A Thousand Lessons

Chapter Five

Once again, Twilight was before the silent form of Kamaat, the Rubricae kept his dull gaze forward. All her concentration purely went to focusing on waking Kamaat and preventing her consciousness from being trapped within the eight-foot-tall suit of armor. She could feel a strange warmness emanating from his armor, a ball of light at its heart. Every fiber of her being wanted to touch it, Twilight pushing her consciousness towards said ball of light. Closer, and closer, she could feel so much energy coming from it, the warmth allowing a since of calmness to wash over the mare’s body. It even felt like the ball of light was getting closer to her, as well.

Twilight’s consciousness reached out, as if it were her hand, and the light mimicked the action. Their consciousness connected, like hands intertangling together, and images began to flow through Twilight’s mind, along with emotions attached to such images. Fear. Happiness. Worry. Pride. Determination. Love. And sudden Sorrow? It all filled her heart so fast, it almost became too much for the mare to handle. Following this, a sense of power filled Twilight’s body, then a sense of pure emptiness shortly after.

That had been the breaking point for Twilight, her body finally giving out and collapsing towards the ground… But an armored hand managed to catch her, wrapping around the mare’s back. “T-Thank you…” She managed t say, her mind feeling a strange sense of being strained by something around her.

“+You’re welcome, Mistress.+”

The echoed voice chimed within Twilight’s mind, causing her eyes to snap open, seeing the iron and brass painted arm holding her up. “Good evening, Kamaat… It is nice to finally speak with you.” A proud, but tired, smile appeared on Twilight’s lips, staring up into the Rubricae’s glowing emerald eyes.

“+Pleasure for me to finally speak with you, as well, Mistress.+” Kamaat helped Twilight back on to her hooves, before simply standing across from her. “+Congratulations. I look forward to working alongside you, and furthering your skills at waking the Rubricae around the campus.+” When the mare started breathing heavily, her body tensing from obvious strain, the Rubricae placed a hand on to her shoulder. “+Maybe you should cut the connection between us, this is your first time and your mind is not yet prepared to maintain such a stressful spell.+” He thumbed towards a surprised Anubis. “+Brother Anubis can handle things from there.+”

Twilight gave a slight nod, smiling up at the emotionless Rubricae. “Y-Yeah, that would probably be a good idea.” She gave a weak giggle. “I’ll be counting on you, for practice, in the future, Kamaat.” The Rubricae gave her a thumb’s up, his eyes dulling and losing their glow, body freezing in place.

Silence washed over the room, soon after the Rubricae went back to his silent slumber. All that could be heard, was Twilight’s heavy breathing trying to steady itself, until Anubis walked over and allowed her to use him as a brace. They remained silent, neither knowing what to say to the other, Twilight simply resting her body against the cold plating of Anubis’ power armor. Though, the Astartes was honestly at a loss for words, still trying to comprehend what had just happened right then… Seeing Kamaat move, under Twilight’s control, surprised Anubis beyond belief. This told him that she is, despite being so drained right now, getting that much closer to their goal. No telling how long it will be until she could wake all ten Rubricae, and not be winded.

“Well done, Twilight.” He whispered, before noticing the mare had already fallen asleep, using his body like some sort of rest. “Best get your rest in, you have earned it.” With that, Anubis gently picked her up, bridal style, and walked over to the mare’s bed… Tucking her in, and ensuring that she was comfortable. Once Twilight had been settled in, the Astartes took his leave, deciding that having the dormant Kamaat inside, as a reminder of Twilight’s accomplishment, had been a grand idea.

-Next Day, Nova Crystal’s Personal Dorm Room-

Book, after book, after book; were tossed to the side, as Nova Crystal scanned all the different information written within them. Ever since the incident in Anubis’ classroom, the unicorn stallion had been trying to research more and more about the different types of Dark Entities, including those that the Astartes spoke of. The way he turned through the pages and examined what information had been listed, one would have considered him obsessing over it.

“Not worthy enough, huh?” Nova Crystal muttered, turning through the pages rapidly. “I cannot wait to prove you wrong, Professor.” He pulled out a notebook, opening it up to a page where the stallion had taken in-depth notes on ‘Warp Entitles’. “Professor Anubis did well in masking the different formulas and incantations for these creatures, but…” He took out a quill and filled in the blanks by using symbols Anubis told them to be wary of. “If you have studied magic all your life, and know how to solve these equations? Then, it is very possible to figure out what you left out.”

