“Annnnd there, that should do it,” I said, standing up and wiping the light sweat from my brow. I gazed with pride at my crowning achievement as Archmage of the College of Winterhold. A perfect circle filled with many lines and glowing glyphs and runes. It had taken two years of constant research, study and explosive experimentation but my planar bridge was ready for its final test

“This time It’ll work, I’m certain of it this time”

“Are you sure it’s ready Brom? The last time you tried this we could barely contain the tentacles.” The wise voice of Tolfdir spoke from behind me. I shuddered in remembrance at the writhing mess of limbs. That day still gave me nightmares. I turned to look at my friend and mentor.

I could count the people I trusted on one hand, and I was glad and lucky to count Tolfdir as one of those few. I grin at the cautious Alteration master,

“Have a little faith in me Tolfdir, it couldn’t be worse than last time.” I tried to reassure him but got a deadpan look in return.

“Now you're just tempting fate to slap you upside the head my boy,” Tolfdir commented and I had the decency to look sheepish. Tolfdir gave me a small smile, he never stayed angry at me for long. He’d been dragged into enough of my adventures to know that while I had a knack for getting into trouble I was just a good at getting out.

“Did you manage to get what get what I asked for?” I questioned, I was eager to see if they’d been able to get it done. Tolfdir chuckled softly and smiled at me, it was such a normal thing for him to do but it still made me happy even after all these years.

I’d come to the college at the age of nineteen, looking to learn anything I could about magic and its use. A memory popped up and made me smile. I was just after my first year here and I had run flat out of my dorm to find Tolfdir.

I had found him in the college library reading and I showed him the piece of silver ore I had transfigured from Iron. I was so excited that I’d done it I didn’t care that it was the size of a small pebble. The look of pride on Tolfdir’s face made me happy.

Another memory popped up, the day I revealed to him why I had really joined the college and why I had to leave it on that day. The day he learned I was the Dragonborn. It had been the most nerve-racking day at the time. I had grown to care for the old man and his approval meant everything to me.

His reaction had surprised me. He had drawn me into a tight hug and said ‘when do we leave.’ He stuck to me like Spriggan sap after that day and I’ve never been more grateful for it. He’s pulled my arse out of the fire on more occasions then I can count.

“It’s all there, the expansion and weight reduction runes are in place and stable, as well as the waterproof, fireproof and wear-resistant charms. I also added a personal bit.” Tolfdir said and his hand lit with magicka and he tapped the bag. It started to shrink and shift until it became a normal satchel to be hung over the shoulder.
I whistled in appreciation as I took the bag from him, Tolfdir was a master at his craft for good reason.

“I figured a backpack, while helpful would be a bit cumbersome so I started looking into a way to shrink it down to minimize the trouble,” Tolfdir said as I pulled the strap over my head and shift it around till the bag was comfortable on my left hip.

“It took me considerable time but I created a charm that allows for resizing and reshaping objects.” He told me. I smiled,

“Nifty trick, it’ll make things a lot easier.” I turned to my right and stretched out a hand to the far wall. Picturing what I wanted in my mind I spoke clearly,

“Summon staff,” I said in a clear voice and a white staff flew through the air and into my outstretched hand. I looked it over to make sure there was nothing wrong with it. It was my finest craftwork, cut and shaped from a large branch of the gildergreen, it shone white catching the torchlight and gleaming brightly.

It reached up to my shoulder cause what was on the top. Gleaming in the torchlight was a two-foot double-edged blade. Near its base shone a yellow diamond glowing with a soft golden light inside it. After completing the quest for Merida, the daedric prince, She had granted me with Dawnbreaker, a holy blade that would burn my enemies and repel the undead.

This staff had helped me on many of my adventures. I heard a sniffle and turned to see Tolfdir crying.

As Archmage Brom checked his staff, Tolfdir couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride swell inside him. Brom had come a long way from that young boy who’d shown up at the college one day asking to be taught. He had taken Brom under his wing and his life had been all the more exciting and fulfilled.

Tolfdir looked back on his life since Brom had come into it and he found himself smiling. All the crazy adventures he went on with him, He was still surprised that a man his age could do that, but for that boy, Tolfdir would fight all the daedric princes combined.

