up and its over." Aj replies.
"Losing cause he doesn't have wings... that is pretty lame." Rainbow says, not noticing as Apple jack gave her an amused look.
"So ya admit flying when the other person cant is unfair then?" the farm pony replies as Rd glances down at her.
"So was making her run to keep pace with an earth pony." Twilight replies softly. "The fact she kept up as well as she did was impressive. And yet you both still lost to me, the unicorn who just had, what was it, 'running for eggheads?' hehe." the alicorn comments, chuckling as the rivals blink and face hoof.
"Yeah.. ah do see your point there Twi.. come on lets stop the ruckus."
The ponies file out of the cottage and sat down watching as Dracula catches the spear , diving to the side to avoid another bolt of light. He stops as he sees the ponies, and turns back to the princess. "Look they are fine." Dracula stabs the spear into the ground and gestures to the assembled elements of harmony and princess of the night. "see for yourself.. now stop attacking me!"
Celestia freezes as she looks over at the cottage, seeing her student alive and well, and watching Fluttershy run over and inspect the warg. "Shes... alright... you.... you were innocent after all." She slowly lowers herself down, shaking her head as twilight walks over weakly.
"I believe its time I got back home... I think you all have things to talk about.. and my leg is half burnt off." The vampire says softly. reaching down he picks up the scythe and tosses it back to Death. "Did those herbs help ya out miss Shy?"
Fluttershy nods, "Oh yes and in perfect timing to make tea for Twilight. Turns out she was just tired from over using magic. This adorable little pup just startled her enough to make her fall over."
The purple alicorn blushes and nods. "yeah i was trying to think of ideas for solving friend ship problems instead of sleeping like I should have been." she shakes her head and flaps her wings softly. "I'm sorry I made you worry princess... but still.. to just lash out at someone without getting the facts? you should know better."
"Are you.. scolding the princess?" Dracula asks blinking. "Shes pretty much the main ruler of the world here, and your scolding her?"
"Shes also my teacher as has taught me the same lesson many times. ALWAYS listen to your friends, always look before you leap, and do not assume things based on appearances." Twilight recites gently. "Maybe someone needs to pay more attention to MY assignments."
Luna starts laughing as Celestia actually blushes in embarrassment. "Looks like Tia is a far better teacher than she thought she was." she turns and faces Dracula. "Before you depart... were do you reside?"
"My castle has risen within what you call the Everfree Forest. A few miles away from the ruins of a castle ifmy s couts are correct." the Vampire says softly as a bat flies to him. "If my source is correct its supposedly the 'castle of the Two sisters' that is near by."
"hmm Very well id like to speak you with you on another day, perhaps we can all visit your castle?"
"that bat... i saw it yesterday." Celestia says softly watching it flap in place.
"Yeah, well his sister was the bat that made it to Canterlot. I sent them out to explore and examine things, so I could learn about where we are now." Dracula smiles softly. "Yes Luna, id love to show you all my home, once its repaired anyway. Ill let Fluttershy know when its alright, or perhaps ill send a bat over with a message."
"Tia? Are you feeling alright now?'
"Yes Luna, I'm alright now... I'm just... feeling pretty foolish right now. Twilight is right of course, I should have gotten more information and calmed down, but just that shock of feeling. The sudden wave of emotion... just over took me." Celestia raises up her hoof looking at in in thought. "I knew, of course, that it was me over reacting... yet the being, he acknowledged it. He LET me fight him sis. He could teleport, was incredibly fast, and could withstand things that would turn so many of our foes into naught but ashes." Celestia lets out a chuckle. " He did not even deny being a monster, instead seemed to fully embrace the title, like I embrace my own. Yet he had faith in ponies he had only just met."
