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Chapter 40 The Knight, the Shaman and the Showgirl
For five hundred years I have wandered the world's learning all I could from those who would teach me. Now I stood on the edge of the town that had shunned me for protecting it, however this was not the same town and if you asked the people living here about they wouldn’t know what you were talking about. That is because this is a new reflection, a new world a new chance. I took a deep breath as I began to walk to the town.
When I got to the town I did my best to avoid Pinkie Pie as I knew she would try to throw me a party and I needed to stay hidden. As I walked through the streets I passed Lyra and Bonbon’s place I looked away in regret, Next thing I saw was the tree house that Twilight is staying at. I thought of Elzin I quickly left the area and went towards the one I came for. As I was walking I passed Sugarcube corner there was a party going on I would normally try to avoid it if it wasn't for the white haired woman with the purple tips walking out of the place infuriated. “I’m guessing that's Gilda.” I said to myself as I followed her to the edge of the everfree forest.
“Stupid Rainbow dash and her stupid friends.” Gilda said as she punched a tree I stayed hidden to see what she would do and to my surprise she started crying. “You were supposed to be my friend.” she said through the tears. That is when I made my presence known.
“Warden Gilda?” I asked as she turned around to see me.
“What?” she asked as I offered her something for her tears. “Who are you?”
“Somebody that wants your aid.” I said helping her up
“What do you need the aid of a washed out knight for?” She asked as she wiped her tears away.
“Well I want to offer you something.” I said pulling out Sleeping Lion.
“Nice sword.” she said sarcastically.
“Let me show you its power.” I said as I pointed at the tree and disappeared in a flash before appearing next to the tree as it was cut at an angle. “That is only a small fragment of the Keyblade's power and what I offer is training.”
“And what do you get in exchange?” she asked
“Clever, Anyway I want a way into the Wardens I have a plan for them.” I said.
“Well you're going to need to find another way in because I was exiled it's why I came to this town anyway.” she said.
“Was there an official ceremony?” I asked knowing the answer.
“No?” she said confused.
“Then officially you're still part of the order and you can help me.” I said.
“You never told me what you want from me personally?” she asked.
“Simple all i want from you is for you to pledge your loyalty to me.” I said.
“Alright why would I do that?” she asked.
“Because I can give you the power to fix the wardens of their corruption and save your nation from collapse?” I said as she smiled.
“Alright then.” she said getting on one knee.
I handed her Sleeping Lion and said “Rise Gilda you are now part of my inner circle.” i said as she got up “Come we have another to find before we leave town.” I said
“Before we go who are you anyway?” Gilda asked.
“Call me Huxley” I said as we walked into the Everfree forest.
As we approached the hut of Zecora Gilda asked me a question “why do we need this Zebrican?”
“Simple Gilda she is an expert potion maker and healer.” I said.
“How do you know this?” She asked.
“I have friends in high places.” I responded as I knocked on Zecora’s door.
“Welcome to my humble abode, why not take off your load?” Zecora answer and stopped when she saw who was on the other side. A very strange sight.
“Hello miss Zecora, you are Zecora right?” I asked.
“That’s is correct as you can see, what do you want with me?” Zecora said.
“I have a friend that told me that you require a very rare herb and I need you to join me in exchange for said herb.” I said holding out the crystal rose.
“How did you get something so rare, Reveal yourself lay everything bare” Zecora scowled.
“Before I give it to you I need your help for a little project I have in mind.” I said as she tried to grab it. “It's not that simple I need your word that you will stay loyal to me.”
“Trust him lady he may be your only hope.” Gilda said.
“Fine I suppose I do need that rose, I suppose we shall become close.” Zecora mumbled.
“Very well here is your rose, may we come in?” I asked handing her the rose.
“Enter then and watch your head, there are instructions that must be read.” Zecora stepped away inside.
We entered her home where she quickly got to work on a potion.”You have a nice home.” I said trying to make small talk. She ignored me as she kept working on the potion and a few minutes later she took a sip of it.
“Did it work?” she asked grabbing her throat smiling “Thank you i thought i would be cursed forever to rhyme.” she said hugging me before I coughed and she let go “oh sorry” she blushed.
“I am glad I could be of some help now before all of us go I need to give you a little bonus.” I said.
“What?” she asked “A bonus and what do you mean we leave this is my home I just can’t abandon it.” she said
“You agreed to the it so I need you to come with me. As for that little bonus you need to knee for me to give it to you.” I said as she looked at me and Gilda.
“Don’t worry nothing bad will happen to you.” Gilda said as she reluctantly dropped to her knee I pulled out Circle of Life and handed it to her.
“Rise Zecora you are now part of my inner circle.” I said as Zecora got up.
“What now?” she asked
“Now you pack and we leave this town for training we have a third to find but she will take time.” I said
“Just as I was getting to like this place too.” Zecora said.
