Chapters A portal suddenly opened in a dark alley of Canterlot and I simply stepped through. The portal closed behind me and I stretched out feeling a few pops in my joints. "gods, I hate cages. No room to move around and stretch," I said to myself. I took a breath and looked up at the bright sky above me. "Well, time to have some fun," I said continuing my conversation with myself. I stretched out my pegasus wings and made my way to the palace. I quickly found my way to the draw bridge and took in the entirety of the castle, "such a gaudy display," I said with a chuckle. I walked in and looked around for a while until I got a strong whiff of both of the princesses energies. I grinned and made my way to the door. A guard stepped in front of me and I sighed.
"Currently the Princesses are arranging the sky and getting Court ready. If you have an appointment, I would ask you to wait a few minutes please," the armored unicorn stated.
"Oh, I have no appointment, but I will not wait either," I said moving passed him.
"Sir, I am very sorry, but you will have to make an appointment for a later," he continued as he put a hand on my shoulder to stop me. I merely brushed him off and continued forward. As I closed in on the door the other guard tried to stop me.
Celestia began stretching as Luna entered, getting herself and the room ready for Night Court's transition. The sun began it's descent and the moon made it's way across the sky. A few minutes passed and they both heard "Sir, I'm sorry, but you can't enter for now. Just wait..."
"Oh, shut up. I'm fairly certain your princesses will want to know that I'm in town," somepony replied, as he opened the doors and waltzed in like he owned the place. His fur was black, his mane and tail were white with a black stripe, he wore a brown three piece suit and had a black cane with a white orb on top on it. However, what really caught their attention were his eyes which had a familiar orange glow. "Good evening. How have things been since I've... been away?" the stallion asked. Celestia and Luna finished their tasks while they silently looked to the uninvited guest. The guards tried to take him away, but the princesses quickly stopped their efforts.
"The rest of today's activities are to be scheduled for a later date," Celestia stated without taking her eyes off of the new pony.
"Indeed. You are to clear the closest hallways and tell everypony, including the other guards, that nopony is allowed close until we say so," Luna continued her sister's statement, also refusing to look away from the pony.
"But..." the guard began.
The princesses quickly interrupted in their Royal Canterlot Whinny, "NOW!" The two guards nodded and began their task.
I grinned at the princesses before me. "So, how's it been Tia, Lulu?" I asked, leaning on my cane.
"You have never been close enough to call us those names," Luna growled at me.
"How did you escape Orcus? That cage was supposed to hold you in Tartarus for eternity," Celestia angrily quizzed.
"That's the funny thing, not everything works the way you wish them to. What I have to ask is why you haven't tried to blast me with your rainbow harmony beam yet," I asked with a shit-eating grin.
"That begs the question why you haven't gone on some sort of rampage?" Luna asked through gritted teethe, "Equus is still trying to overcome some of the damage you caused thousands of years ago," she continued.
"Oh, you make me blush. Good dodge by the way. To answer your question, destruction isn't always the most entertaining thing to do," I answered. "So, why haven't you hit me with the Elements of Harmony yet?" I asked.
Celestia gritted her teethe as well and answered, "we are no longer the bearers of the Elements."
"Oh, that's a big change now isn't it. That sounds as if there are new bearers," I stated with an obviously false happiness. "Always good to show new foals their place." I continued. I paced around thinking to myself, feeling their gazes upon me, following my every move. "However, if everything is easy, things stop being fun. So, I have a deal for the both of you, a game of sorts." I said with a smile.
Celestia and Luna shared a quick look before Celestia asked, "what kind of game?"
"Ah, that is the question now isn't it. How about this, I will spend the next year trying to turn the new Bearers of the Elements to my corner and in that same amount of time you will try to figure out a way outside of the Elements to beat me. Obviously there would be rules. First, I will not inflict harm upon either of you or your subjects. Second, I cannot tell an outright lie. Finally, I cannot use any form of mind control. You may use what you feel is necessary except for the Elements of Harmony." I said smiling, "is there anything you would like to add?"
"How are we supposed to believe you in the first place," Luna growled at me.
I looked at them and smiled even wider, "OH! I forgot the best part. If you guys win I will permanently give up my powers, but if I win I will make my own country, that you'll never have access to, within the wastes that were once the Crystal Empire, the land that I turned into my undead playground once before. Now as for the trusting me, well you can't. However, you can trust a blood pact. So, will you take the deal?" I said as I summoned up a dagger and slit both of my hands.
"We, have, unfortunately, little choice in the matter." Celestia stated as she took the dagger from him and slit her palm as well, taking my hand and handing Luna the dagger.
"There are to many risks involved otherwise." Luna uttered as she cut into her hand, taking my other hand. Magic coursed between us as I suddenly changed form. Staring down at them from my twelve foot tall, demonic stature.
"And so, the game begins," I stated with a dark laugh.
A simple roll of the Dice
I sat at the only unbroken throne in the age worn Castle of the Two Sisters staring towards the six viewing portals, watching the ones currently connected to the powers of the Elements of Harmony. Sighing, I thought, now that I'm here I can't figure out which one to start with. Pinkie Pie might be a good starting point because of her want to befriend anyone new to Ponyville, however, her Pinkie Sense might cause some issues in the long run. Rarity may be a good starting line simply because of how well she embodies her Element but, at the same time she has a good amount of world experience and has the mindset of a business owner. Well not to mention there are other things I could do first. My hand shot in the air as I said excitedly, "I got it!" I created a eight-sided die and said aloud, "One is Twilight, two is Pinkie, three is Rainbow, four is Rarity, five is Applejack, six is Fluttershy, seven is fixing the castle and eight is practice on a random person." I shook the die in my hand for a decent amount of time and tossed it to the floor. It bounced twice and rolled around a bit until finally landing on one. "Ok, Twilight it is," I said with a grin. Then, I stood up, taking my pony form once more.