"I know what its like Tia, to simply lose control." Luna says softly as she trots over and sits down, nuzzling the sun princess. "You and Twilight have both seen me at my worst, i mean honestly... eternal night? What was I even thinking? Ah.. that's right.. I was too busy acting like a fussy foal to think past making everyone love my night. I had forgotten my dream job, forgotten the nocturnal animals, and blinded myself to the fact that my night was keeping ponies safe. " Luna pauses as she shares a gaze with her sister. "I think part of the problem Tia, my dear sister, is that part of you is jealous of Twilight and her friends." Luna holds up her hoof, stopping Celestia before she could respond. "hold on, hear me out it actually makes sense. Now, honestly, and objectively, look at how we all live. You spend countless hours doing nothing but sitting on a throne letting ponies talk to you and complain about things that wont even matter in a few years. Your entire life these days is spent in the throne room listening and talking to ponies. I have a smaller night court, as you know most ponies are asleep, but I have the fortune of exploring our subjects dreams, and visiting my friends that way. Sure occasionally I run across a horrible nightmare the likes of which Star swirl himself would faint upon seeing, but I am acting. Cadance holds the power of love, and has a much smaller place to rule and take care of. Hell she can walk around town and do the same thing you do in your one room, but shes out there. I mean she even has time to handle a husband and soon her own foal in the future." Luna pauses as Celestia nods looking thoughtful.
"Then there is Twilight and her friends, who have taken on the task of sharing the magic of friendship across the land. seeing countless ponies, and making hundreds of lives better. Even fully fixing problems even I could not solve." Celestia chuckles. "the first time noticed that I did not have stacks of 'arguments and grievances' from the Hoofields and the Mccolts I asked if I was missing paper work." The Solar princess looks and smiles at her sister softly. "I am the princess everyone looks up to, and sees as the highest order, but I guess I'm starting to feel like I'm not.. necessary much these days. Sure I can pass laws and handle things in court, but I only see nobles and Canterlot citizens these days."
"Perhaps its time you go explore our world." Luna says in thought. "Perhaps, you should visit Ponyville and learn from your student how she solves problems. She has wanted to show you that map of hers for awhile now right?"
"Maybe I do just need time out of the castle. I guess even I can go stir crazy dealing with all these arguing simpletons." The Sisters share a laugh as they spent the hours before moon rise making fun of their 'upper class' ponies.
"hahah I mean.. I know Fancy pants means well and all... but all that time on his hair..." Luna snickers. "I even see him occasionally touching it up when people are not paying attention. Oh how he panicked when some of the Smooze got close to his head."
"Yeah well you should see some of the night court ponies... there are a few who.." Luna coughs and takes on a low fake edgy punk voice. "who no one can understand, man.. cause only they feel the darkness in their soul and the monsters haunting their every thought.'" The lunar sister smiles. "there are days when I want to look at them and ask if they know who I am. Ya wanna talk about darkness? Foal im the PRINCESS who turned into NIGHTMARE MOON!! haha... and some of the legends they tell.. apparently at some point I gained the power to suck souls out." Luna smiles smirking as she floats a straw around Celestia. "Oh watch out I'm gonna drink you!!!"
"No.. you can't touch me, I'm the untouchable paragon of purity, light, and happiness!" Celestia floats over a fruit pie. "Watch and be amazed as I stop your evil plan with nothing but a fruit pie and talking about how tasty it may or may not be!"
"I dunno some of miss Pies' dreams can make pastry's pretty terrifying." Luna says chuckling. "Like the army of killer cupcakes, giant pony sized cupcakes with legs that smother people with frosting and cherries! Only to be stopped by terasqua Pinkie who just eats them all." The princess of the night smiles softly. "I couldn't tell if I should be scared of the cakes, or miss Pie herself!"
"ah yes... night court, duty, being a princess... think I can join your vacation?"
"I knew eyes like hers, ones full of stress and self doubt." Dracula comments with a sigh as he sat back on his throne, keeping his burned leg up as he let his medical team work. Personally he felt perfectly fine, but he knew better than to argue with his staff. Better to let them fuss. "They have, matched my own often enough."
"My lord are you alright?" The panicking attendant asks, giving his master A worried glance.
"Yes, just tired. How long has it been since I actually went to sleep? When not being slain I mean?" Dracula asks as Death floats in. The reaper taps his chin in thought before simply shrugging. "That long? I wish it felt like that." The vampire leans back yawning. "Eons have passed, I know.. but it only feels like yesterday when I fought Julius."