Three months have passed since I got Gilda and Zecora and in the time since then I have been training them to use the Keyblade. “Strike harder.” I said as I dodged a sneak attack from Zecora “Nice try.” is said as I knocked the both down. “That is it for today’s training I have to go somewhere now.”
“Ugg is it that Trixie girls show you know she gets booed off the stage every time right?” Gilda said
“I know but tonight I have something to offer her, she suffered enough.” I said as I walked towards the tent.
“Remind me again why we have to stay in the desert?” Zecora asked “I mean i stayed in the Everfree for a year but there was atleast a town nearby.”
“That denied you service because you were Zebrican.” Gilda reminded.
“Alright I’m off if this is successful we head for Manehattan.” I said
“And if you're not?” Zecora asked
“Canterlot.” I replied as they both looked at each other confused.
As I stepped out of my DTD I quickly headed to where Trixie was performing and entered the crowd as the show was about to start. “Ladies and gentlemen prepare to be amazed by-” Trixie started as a heckler cut in.
“By a talentless hack.” the heckler shouted as the crowd started booing.
“Why they even come if they're just going to boo her before she could do anything?” I asked myself as I quickly got closer to the stage.
“Hey wait-” Trixie started as they started throwing tomatoes at her. I jumped on the stage and cast a reflect spell stopping the tomatoes. “What?” She asked.
“Need a hand?” I asked as she nodded before she ran to the back of her carriage. “Alright folks show’s over you can ether leave peacefully of fight me and you don’t want the second option” I said pulling out one of my keyblades. As the crowd dispersed I followed Trixie into the back of her carriage.
“Why did you save me I could have taken it.” she said.
“Yes but how many more bad show could you really take to survive?” I asked
“I’ve seen you in the crowds of my shows you a fan?”
“More like somebody who see potential in you. I want to offer you something.”
“Is it Bits i’m a little short on that.”
“No its power I can offer you a tool that Twilight Sparkle could never get.”
“What is it?”
I pulled out Spellbinder “This.”
“What is it?”
“A keyblade it's called spellbinder and it will help with your magic”
“Like i need help with magic it's my talent after all”
“Yes but it will make you stronger than Twilight it could help you get revenge.” I said as she paused.
“Revenge?”
“Yes but this comes at a cost you must serve under me and only go after her when i say so.”
“Alright... I accept your bargain what do I do...Master?”
“You come with me.”
Author's Note
Special thanks to BIo for helping me with this chapter and Quartz for writing Zecora's rhymes last chapter
Chapter 41 Manehattan
It has been three weeks have passed since I have recruited Trixie into my group and we entered the city of Manehattan via train. As we exited the station I called for a cab. “Where to sir?” the cab driver asked.
“What's the closest hotel the the marina?” I asked
“Why that’s the Marina inn but you don’t want to go there.” The cab driver said
“And why not?” Gilda asked.
“There's been a lot of... misfortune occurring around the Marina Inn. Things happen and suddenly somebody goes missing. You'd do well not to get involved in things around here." the cab driver said
“Then why suggest it?” Trixie asked.
“Well you asked, anyway I could always take you to the The Hooftin hotel it's a twenty minute carriage ride to the marina.” the Carriage driver said
“No take us to the Marina Inn.” I said.
“Your funeral.” he said as we drove to the inn.
As we checked into the Inn I gave the three women there key’s to there rooms “Trixie you and Zecora have room 101 and Gilda and I have room 102.” I said before handing Trixie a bag of munny “Here.” I said as Zecora and Trixie looked in the bag.
“Is...is this all Platinum bits?” Trixie asked “There are like a few hundred in here...I could easily retire and live a comfortable life with this.” she said as I gave her a look “Not that I would steal your money I was just saying that I could.” she said before giving a nervous giggle. I simply took Gilda and walked away.
“So this room has two beds right?” She asked as we arrived at the room.
“Yes it has two bed I wouldn't ask for a shared room if it didn’t.” I said sternly as I placed my bag down on to the bed I claimed. “Hurry the pawn shop closes in an hour.” I said.
“Fine, just let me use the can first.” She barked back before walking into the bathroom as I walked outside and waited.
“You almost done in there?” I asked.
My response was the door almost hitting my face as she swung it open. “Let's get going.” She said.
“Finally” I said under my breath as we exited the Building I started floating “You coming or those wings just for show?” I asked
She flew up to me, elbowing my side as she passed me. “It closes in an hour, let's hurry up.”
As we landed in front of the pawn shop we entered the building and met the clerk working the cashier. “Yeah a few months ago she sold her armor and I’d like to buy it back.” I said pulling out a bag of munny.
“Oh alright then let me check in the back for the armor.” The clerk cashier. He left to the back so we kinda looked around till he came back. “Alright the armor is going to be three thousand bits.” he said I pulled out some munny out of the bag.
“Will this be enough?” I asked.