Twilight sat down on her throne and took a relaxing breath, feeling both fulfilled for completing yet another of the map's tasks and worn out. She smiled and stared down at the map thinking aloud, "Spike's out helping Rarity right now and the castle is currently empty. Right now would be the perfect time for... a... late night study-session." She giggled to herself and went to stand up when suddenly there was a knock at her door. Her face crumpled slightly in annoyance as she grumbled and made her way to the door. She opened her door with her magic and in front of her was a unicorn stallion that she had never met with bright orange eyes. He had a cane in his right hand and a bright red book in the other. "Hello?" she said quizzically.
"Good evening, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I have come to you on behalf of my organization and would like to speak to you about possibly helping us to better the world. So, would you care to take a moment to hear me out?" He asked with a smile.
While turning around she waved him in and said, "I suppose I could spare a minute or two." His smile grew as he followed her into her study. She took a seat at her desk and moved a chair over to him with her magic. He nodded and took a seat setting his cane down against the side of the chair and pulling his book to the forefront.
I pulled the book up in front of me and set my hand down on the cover thinking snidely, step one. "Now my organization has recently come into contact with an ancient form of magic. A magic that can be used by anypony. This magic has two basic effects, one it brings a ponies passive magic making it a more active force and two it can enhance inherent talents..." I started to say before being interrupted by someone teleporting in and speaking.
"Twilight, when are we going to have some fun," Discord stated as he turned towards me, his eyes closed. "I mean, I did..." he started, quickly stopping as his eyes opened and met mine. My expression changed to one of self-assurance as Discord's changed to one of fear. "W... why is that mon... monster here.." he asked pointing at me. I looked to Twilight as she stared at Discord in disbelief.
"Discord, how could you say that about somepony else? That's just plain mean. I thought you had learned to be better than that," she said, flustered.
He looked at her and shook his head, "it's not me being mean. It's a warranted response to one such as him." It was now that Twilight saw the fear in his eyes.
She looked to me and asked very pointedly, "who are you and why is even Discord afraid?"
I chuckled and stood up. "Damn, I hadn't realized they had freed you Dissy old pal," I said making my way to them, while Discord backed up ever so slightly.
"We... we were never friends," he said with a stutter.
"I suppose not. To answer your question Princess. I am ancient power that..." I started before being interrupted by Twilight.
"No, don't walk around the subject. Tell me exactly who and what you are," she said with an angered expression.
"Ooo, so feisty. I think I might actually like this one. I am Orcus." I said as I looked down and chuckled some more, my mane falling in front of my face. I started again, "as to what, well, I am a prince and they do say show, don't tell." I looked up at them and changed into a six foot variant form, my leathery wings tucked tightly to my body. My pale red skin accented by a completely white three piece suit.
"A demon!" Twilight cried out.
I closed the book, shook a talon at her and said, "ah, ah, ah. Not just any demon. The Demon Prince Orcus. However, I meant what I said to you earlier. I do mean to do something that could work to the betterment of this world. Also, don't think about using the powers of the Elements on me. Not only will they not work, they would break a prior agreement I have with your colleagues, Celestia and Luna."
Discord looked at Twilight and shook, saying, "I... don't... I don't know what to do..."
Twilight just stared at him before saying, "it could all just be a lie. Why..."
"Oh, no. I'm not allowed to lie. That, also, would be a breach in the prior mentioned agreement," I interrupted.
"What kind of agreement?" Twilight asked, still very suspicious.
I looked at her with a dark smirk and asked, "are you sure you would like to know."
"Yes, I want to understand why the princesses would make any kind of deal with you," she said glaring.
"Ah, but understanding is different than knowing. You know that I am a Demon Prince, but you do not understand quite what that entails. To understand why, I will have to ask you a question as well..." I began, looking to Discord. "How much would it take to terrify a being able to bend reality to his whim," my question, more of a statement than anything. I grinned showing off my sharp teeth. Suddenly, Discord whimpered quietly as he closed his eyes, had a chill run down his body and wet himself making a puddle under him. He teleported out, not even caring about the puddle he left behind. I looked at Twilight and she had a look of disbelief. I continued, "as to the kind of agreement, a magic one weighing highly in their favor, by my choice I must add. Though, that still doesn't show you that it's not a lie. So, would you care to make a little agreement with me?"
Twilight smiled with self-confidence, "only if you promise not to hurt anypony or..."
I interrupted her once more, "I'm going to have to stop you there. I already am not allowed to harm any of the residents of Equestria. Why don't you try again? What do you want from me?"
"I... I don't want anything from you!" She shouted out. She put her head into her hands and grumbled.
I laughed and shook my head. I grabbed my tail with my free hand and said, "No, you don't know what I can offer." I dropped my tail and walked over to her, my cloven hooves clicking on the crystalline floor. I, then, set the title-less red book on her desk and I put one of my talons upon her shoulder. "The deal shall be as such: I will protect you and your friends from any danger that crosses you and I will take you and the other bearers under my wing. However, you will have to keep the fact that I'm a Demon Prince and the knowledge of these agreements to yourself. Do you have anything you would like to add?" I stated.
Twilight thought to herself, not exactly believing him, but seeing no problems, well, if something goes wrong, Discord could always say something. Finally, she looked up to me and said, "isn't pretending to be a pony a lie?"
"No. You see I'm not pretending to be a pony, it's not like a changeling changing into someone. It's magic rewriting my form," I answered simply.
"Then make me forget that should be easy right," she stated.
"and against the rules," I shot back with a grin.
Twilight sighed and said, "fine, but I have one addition to the agreement, if any my friends find out what you are you have to tell all of Equestria what you are."
I laughed and said, "agreed," as I slit my left hand with a talon conjuring up a knife for Twilight and setting it on her desk. She shot a look of confusion at me. "It's a blood pact hun," I answered her quizzical glare.