"Tis the true reality of the immortals. it takes great effort to focus on day to day with your subjects." Death replies with a gentle nod. "Perhaps that was an added symptom of her actions before? I wonder... in a land of peace, when the last time she just got to cut loose has been?"
"Plenty of her still held back though, I could tell. I felt the fury of the sun, but the power output felt.. restrained. Shes holding things in, but then again so was I." Dracula blinks as another yawn escapes his mental grasp. "Perhaps, we can schedule some sort of physical therapy for the alicorns? Help them get out some built up stress. Maybe even the elements would want to join in?"
"A few perhaps, the flying prism and cowgirl, er pony? Cowpony? Nah that still sounds wrong. Perhaps they would enjoy a good contest. The others, particularly miss Shy would probably not be so inclined." the grim reaper replies in thought.
"Rainbow Dash and Applejack, Death. Fluttershy is also a singular name. From what I can tell name conventions of our home do not match those here." Dracula yawns again. "Send descriptions of the ponies you saw before to our main guards, so that if any of them arrive, none of them are harmed. If an accident does occur, make sure the medics here have enough Fresh materials to safely care for up to five of the mares." the Vampire closes his eyes. "Fluttershy, she feels familiar to me. Many of my instincts say she is a vampire like myself, yet so much of her is so alive... " He rubs his temples and groans. "Maybe.... I will think of something later..."
Luna lets out a yawn of boredom as she leaves her now empty court room. Her Night guards the only remaining force, as a strange feeling strikes her. A new sort of dream was appearing... as a soft smile reaches her lips. "So he can dream too then..." the princess looks around out of habit, before letting a devious little smirk reach her face. Closing her eyes, and extending her mental reach, she finds Twilight Sparkle nose deep in another large tome. "Hello Twilight, can you hear me?"
Twilight sparkle, jumps as a voice boomed into her head. "AAAHHHH yes yes... Luna? Yes.. I hear you, is something wrong? Is Princess Celestia alright?"
"Oh yes shes fine, do you have any open space around? Id like to make an, unusual proposal to you." Luna replies softly.
"Uh, yeah there is plenty of room in the main hall. Spike has gone to bed though, and so have the others I'm sure." The Alicorn's ears flatten as a magical energy pop is heard in the distance. She walks over to a near by railing and looks down, watching the Princess of the Night shake off the effects of long range teleportation. "Should I wake anyone up?"
"No, I don't think we will need them. You see, our new... guest to our world, seems to be asleep right now. While it may be an invasion of privacy, I believe it is not uncalled for to, truly see his motivations?"
"you want to hop into Dracula's dreams,to make sure hes really not gonna kill everyone?" Twilight asks as she trots down slowly. "I see plenty of pros and cons to this plan. But, many of my friends don't quite trust him, despite Fluttershy's insistence." Her ears droop as she sighs. "the others are worried shes too trusting, after all she reformed Discord, and with Starlight Glimmer also making up for mistakes, 'What if that Feller turns out like Tirek? He said he sent out spies,so how do we know his not just playing on yer heart sugar cube?' is pretty much what Applejack said. Honestly, I cant blame her for the thought."
"Then what better way to see the man, the delve into his subconscious?" Luna asks thoughtfully.
"I don't like invading his privacy, but if we explain, I am sure he will understand. Who knows, he might even be expecting us."
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The tales of Castlevania - Regrets and the past.
"Fitting, for this to be where my first dreams, in centuries would be." Warm blood flowed in his veins, as Dracula, no.. Mathias felt life surge into his body once more after countless years of cold stiffness. The feeling of true warmth showing what a mere mockery the taste of blood truly was in the end.
"Princess Luna? Where are you? Where are we?" The voice of Twilight Sparkle called out as she stepped out into view followed by the aforementioned Princess of the night. He had heard of Luna's power, as he lets out a soft smile, waving gently to the alicorn pair.