“Yes it will thank you.” the clerk said as he handed us the surprisingly light bag.
“Wait is this leather armor I thought it was going to be Iron or something?” I said as we were about to leave this incredibly snooty man came in with this little brat.
“Hello I would like to buy that grifionian Warden armor you had on display.” the man said as we were almost out of the door.
“I’m sorry but that man just bought it.” the clerk said as I cursed to myself.
“But daddy I want the armor to impress those peasants at school.” the brat said.
“Sorry you’ve gotta be quicker.” i said trying to leave the store.
“Alright how about this I’ll pay double for it.” he offered.
“Sorry no.” I said.
“Look kid, with the money your dad has you can get one made.” She replied.
“BUT I DON'T WANT ONE MADE I WANT THAT ONE!” the Brat screamed.
“Awh hell.” Gilda grumbled. “Go shove your heads up your asses.” Gilda said as she took her armor and stormed out of the store.
“Well see you.” I said following her as I could hear the little brat scream as we ran. As I caught up to Gilda I said “You know it makes us look like the bad guys right?”
“So, you already act like one half the time.”
“True.” i replied “but this makes us look more petty.” I said
“From how you act, I probably saved the two a trip to the hospital.”
“Anyway let's head back to the hotel.” I said.
“Yeah, gotta put this stuff back on. Make sure the leather didn't shrink.”
As this was going on Trixie and Zecora where on the other side of town. “So what do you want to spend it on?” Trixie asked looking at the bag. There must have been at least a few hundred bits in there.
“Never been to big cities. What's there to see?” Zecora asked. “And if I rhyme from time to time, sorry, habit.”
“Well there is the big stores and the theater district, but right now We should at least buy some additional clothing you look like you could use it.” Trixie said
Zecora looked at her dress. “This dress is traditional Zebrican shaman garb. It's blasphemy to brew potions without it.”
“Yes but people think you're an exotic dancer and that's not a good thing, trust me i’ve been mistaken for a hooker from time to time too it's not a good thing.” Trixie said as Zecora looked at herself again. “Doesn't mean you can’t keep it it's just you might want something else to wear.”
“I’ve worn this and similar dresses almost my whole life...how do I know what I’ll like?”
“Well we might try some armor I mean we are in front of Equestria’s biggest adventurer shop.” Trixie pointed out.
“True. Not like we don't have the money. Hang on.” Zecora grabbed her sack of belonging and searched through them, pulling out a small box. She opened it and inside was a raw gold ore.
“Why do you have that?” Trixie asked.
“Promise not to tell but...I made it...when I was young I mixed potions of changing and others I dropped in and me thinking I failed was going to dump it… Only for it to turn the ground solid gold. Still have the recipe for it but I try not to use it. This is what I have left after moving to Equestria.”
“Well I’ll keep your secret but you have to tell master Huxley about it, If he finds out...well I don’t know what he will do but I don’t want to think about it.” Trixie said.
“He is hard, but I can tell life has been harder on him than he is to us. Whatever it was scars him deeply.” Zecora said as the two left the room and walked the street.
“I never thought about it.”Trixie said as they entered the Adventurers shop.
“Hello welcome to the largest adventures shop in all of equestria if not the world.” the clerk lady said.
“Yes we need to buy armor for me and my friend something lightweight.” Trixie said
“Oh well we have a selection of lightweight armor’s in the back of the store next to the mage’s tomes.” the clerk said as we walked there.
The armor we found varied in style and type. They had modern, old school, and all made from varying materials. I picked a swat outfit, fashioned to look like royal guard armor but came in my color of blue, and Zecora got some hardened leather vest and pants. “I feel uncomfortable.” Zecora said.
“Cheer up you will get use to the feel, or did you mean something else?” Trixie asked.
“Half and half. I’m a shaman, a healer of body, soul, mind, heart… I feel like I’m betraying my family by fighting.”
“I’ve heard of shamans that fight, thoe this was in a book and they fought with spirits so i’m not sure how accurate it is.” Trixie said.
“That's a different type of shaman. I heal, warrior shamans fight with magic, but are born into that family.”
“I’m sure Huxley has taught you some kind of healing spell, right?” Trixie asked.
“Not yet.”
“Well i’m sure he will if you ask.”
Once our armor was paid for we walked around the streets some more just to sightsee. We saw some casinos, a few bars, a nightclub, a...protest in the streets?
Dozens of people with signs reading ‘Down with Barker’ were chanting. “This is...unexpected.” Zecora commented.
“I think we should leave quickly I’ve heard about protests like these when they get violent not even the passers by are safe from the guards.” Trixie said. We left and kept walking, finding little else til Zecora dragged Trixie into a...morbid looking shope of odds and ends. “Why did you bring me here?”
“This place has items from my homeland.” Zecora said with a smile, browsing through the creepy items. “Dried mouse heads, roach cream, goat tail, mana paper.” She listed off what she saw.
