Balanced as Everything Should Be
Non-Canon Chapter: Hero of Insanity Pt. 3
Previous ChapterNext ChapterAuthor's Note
This event is a crossover with the story Ring eyed Shinobi by Seeker of Knowledge, you should go check it out, it's pretty good!
This event wont effect the actual story so you don't have to read it, on his story this event is showing the perspective from his Displaced character. So, if you want to know it all I suggest you read it. For him, this crossover is Canon.
Hope you enjoy!
Yes, I did in fact made a Thanos reference.
Non-Canon Chapter: Hero of Insanity Pt. 3
(Alternate Equestria) (Everfree Forest) Jack's PoV
That was too close.
Did I really lose? Why was I so foolish! How could I have possibly failed?
All that power yet I couldn't defeat that young child? I knew he had extensive knowledge in combat, and he clearly had experience and power.
Is it because I was too strong while I was on my Equestria? I had less combat experience than many others? Now that I think about it, with too much power potential I didn't consider that in skill I was lacking. How old was that child... Zeko anyways?
I'm just twenty years old without any technique, just armed with a lot of power and puppets to aid me. Maybe, I should have thought this through.
Just, to let you know though. I'm still alive, and failure is just a setback.
Last second, I used the world to slow down time before the boulder could flatten me. I'm surprised though, if Dio is dead... then how was I able to use the world? Thankfully, the rules don't apply here, so I was able to use the world to slowdown time and race away using the speed force at the same time.
It felt extremely weird though, so don't do it. It's not worth it unless you're saving your own life.
Too many problems, and not enough solutions.
"Sir, I believe I know why the fight went to failure." Carter suggested with a downtrodden tone, oh wait... that's his normal voice, never mind!
I listen with a slight glare, I'm not in the mood for some kind of lecture.
"You lost because of me." Ano explained with a calm voice.
You?! What did she do to me!? How did she do something to me? I should be invincible to any kind of mental attack from anyone at all? What could have this spirit done to hurt me?
Wait, that is not like me... Why am I so over confident in myself? I stressed that cockiness and overconfidence was an absolute fault in anyone!
"You're in my forest Puppet Master, it doesn't matter how strong someone is, I can change their mind and power in anyway I wish." Ano explained with no sense of regret whatsoever.
You little bitch, I had a feeling something wasn't right.
I suddenly remembered, the right of my mask was shattered, and I still felt like I needed to throw my last meal onto the grass.
My hand reached to the opening and covered it immediately, I need to finish all that I have left to do before I leave. Seeing Zeko again is probably a bad idea, there is one thing I'm interested in.
The changelings, if I cant eliminate Zeko and his friends then they will do it for me. I just need to find a way to give them some sort of advantage, it's likely they wont reveal themselves until the Canterlot Invasion. I have a feeling that he's fought changelings before, but that's besides the point.
I'm injured, there are marks and cuts all over my body, and I think my arm is broken. Maybe I'm just exaggerating about the broken arm, but it hurts like hell.
The worst part, one half of my face is exposed to everyone who would see me. I can deal with the injuries for now, but I need to find a way to patch the hole up. I can just use regular healing magic to fix the rest of my wounds right up. I'm sure my arm isn't actually broken-
Ah! Oh god it’s broken, it’s broken, it’s broken!
Ok, maybe manually trying to move the arm wasn't such a great idea. It seems to be out of socket from the looks of it, I'll just have to snap it back into place. Then, I'll heal myself!
I slowly come to the realization that I was wandering through the forest, and into the deeper parts of the Everfree. I accidently dragged myself into the waterfall, where that sea-serpent was in the first episode of the show. He doesn't seem to be present at the current moment though.
Good, I don't feel like talking or fighting right now.
The words Zeko said to me rush back to my mind.
“But it looks like you can’t handle being seen, if you can’t get past something like that then it doesn’t matter how strong you get.”
I look down at the water's reflective surface, and remove my hand from the opening in my mask. I expected to feel sick to my stomach, and enter that erratic state I always seem to be in. But, I'm pretty well controlled compared to normal, my breathing only quickens to an accelerated pace.
It's probably because the hood over my head is cloaking my face with shadows, but through the shade I could see the comely, red iris and the black cornea of my own eye.
I feel, disappointed in myself. As if, I was a parent looking at their child after they got a terrible grade on a test.
Pity.
Disappointment.