She grabbed the knife, slit her palm and asked, "now what?"
"Now the deal is made," I answered as I grabbed her hand and magic transferred between us. I changed back into my pony form and asked her with a hefty chuckle, "so, now that, that is done. Care to start training?"
Three days later, after fixing my new castle, having my 'Welcome to Ponville' party and introducing myself as an instructor for the mares, I finally got down to the brass tacks, finding out exactly how to train each mare. Therefore, I asked Twilight to invite them over to her castle and I met up with them there, in my pony form of course. As they each sat upon their thrones, I spoke, "now it may seem odd that one such as me could help any of you, but before you make any judgments, I implore you to see the power that I hold." I walked over to Twilight. My cane clicked upon the crystal as I carried the title-less red book once more. I continued, "this little red book, with no title," I paused and opened the book towards them, "and blank pages, holds more power than you could imagine. Think of not only any pony, but any creature possibly using magic that outclasses even that of unicorns, power that outclasses earth ponies and speed that outclasses pegasi. Now, this book will not give you the power, simply unlock what was already there." I paused for effect and looked to the expressions of the ponies around me. Rainbow Dash looked skeptical, Fluttershy was a little confused, Pinkie Pie's smile was massive, Rarity rolled her eyes and Applejack looked as if she was trying to figure me out. "Maybe a little demonstration is needed," I said as I closed the book and set it in front of Twilight. "Now, take a breath Princess and hold the book in your hands for a moment. After that a symbol will appear upon the first page along with a word," I said with a smile.
"Ok?" Twilight said not quite understanding how this was supposed to work. She picked the book up, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and waited.
Rainbow huffed and said loudly, "how is a blank book supposed to do anything!?"
Applejack chimed in, "yeah, I think somepony lied to ya."
"I'm glad you two spoke up. To start off nopony lied to me, because I made that book. Secondly, as I said it doesn't give you any power, simply unlock some of your true potential," I answered grinning widely.
Suddenly Twilights eyes shot open, they glowed brilliantly as the book opened to the first page showing a wand surrounded by energy. The glow died down and she read the words aloud, "spiritum veritatis." She looked up to me and asked, "what does that even mean?"
Your a wizard Harry, I thought and giggled in my head. "What it means is truth inspired. This is telling us that you are a wizard. A practicer of a type of the types of magic that I use," I answered.
Pinkie suddenly leapt into the air screaming, "do me next, do me!"
I looked to her and thought for a second. "Ok, but I may need to recharge the book after this," I said as I took the book and slid it over to Pinkie.
She picked the book up, took one quick breath and in less than a second her eyes were shining and the book had opened to the second page. However, both the second and the third page had markings. Afterwards she said happily, "oooo... I have two!" She giggled and everypony blinked at her.
I walked over to her and read from the book, "first, we have obscurum veri and this means dark truth. Next, we have quaesitor periculosa and this means adventure seeker."
"So, does that mean that I'm some kind of thiefy ninja type pony?" she asked. We all blinked once more.
"I don't think that's what that means," Applejack said.
"Um... actually she's mostly right. The actual classifications are ninja and rogue, respectively." I said just wondering about her. "Now if you don't mind I have some books and scrolls to get." I said as I picked up the book and walked out. Everypony just continued to blink at Pinkie as she smiled happily at everypony.
I made my way through the Everfree re-reading the spells that Twilight had written in her grimoire, the scrolls needed for Pinkie's training floating around me. "I understand that she's good at magic, but to reach what would be considered level ten in two weeks is pretty good. However, the spells that she has chosen are a little..." I paused as I closed the book and looked up, "iffy at best. The best offensive spell she has is Shocking Grasp a tier two spell. I need to get her to see the necessity for combat spells," I finished, nearing the edge.
"Not many are so bold to brave the wilderness and the cold," A female voice said curiously from behind me.
I turned and faced the one speaking and saw a zebra covered in a cloak. "Well, it's not often that I see a zebra here in Equestria..." I saw gold bands around her neck and smiled saying, "and a shaman at that."
"Journeyed, have you, to my homeland, then you know of the gold band?" She asked, her curiosity growing.
"Yes I took a trip out to Zebafrica many years ago. It was then that I learned of the importance of the gold bands, but not the importance of the number. As I have seen, shamans are a bit tight lipped on there teachings." I answered.
"Training of one outside our folk, would certainly mean a law was broke," She said, her tone painting a picture of pure seriousness.
"That's what I thought. Now if you excuse me I have ponies to train." I said as I turned around and made my way out.
Twilight and her friends made their way out to the mid-sized sparring ring that Orcus had put together. "So, we're finally going to see something from all that 'training' he had you both do?" Rainbow said, while putting quotations around the word training and rolling her eyes.
"Now, now Rainbow. We have yet to see any proof that he hasn't been training them and both Pinkie and Twilight have said that he has. We should... trust our friends," Rarity stated with a bit of distrust in her voice, not in her friends of course, but in this new stallion.
"We haven't seen any proof that he has either," Rainbow rebutted.
"Wait, who are you talking about and why are we out here again?" Gilda stated still a bit confused as they made it to the ring.
Pinkie popped up next to her and spouted off, "we're talking about a new pony in town, who's super-duper strong and has been training me and Twilight in new stuff. He said he'd help all of us, but nopony else has said yes." She paused for a moment and looked to the other side of the ring. "Oh! There he is," she continued as she bounced to him.
Pinkie bounced over to me as I thought to myself, although Twilight has made it far as she has gotten to tier five spells, Pinkie still is a bit more surprising. She's gotten to what would be considered level seven in both of her classes. Just... damn. Pinkie jumped at me for a hug, to which I moved to the side.
"Ah, I thought I had you today," Pinkie said to me with a wide grin. "Oh well, tomorrows a new day," she continued.