Brom was like a son to Tolfdir. He’d never had a family and now as he was getting on in years he was saddened that he never considered it, but he was thankful he didn’t otherwise he’d never have met Brom. Tolfdir could never have asked for a better boy to call his son. He remembered the day when Brom had revolutionized magic for the college, finding new ways and spells to what they had.

Tolfdir still gazed in joy at his Archmage/son. He had brought the college so far with his ingenuity and creativity. No one had ever thought of using and binding words to their magic before him, it was unheard of, but now an untold amount of possibilities were now open to all mages. All because of his boy.

Tolfdir felt a wetness on his cheeks causing him to blink and sniff. Brom looked at him, showing his worry plainly.

“You okay there Toffy?” Brom asked, using the small nickname he’d given Tolfdir years back. Tolfdir merely sighed and beamed a smile at him.

“I’m just proud of you is all, you’ve done more for this place, for me, more than anyone has ever thought possible,” Tolfdir said making Brom blush hard in embarrassment. Tolfdir smirked slightly as Brom shuffled slightly on his feet in awkwardness. Brom may be a very clever, creative and extremely powerful mage but he never could handle the limelight.

While on their travels Tolfdir had done some digging for Brom. Brom had never known his mother since she’d died in childbirth and his birth father had died from sickness and grief when he was five. He’d had to survive for most of his life.

Tolfdir met one of the few people Brom trusted with his life. A man named Brynolf, who’d taken him in, fed him and taught him how to stay alive along with some more ‘sticky’ habits. Tolfdir hadn’t been too happy when he founds that out but he couldn’t begrudge the man. Too much.

“Don’t go getting all teary on me Toffy, it can be contagious,” Brom said, trying to defuse his awkwardness with humor. Tolfdir chuckled and shook his head, He was still uncertain if this creation would be safe but he knew Brom would try it anyway so, as always, he’d keep his foster son safe.

“Still allergic to fondness I see.” Tolfdir teased Brom

“That’s too bad, I know a certain red-haired she-wolf who would be saddened by the news,” Tolfdir said in a casual manner, making the sputtering mess Brom became all the funnier.

“I told you Tolfdir, we’re just friends!” Brom said his face ablaze with a full crimson blush. Tolfdir smirked and mischief twinkled in his eyes. Brom had fallen into his trap.

“Oh really? just friends eh? Then what was all that yelling, thumping and moaning about three months ago in your room? Must’ve been you just exercising right?” Tolfdir saw Brom’s mouth open and close like a fish as he stared at him. Tolfdir laughed and walked over to him and patted his shoulder.

“I’m happy for you two and glad that you’re done dancing around each other, it was annoying to watch.” He said leaving a stunned Brom to follow watch him. He peered over his shoulder and nailing in the last nail in the coffin.

“So my boy, how soon should I expect to see tiny Brom’s and Alea’s running around?” Tolfdir laughed hard at the shocked look on Brom’s tomato red face and the strangled noise came out of his mouth. Tolfdir, still laughing, walked over to his place on the other side to the runic circle.

(Brom)

I tried to regain my composure after Tolfdir’s teasing. After a few seconds, and making a mental note to place sound negating runes on the walls of my bedroom later, I wrestled control of my facilities and mock glared at Tolfdir while taking my place on the opposite side of the circle.

“I’m so going to get you back for that,” I said, Tolfdir just smiled innocently.

“Threatening a weak, helpless old man, have you no shame?” Tolfdir asked with mock terror.

“Weak and helpless my arse,” I mumbled. Taking a deep breath and letting it out I gazed at Tolfdir and both our grins vanished, being replaced by serious concentration. Both of us gathering magicka into the tips of our right index fingers Tolfdir nodded his readiness.

“Begin,” I said and both he and I began a chanting song while slowly walking anti-clockwise around the circle. Our fingers flitted through the air, leaving a solid trail of blue magicka script in their wake. The runes started to glow, increasing in brightness steadily, going from green to blue to white as power flowed through them.