"You are where it all began for me... the place where Dracula was born, and Mathias, the man i had once been, died." Fold his arms along his back as images began to form, a scene showing in the center of the room now, A large egg shape in the center, which an exhausted Leon looking in shock as a much larger Death loomed above the egg. "the sad man who cast aside his life, soul, and everything he ever stood for, because his light had passed away. Blaming a god he could not even see, for a crime that was not even its fault really." Mathias strokes the egg softly as he walks around looking at his friend. "Its amazing how blind Loss makes a man is it not? In hindsight I understand I was being petty, foolish, an idiot.." Stepping away he gazed more at the prone frozen form of his once best friend, "How easy it is to let despair take over, and make you cast away everything. Yet how strong and strange it is to see a man you thought you knew, take that same problem, and refuse to see things your way."
"Darkness creeps into all of us easily. Sometimes with a whisper, others with a whimper. You seem sorrowful yet I sense no regret in your heart. Its as if your just, reminiscent of the past." Luna replies softly.
"What would the point of regret be? Foolishly drowning myself in thoughts of 'what if' and 'if only' do nothing to solve the pain. They are more likely to hurt you more than bring you solace. I admit my mistake yes, but it is what made me who I am. That and it iz not my worst, not by far. I felt as if I had to act, to stand against the laws of nature and life. Thinking my eternity would make God regret an act he was never guilty of at all." Mathias sighs softly. "It was the death of my wife that made me cross the threshold into eternity. It was the death of my second wife that launched a personal war against humanity."
"I feel sorry for your loss Dracula, and now see why you let the princess attack you." Twilight says softly. "I cannot even say my thoughts would differ much if I lost a loved one in the service of the princesses."
"To be honest, Miss Sparkle, it was not the hundreds of years fighting the Belmonts and their kin, that fills me with regret. It is that my son abandoned me in favor of his woman and the humans she and his mother loved." Mathias replies softly. "Just like Leon he turned his rage against me." The vampire shrugs and chuckles in thought. "Though in my boy's defense, I did really have it coming after all. He did try and talk to me, I just brushed him aside."
Mathias turns as the room changes, the perspective showing Mathias, watching in surprise while hidden by a window as he watched Death be defeated.
Leon pauses and taps his chin, reaching down he pats his whip before looking up. "I see. Give him this message: You have become a cursed being and I will never forgive you. This whip and my kinsmen will destroy you someday. From this day on, the Belmont Clan will hunt the night."
"Thus began part of what would be hundreds of years of war between me, the Belmonts, and their relations." Mathias says walking out softly as the memory faded with the crumbling of the castle. Luna and Twilight watched as Leon ran out and they saw A large bat flying as a wall collapses. Pieces of roof begin to collapse, which Twilight avoids in instinct, even as Luna is struck, only to see the debris fall safely through the pony. "But the true battle did not actually begin this day. True for a long time Leon and members of his clan, as well as a few friends from the crusades, all sought me out, my next meeting with a Belmont was not one of battle... rather... one brought about by love."
The collapsing throne room changes, leading to a calmer more relaxed room. Of course there was a large chair on top of a path lead to by a blood red carpet, but a pair of similar chairs also rested on the platform. A younger Dracula sat on the middle throne, along with a large bat which flapped around the room.
"Very good form my son you have done well. Though you still need to work on your wing span a bit."
"Actually, I wanted to ask you about something more unusual. My servants, tell me you have been seeing a young woman lately." Dracula leans forward smiling at his son. "You know that you don't need to hide your relationships from me, despite what others seem to think, I'm happy you found a human partner."
"That was not my worry to be honest... you see... the woman im seeing, is well..." the Dhampyr lets in a breath. "Her name is Sonia Belmont." He braces himself as he waits for the rebuttal, that never comes as Dracula looked thoughtful.
"Belmont... I know that name, have not heard it for a long time. Ah do not worry my son, I harbor no ill will towards that clan. After all it has been years since anyone has tried to harm us. You have my blessing, and probably your mothers' as well." Dracula smiles as he watched his son's eyes light up. "come to think of it... your mother has been gone a lot longer than usual. Why don't you go down to the village and see if she needs help? Perhaps even invite the young Belmont over for tea so we may meet and converse with her?"