Self Hate!
Those are the emotions I saw in the eye of the reflection.
I just... need to sit down for a bit.
I plop right down onto the gross, and take a few deep breaths to calm my heartbeat to reasonable levels. The forest is actually much more calm than the show makes it look. Perhaps, it's because I'm a dangerous threat and any other beast wants to avoid me.
I don't really care though.
The sound of the rushing water of the river flows through my ears, and I could feel myself calming. This is what I needed after a long days work, a quick rest in a somewhat serene atmosphere.
The sound of what I think to be footsteps come from the left. It's louder than a bipedal creature, and too large for a pony. I open my eyes, and quickly cover the breach in my mask. To my surprise though, in front of me... is a manticore.
This one was, pretty docile for the common beast that would prowl around the dark forest. It looked dehydrated and malnourished, I also came to notice some blood soaked wounds on it's body, so it drank from the raging stream. Due to it's thirst, it didn't consider that the power of the river would drag him with it.
It was rapidly being pulled in, and it would probably drown without help. I was planning to just sit here and relax for a bit more.
…
It's looking at me with pleading eyes, I didn't think such a terrifying monster would ever be so adorable. I use my magic to lift the desperate manticore out of water, it looked so thankful, and it began to nuzzle me while purring. I may be trying to be a sort of villain, but the inner human inside me cant help but place myself in the manticores furry coat.
Through the half of my exposed face I could feel the fur, it felt very blissful over all else. Okay, I guess I needed this too!
The question is, why is this manticore so weak? It should be able to hunt and survive by itself, but it doesn't seem to have the capability to handle it's own wellbeing. I sure as hell cant take it back to my home dimension, so I used the next best option!
I pointed towards the direction of the Element of Kindness's cottage, and explained directions thoroughly.
"Keep walking towards that direction, and you'll see a small house." I explained as slow as possible.
It just looks at me with a blank expression, what did I expect to happen...
What the fuck am I doing? It's just an animal why would it ever understa-
Shocking me completely, it nodded it's head with a smile, A SMILE!
Does it actually understand me? I'll keep going!
"Once you're there, you'll meet a yellow Pegasus by the name of Fluttershy. You might scare her at first, but she'll help you." I explained one last time.
It once again adopted that blank expression, and looked directly at me in the eye. I still felt sick and tried not to throw up, but I stayed strong. Thus, as if a key was turned it grew that dopey smile once again, and began to walk towards the cottage I mentioned.
But, before it was out of sight... it turned to me, and waved a goodbye.
I didn't expect of all things, a manticore to be kind. Imagine a lion back on earth started to nuzzle you, and wave a goodbye once you sent it somewhere else. That, is something I never saw coming.
"So you do have a heart." Ano said with a sort of warmth in her voice.
Both Carter and I are annoyed at this breach in privacy. Carter especially since the mental defenses should have kept her out easily. Thankfully, she doesn't exist back on my Equestria!
"I mean, I need something to pump blood through me.” I said with a slight sarcastic tone.
It was obvious that she was slightly ticked off at my sarcasm. Good, that's the point! She finally seemed to shut up after that small comment I made. I know I should be used to voices in my head, but it feels good to have some piece and quiet once in a while.
If only that were the case...
"THE WORLD!"
I just had to say that didn't I...
Time was frozen around me, but it wasn't me who activated the world. I couldn't move my actual head or body, but I was able to move my eyes and look around. The river stopped it's rushing, the sound of birds chirping went silent, and my breathing stopped. Yet, I felt completely fine!
"So, do you really believe I would be destroyed so easily?" Said a overconfident and annoying voice.
The familiar figure then dropped down in front of me, yellow jacket, sharp teeth, spiky blond hair, and the World spirit standing behind him.
"Master." He said looking me in the eye.
…
…
…
His tone and body stature were all but mocking me, in every single moment I could see that he was enjoying. I know it was only slow seconds passing by, but it felt like hours.
To make matters worse, he began to prepare an attack. He jumped back at a distance, and threw almost thousands of knives towards me, to the point where the sky was filled with them, I would probably be completely skewered, but I only had a single word flowing through my mind.
Traitor.
He kept throwing even more, some from behind me, from the left, from the right, and also from above. It was as if he wanted me to become an acupuncture mistake.
Traitor.
As soon as he was finished with the throwing knives, he moved on to a even larger project. He began to move the boulder that Zeko first used to try and kill me. It was positioned just above me, ready to pummel me into the dirt.