"I bet I could beat him," a griffon that I hadn't seen before stated.
"And you are?" I asked as politely as I could as I laughed on the inside.
"Gilda, and I don't like you lying to my friends," Gilda said, pointing at me.
I looked at her as my eyes narrowed. "One, I don't lie. Two, you said you bet you could beat me. However, I don't think you could even beat one of my trainee's right now," I mustered, trying not to growl at her.
"Of course I couldn't beat Twilight. She's an alicorn," Gilda stated, rolling her eyes.
I smiled shaking my head and closing my eyes. "I meant Pinkie not Twilight," I answered the unasked question. "What are you willing to bet?" I asked.
"What?" she asked.
"You see today, was a test of sorts for Pinkie. I was just going to summon a construct for her to face, but this is much, much better. So, I ask again, what are you willing to bet?" I stated, my voice oozing self-assurance.
"Oooo! What about, if she wins then you give her some kind of prize and if I win she has to admit that you're strong and train under you!?" Pinkie blasted.
I looked to Pinkie and nodded my head while saying, "that seems reasonable to me. How about you, little brave-bird?"
Gilda growled at me and said, "fine." She looked back at Pinkie and continued, "sorry Pinkie, but I'm not going to pull any punches."
"Ooooo! Does that mean I don't have to either," she stated while she giggled.
"Nothing lethal, but beyond that go wild," I answered. "The match starts when you both enter the ring and it ends in a knock-out," I said.
Pinkie bounced into the center of the ring and looked at Gilda. Gilda rushed into the ring and took a swing at Pinkie, just to find that she wasn't there anymore. The last thing Gilda heard before everything went dark was Pinkie saying, "pop."
"Well, that went a little quicker than I thought it would. Pinkie you passed your test with flying colors," I stated with a chuckle as everypony just stared at Pinkie once again they just stared.
Pinkie giggled and pulled a bucket of water out of her hair splashing it on Gilda. "wakey-wakey sleepyhead," she whispered.
Gilda shot up and screamed, "cold!" Then she looked around at her new friends and at the me. "I... I lost?" she asked.
Pinkie bounced out of the ring next to me and said, "yepperooni."
I smiled at all of them and said, "well is that proof enough that I have been doing exactly what I said I was, proof that I have not been lying. I am here to make you stronger and I can definitely deliver upon that. What you do with that strength is up to you. If I can train them like this in simply two weeks, how much stronger will each of you become within the next year?" I paused and summoned the red book once more. "Now, who's next?" I quizzed.
Gilda stood and looked at me. "If that was just two weeks, yes you are strong. Please impart some of that strength upon me," she said and walked to me.
"Take the book and it will unlock some of your potential," I answered her and handed her the book. Once she had the book, I said, "now breathe in deep and hold the book for a moment."
She did as she was told and after ten seconds she too went through the process Twilight and Pinkie had. She looked at the now open page and said, "it's just a picture and a word, of some sort. How is this..."
I interrupted her and stated, "read the word off to me."
She huffed and read aloud, "t... tu... Turris f... Forti... Fortitudinis... Turris Fortitudinis. I think. What the hell does that even mean?"
"It means, tower of strength, you have the potential to be a master of combat, one known as a fighter," I said. I looked around and took in the ponies expressions. "So, will that be..." I started before being interrupted.
"Ah'll go next. Yah've proven ta me that ya can do what ya say and if this helps us then sign me up," Applejack said as she made her way to me. Gilda handed her the book and the same process once more took effect. "Virtoos Aneemay?" she read.
"Virtus Animae, it means strength of soul. You, my humble earth pony, are a monk," I corrected. "You are one who can be a master of self: soul and body," I continued, somewhat surprised that Applejack was the next one after Gilda. I pulled a few scrolls from around me and passed them to both of them and stated as I passed them, "read these today and tomorrow your physical training shall begin. Now, Twilight I wish you to read these scrolls for today is the day you shall choose a familiar. A companion that will go with you where ever you shall roam." I gave her some scrolls as well. "When you choose I shall summon it up and you shall create your bond," I continued.
Twilight opened the scrolls and began looking through them and reading what each of them were and how they could help. After ten minutes of her going over the details she looked up to me and said happily, "I have chosen the pseudodragon."
"Quite a good choice. Now, to bring it to you," I agreed. Then, I brought forth a small piece of paper with a symbol on it and pushed my magic into it. The paper lit on fire in the air and was gone. A moment later, in front of Twilight was a pale red dragon with pitch black spines and greenish yellow eyes; that was about the size of a cat.
It hissed and all present heard a gravelly voice in their minds, why have I been summoned?
Fluttershy immediately dashed at it screaming, "it's so adorable! Oh, what's your name little one."
I am Orn Kornari, Silver Heart in your tongue. Are you my summoner? he quizzed with a raspy purr as Fluttershy pet him.
"Oh, n... no. You were summoned to be Twilight's familiar... that is if that's ok with you." Fluttershy mentioned still petting him.
Twilight, who would this be? He asked while stretching his wings and continuing his purring.
"I'm Twilight," Twilight answered.
Orn nuzzled into Fluttershy's hand, then, turned towards Twilight, so, I am to become your companion then. He looked at her and took a deep breath, breathing in her scent. You are indeed strong enough, but I ask one question are you good? He questioned her.
"As in a good pony? Um... I try to be." Twilight answered.
Then grasp my claw and we will be as one, he declared while chirping. She did so and magic crossed between them.
I am Twilight Sparkle. I ask that you follow me and grant me your strength, Twilight thought to him. Her magic flowed from her to him.
And I am Orn Kornari. I will grant you my power and companionship, Orn thought only to her as his magic transferred from his claw to her hand.
"And now it, is done," Orcus ended.
Another week passed as I had Twilight reading book upon book about combat magic and having Applejack and Gilda train against each other while Pinkie trained against shadows that I had conjured.