“Oh i’ve heard about these places I’ve always wanted to visit one, I heard they have amulets that can boost your magic output so that you can cast greater spells without the drain.” Trixie said looking around “but maybe not this place.”
“Anything I can get you ladies?” An elderly man dressed in a white suit, white hair and holding a cane. “Anything at all?”
“Do you sell anything involving warrior shamans?” Zecora asked.
“Yes, in the clutter in the back. What about you my silver haired showgirl, anything you wish to ask?”
“Not really I’m just here browsing with my friend.” Trixie asked.
“Still. Feel free to ask.” He said as he went into the back and came back with a large wooden box. He opened it and it held three old books and a few amulet looking items. “All you'll need is here.”
“Thank you.” Zecora said.
“Oh, and give this to Huxley.” The old man said, handing a scroll over to Trixie.
She took it. “Okay, hey wai-” Before she could finish, Trixie and Zecora were somehow outside their hotel door. “What just happened?” Trixie asked.
“...I have a feeling master has friends in high places...or enemies.” Zecora replied.
“Actually I have both” I replied walking to Zecora.
“Oh. Well they said to give you this.” Trixie said, handing me the scroll.
“Thank you.” I said taking a quick look at it. “I’ll study this on the boat ride to the griffon lands.” I said putting the scroll away somewhere.
“So...mind telling us who the white haired old man was master?” Trixie asked.
“An old friend and that's all you’ll get, now i believe it's dinner time and i heard of a good restaurant near here so let's put the stuff away and eat.” I said walking to my room to put some stuff away.
We went to the restaurant and ate fast. Food was food and the bill wasn't too bad surprisingly. We went home where Zecora was messing with her box and I took a look at the scroll.
“Let's see here.” I said, opening the scroll. It was full of symbols that I haven't seen before, and with how long I’ve technically lived that's saying something. “What are you?” I asked looking at the symbols on the scroll. But after a few minutes of trying to figure out what they were I decided to put the scroll away “Maybe i’m not ment to figure it now... he has always been mysterious.” I said remembering a fun time as I chuckled.
“Master?” somebody said knocking on my door.
“Yes?” I said putting the container for the scroll on the desk.
“It's Zecora. I wanted to talk.” Zecora said from behind the door.
I unlocked the door and opened it “Come in.” I said.
She came in, holding a raw gold ingot. “I uh, came to show you this.”
“Thats a nice piece of gold, where did you get it?” I asked
“I uh...made it...long time ago…”
“Alright then why are you telling me this?” I asked.
“Trixie said it would be best...I still have the recipe. Of it wasn't for the gold I made that day I would never have been able to afford the move to Equestria. We just wondered what you think I should do with this and the recipe.”
“Is making gold illegal? I’m not from these lands so I only have a base set for the laws.”
“Yes. Extremely. In my homelands you are punished by having your thumbs cut off and tongue sliced out, and here in Equestria it's life in prison.”
“Get rid of it and burn the recipe I don’t want you to be imprisoned because of what I hope was an accident. And I don’t need my reputation ruined because of taking on an apprentice that has broken a major law.” I said in a harsh tone.
“Yes master!” She said with slight fear. “I’ll burn the recipe and throw the gold in the ocean.” Zecora ran out, last thing I heard before closing the door was her yelling the fire spell and her glider flying off.
I put a hand on my head, was it the right call?, I asked myself...no if my plans get ruined because of one misjudged call I can call this whole planed ruined and that would ruin 500 years of work from both me and god. I had to have made the right call...wait did I hear a glider go off I didn’t teach them that yet. “Trixie?” I asked as she came out of the bathroom.
“Yes master?” she asked as I looked at her.
“One what are you wearing? And Two did you three figure out how to use gliders?”
“First, I normally sleep naked so I figured you'd not wanna see that…yet ~” Trixie said, her tone...reminding me of...Lyra… “And second what is a glider?”
“Okay you're not sleeping in this room so put some clothes on.” I said as I walked out of the room looking for Gilda maybe she knew if Zecora figured out the glider...not that it was a hard thing to do I literally figured it out by throwing the thing and hoping something would happen. As I looked around I found Gilda by the bar “Gilda there you are.”
“Sup teach!” She cheered, downing a pint.
“I heard Zecora using something i didn’t teach did you figure out how to use the gliders?” I asked.
“Is that something like a bike or motorcycle our Keyblades turn into?” She asked.
“Kinda it depends on the user.” I said
“Yeah, she made that happen before we left Ponyville. Was messing around with spells then that happened. I was partly drunk so I brushed it off.”
“Alright then.” I said before walking away “so Zecora know how to use the glider.” I said before smiling “She’s more clever then I thought.”
An hour later the sun set and Zecora was walking back through the marina looking for the Hotel “Come on I knew it was around here.” She said.
