"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Members of the Royal Court. We have gathered here to discuss a new crisis not just within Equestria, but all of Equis."
The Royal Court; the highest governing body of the Diarchy of Equestria gathered in Canterlot Castle to discuss a new developing situation.
"Even though it has been well over a month since the terrorist Cozy Glow's failed attempted to rid of all the magic in the world, this new threat may very well become even worse than her plot," The Speaker, an earth pony stallion continued his address before the council and the Princesses, sounding more urgent as he spoke.
"Isolated villages and towns across the world were destroyed or discovered empty without even a body found. Strange rumours of monsters never seen before was said to have been responsible. All the while, a new sickness is seen all over the face of Equis. This... Plague is unlike anything our best doctors have ever seen before. While the rate of contagiousness and development are slow as well as only a small number of the population contracting it, the plague has been spread so far and wide. Its symptoms are even more disturbing; the victims become violent and feral, attacking any creature on sight. Their strength is increased ten-fold while their body slowly rots to decay. Many of you like myself agree that these events are connected and it would only be a matter of time before all this gets out of control!"
"Why haven't our doctors determined the cause of this disease?" a pegasus mare inquired.
"They don't know what to make of it," another earth pony stallion replied, rubbing his forehead with his hoof, "It is unlike any pathogen we've ever seen. It has the makings of a virus in terms of some of its symptoms but it resembles more of a parasitic worm, which doesn't make sense. We can't determine why and how a parasite could progressively rot the victim to decay!"
"Maybe it's a magical disease? A curse perhaps?" a unicorn mare suggested.
"Ridiculous!" another unicorn mare objected, "We haven't had curses since Sombra's time."
"But what else could it be?" came another voice among the council.
"If I may interject, I believe we are getting off tangent," the Speaker from earlier interrupted the discussion, "While the plague is a serious concern, the biggest problem at hoof is the disappearances of both our allies' and our own subjects! I have just spoken to the ambassadors of the Dragons and the Griffins who appear to be the most affected by this crisis. Both lack a centralized government, both have scattered and isolated communities, and both are currently in a state of panic with an already dwindling population! As we speak, hundreds of them have flocked to each respective capitals after word got out of their missing communes."
On the plus side, at least they're uniting once more. Especially the Griffons. The Sun Princess thought.
"What about our Changeling, Yak and Hippogriff allies?" came a voice from the council.
"They're in tight knit communities and so far only had a few missing subjects. No reports on any of them contracting the plague, yet." came a reply.
"News of this hasn't reached our subjects yet, has it?" a pegasus stallion asked.
"No, but it will only be a matter of time before the news becomes wide spread," the Speaker replied, "With a potential influx of refugees from the Dragons and Griffons, and if news gets out that some of our villages and subjects went missing we might have an even greater problem; mass panic."
The Council chambers erupted with murmurs and whispers as each member began discussing to the one next to them the ramifications of the developing situation.
"Are they saying we should censor the news of this crisis from the press?"
"If we do that, the press will hang us high and dry for not being able to do something about it."
"But if we tell them, what guarantee do we have that they won't spin the tale (as they always do) to create an exaggerated take on the situation just to rile the population? Imagine the riots that would soon follow."
"Enough!"
All eyes turned to the Sun Princess as she raised a hoof to silence the court. Her voice wasn't a shout but was loud enough for all to hear.
"Nothing can be achieved if we continue to bicker." Celestia stood up from her throne as she turned to each of the council members, "Equestria has endured each crisis through Courage, through Honesty, through Friendship. We endured against Tirek, Sombra, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, the storm King, the Pony of Shadows and the Spirit of Chaos himself. Whatever is causing this disaster, we will find it and we will stop it at the source.
"For now, we shall inform the population of the situation as it is; Creatures going missing and a strange new sickness going around. Our subjects will be advised to contact all family members, both direct and extended to see about their whereabouts. Anypony who cannot contact them are to report to the Royal Guard immediately and we shall see if there is a pattern to the missing villages and towns. As for the plague, all who show symptoms of it are to be transferred to a secure location where we could study and find a cure for it. Next thing should..."