Applejack and Gilda were just ending their third match of the morning as Gilda put a paw on AJ's back. "Woo," she muttered with a pause, to take a heavy breath, "I won. What are we at now?" She asked me.
I took a count in my head and said, "That sets it as twelve wins Applejack, twenty-seven draws and thirteen wins you, so far. You still have four more matches left this afternoon and three shadow matches tonight. However, if we look at the shadow matches, Aj has five wins and sixteen losses and you have three wins and eighteen losses. Now, both of you take a break." Gilda huffed and slowly made her way to a chair set up for her. Aj simply flopped over onto her back and breathed heavily.
Twilight came out of the castle carrying the two most recent books I had given her and handed them back to me. "There, I'm done researching these two. What's next?" she asked, happy that she had a week to binge study as much as she could.
"On that particular topic, nothing currently," I answered. "However," I continued with a pause, "I would like you to tell me if you know why I gave you all the books I handed you." I took the books from her hands and sat them down next to me awaiting her answer.
"Because you wished for me to have a more complete view of the magic you are teaching me," she answered.
"and?" I added with a wave of my hand.
"Uh... and... um... to expand on my knowledge of when to use them?" she stated quizzically.
"No. I needed you to understand that you need to study a wider variety of combat magic. The spells you have chosen to study all have their uses and work well together. However, as is, with the spells you have in your grimoire you could not protect yourself or anypony around you," I answered with a roll of my eyes. I enjoyed how much of a study-bug she was, but her naivety was getting a bit under my skin.
"I have my alicorn magic and the magic of friendship to be able to protect myself and my friends. So, why should I have to study something that seems so useless?" She quipped haughtily.
"Ok," I stated to everypony there with a huff, "everypony you know your schedules. Pinkie wait here until I get back I have something to give you." I then looked to Twilight and continued, "you are coming with me. You obviously need some one on one tutoring." Twilight looked conflicted by this; happy that she was going to have more taught to her, but iffy on who was teaching her. I put a hand on her shoulder and teleported us to a medium sized demi-plane I had created. The plane itself was fairly empty and seemed to stretch on forever in each direction. "Now, you said that with your alicorn magic and the magic of friendship that the combat magic I was trying to teach you was useless. Ok, let's test that a little." I said to her as a large blue dragon appeared in front of her. "This is a young adult blue dragon. It is an electric type dragon and it is the first age group of the blue dragons to gain spell resistance. Now, use the magic of friendship against it," I continued.
"I... I can't. I don't have my friends," she answered.
"Problem one, if you are caught alone the magic of friendship is useless. Ok, now use your alicorn magic and attack this dragon with your best spell." I put forth.
She shot a large and powerful beam of pure magic at the dragon. After the beam withered away, a black spot was left on the dragon that it brushed off like it was nothing. "What?" she put forth her query.
"Problem two, some things are immune to alicorn and unicorn magic. Now, I will use my weakest magic attack to prove something. I will use magic missile on it," I said as I pointed my hand towards the dragon. Five balls of energy hit the dragon and subsequently caused the dragon to growl at me. "Now, I can blast through this dragon's spell resistance simply because I have three thousand years of experience before I was imprisoned. You use your strongest attack spell, Melf's acid arrow." I said to her.
She nodded and took the materials she needed out of a bag I made her carry around everywhere. Finally, she shot the dragon with the spell causing it to growl loudly at her and giving it a small scar on it's chest. "But, you could have made the dragon like that." She said to me.
I raised my eyebrows and huffed. I dismissed the dragon and brought another blue dragon only it was much, much larger. "This is a great wyrm blue dragon, it's spell resistance is much higher than that of it's younger kin and I summoned it from where it was, I did not make either of them. Same spell," I grumbled and shot the magic missile at this dragon. The dragon didn't even blink. "Believe me now?" I asked.
She looked at the dragon wide eyed and admitted, "yes... yes I do."
I dismissed this dragon and walked up to her. I stated, "I am not telling you to study spells that would hurt or harm others, I am just saying that you need spells that allow you to fight on your own, regardless of the enemies immunities or resistances. Hell, you could learn spells that increase your and your allies prowess or summoning spells. Just something that would allow you to be able to not worry in any situation."
"I understand a little bit more. I'll think on it," she answered and I nodded. I, then, teleported us back in front of her castle just as the sun was going down and her friends were resting inside. She the quizzed, "We're enemies right?"
"Currently yes," I answered.
"Then why are you working so hard to make us stronger? It can't be just to waste time," She asked looking me in the eyes. I tried to give her the answer I thought was truthful, but found myself unable to speak. "Just, think on it," she said as she turned around and made her way into her castle.
Author's Note
This chapter is a crossover with Gilgamesh. Though it does effect the main storyline, not a whole lot.
Seeds sown -Gilgamesh-
I sat there in the empty demi-plane, staring at my talons, thinking about what Twilight had said to me. Why couldn’t I speak. I… I wasn’t lying, right? I stood up and started creating things within the demi-plane. A mountain twice as big as Mt. Everest in the distance, an ocean expanding around it, sky all around me, plants everywhere and finally, I created a dark gloom everywhere within the plane. I sighed to myself as, unbeknownst to me, my energy pulsed through the void pushing the negative and dark energy from the demi-plane. I was soon alerted to the possibility when a tear in space time opened up a few feet in front of me, a head popping out covered in a warrior’s helm.
“Huh. This a new,” the man muttered before seeing me. After staring for a few moments, the head of a large green canine appeared next to him. “Hello, I’m a lizard man from the dawn of time, and this is my heterosexual life partner,” he said, causing the canine to glare at him before rolling his eyes.