“Well well look what we got here boys.” a voice said from behind her.
Zecora turned around to see ten men wielding various sorts of weapons from pipes to knives “I wouldn't do that if i were you” Zecora said summoning her keyblade.
“Oh look a magic wielder you must be here for the bounty on our boss's head.” the grunt said before rushing at Zecora.
She dodged easy, elbowing the man's back which sent him flying across the street. She cast freeze at the group, three were frozen solid as the others backed away.”Ugh This is one hard dame call in Brutus.” The head thug said as a large man stepped out of the shadows.
“I am Brutus I will crush you.” He said.
“Great.” Zecora said as a familiar voice came from behind her.
“Hotel a few blocks that way zecora I can handle these guys” Huxley said as Zecora ran off.
“Good call she won't see you crushed by me.”
“Yeah tell yourself that and maybe with a few thousand years of training it might actually be true.” I said as he tried to slam his fist at me, which i caught and gave a little squeeze and caused him to scream in pain. “What we learn never mess with a Keyblade master” I said as I tossed him aside, “Now where is your boss?” I asked as they all ran away. “Oh well problem for another day.” I said as I grabbed the brute and put him over my shoulder.
Chapter 42 Griffonstone and the wardens
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Chapter 43 a world of Blocks
A few hours passed since I talked to Xehanort and I was ready to make my big announcement. “Alright wardens I have an announcement to make.” the wardens and my students all gathered. “The wardens have been corrupted for decades and today that ends.” I said as the crowd looked at each other “Today is the end of the Wardens of the Griffon Lands and the rise of the Inquisition.” I said as the wardens muttered amongst each other and Gilda stood up.
“Hey you said I would be the leader of the wardens!” Gilda shouted
“First off I never promised that, and second you can always challenge me for control.” I said as Gilda looked at me remembering what I did to the previous commander of the wardens.
“Nevermind.” Gilda said sitting back down.
“Anyone else having problems with the Inquisition?” I asked as everybody just sat there quietly looking at each other. “Good.” I said as I continued my speech.
A week passed since the wardens became the Inquisition and things were improving...mostly because I was technically king though I claimed to be the Grand Inquisitor and now the people were willing to help... for a price.
As I walked through the castle which was in bad shape I needed to find somebody to supply us, and there was a food shortage too which I would have to find...I didn’t want to rely on Equestria for both but at the way things were going I would have too. As I made it to the gate passing people looking for directions on what to do I heard a familiar voice “I’m looking for the grand Inquisitor.” the voice said as I got closer.
“I’m sorry but the inquisitor is very busy you’ll have too- Oh sir” the guard saluted.
“Stand down, he’s always welcome here.” I said as the guard left. “Shall we talk inside?” I asked God.
“Sure after you.”he said as we walked to a private meeting room.
“So what have you come here for?” I asked.
“Well first did you get that scroll I gave to your students?” he asked.
“Yes I did I’m still trying to find somebody to translate it but I got it.” I answered.
“Good, good anyway I hearded of your little resource problem and I have a solution.” He said
“So what's your solution?” I asked.
“Well there is a small world nearby that can supply you with the supplies you need, there is just the one thing.” God said.
“What is it?” I asked
“You're going to need to find a man named Steve and you will need to help him with some stuff, should only take a few days.” God explained.
“Alright give me the location and I’ll head there.”’
“Your ride should be arriving any-.” God was cut off by a guard coming in.
“Sir you need to see this.” the guard said as we followed him. “This thing just appeared out of the sky.” he said as we got outside and I saw a gummi ship.
“Okay bring me Gilda, Zecora and Trixie I need to speak to them.” I ordered as the guard that showed us the gummi ship left. After a few minutes my three students showed up. “Good you are here.” I said
“What is it master?” Trixie asked.
“I’m going to be gone for a few days and I’m going to need you three to take over my duties while i’m gone.” I explained.
“What are you going to be doing?” Zecora asked.
“I’m going to be securing a supply line for the Inquisition.” I explained
“Let us come with you master.” Trixie said.
“Sorry but I need you three to make sure that things don’t...well get worse.” I explained.
The three apprentices looked around and saw that the fortress was barely keeping itself together. “Right good luck with that” Gilda said.
“Yeah we’ll keep things from getting worse.” Zecora said as I got into the Gummi ship.
After landing on this new world I took a look around and noticed that the world was made of blocks. “Well time to find this Steve.” I said throwing one of my keyblades into the air and turning it into a glider before flying off.
About an hour of flying later I came across a village surrounded by a stone wall. I landed and was walking the exterior of the wall. It was so...I dunno. Feeling it, you’d think it was smooth, being perfectly flat, yet it had the texture of a rock wall. Man that’s weird. I kept walking around the wall till I came across a green monster with no arms, weird face, and walked on four small legs, staring into the town from a set of metal doors. I snuck up behind it and thrust my Keyblade though it’s back. It turned red, fell over and a small...thing that looked like gunpowder was hovering and bobbing on the ground where it died...as well as a few glowing orbs that came up to me, then my body absorbed them...oddly enough, I felt a bit stronger when they did that.