The magic script started to brighten as well, I felt beads of sweat fall down my temple from the concentration needed for this. If there was one small mistake in the writing… I wasn’t sure what would happen but I knew it’d be bad.

I was about to finish the final script stroke when a thump caught my attention, I saw Tolfdir slumped on the floor, with a dagger in his back. I felt my heart stop and a scream tore from my throat.

“DAD!” I screamed, not caring if the spell blew up I flew across the circle, trying to reach him. I felt my blood turn to ice as my eyes caught sight of someone in black and red armor. The Dark Brotherhood. I felt pure rage explode from inside me. My dragon blood boiled in anger. I felt my Magicka explode around me swirling and twisting through the air like a maelstrom with me at the eye.

An inhuman roar erupted from my lips as I somehow combined my Thu'um and magicka. From my mouth, a beam of pure power shot and smashed into the assassin who didn’t even have time to scream as his body was obliterated, along with the wall behind him, and the mountain in the distance after that.

I was brought back to reality when something hit my right shoulder, stinging painfully. I whirled around and saw a second assassin, this one with a bow. They were just drawing back an arrow when all hell broke loose. The circle started glowing blinding white before splitting into a multitude of rainbow colors. It would have been pretty if death hadn’t been hanging in the air.

Massive bolts of magic lightning start blasting out from the ever-shifting Circle, making the air reek of ozone and blowing apart stone, sending chunks and shards flying everywhere.

I stumbled and fell as the ground shook. It saved my life as I saw the arrow from my assassin whiz above me. I quickly crawled over to Tolfdir, pulling out the dagger and started the most powerful healing spell I knew. I watched Tolfdir’s body heal and rolled him over to check his pulse.

Glassy, unseeing eyes met mine and my heart shattered into a million pieces. I wailed and cradled Tolfdir’s head to my chest tears falling from his eyes. I had lost so many people I held dear already, I didn’t want to lose another

Searing pain in my lower back reminded me I wasn’t alone. I screamed as the arrow pierced my flesh, going all the way through so I could see the head sticking out of my front. Still trying to protect Tolfdir’s body I turned to see the same assassin aiming another arrow at me.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl, like when Paarthurnax slowed time while training me on the throat of the world. I watched the assassins' fingers release the bowstring, the arrow starts its deadly flight toward him. Closer, closer it came. I could see the vicious barbs on the tip and a slimy substance on the blade.

It was poisoned! I didn’t think, there was no time to, my body reacted from years of training and muscle memory.

“FUS ROH DAH!” I screamed, the first shout I’d ever learned burst from my lips as the arrow streaked toward me. The shout didn’t stop the arrow but it made it veer off course and slam into my stomach rather than my heart.

The same can’t be said for the assassin, who took the full brunt of my Thu’um, sending them careening into the wall, snapping their neck on impact. I tried to breathe but the poison on the third arrow was working quickly, seeping into me and numbing my body.

I felt my vision start to tunnel as the poison took effect. I tried to keep my eyes open but was slowly losing that battle. I felt a tug on my legs, getting stronger by the second. I looked down and saw myself getting pulled toward the circle of ever-shifting colors I had created.

Panic overtook me and I started fighting the pull with everything I had left. The tunnel vision disappeared as I struggled futilely against the pull. I t was always increasing while my will didn’t. I turned and saw Tolfdir’s lifeless body laying there on the floor. Pain and sorrow filled me.

I never actually called him dad to his face or told him how much he meant to me. I’d never get to tell him now or tell anyone anything as I felt myself being dragged into my planar circle.

I screamed and cried for anyone to help. The last I saw was of the door to the room flinging open, I heard someone screaming and world was engulfed by a swirling mass of colors that then faded to black.

Twilight had been having a rough day. She’d been following Pinkie everywhere trying to study Pinkie Pie’s “Pinkie Sense”. She could still feel the flower pot that had hit her head, and the anvil, and the hay cart, and the piano.

If it hadn’t been for the amazing staff at Ponyville general she’d probably be in intensive care for over a month. She was in her Treebary at the moment with Pinkie and her assistant/little brother Spike. She had just finished dictating a letter for the Princess to spike and was going to spend the rest of the day with Pinkie just trying to relax. The universe decided otherwise.