I looked before me and shook my head in confusion. “After all that has happened, I really shouldn’t be surprised, but somehow I am. Anyways, either get in or get out no halfway bull.” I stated to the creature in front of me while popping my talons. I created a chair for me to sit in and took a seat once more as I stared at the anomaly in front of me. The tear in spacetime widened allowing the man and the canine to fall in before gracefully turning in midair and landing on their feet and paws. The man was an extremely muscular, dressed entirely in armor with a naginata on his back and a red scarf around his neck. He was also at least two feet taller than me. I couldn’t remember the last time I had to look up to talk to someone. The canine was around the size of a lion and had some markings and small wings showing that it was more than just a mere large wolf.
“So, who’s home did I drop in on?” he asked.
“I’m Orcus, but who are you and how did you enter my realm?” I asked curiously.
He stood at attention like a soldier. “I am Valentinez Alkalinella Xifax Sicidabohertz Gumbigobilla Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andry Charton-Haymoss Ivanovici Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser III. And my companion here is named Bob.”
The canine rolled his eyes again before reaching behind him, pulling out a sign that read “My name is Enkidu, and the idiot’s name is Gilgamesh.” The wolf then threw the sign at the man’s head, which bounced off harmlessly before shooting up into the sky and exploding creating a hole in the heavy, black cloud cover.
I raised an eyebrow and spoke, “And how did you get in here? Not to mention why?” I rolled a talon as if wishing for him to continue.
“Ah, well you see good sir,” he began in a British accent. “That would be a result of a combination of the properties of the weapon attached to my back, a small but no means insignificant Understanding of the inner workings of the entire multiverse, and study and replications of the innate abilities of one Pinkamina Diane Pie. Or, to put it in layman’s terms, ‘fuck you, that’s how.’”
I giggled at him and stood up making the chair disappear. “Well, now that is…” I paused for a moment and sniffed the air deeply. “Well isn’t this new. I smell human on you. Interesting, indeed…” I trailed off, pacing a bit as I opened a small window to peering into the void itself. “Very, interesting…” I chuckled.
“Oh, so I’m your first? Well, won’t that be fun. However, I need to ask you a question or two. But first,” he trailed off before reaching behind him and pulling out an iPhone. He began to look for something on it for a moment. “Uh huh… Uh huh… You said your name was Orcus, correct?”
I stared at him, finally noticing the blessing upon him. “Yes, I am Orcus, the Demon Prince of the Undead,” I answered with a bored tone.
“And according to Tv Tropes, the kind of person who’s likely to sit patiently on his throne, issuing out orders to his subordinates and not directly confront any adversaries until they pretty much come bursting through his imposing throne room doors,” he said before turning the device around so I could look at it, showing page titled “Orcus On His Throne.”
I chuckled and said, “Well, truthfully, when you dig in even further the books will tell you that the Orcus mentioned in the game itself grew tired of sitting upon his throne, eating his larvae,” I paused and summoned forth a fluorescent bug and dropped it down my throat then, continued, “and tried to begin another war.”
“Ah, I see. I never got around to Dungeons & Dragons. Too high a barrier of entry,” he said before tucking the device away. “Now, I don’t want to make assumptions based on appearances, but I’m going ot have to ask you a few questions. First of all, what is your relation to the Princesses of Equestria?”
“I treat the two sisters as if they were a new toy. I give them some respect, simply because they actually found a way to trap me,” I said with a laugh.
“I see. Well, I was going to ask why you had that relationship with them if your answer was in any way negative, but I believe you answered that question as well. So, I suppose my last question would be what are your end-goals for the Princesses, the ponies of Equestria, and the entire world in general?”
“Hm…” I said as I rubbed my chin, “well as I cannot tell a lie, and it would be pointless to try to walk around the subject… Unlike my game counterpart I... “ Once again I found myself unable to speak. “FUUUCK!” I screamed out as a large blast of black energy shot from my hand and the mountain behind Gilgamesh was disintegrated into nothing. Rather impressively, he didn’t even flinch.
“... Well, I’m confused. What was that about?”
I stood there breathing heavily for a moment. “I am in a blood pact, as a way to make the game more fair, that states that I cannot lie. However, even if I don’t think I’m lying, it will stop any lie. Apparently, what I was about to say was a lie,” I answered.
“Well, let me make this easier for you. What were you trying to say?”
“When I first escaped from that cage, I planned on turning the bearers to my side to make it so that, that stupid friendship, harmony and love laser of doom could no longer be used against me. Then I would turn this world into nothing, but undead,” I answered, unsure of what had changed.
“I see. And that has become a lie because… what?”
“I don’t know,” I said with gritted teeth, “Twilight asked something that made this happen as well. This is... just… FUCK!”
“I see. One last question, do you feel that you still want your original plan to come to fruition if maybe not in the exact way you intended it? I.E., the whole ‘destroying friendship, turning the whole world into undead’ thing?”
“I care not for…” I was stopped once more. “Most of the creatures on this world. I don’t see them as people and haven’t for the six thousand years I have been here. I made the start of my empire once. What was known as the Crystal Empire at the time. All those undead, it was beautiful. Then I was blasted by the elements and Celestia and Luna had to turn it into a smoking husk because they could not reverse what I had done. It’s not often that they fight undead that can think on their own and breed like locusts.” I chuckled.
“I see. So in the end you do still want to take over and enslave Equestria, turning into your own necropolis empire,” he said before placing both hands on my shoulders. Then he did something that I never would’ve expected from him or really anyone else.
He bit me. He actually bit into my face and tore a chunk of flesh from it. The next moment the piece of flesh was burnt to a crisp by what I could only describe as some kind of flaming breath. “Then we’re gonna have a fucking problem now, aren’t we?” he said, his voice reverberating with power as his eyes glowed red. He then punched me in the face hard enough to send me flying.