I heard a rather cartoony sound of metal doors opening. Reacting, I jumped back, and went into the doors before they were shut. I fell down on the landing, and had a blue sword at my face. I looked up, and saw a cubed man in slightly roughed up clothes holding it. “Hey you wouldn't know a steve by any chance?” I asked.
“I am Steve and I take it you're that new guy the old man said he was sending?” Steve said.
“I guess he said you would be the solution to my resource problems.” I told him getting up
“And he said you would be able to help me kill the Ender Dragon,” He said as I wondered what the ender dragon was.
“Whats an Ender Dragon?” I asked before saying “I mean I’m guessing the ender dragon is a dragon?” I said.
“Let me show you.” he said taking me to his house
Steve’s house was a nice sized place, high roof and lighted with some kinda glowing rock. Steve pulled a book out from one of his bookcases which was in a room with some kind of altar in the middle. “The Ender Dragon is a fearsome dragon that lives in the end a ruined world.” He said before turning the page “In order to defeat it we have to destroy its ender crystals which continuously heal it.” He said as I stopped him
“Why do the crystals heal him?”
“From what the legend says they were used to heal the ancient dragon that defended the world before some shadow beasts came and corrupted it.”
“Heartless.” I said.
“I don’t know what those are. Steve said as he went to his chest to retrieve some items.He returned with a bag “Okay I was about to do this stuff on my own but the old man told me that somebody would come to help me and luckily you came.”
“So you have everything?”
Once we got outside, Steve carrying his stuff in some kinda homemade backpack. I summoned my glider and Steve got on. We were flying for a while, then found a dessert and after a bit, a temple. “Hey you want to check out that temple?” Steve asked.
I looked at it and decided that it wouldn't hurt...five minutes later I was carrying Steve out of the temple as it was about to explode “Remind me the next time we see a temple like this to not say yes.” I said as we got back on the Glider.
We kept flying, and Steve decided it was time to start hurling Eyes of Ender. I had to slow down in order to not miss the direction they were going. He had a lot but we flew low to pick up the ones that fell after they stopped. We entered some kinda jungle, then, ironically, right over a temple, the Eyes of Ender kept getting thrown, but kept floating over it.
“I think that the fortress is down there.” Steve said as I slowly went down into the temple. And it's almost night you want to wait till morning before we explore the temple?” Steve said pulling two beds out of his bag.
“How do you have...nevermind let's sleep for the night.” I said as he placed the beds down and put down some wood around it and torches down.
The howling wolves and the passing crickets made the night pass mostly uneventfully. The torches somehow protected us from monsters which should not be scientifically possible. I had to stop questioning things otherwise I would be driven insane. Steve rumbled first getting out of bed and tapping the side of my bed with his foot.
“C’mon. Let’s get going.” Steve said as I grumbled the entire way out of bed. I didn’t feel like a morning person on this world.
We trekked off for the last place that the ender eyes hovered over near where the temple was. It was covered in moss and vines. There were several cats roaming around as well. Then Steve pointed out they were ocelots and fed one a few fish where it turned into a cat… fuck this world’s physics.
“Ok let’s head in and watch out for any traps. Old temple like this is obviously full of them. You don’t touch any raised platforms otherwise they go off.” Steve said as he pulled out his sword taking care to tap some spots out with his sword at arm’s length.
This probably wouldn’t be as bad as anything else that happened to me. A few arrows and nothing else wouldn’t be a problem in the long run. We went into the halls while Steve placed a torch every ten blocks from each other to maximize the light while he tapped the floors with his sword. Every fifty blocks he would hit one and an arrow coated in poison would buzz by melting through the stone it hit. So… poison arrows was apparently a thing which made things worse than they should be.
“Tch… annoying.” I said as I took a few steps forward. I accidentally touched a switch the floor fell out from under me forcing me to grab the edge as a whole red light enveloped the room and I could only see a lake of lava around.
“I told you to watch out for traps.” Steve said as he lifted down his tools allowing me to grab onto it as he pulled me back up.
I grumbled the entire way as we went further into the depths and the sight of torches giving off light was the only comfort out in the darkness. Deep in those depths we finally found exactly what we were looking for. In the center of the room suspended above a lava pit was a platform flowing out with darkness while being surrounded by several pedestals glowing an eerie green light.
“So… is this it?” I said as I looked around noticing that nothing had come out to fight us just yet.
“Yup. This is the ender portal I just need to power it up and we’ll get to see what’s on the other side.” Steve said as he pulled out some ender pearls.