Traitor.
Next, he got a collection of explosives and placed them all over the ground below me, ready to burn me to crisp once time is resumed. It's surprising that all of this could happen in such a small time period, but that burning anger, it's burning even more.
Traitor.
Finally, he was finished with what he wanted to do. He stood by, with that ever so overconfident grin. It was obvious that he thought he won, without a doubt. I didn't have my regeneration viable to me, and I was pretty much finished wasn't I?I could hear my heart beat going at a faster rhythm, it sounded like a small canon was going off inside me.
Traitor.
Time.. has resumed.
(Alternate Equestria) (Everfree Forest) Dio's PoV 2 Hours Ago
Am I dead?
Everything is dark, and I cant feel a single part of my body. I distinctly picture the memory of being shattered by the displaced powerful attack.
“Burying Liger Bomb!”
Yeah, that's what it was called was it not?
What I do know right now, is that all that's left of me is my legs. Everything else of me has been incinerated, I should cease to exist be now, so why do I still have consciousness? Who or what is the reason for this?
"That would be me." Said a familiar voice.
I can feel all my body pars again, and I could once again breathe in air. Opening my eyes I take in my surroundings, we're not in the Everfree Forest... this time we're inside of what looks to be a cave. Stalactites surround us, the distinct dripping of water constantly annoy me, and there doesn't seem to be much light around us.
One thing that was very apparent was the multitude of green lantern like lights hanging from the ceiling. They also seem very... gooey, is a way to put it.
"Where are we, Sionis? Did you bring me here?" I asked Black Mask raising an eyebrow.
After such a massive regeneration I feel slightly winded, but such a feat could never truly weaken me. He's a child, and I'm the Immortal Vampire! His destruction will come at a later date.
I must admit that single failure was slightly demeaning for one such as I.
"Well here's the thing." Black Mask with slight dry chuckle.
His point was eluding, and something about it wanted me to dispel my trust in him already. Why should I trust him anyway? I think I have an idea on the reason.
The next thing I knew, many tips of spears were pointed at me specifically. They seemed to completely ignore Black Mask, how dare they? I deserve to be unharmed much more than a plebian like him!
As for the ones pointing them at me, they seem... to be some sort of insectoid, anthropomorphic ponies. If that is the correct way of putting it anyhow, they're all wearing some sort of dark blue armor. They're chitin seems to be dirty, and their actual condition seems to be disheveled in general.
Their eyes have tired but sharp expressions within them, and I could see that they were ready to die for their cause if needed.
"I'm not the one who brought us here." He said looking at the insects with keen interest.
I could sense a foreboding presence walking towards us, must been whoever runs this hive. Queen Chrysalis if the memories from the Master is correct. Turning my head into the direction of the source, I realized that something was slightly off.
She was larger than the rest of the Changelings sure, but instead of the signature green, her color scheme seemed to be yellow. Her horn was more straight than the jagged, crooked design Chrysalis had. It was, an interesting sight to behold in my opinion.
My opinion is flawless of course!
"So, this is your friend?" The "Queen" asked with actual curiosity.
He gets up from his knee and looks her in the eyes. He's still holding the grenade launcher, but it seems to be half loaded with explosives. It's probable that he used it beforehand while fighting, who was he fighting though?
"I'd rather call him a... forced acquaintance." He said glancing at me for the tiniest moment.
If I wanted to... I could just summon the world and destroy everything in this vicinity! How dare he mock me with such a bland tone! He has to address me with more respect than that small title, what if it were to pervade through everyones mind?
"Whatever you wish to call him. I believe you remember the agreement." She told him with those ever so sharp eyes.
Agreement?
Looking around again, I realize that there are crates scattered around us. Each of them having a Mark of Akatosh, the League of Injustice's symbol, adorning them. They were filled with powerful weapons. Some had battleaxes, swords, bows and arrows, shields, and even armor that was somehow modified to fit a ponylike form.
Each and every one of them were enchanted, with very high level enchantments at that. Most would estimate that they could slice through almost any surface without effort, and they're being handed out with minor care. Roman Sionis and his weapons dealing can be useful in times like these.
"You see Vampire boy, after you... died I managed to slip away and grab your remains. You regenerated after a while, but once the ponies won the battle... These changelings got us out of there before we could be killed or worse." He explained to me.