"Oh your right... of course ill see you soon father." Adrian smiles as he runs out of the room, waving as a man and a longer robbed Death came up the steps.
"Keep safe Adrian, just in case alright?" Dracula calls out as the room faded to a dull grey,
"This is when the battle resumed." Dracula says softly looking to the pair of alicorns. "this happy moment would soon become tragedy, as Adrian, who soon would take the name Alucard, came to witness the execution of his mother." Twilight's eyes widen as Luna shrinks back as well."
"E-execution? W-why?" Twilight asks slowly as Dracula sat on the floor.
"Witch craft. A remaining sect of the people who still hunted me, told the villagers of my past, and convinced them that their 'gentle medicine woman' was actually helping keep them all enslaved to me using powerful magic in her herbs. Claiming her ability to heal was making them blind to my supposed crimes against humanity. So when she went to go and help them, she was captured, beaten, and left on a stake Adrian says was shaped like a cross. They knew he would come to see her, or that at least I would. He arrived, in time to speak to her, and watch her burn to ashes." Dracula's eyes closed. "I knew then, again the feeling of pain, and in a moment understood more of why Leon despised me. Loosing a loved one to GOD was one thing, but for them to just be stolen away... my son was shaken, and my rage sent him over the edge in a way I had not expected. He took his mother's ideals to the depths of his soul and sided with them to defeat me."
The vampire pauses as Twilight and Luna took the moment to process information. "So, this sect reminded Sonia of her clans fate? She went up to kill you?" Luna asks softly as Dracula shakes his head.
"My son wanted to try first, to defeat me, however Sonia met up with him in the castle, defeated him, and then confronted me. Yes she beat me in combat, but she didn't know how to fully use Vampire Killer. Leaving me heavily injured, but able to escape. Shortly after Sonia bore a son named Trever and from then on each Belmont who got the vampire killer was trained in its use. As for who Trever's father is, I believe it was my own son. After all he was a teenager, and she was a lovely woman. Young people will do as they will of course. Particularly after a period of shock and despair."
Many scenes now played out in the castle throne, which after then had only one seat, but each scene was the same almost. A few were different such as a room of pure darkness where the now adult Alucard had arrived to stop Dracula's return. Other also at one point took up the endless task of killing Dracula over and over.
"No wonder you were so tired..." Luna muses to herself, "to be struck down almost every hundred years, sometimes even before you were fully awoken."
"That was not all of course." Dracula says softly as he sits down. "You see, I was also suffering from a long term side effect of the process in which I became A vampire in the first place." Calling up his magic, he sets down two candles, and lights them both on fire. "Lets say, the candle on the left is my soul, and the one on the right is the soul of another. In this case, the soul of Walter, the vampire I had absorbed and taken immortality from." He lifts the right candle, placing it's flame into the left candle. Unlike normally done with fire, the right candle snuffed out, and the left one grew taller. "what do you see now looking at this candle? what did you see happen, just now?"
"It looked like the candle on the left absorbed the flame of the candle on the right, becoming one bigger candle." Twilight replies. "You mean, even though your absorbed it, that, second flame, still existed?"
"Yes, exactly, you certainly grasped that one quite quickly miss Sparkle." Dracula added in color to the flame. "now the red flame you see is mine, and the black flame is Walter, see how they bob and weave while still retaining that singular shape? My many deaths and periods of weakness had allowed the Walter flame to grow higher, but no matter what we never snuffed each other out. So not only was I fighting a war in the physical plane, but also in the internal land as well. But now that im here... I do not sense Walter at all." Dracula sets the candle down. "tell me, what do you think that means?"
"If I may, it sounds as if only half of you arrived here. Yet you retain your vampire state. Does this mean Walter is also around here? Where did his flame go?" Luna answers in thought.
"That, I do not know. I do not sense him, in fact if I may say so, the only other Vampire presence I felt outside of my castle, was within miss Fluttershy." Dracula states slowly watching Twilight, who nods in reply.