After all of them were in place the portal opened up with an ominous hum. Both of us took a long look at the portal taking a deep breath. There was only so much that we could prepare for before heading into it. Unlike the doors to darkness it wasn’t actually a real darkness to the portals. Taking our weapons out and ready we charged into the portal… only to find nothingness around us. There were several towers while Endermen patrolled the area warping in and out of the area.
“Pleasant…” I said as I looked around for anything that looked like an enemy. There wasn’t anything around us though. Out in the distance was the flapping of wings amongst the curled screams coming from the endermen.
“It’s coming…” Steve gripped his sword as several bolts of energy burst out of the spheres on top of the towers… each of which were made of obsidian blocks and seemed to be sturdier than anything else.
A giant dark dragon dive bombed straight for us smacking us off to the side as it flew back up into the air screaming in pure anger as more bolts of energy shot towards the dragon. I managed to take a few potshots of fire at it burning off partial bits of its scales which flaked off… up until the energy bolts strike at the dragon healing it and regrowing the scales back on.
“Crap… Steve we gotta deal with those spheres first.” I said as I noticed that several of the endermen started to run around in fear for some reason. Steve pulled out a bow and started firing off some arrows at the spheres trying desperately to line up the shots while the dragon immediately took umbrage with that diving straight for his.
I flung myself in its way using my keyblade to fling it off course while it put its full force in its attack. Every time I felt it attack it felt as though the keyblade would break from the attack only to keep up its diving runs trying to break the defense as another arrow found its mark breaking a sphere. There were several all around on top of all the towers.
Another flash of light and another crystal shattered as the dragon kept up its physical assault slamming down harder on the keyblade though no cracks appeared on it. After the last crystal shattered I shot forward slicing through its wing but the scales were shorn off instead of the wing. It flew straight back up roaring and screaming in rage and fury.
Steve joined in stabbing at it whenever it came in range but it still kept the fury it held at the max chomping at us with whatever attack it could muster. Slowly we whittled it down to the bare minimum as it flew off into the air. The crystals were all shattered so it wasn’t healing and the flaking of its scales and scalded flesh overpowered it’s body. With a fling of my keyblade I sliced off the head of the ender dragon as it burst into a flash of light as several thousands of those little light balls rained down upon us. The place where is vanished was a platform with a small egg on top of it.
“Well all I have to do is Fight the Wither but I can do that on my own time let’s head back to the town.” Steve said grabbing the egg and placing it in his back before jumping down into the portal that appeared in the center of the area we were in. Jumping in I was taken an area near the village I found Steve.
We returned to Steve’s house where we discussed the matter of the resources I had came here for. “Alright the amount stone should be ready in a few weeks as for the food well I can get you vegetables a few days but meat will take a while maybe a week or two.” Steve said. As I handed him a small bag “What’s this?” he asked.
“Payment.” I said as he looked inside.
“This is a bag full of emeralds.” he said surprised.
A few weeks passed since I met with Steve and got some supplies from him. We had begun the reconstruction of the Inquisition Fortress ” Master Huxley we have a letter from equestria.” One of the couriers said.
“Let me see... I’ve been invited to the Grand Galloping Gala.” I said reading out loud.
A month passed since the letter from Equestria inviting me to the Grand Galloping Gala and tonight was the night. The repairs on the fortress were under way thanks to the resources I got from Steve. “Alright you three are in charge for the night.” I said to my three apprentices.
“We understand master.” Trixie said as the other two nodded as I snapped my fingers and a DTD to Canterlot.
As I walked out of the DTD I was in an alleyway near the castle I made my way to the walkway were all the guest were lining up to get in. As I stood in line I heard some of the people in front of me saying how it was going to be the greatest night ever...I would guess those would be the elements of harmony, this was either going to be horrible or entertaining.
As I walked outside with Celestia to talk before she went to talk to her student “It was a nice party Celestia even with your student’s friends doing what they-.” I stopped myself when I saw three figures stand there.
“Hello Huxley. You have no idea how hard it was to find you.” Core said.
“Celestia get your people to safety. Now!” I ordered pulling out my keyblade.
“Why what's going on?” Celestia asked.
“Just to make a long story short he wants to kill everything now go!” I ordered. Something was different about him. He was wearing a purple organization thirteen cloak.
As Celestia went inside Core spoke up. “It’s been awhile...Puppet.” Core said, a pair of purple blades like Xemnas's appeared.
“Yes it has 500 years to be specific.” I said as he looked what I would guess was confused.
“Huh, my brother’s doing I assume?”
“Perhaps but enough talk” I said charging at Core. Blue and Ebony summoned their respective defenders as I cut them down. ”Okay so just a quick question why fight here?” I asked.
“Cause there’s one thing I am after here. Your. Heart.” Core said, rushing in as we crossed blades.
“Well then lets take this battle somewhere else.” I said opening a DTD to the keyblade graveyard. “After you” I said motioning to the DTD.