When Nova Crystal finished the very last magical rune, his quill leaving the notebook, the symbols gave off a purplish glow. Whispered words echoed all around the stallion, his eyes gaining a faint matching purple hue, for only a few seconds… Followed by an all too please grin on Nova Crystal’s muzzle.

“Yes, I will gain the very power Professor Anubis wields, defeat his little pet, and show him that I am the only one worthy of the knowledge he keeps!” Nova Crystal’s muffled cackle went on for a few moments, before his grin reappeared. “Now, I just need to find the proper payment for this… And I know will be dumb enough to go along with my plans, long enough for me to enact the first step.” With that, he gathered what would be needed, and left his dorm room.

-Later, Academy Storage Room-

Nova Crystal looked around at all the different supplies and equipment set aside for the academy to use. It all surprised the stallion, at how far their Headmistress could plan for nearly every single outcome that could appear before the school. He envied the Princess of Friendship for this, along with how powerful she is in the magical arts… If a lesser noble family could birth such a powerful being, there is no telling what one like his could possible bring into Equestria.

Of course, his thoughts were ended, when the doors were opened and a particular bronze hued drake walked in. “Hey, Nova, you in here, bud?” They asked, looking around the storage room. “Said to be here, maybe I got here before him?”

Nova Crystal suddenly grinned at the newcomer, everything was almost complete. “I am over here, Smaug! Trying to get everything set up, just right.” Quickly, the stallion moved into position, where he had prepared the summoning circle, positioning himself where it looked like he had just finished.

“Huh? Really, you unicorns… Always want to make sure everything has to be perfect.” Smaug noted, walking over to where Nova Crystal was, eyeing the summoning circle. “Soooo… Remind me, as to what we are doing here, again? And, isn’t that one of those circles Professor Anubis warned us about?”

“It is, I found it not too long ago, an wanted to track down who made it… But, unicorn magic is not strong enough. Then, I started to think.” Nova Crystal began to tap his chin, Smaug raising a brow. “Dragon Magic is really powerful, and my best friend on campus happens to be a dragon.” He looked at the confused drake, smirking and offering a hand. “So, what do you say? Want to help me find out who did this, and possibly save the Academy, or even Equestria?”

Smaug just stared at Nova Crystal, tilting his head. “A chance to show off how strong we dragons are, and a shot at becoming famous?” He grinned, taking the stallion’s hand. “What do I need to do, bud?”

“Try and focus your flames on to the circle, runes, and its candles.” Nova Crystal nodded, pointing to the powder-like substance, creating a summoning circle and its runes. “With your flames, burning away what is preventing my own magic, I will be able to track down the user.”

“That all?” Smaug snickered, widening his stance a bit. “One overpowered fire blast, coming right up!”

Smaug took deep breath, his orange spines starting to give off a bright glow. Flames started to appear from the drake’s lips, embers floating out and extinguishing right after. Once the buildup reached its peak, his chest budging out, Smaug unleashed the fire on to his target! When the flames touched, they instantly shifted from an orange color, into a bright purple on! However, the drake could not stop with just that, or watch the change in color, keeping his focus on directing the destructive power he is controlling. Using them to mimic each written rune, along with lighting the candles around his target.

“Gah!” Smaug blurted out, after releasing the last of his flames… Not noting a grinning Nova Crystal behind him. “There, now time to do what you need to, Nova… Which is what, exactly?”

Nova Crystal suddenly moved up behind the drake, muzzle next to Smaug’s ear. “This.”

“Wha-AGH!!!” A curved dagger ripped through Smaug’s chest! The drake’s widen eyes looking down at the bloody blade. “W-Why?”

“For power, of course. I needed something close to sacrifice, and you were my best choice… Seeing how we have been best friends, since a little before the school year.” Nova Crystal answered, grasping Smaug’s shoulder and removed his dagger. “I can achieve what I desire, by doing this… Plus, with your flames causing the spell’s activation? Everyone will thin you did this, and it backfired.”