Pinkie started to shudder and shake, her blue eyes were wide in surprise. To twilight’s and Spike's utter amazement and worry, Pinkie started rocketing around the room like an out of control pinball, coming back to the ground and spinning like a top then collapsing due to dizziness.

“Pinkie, are you okay? What happened?” Twilight asked worriedly as she helped her shivering friend to the couch.

“D-doozy.” Pinkie managed to mumble but she looked like she was trying to hold in her lunch. Twilights' eyes widened in fear. She had already been through one of Pinkies' doozies today, she didn’t think she could handle another.

She didn’t have a choice as a near ear-shattering boom made the three of them jump and look outside. The sky had gone pitch black but it was still bright outside like the sun wasn’t hidden. Red Lightning streaked across the sky followed by earth trembling thunderclaps.

Twilight watched from her window as a massive white bolt of lightning slammed into the earth outside of her home, rattling the glass windows and shaking the tree to its roots. She threw her arm over her eyes to protect them from the sudden light change and blinking the stars out of her eyes she saw a small dome of swirling rainbow light on the ground.

Slowly the black sky started to fade, letting the normally blue sky take its place again. The dome of color started to crack like an eggshell, the lines quickly spreading across its surface till they reached the ground. Twilight didn’t know what to expect, till Pinkie chimed in.

“Twilight, barrier NOW!” Pinkie yelled, Twilight acting on instinct threw up a barrier around them. She could sense the build-up of magic from the dome and it was monstrous. The cracks in the rainbow dome blazed white and it exploded epically blasting the windows of the library and many nearby buildings to shards.

Twilight was glad she’d listened to Pinkie, they’d have been cut to ribbons from the glass if she hadn’t. Twilight looked out what was left of her window and where the dome had been now a smoldering drawing on the ground in its place, along with some pony inside it.

She dropped the barrier and rushed outside. That was one of the most powerful spells she’d ever seen, the pony out there could be in trouble. Quickly rushing over to the mage on the ground to make sure they were okay, a magical mishap on this scale could be life-threatening.

Her thoughts, and her, ground to a halt as she reached the edge of the crater. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw two arrow shafts sticking out of the pony’s shoulder and stomach. She didn’t waste any time on thought, she rushed to their side and teleported herself and the mage to ponyville general.

She appeared in a flash of light, startling some of the younger staff.

“This pony’s been shot, they need immediate medical attention.” She yelled and the nurses in attendance seemed to blur as they rushed over and put the pony on one of the beds. Nurse Red Heart was among them, she started drilling Twilight with questions while the pony was rushed away.

“How long since the injury?” She asked.

“I’m not sure, that crazy storm was that pony’s doing, I think it was some kind of teleportation spell so it couldn’t have been a long, maybe five minutes at most,” Twilight said, she wasn’t sure but she gave her best estimate.

Another bright flash caught both their attention. They turned and saw Princess Celestia standing there. Celestia saw Twilight was here and felt her nervousness soften slightly but she was still worried for her student.

“Twilight what’s going on?” Celestia asked the urgency and worry in her voice was clear as a bell.

“Princess, I’m glad you’re here. I just brought a pony in with several projectile related injuries.” Twilight explained. Celestia felt her heart drop. One of her subjects had been attacked. She pushed down her anger, she needed a clear head to get everything straight.

“I had felt a massive magical surge here in Ponyville, I thought one of your experiments had gone bad until the sky blackened.” Celestia gazed over Twilight with worry worthy of a mother.

“Twilight, Tell me everything.”

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed the chapter I wrote sire.

(Overlord) I did enjoy it Gnarl. but why did end it on a cliff hanger like that? You know I dislike cliff hangers.

I understand m'lord but it's the best way to build tension and suspense. that's why it's called a cliff hanger.

(Overlord) hums I supose I can live with that for now. and if I can't, that's what we have jester for. Right Jester?

(Jester)Pain groan off to the side Yes sire. weakly lifts arm and gives thumbs up.

Very true master. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and don't forget my readers, Evil... Always finds a way.