Core walked in. Once on the other side with him he was some distance from me. The graveyard was...omonis.
“So...how are the others?” I asked. “I mean it has been a long time since I’ve seen them you must have seen them recently or else you wouldn’t be doing this right?” I asked as I saw something in him.
“My last meeting with those heros left me in my current state. It wasn’t a total loss though. Zeke’s split in half, and the fun part is, from what I hear, his light half became a Psychopath.”
My hair turned gray as Xehanort temporarily took over “So that means his empires for the taking right?” He asked as I punched myself and said “Shut up you and get back in my heart” I said.
“His family is capable of defending it, plus his allies are but a call away. Besides, even if it’s pure darkness, his dark half, Drezke, will break all odds to defend it. He’s that stubborn I imagine.”
“Alright then enough question.” I said rushing not to Core but to Blue surprising him with my speed and killing him in one slash before launching two keyblades at Ebony befor he could play his trumpet to summon the megazord or something.”So your minions are dead and it's just you and me.” I said.
“The puppet and the master, heh, about time.” Core said, purple thorns floating around him like a shield.
I flew up and pulled out all my keyblades I was going to make this attack count “HEY CORE!” I shouted “YOU THINK YOU CAN BLOCK THIS?” I shouted as I cast Armageddon and light from all my keyblades became brighter than the sun.
I went in for the strike, Core putting all this thorns and blades up. I slashed through all of it. When it was over and I looked back, Core was on his knees, vapors and darkness emanating off of him...he’s dying. “Heh...All these years… and a teen with anger issues is who does me in…” Core said, a Shadow heartless popping out of him and then vanishing back into darkness. “So, I wonder how the world will be without me?”
As I stood there I felt a pain in my chest and I fell to my knees “What what is happening?” I asked as the earth around me began to shake.
“Heh, you didn’t know?” Core spoke up, laying on his back as he seemed to embrace death. “That move. Armageddon, that version, uses the user's entire life force. You’re dying, just. Like. Me.” Core then reached up to the sky, as if trying to grab it. “When I was young, I wanted to see how far the sky went.”
“Oh spare me your backstory.” I said as I fell on my face. “Ow.” I said.
“Hehm like you can stop me.” Core said, dark crystals covering his lower legs. “I traveled, I fought. I was the best warrior of my time. Then, Unum came along, my first lose in battle. She won my heart that day. If she ever returns, I hope Daybreak will give it to her. It was always hers.”
“Whatever I stopped paying attention after I.” I said as I laughed “well at least I get to see my family again...I wonder what my real name is ?” I asked.
“Yet you still reply.” Core said, the crystals now at his waist. “Tell me, how was it? Living all those years, forgetting your own, true name? It’s been too long for me to remember mine.”
“It was hell In the first century i forgot the home i lived in my mother's face and what there names were. Your brother said I would learn in time but it never came.” I said.
“To learn is to forget, to forget is to lose yourself.” Core said, the crystals now creeping over his stomach.
“Would you just die already i don’t feel like having a moment with you...despite the fact that's what happening.” I would try to choke him but it hurt to much to move.
“Even dying takes time.” Core said, the crystals now over his upper chest. “That was the first thing I learned about you. You are impatient.”
Before I could speak the world started to crack more the magma at the center overtaking the keyblades and the Lingering will taking of on his keyblade glider to somewhere else. Probably realised he would never find his friends on a destroyed world. I simply laughed before i closed my eyes. My keyblade armor over taking me.
Core, the crystals now beginning up his neck, spoke one last time. “You know, there was a Song we used to play to mourn those lost in battles. I can hear it plain as day even now. After everything...it’s good to feel it all...slip away.”
As the crystals overtook core, the crystals evaporated into mist that flyed in the wind, high up to the sky. The planet blew up along with the keyblades, the cracks and volcanic explosions finally taking their tole on the battle scarred world. “It's been a while Huxley. ” god said.
“Has it?” I asked.
“well it's been awhile since you’ve been here ” he said
I sighed “true.”
“ come now your family awaits ______ ” he said.
“Is that my real name?” I asked as he nodded and I smiled for the first time in a long time.
In the space where the keyblade graveyard was the body of Huxley floated there before an audible gasp could be heard “So that fool killed himself and left his body intact.” Xehanort said. As he opened a DTD back to Canterlot.
There he walked out of it and saw Celestia with the bearers of the elements “Stop right there!” she ordered as he laughed.
“Celestia it's me” he said taking the helmet off revealing Huxley’s face with gray hair.
“What happened to your hair Huxley?” she asked.
“Too much power used to beat the villain.” he said.
“Alright then who was that?” She asked.
“A threat you don’t have to worry about anymore.” he said smiling.
Author's Note
So the Tale of Huxley has come to an end as well as Core. Whats next for these stories I don't know but I will be posting a new story staring another Huxley that won't be connected to these stories. So look forward to that soon.