I landed a decently far distance away and stood up with a growl, my face pouring black ichor from the wound. Then, I chuckled darkly, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen my own blood, or even felt pain.” I cracked my neck and my body changed. Now, I stood around fourteen feet tall, my wings grew more ragged and a dank stench surrounded me. However, the biggest difference was that my head was now nothing but a skull. I summoned my mace and brought forth a dracolich. “My turn,” I said with a laugh as the creature flew towards him.
He smirked in response. “Henshin,” he said before he radiated an intense light. When it faded his form had changed. Though he was still clad in armor his helmet no longer had a faceguard. Instead a red cloak covered his head, showing off the kabuki style face paint and horns coming from the sides of his helmet. There were also many little changes but the two most significant ones were that he now stood twelve feet tall and he had four extra arms. Each hand held an unique and ornate blade, and I could sense unique readings of power from each one.
Then, to top it all of, music began to radiate from him . His eyes shined red while his mouth stretched into a psychotic smirk. “Ready to die?”
The dracolich breathed a dank black fire at him, roaring as it did. I screamed with a laugh in my voice, “I can’t die, I’m already dead.”
A tornado of wind blew away the dracolich’s breath before a stream of fire came and incinerated it to nothing. Gilgamesh then took to the air with his own pair of red dragon-like wings. “You wouldn’t be the first undead I’ve erased from existence,” he boasted before firing a building sized beam of heat from his eyes.
I simply laughed and took the beam. “Oh, hitting a demon with heat. Sorry, not made of ice.”
“Just testing the waters,” he replied. “Toke wo tomare!” he shouted. He seemed to be expecting something to happen, but whatever it was, it didn’t. “What the… Oh, I see. No time here. Well, I have other options,” he said before he exhaled for a moment. He then inhaled and it was like a black hole had suddenly appeared, sucking everything in towards it, me included. I appeared behind him and blasted him with the spell Demise Unseen, expecting him to die instantly and create a relatively powerful undead with the single spell.
He turned to face me, smiling. “Was that supposed to do something?” he asked before quickly dispersing his weapons into nothingness, then grabbing both my arms, my wings, and my head. “Holy,” he said before I was hit by the unmistakable searing pain of Holy Magic from each one of his six palms.
I grunted in the agony of the positive energy that pulsed its way through my undead flesh. My flesh withered slowly as I growled at him, unable to physically match his strength I tried to move my tail to fire a spell from it. However, the only thing that happened was that it simply fell off, turning to dust as it made its journey. I looked to him and headbutted him, unfortunately all it did was cause and indent in my skull. I continued to wither. “Before you kill me, at least tell me what you meant by ‘my first’ when you first came here,” I said hoping to buy myself some time.
He smiled and let me go before a spell of magical chains appeared and held me down. “Does the word ‘multiverse’ mean anything to you?” he asked, his glowing red eyes and reverberating voice now gone?
“The multiverse theory, that is pretty much proven by you and myself as I am not from Equis and you came in through a personal backdoor. I understand the concept, somewhat. However, beyond that I have never looked past what has happened,” I answered, as I tried to think of a way out, my magical resistance doing nothing against his form of magic.
“Well, add to that the Parallel Universe Theory as well. Did you think this Equis is the only one? Do you think your Earth is the only one? Countless versions of both, a near infinite amount! And in many of them, people whisked away from their homeworlds with new forms and abilities. People like you, and me.”
I looked at the chains and huffed as I found no way out of the current situation. I popped my jaw a bit and thought of my next words carefully. “The last thing I remember from before I found myself here was being hit by a truck. At first I thought I was in a coma, as I felt no pain. I still somewhat believed that until you bit me,” I said thoughtfully as my wounds stitched themselves together. “Also, the Parallel Universe theory would make sense intertwined with the Multiverse. You see, I’m fairly good with numbers. Do you know what a googol actually is?” I asked.
“Let’s see, if I remember correctly, it’s ten to the power of one hundred. Are you actually going somewhere with this, or are you just stalling for time so you can give me a reason to kill you?”
“No. There is reason for my statement. It was once stated that if the universe was a googol kilometers wide that there would only be enough information in that universe that the same person, exactly the same person, would be repeated four times. So, Parallels do make a lot of sense.” I answered. “Also, I gave you enough reason to kill me when you entered, this was made very clear. Though, I have already died once. That truck really hurt,” I continued. “So, there are many in a similar case as me? Whisked to a completely unknown world.”
“Oh, like you wouldn’t believe. Though, to be honest, you’re one of the few I’ve met that died before it happened. Most get whisked away after buying something from a shady vendor at a con. But now, I have one question before I decide whether or not to kill you right here and now, and I assure you I can make it permanent. You said Twilight asked you something earlier, didn’t you? How exactly have you been interacting with her?”
I clicked my teeth together and answered, “I took housing in the castle in the everfree, after fixing it up of course, and walked to her crystalline castle. I spoke to her originally fully intending on keeping my identity and purpose hidden. However, Discord came to speak to her as well and after revealing my nature and wetting himself, he left. I made a blood pact with her stating that I would help her and her friends at any point during the game. I also decided to train them, originally this was because I did not want weak allies. Twilight asked me why I was working so hard to train them while we were alone. I tried to tell her what I thought was the truth and couldn’t speak. You asked me what I thought of the princesses. I answered for Luna and Celestia, but I don’t rightly know about Twilight.” My rambling trailed as the glowing orange orbs that were my eyes dulled.
His smile widened. Then he began to chuckle before he threw his head back and laughed. This continued on long enough that I began to get irritated. After about a minute he finally calmed down. “I see. So that’s it. The seed has been planted, and you don’t even realize it.”
I sighed and changed my face back to the fleshy version. I looked up at him with a cocked eyebrow. “What seed?” I asked. Unbeknownst to me, my naivety and inexperience oozed from my words and stance.
He giggled at that. “Orcus, I think I have a proposition for you. But first, please explain the ins and out of these ‘Blood Pacts,’ if you please.”