Celestia was interrupted by the doors of the Council room swinging violently open as a stranger standing on two legs walked in. He looked like a dragon but he had no wings seen behind his back, he was garbed with a sickly purple and gold robes resembling an ancient priest of sorts, and in his claws he held a staff with a giant purple bell hanging by the end. On the bell were carved glyphs of an unknown language, even to those in the room who were proficient on several languages in the world.
"I'm afraid that you will find, your majestiessss, that you are wasssting your time for there issss no cure to thisss cursssse," he spoke with a soft yet sickening slither and croak in his voice as venom leaked from his mouth onto the carpeted floor.
Luna stood from her throne and flared her wings intimidatingly, "How dare you enter the Royal Council Chambers without our permission! WHO ARE YOU?"
"Ah, forgive me your majestiesss," he gave a polite bow with a sinister smirk, "I am Volodar; Prophet of the Worm. And I bring you tidingss of doom."
Gasps were heard all across the room at the implication of his declaration. Luna looked as though she were ready to tear him apart but was stopped by Celestia's wing. She glared at her sister in protest but stopped as she saw the expression on Celestia's face.
"Judging from your title, am I to assume that you are the one responsible for the crisis we are experiencing?" Celestia's voice sounded hollow and composed as though she were restraining a fiery rage within her.
The Prophet gave a chilling smile, "You asssssume correctly, your majessty. I am resssponssible for the ssspread of the plague, I led the attackssss on the villagesss and townssss acrosssssss your world. But the sssssssoul creditor isssss not I."
He then turned to address all in the council with a proud declaration, "Praisssse and be glad, My Little Poniesss! The Worm hasssss come to graccee this realm with itssss presssenccee! All who accccept will be blessssed by itssss power."
Celestia glared at him intensely, "And if we refuse?"
His grin grew even wider and all the more menacing, "Then you will be devoured, like the prey that you are."
Luna had heard enough, "Guards!! Arrest him!"
As the Royal Guards and Night Sentinels entered the room, Volodar stood there calmly as he turned to see himself surrounded. He eyed one of the guards and lunged right at him. Unsheathing an ominous blade from his robe, Volodar stabbed it into the poor pony's chest. The Guard gasped with pain as blood dripped from his wound and a sickly ooze creeped from the blade and into his chest. The lizard then yanked the blade from the guard as the his prey falls to the floor dead.
Gasps and screams erupted all over the council chambers as everyone stared with horror as to what just happened. The horror did not stop there though as the Prophet swung his staff, causing the bell to ring menacingly as a purple mist emanated from the corpse; and appearing before all was a giant ravenlike monstrosity that towered above them.
The Guards froze with fear at the sight of it as members of the council scrambled out of the chamber in panic.
Volodar gave a menacing laugh as he rang his bell once more, inciting the creature to attack the royal sisters. Luna dodged and fired a beam at the monstrosity, but the creature shrugged off the blast as though it were nothing. Instead it lunged at Luna with its maw wide open. But before it could reach the Princess of the Night, Celestia teleported between her and the beast and cast a shield spell; protecting the both of them. The Raven's beak impacted the shield and bounced off of it, causing it to wince and shriek with fury. Celestia lowered her shield and fired a bolt of her magic, causing the creature to wither and scream in agony as it collapses into the ground with a large thud. The monster vanished into mist, leaving a sick, black ichor on the floor.
Celestia turned to her sister, checking her for any injuries, "Luna are you alright?"
"I'm fine, sister. I'm.... TIA LOOK OUT!"
Luna's warning came too late as a blade dipped with the black ichor pierced Celestia's shoulder. The Sun Princess screamed in pain as Volodar twisted the blade before pulling it out of her.
"Hyeahehe. Consssider thisss assss my parting gift, your majestiesss," he sneered as the ichor oozed into Celestia's wound, causing her to gasp in pain. "You will embraccce the Worm or be devoured by it. Hyeahehe."
"YOU MONSTER!!!!" Luna's eyes lit with fury as she blasted a bolt of magic at the reptile, but he vanished before the projectile could hit him.
"Lulu..."
Luna's ire was doused when she returned her attention to her sister as Celestia was now writhing in agony from the pain and gasping for breath.
"Tia!" She ran to Celestia's side and lifted her head with her forehooves, "It's going to be alright, sister! We'll get the doctors to look after your wound and..."