"Probably from the whole Fruit bats incident." Twilight replies softly. "While trying to find a way to deal with a bunch of bats eating Applejacks' apple crop, we accidentally turned Fluttershy into a bat pony. I reversed the process though so.."
"Vampirism remains within the mind miss Sparkle. It is a condition that does not fade, even if the subject is free of the curse. Once the mind feels the touch of 'endless hunger' or more appropriately, 'endless thirst.' the effect stays in the mind. However I can say without a doubt she has been managing herself quite well. I did not sense many traces of the 'hunger' so I can only assume she has found a way to deal with it safely." Dracula replies with a gentle smile.
"The sacks of apples..." Twilight says in thought. "So that's why she uses so many so fast.... Its also why she wanted me to figure out that, 'food storage' spell for her. So she could keep a stock of fruit during the winter."
"A vampire that manages its hunger properly, in my world, could theoretically restrict him or herself to a small selection of 'chosen' victims. I myself have a few people who live within my castle that I have bonded with in such a way. thankfully the castle itself sustains the guardian portion of my home." Dracula smiles softly. "So out of curiosity, why are you here in my dreams?"
"My sister, and some of the Elements of Harmony, did not fully trust you as of yet." Luna replies bluntly. "As the Princess of the Night, I wished to view your dreams and find your true intent. I asked Twilight to join me, so she may give me her input and reactions as well."
"I can understand that, I will also point out that I knew about your dream talents. The only way to really show them all will be with time. I hesitate to admit this, but I do have the power to manipulate my dreams. I fear only you Luna can say for certain that I am an honest man."
"Agreed, and honestly considering my background even that is not fully flaw proof. Hence miss Sparkles, inclusion. She did bear my powers for a time so I felt she would sense things as well." Luna looks down at Twilight. "Well, did you sense any wrong doing?"
"Nothing seemed out of place to me anyway, but I guess you are right."
"Yes you can tell and share what I have said. Whether they believe it or not is up to them all, but perhaps my past will help ease some of their feelings?" Dracula suggests as Twilight nods. "My last battle with the Belmonts certainly took a toll on the castle.." He closes his eyes as a large model of the castle appears between the three of them. "As you can see, the outside wall is mostly repaired, but there is much interior work to be done. As well as general exploration of these, 'ever free Forests'"
"Actually.. that gives me an idea..." Twilight smiles widely. "My friends and I can help you explore the forests. I'm sure if they spend time around you, they will trust you more."
"Says the mare who took five strangers with her on a quest to defeat me, and in the course of almost half of a day, became perfect friends with them all." Luna says with a playful smirk. "Isn't that about how long it took you to turn Starlight Glimmer? Just how much time did you get to use interacting with Sunset?"
"Well you are the princess of Friendship correct? Between you and pegasus Fluttershy, who apparently tamed a God of Chaos, I'm sure you could make anything your friend." The Vampire adds in smirking.
"Why yes, I certifiably am wonderful am I not?" Twilight replies putting on an air of elegance and hoof through her hair that Luna almost thought was a perfect imitation of something Rarity may do. "It is not our fault that we are so... unforgettable."
"Yes complete with nearly fainting at the sight of a spear and a giant wolf." the elder Vampire teases. "Oh my mistake, She was afraid of the spear. YOU had a full on panic attack that ended up almost turning half my body into ash."
"Not everyone that sees a giant wolf is gonna immediately think of hugging it and calling it adorable. My reaction was perfectly reasonable." The Purple mare quickly replies as the pair of Night Rulers laughed playfully. "Hey I think its almost time for the sun to rise."
Author's Note
As I said in comments before I wrote this at the same time as the past chapter, So make sure to read that one first before this one ok?
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Village of the abandoned act 1 gathering intelligence
Dracula moans softly as the rays of the sun awoke him for the second time. Sitting up from his throne, he ignores the stiff pain of his unhappy spine to gaze at Celestia's star. Stretching out his arms, he pushes himself up with groan as a pair of skeletons run to him. "Bones and Yorick, good to see you both again."