So, perhaps this mobster isn't as useless as I thought he was.
"In return, we both have to offer her something. I gave her and her army special weapons. Now, it's your turn." He said nudging me.
So, I have to offer these insects a offering of appreciation? I couldn't care less on what happened, but... I suppose something could be given as a gift of gratitude.
I get up off my back and dust myself off. Borrowing an empty grenade chamber from Sionis, I decide to drip a few drops of my own blood inside. That should be enough from me.
She seems somewhat insulted by my gesture, she simply doesn't understand what I am offering. Her guards immediately raise their new weapons at me, and are ready to try and destroy me for what would look like a tantalizing offering.
"Okay, I'll just give this to my sister Chrysalis. I'll also give half of the weapons cache to her as well. You may leave now." She said, shooing us away with a flick of her hand.
I nodded at Black Mask, and teleport us out of that disgusting hole of a hideout.
It's sunny outside, and the weather is as clear as it always seems to be in this world. Now... back to my real purpose. I'm going to be the real player of this game, and to do that I'll have to eliminate my former master. There's just one thing I have to complete first.
"Alright, let's go find our master and finish our job-"
Black Mask didn't finish his final thought.
Why?
One... small knife found it's way into this heart from behind.
(Alternate Equestria) (Everfree Forest) Dio's PoV
“I actually did it.”
“I mean of course I did it, I, Dio Brando would undoubtedly succeed.”
Where the Puppet Master once stood, all that’s left is a pile of rubble and smoldering flames. The bolder was shattered from the amount of explosives used, but without a doubt he could never have survived.
The sun is shining down on us from the sky, and victory was without a doubt secured.
I turned around, and began to walk away. The landscape is very admirable, it will be even more so after I take over this world. Zeko of course would be an issue, but I’ll simply have to steal blood from those alicorn princesses to strengthen myself beyond his power.
I am undefeated by any warrior who stands in my way!
“What did I say? Overconfidence is an absolute weakness.” A familiar voice said.
Turning around in instant shock, my eyes grow to an impossible size. He should be dead! He has to be! Nothing could ever survive that kind of attack from me!
Sure enough, the massive rock’s remains were thrown aside. Revealing the large figure of the Puppet Master, he had a shield around him. Though, it was instantly shattered once released. One minor detail though, was that a small rock had made it's way through the glass like dome, and struck him in the face.
Through all odds it had managed to hit him in the opening of his mask, and had left a very small cut. It wasn't very noticeable through the naked eye, and the rest of his clothing was covered in dust.
"All of that, for a drop of blood."
I then saw something, his eye... that expression and fire behind it... it was hard to describe it through words, but it as all the while terrifying to look at even for me.
Fury, uncontrolled fury.
He reeled back his fist, and threw it forward. Instead of nothing happening, it fired a gigantic plume of flames through the forest. I teleported out of range last second, but I could still feel the heat radiating off the attack. There's a gigantic crater from the devastation, and a forest fire was quickly spreading.
Looking towards him, I wanted to attack and end this... but it was too late.
There was no final battle.
No exchanging of venomous words.
Not a single trade of attacks.
…
…
…
Just... one.. snap.
At first I didn't feel anything, I thought he was just toying with me. He was simply attempting to get on my nerves, but I knew that he never bluffs in a fight. His personality seems to just shout that out for all to hear. It was only when my body began to turn to dust was his point clear.
"Do you feel that? That feeling of helplessness?" He said slowly trudging towards me with that ever so boiling anger.
Fear begins to overwhelm me, and I collapse to the ground. Ever fiber of my being tries to hold myself together, but it only slows the feeling of death by a millisecond. My lifeforce is being stripped away from me, limb by limb, and organ by organ.
All being turned to dust.
"Do you wish to know what that feeling is?" He asked.
He bent down, and pulled my head towards him. Looking me dead in the eyes, and without a single trace of hesitation or remorse for me. I'm the Immortal Vampire Dio Brando, how could I possibly be defeated?
Half of my existence is gone by now, my soul is rotting away, but before I'm completely gone he says one last thing.
"Mortality."
I disappear, as if I never existed in the first place.
The Puppet Master is pulled through a portal from behind. Likely to be sent back to his home dimension, and he left whatever kind of mark on this world. May the inhabitants of this universe... either rot... or persevere.
I don't believe in fate anymore.
Next Chapter