With that, Nova Crystal pushed the drake forward. “P-Professor… He-elp!” Smaug’s mind screamed, as he fell into the blazing summoning circle.

The very moment flesh, blood, and bon; had been added to the ritual, the flames turned into a purple inferno! This forced Nova Crystal to shield his eyes, backing away from the bright flames that had nearly blinded h. Maniacal laughter echoed from the flames, followed by a horned, four-armed, silhouette appearing deep within it. But, suddenly as they came, the flames vanished without a trace!

Nova Crystal blinked, looking at where the flames vanished. “W-What? How can this be?” He blurted out, not finding a trace of what he wanted. “That was a summoning circle! I did everything correctly!” Quickly, the stallion retrieved his notebook an began flipping through the pages. “So, where is the warp entity!?”

“Right here, darling.”

In a blind speed, Nova Crystal spun around, his jaw nearly hitting the floor when he discovered the voice’s source. “Oh, sweet Celestia, yeeees!”

Standing before him, had bee the most attractive unicorn mare Nova Crystal had ever laid his eyes on! Her pearl-pink coat glistened within the light, allowing him to see every alluring curve on her attractive body. The mare’s hip long purple-black mane flowing with each movement, like cascading waters of some grand spring, the banes lightly cresting her purple hued eyes. Her outfit resembled a strange bikini-styled one from some fantasy novel, the black and silver accented top barley containing her ample breast. The bottom potion created an ankle long drape, going from black leather at her hips, to silver silk mid-thigh, exposing her alluring hips and legs.

“W-Whoa…” Nova Crystal simply stated, the mare smiling at his reaction. ”Not what I expected, that is for sure.”

“I am pleased to hear you like it, darling. It is the best I could do, on such short notice.” Her voice was like honey to the stallion’s ears, walking up to him ever so elegantly. “You should see my real form, instead of this simple projection… Too bad, the spell was not strong enough to bring me all the way through.” She wrapped both arms around Nova Crystal’s neck, one leg stretched forward. “Now, what can I do for such a handsome, young, mortal… Hm?”

“Easy, I desire more power.” Nova Crystal answered, the mare smirking even more. “Is that something you can offer, miss…?”

“Call me ‘Ay’rissa’, darling.” She started, lowering one hand to Nova Crystal’s chest, and the other grasping his shoulder. “And, as a Keeper of Secrets, I can give you what it is you desire, but…” he mare took a few steps back, wrapping an arm under her breast, placing the opposite’s index finger against her cheek. “You will need to do a few things for me, in return.”

Nova Crystal raised an eyebrow. “Such as?”

“For starters? Your name, darling.” Ayr’issa answered, wrapping both arms under her breast now, leaning slightly forward. “I need to know whose desire I am granting, and I already gave my name to you.”

“From what I now about your kind, is that you did not give your full name.” Ay’rissa stood up straight, and playfully shrugged at Nova Crystals comment. “You can call me ‘Nova’.”

Ay’rissa could not help but grin at Nova Crystal’s antics, nodding. “Well, first things first, ‘Nova’… In my current state, I cannot grant your desire. So, if you want more power, we need to find a way for me to cross into this world fully, though that blasted Nexus Barrier protecting it.” Slowly, the mare walked around Nova Crystal, as he watched her every move. “As hanks, I want your help in claiming tis world for my Prince… Sound fair? I am also sure that the Prince of Pleasure will reward you, handsomely, for doing this.”

“Hm…” Nova Crystal pondered the offer, as Ay’rissa moved behind him, wrapping both arms around the stallion’s waist. “And I will gain the power, to make Professor Anubis see me being the only on worthy to be his student?”

“Oh, darling…” Ay’rissa started, leaning up to whispering into Nova Crystal’s ear. “I will give you so much power… That he will be your student.”

A wide grin appeared on the stallion’s muzzle. “Then, my dear Ay’rissa… You have yourself a deal.”

A mist of blue energy, hidden by a stack of boxes, watched the pair and listened in on every word of their conversation. When Nova Crystal accepted Ay’rissa’s deal, a quite cackle escaped from it an quickly vanished into the cracks. This caused the mare to suddenly snap around, and look towards where it had been… Her glowing purple eyes turned to a obsidian black color, seeing nothing there.