"Tis a grand honor to serve you again my liege. We bring news from those departed last eve, to chart a path into the Everfree natural labyrinth which surrounds our magnificent abode." Yorick says happily as Bones face palms.
"Dudes left, Dudes came back, dudes saw stuff... only our dudes saw some other dead looking dudes... how weird is that man? for real man, I though the only dead dudes where the ones living here... but they got whole villages man!! Talk about far out off the chain!"
"What my vernacular impairing companion means, is that during their journey forth with into the great green expanse of life that extends far beyond many of our mortals eyes past our glorious.." Boned foot steps echo as Dracula looks up to see Death holding his head and mumbling.
"My lord, allow me to save you from the headache of listening to the ones who are poisoned by the elderly and the young of minded, and give you a proper report."
"i say sir, that I am perfectly capable of speaking in an eloquent manner to our great grand glorious liege.."
"Dude, your gonna talk like all day to say something that takes like.. a minute. Sides I gave the message man,,, its all good ya know?" Dracula laughs as Death raises up his scythe.
"Depart my sight before I take off your heads and make you chase them down the hall again." The grim reaper commands in a cool calm oddly terrifying way.
"I am reporting directly to our great master myself Sir death I do not need you-" The weapon fell down as Yorick's head bounced down the stair well, screaming what in his day was once obscene language involving ways to introduce bones to some sort of giant hound.
"Hey cool your jets man, no need to lose our head.. or take mine off like ya did to mah Bro over there... I think we all just need to chill ou-" whack goes the second skull.. "NOOOOTT COOOOOLLLL MAAAANNNN TOOOOTTALLLYYYY NOOOOTTT CHIIIILLLLL!!" The voice fades before there is a scream and barking is heard.
"So from what I understood from my err, challenged messengers, was that the scouts discovered a place populated by undead?"
"Yes she felt it wise to give you as much informational access as possible. Much of the information had already been gathered, though official confirmation of things was a welcome sight." Death says softly as he rubs his bony head.
"Why don't you sit down for a bit and relax, look at the sun while I read up on things.." Dracula responds as he moves to a near by table to lay the papers down. "This is interesting... apparently Ponyville's reception of us was due to their being accustomed to monster attacks. records show that for the past few years many strange events have occurred including some involving a strange humanoid figure who had some sort of red and White armor named Zero. Thankfully no other recent events of note it seems based on the documentation." Death sits on Dracula's throne and nods in thought.
"The Situation with the Village in the Everfree seems more of a pressing matter. According to written legend many ponies have vanished within the Everfree, so i also obtained a missing person's record. According to our scouts many of the ponies in the village match missing persons, though the ponies in the town match records dating as far back as hundred years to some that vanished just a few months ago. Scouts reported that on the surface the town looked nice and calm, full of youth and vibrant life. Of course its soaked in negative energy. So none of them really explored much. They want more men ready to investigate, or perhaps you yourself to lend a hand."
Dracula nods listening to the report. "All legends do begin for a reason after all, should we involve the elements?"
"i advise against it myself, if this village has the right curse then anyone alive will die shortly after entering it. That or it operates like our own home, with Venus flytrap principles. Looks nice, acts nice, gets you in and relaxed, then knocks off your head. Or in this case turns you into one of the well living dead. Aside from the negative energy, the inhabitants, if we may call them that, appear as alive as any person in Ponyville. Apart from a few that are missing limbs and the lack of breathing."
"So i should take a varied group along with me then, to see what sort of power that village contains." Dracula murmurs softly. "Perhaps even find a way to bring these ponies some rest or maybe even rescue in a way." Dracula sets the paper down as he looks over. "i also read you found many petrified ponies as well, can Medusa restore them? Or do we need another solution?"
"They are restored, but need physical therapy. Our medics are checking on their basic vital signs before we can move them to town. A bat was sent with a message to Princess twilight about the petrified ponies, word has yet to return."
"Good work Grim. Repairs even seem to be going smoothly as well." Dracula smiles softly. "Still, I think we should tell the elements about the village, to see if they know anything about it. I will explain why we wish to explore ourselves, but I believe we need as much info as possible here."
"As you wish Sire..."