“How detailed an explanation do you wish?” I asked, unsure of what I was even doing anymore.
“How effective are they, what kind of limitations do they have, any loopholes, the standard stuff anyone intelligent should know before they sign a contract.”
“The effectiveness of a blood pact changes from individual to individual. Pacts made with demons or angels can be subverted by one with enough power. However, pacts made with a god, such as myself, cannot be subverted regardless of power. Limitations and loopholes are similar. Take the pact involving lying, a demon or angel under this pact would be able to tell a lie they thought was truth, but mine won’t even allow that. Loopholes in a blood pact are filled up by the magic involved thus my magic filled all presented loopholes. It’s not like a court case where how something is written changes things. It became an absolute because of those involved,” I answered. “Also, one pact cannot conflict with another. Well, ‘can’t’ is iffy. One made with a god cannot conflict, however one made with a lesser power would cause the instant death of the ones involved in the pact and a mass exodus of the magical energy involved. Basically, boom.” I added.
“I see. So I’m going to have word this carefully,” he muttered. “Very well Orcus, I will spare your life and leave, allowing you to go about your merry way, if you make a Blood Pact with me and make sure none of the things I ask for conflict with the other pacts you’ve made.”
“Well, that’s a bit of a turn around. I completely thought this was the end for me. I mean hell, I didn’t even realize how much I was weakened before you came. I shouldn’t be able to feel pain at all regardless of damage and in my other forms my blood still ran black. Well, not like I have much of a choice. I like not dieing.” I rambled.
“Very well then,” he said before whistling, calling Enkidu over. I had honestly forgotten about him. “RUUUUUUUUUULE NUMBERONE!” he announced dramatically as Enkidu held up some signs for visual aid. “If you ever do complete your goal of turning all of Equis into your own personal Undead Empire,” he began, Enkidu changing to sign to a chibi picture of me ruling over a hellish wasteland. “You must immediately alert me to your doing so,” he finished, Enkidu changing the sign to a chibi Gilgamesh popping out and stabbing the chibi me in the back as I died.
I interrupted quickly, “Don’t try to make rules now. My magic is bound currently and the pact has yet to be started.”
“What? I’m just laying out what we will be agreeing on. What’s the problem?”
“Truthfully, I just hate repetition. It will need to be said again if you wait too long... ah fuck it do what you will,” I grumbled.
“Ok then. RUUUUUUUUUULE NUMBERTWO!” he announced as I groaned. “Should you so desire you may call upon me to help aid you in battle, so long as the goal you are trying to achieve is to save the lives of the Princesses or anyone they would want to save.” Enkidu held up a sign of a chibi me and Gilgamesh ready to battle, standing in the way of some evil looking creatures as some ponies cowered behind us. “So basically their subjects, their allies, and their friends and family.”
“Ok, that doesn’t conflict with anything,” I stated.
“And finally, RUUUUUUUUUULE NUMBERTHREE!” he said. “With the exception of the first rule, you and I cannot harm each other,” he said as Enkidu held up a sign of a chibi me Gilgamesh having a slap fight with a big red no circle covering it. “So, do we have a deal?”
I huffed and began some introspection. He stated, ‘when I create my empire’ I could think of a way to defeat him by that point. Secondly, having him help would take away the issue of if an equestrian tries to harm Twilight or her friends thus allowing me to keep true to both pacts. Third, he is smart enough to think of a way to prevent direct backstabbing. I looked at him and said, “those rules are fine for the most part however there are two things I would like to address. First, the third rule does not prevent us from sending others to do the backstabbing for us. Secondly, I would like to add that along with you coming to help me, I offer a similar standing to you. The difference is that I will come whenever you ask for help. Now, can you unchain me, this is very uncomfortable.”
“Alright, that’s fine. To be honest, I intentionally left out the part about making sure we couldn’t send other to kill each other because I wanted to be able to send someone else to kill you if I felt you were being too big of a problem,” he said with an unsettlingly cheerful smile. “And I’m also quite surprised you offered to lend me a hand as well. Just trying to make the sides even?” he asked as the chains dispersed.
“No, while I do prefer to be fair about things, it’s more fun that way, I honestly respect you. You showed me you had enough power to do what you said. Though I am in a weakened state, it seems as if even if I were more powerful you may still be able to handle me,” I answered and rubbed my wrists. I stood up and summoned a knife. I held the knife out to him and said, “you stated the rules and have enough power to start the pact therefore, simply slit your palm. I’ll do the same. Then, we’ll shake on it.” I continued.
“Sounds good!” he said and extended his hand. I passed him the knife and waited. He spun the blade in one hand, tossing it back and forth between his six hands, before finally quickly slicing one palm. “Your turn,” he said as he handed it back.
I ran the blade across my hand and black ichor once more oozed from the wound, though this time I felt nothing. I gripped his bleeding hand and said, “I agree to the terms presented.” Magic flowed from him to me and then back from me to him as the pact was made.
He chuckled. “Well, this should be an interesting project on the backburner. But now, me and my companion must be off to find more adventure, as is our way. But first,” he pulled out a medallion and flicked it at me. I caught it and observed it was brown with a red insignia that looked similar to the one on the end of his scarf. “You can use that to call me for help when the agreed upon conditions are met. And, I have one last thing to tell you before we go.”
I shrunk instantly into my six foot form clothed in my white suit and stuck the medallion in my jacket pocket. “Ooo, now I feel fancy,” I said with a chuckle. Then, I looked to him and asked, “and that is?”
His mouth stretched into a shit-eating grin. “This universe, and all the other Equestrias, are based off a little girl’s T.V. show. Have fun with that,” he said before returning to his base form, cutting open a hole to the Void, and jumping in with his friend.
I watched the hole closed took a deep breath and uttered one word audible to all traversing the void close enough, “FUUUUCCCCCKKKK!!!!”