“Strange, could have sworn I sensed…” She thought, before shrugging her shoulders. “Impossible there wasn’t enough energy to do that.”

-Academy Courtyard-

“Good afternoon, Professor!” An earth pony stallion greeted, as the Astartes passed by, giving a nod and smile in return.

Anubis took a deep breath, releasing a content sigh shortly after, sitting down on to the stone bench at the courtyard’s center. Today had been very pleasant for him, and everything seemed peaceful about the Academy, especially since a certain trio of pranksters had been dealt with. It had been so good, that the Astartes had decided to bring a book with him, for some light reading during this peaceful time. Something he reserves for only the best of days, when his schedule had been completely cleared. The best part about it, was that he brought one of these ‘Daring Do’ books Twilight gotten him to rea, as of late. He would admit that the adventure series had intrigued him greatly, and became ever more curious to what the next adventure holds. Though, he still adorned his armor today, since it is always these days that something bad happens.

Taking a more relaxed position, Anubis opened his book an began to read. He had left off where Daring Do had ben, once again, facing off with the vile Ahuizotl for some dangerous artifact. “Let us see how Ms. Do handles this situation, hm?” Anubis muttered, smirking at the idea of finding out.

But, his curiosity had to wait. “P-Professor Anubis? I-I need your h-help with something…”

“Hm?” Anubis lowered his book, and looked down, seeing a pegasus filly holding a paper within her hands. From what he could tell, she was stumped on something that is written on that piece of simple paper. “Oh? What do you require help with, young one?” He asked, setting the book to his side and then picked the filly up, spacing her on to his large lap.

“I am having trouble with this math problem… Everyone says you are the best teacher to come to about problems.” She showed it to Anubis, allowing him to read it over a few times.

“Hm... Seven times six, divided by two, huh?” He asked, the filly nodding. “Alright, lets handle that first part, shall we?”

“’Kay!” The filly smiled, preparing her pencil.

“Alright, multiplying is a lot like adding several times. For example.” Anubis pointed o the seven and six. “You add seven, six times. An easy way to do it? Is to separate them into groups of two. If there is an odd number, leave the last one until the end.”

The filly pondered about what Anubis told her. “So… Here, we will have three groups?” She asked, Anubis nodding. “Which would give us… Three fourteens!”

“That is correct, young one.” Anubis congratulated, watching her write the work down. “Now, just add those three one at a time.”

She gave a nod, doing just that. “Fourteen plus fourteen, equals… Twenty-eight.” Anubis smiled, watching her do the work. “Twenty-eight plus fourteen, equals… Forty-two!”

“That is correct! You already solved half of this equation.” Anubis smiled down at her, pointing to the next part. “Now, dividing is a little bit tricky. Luckily, you have the easiest one to divide with… When using two, the best way to remember this is that you are always splitting the number in half… But in this case, match up what each single number equals when multiplying by two.”

“So… I just need to find out what the half of forty-two is, by looking at what matches with the two?” The filly asked, Anubis giving a nod, while she tried to write it out. “With the two there… Means the first number is a one…” She wrote the number, then tapped her pencil under the four. “And half of four is…Oh, two! The answer is twenty-one!”

A smile appeared on Anubis’ lips again. “You are correct! Best part, is that you did this yourself.”

The filly blinked, looking up at him. “But… You helped me?”

Anubis shook his head. “I only guided you on this, young one. You did the work, and figured out the equation yourself… I just pointed the way.”

A bright smile appeared on her muzzle, before he gently placed her back down, allowing the filly to rush off back to her friends. “Thank you, Professor Anubis! I still could not have done it without you!”

Anubis smiled, and waved goodbye to her, watching the filly rejoin her friends. “Feels good, to be a teacher and not a soldier.” He thought, reaching for his book.

But, an echoing cackle caused the Astartes to suddenly freeze where he was, eyes wide. He knew that cackle, that bone chilling laugh which haunted his dreams for so long. Quickly, Anubis began to look around, trying to find its source and hoped he had been wrong. Such a thing would be impossible, the Astartes knew he could never enter this world without help, and only he had the knowledge to summon them. However, something told him that nothng is impossible for this daemon, that he would always be within reach of their talons… He spent hundreds of years under its watch, bound to their command in exchange for power, and Anubis could not find them!

“Look down, Anuuuuuubis.”

Anubis froze again, the whispered words causing a chill to crawl down his spine. Slowly, his gaze went to the ground, instantly going to his feet, eyes wide out of both shock and terror.

His very shadow had been replaced by a slender, winged, figure. In its grasp, the figure held a tall staff, with an ankh symbol as is crest, and trinkets dangling off from the cross guard. Their free and was clawed, like the talon from some bird of prey, even its jagged beak was visible within the shadow. But what had gotten Anubis’ attention the most, was the figure’s blazing-blue eyes! Staring at him, feeling its gaze pierce deeply within his soul… He knew it was them, it could be no other, and left with a single choice.

“I must lock the Academy down, now!” Anubis’ eyes glowed, a visible ripple of pure magic expanding all over the Academy. “He must be stopped, before anything can happen!”

-Anubis’ Classroom-

A few students chatted with one another, within the classroom’s closed walls, using it as a study hall for future lessons and other classes. Usually, Anubis would be here to oversee them, along with answer any questions they would have, but… They understood that he wanted some time away from there, everyone had their limits of what they could take. Though, a sudden ripple across the entire class room caused them to stop, confused by it.

Sudden clanking of armor drew their attention to the Rubricae pair at the front, as they jolted to life! Their emerald eyes began to glow, stepping forward and looking at the students. “Please… All students… Report to the nest safe zone.” The Rubrica said together, as the students kept looking at them. “By order of… Professor Anubis… The Academy is now… On lock down.”

-Academy Training Grounds-

Athlete after athlete were training nonstop, trying to become their Academy’s very best. After all, it was not every day that your Dean of Physical Education was the Element of Loyalty and former Wonderbolt Elite! For the more strength-focused athletes, though, they had a different to aspire to... Where the weights were all gathered, at the Training Ground’s center, stood the heavy bolter wielding Rubricae of Anubis squad, holding his weapon like he is about to power-cling it up into the air. Rainbow Dash personally vouched for the Havoc’s unbelievable strength, and how he could out bench every student she had, period. This pushed them all to take their training more serious, wanting to try and show the Rubricae up if it ever woke to workout with them.

When the ripple washed over the training grounds, and the Rubricae’s body jolted to life, they all stopped and went wide eyed. His emerald gaze went down to them, glowing with life. “All students are… To go to the… Nearest safe zone.” The Rubricae racked a round into his heavy bolter, startling the athletes. “Now.”

-Academy Guardens-

Fluttershy enjoyed having her classes within the academy’s gardens, being closer to the animals they had brought especially for her courses, and doing so beneath the watchful gaze of the more peaceful Rubricae. The mare smiled up at the statue-still warrior, who held his left hnd out, open for any bird or animal to take a much-needed rest on. At first, she was terrified of the khopesh wielding Rubricae, but calmed when Anubis told her about their gentleness towards animals. Now, her animal care classes are held within his presence, the mare hoping he was somehow listening and enjoying the classes, she even had a few students clean his armor ever so often. After all, animals will be animals.

The ripple startled Fluttershy, causing her to shoot up into the sky like a rocket. Though, when she came back down, the mare had been caught by a familiar iron and brass colored arm. “Fluttershy…” The echoed voice caused he to look up, seeing the Rubricae’s glowing eyes. “Please… All students are… To go to the nearest… Safe zone.”

-Twilight’s Room-

Twilight lowly leaned up, stretching with a yawn. “I must have been more tired than I originally-?” Armored bootsteps cut her short, noticing the Rubricae suddenly looming over her. “K-Kamaat? How did you wake?”

“No time… Mistress.” Kamaat lowered his hand down, helping Twilight out of bed. “Anubis has awakened… All of our… Brothers. Danger… Looms over… The Academy.”

“W-What?” Twilight blinked, shocked by that had been said by the Rubricae. “All ten of you are awaken? What drove him into doing that!?”

Kamaat took a moment to answer, as if he is also trying to figure that question out. “Only one… Thing comes… To mind, Mistress.”

“A-And what would that be?” She asked, nervous to find out what drove their stalwart protect into waking his full force.

Kamaat’s stare seemed to intense, before his echoed voice came out more serious than Twilight could believe. “Sek’haal… Is here.”