"No. It's too late for that, Lulu." Celestia winced as she extended a forehoof to Luna's face, wiping away her little sister's tears, "The plague. It has infected me already. I can feel its poison spread within me." She gave out a pained cough as bloody and ichor came out of it.
"Tia....." Luna's tears flowed without stopping, "There must be something we could do. The Elements perhaps, or..."
"Lulu, listen to me!" The Moon Princess sniffled to try and stop the tears as she listened, "While the Elements of Harmony might cure me of this curse, I fear it might also destroy me. Whatever this plague is, it's foreign. It is not from our world. Summon the Pillars, call our allies, warn Cadence and Twilight. They might be targeted next."
Luna closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, "It will be done sister. I swear, we will save you."
Author's Note
G'day all.
For a long time now, I really wanted to write this fic but I never really got the inspiration I needed to put this out. Until now.
I have always been a fan of Armello but I wasn't sure if I could be as faithful to the lore of the game as possible due to a substantial lack of said lore. Then I read someone else's fan comic of the game and though, "Screw it! If they could put together an amazing comic from a patchwork of scenes taken from the game's trailers and novellas, so can I."
If any of you know more of the lore of Armello than what you have read here, then please feel free to inform me. In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy the ride.
As always, leave your thoughts, suggestions and critiques in the comments bellow.
Hello? Is anypony there?
Young one.
Eeep! Um, hello?
Young one. What is your name?
Um, sorry?
What is your name?
Um... Fl-Fluttershy.
I beg your pardon?
My name is.... Fluttershy?
Hmm. Shy in name and shy in nature. Strange but a welcome trait from one with great potential.
Great potential?
The call, young Fluttershy. You can hear it, can you not?
Hear? I... I'm not so sure that I do. Nor do I understand what is going on.
You must listen, Fluttershy. A Great call in the air has sung. Be awaken and listen to the call.
Awaken? You mean, this is a dream? Princess Luna, is that you?
I am no Princess, young Fluttershy. If you truly wish to know, listen to the call. It shall lead you to me.
How do I listen? I don't even know what to listen for? Please, tell me. I don't know what to listen for. Please? If you don't mind... I'm not so sure what to listen for... I...
"Rise and Shine, Fluttershy!"
"Hhhmm? Rainbow? What are you doing in my home?"
"A better question for you Flutters, Why haven't you gotten up already? It's almost noon!"
Fluttershy; a yellow pegasus mare of Ponyville and Bearer of the Element of Kindness, sat up in shock of her childhood friend's revelation that the hour is late and remembered something very important.
"Oh dear, I have to feed the animals!"
She rushed out of bed faster than Rainbow thought to be usual, made her way to the kitchen and grabbed all sorts of pet food for all her animal friends. Friends that she began to notice were missing from her home as she left her kitchen.
Oh, they're probably starving by now! They probably are disappointed in me! Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to oversleep!
Much to her surprise though, all her animals were lined up, sitting on their haunches outside her cottage.
"Oh my. I am so sorry for making all of you wait for me." The Yellow pegasus bowed her head apologetically.
"Its alright, Fluttershy. We understand."
A lot of things can startle Fluttershy; the dark, public spotlight, her own shadow. This however, raises a lot of questions. While she can understand what animals are saying, she never once heard them speak ponish. "Y-y-you all can talk?"
"What are talking about, Fluttershy?" Angel Bunny stepped forward, paws crossed, "We've always been able to talk. Hay, we've been talking to you for years!"
"That's not what I mean, Angel," Fluttershy answered quickly, "It's just... Well... Never mind." She sighed deeply as hung her head low in surrender.
"Sorry Fluttershy," Harry the bear approached her and gave a nuzzle, "We didn't mean to make you feel sad."
"Oh, its okay Harry," Fluttershy returned the affection with a smile, "I'm not sad. Just, a little confused. If anything, I was worried that you are all upset that I didn't wake up earlier to provide breakfast this morning."
"It's alright Fluttershy," one of the birds landed on her mane, "We didn't want to disturb you today. Especially since you are glowing brightly today."
"Glowing?"
"Flutters, are you alright?"
The yellow pegasus turned to look at her foalhood friend. Rainbow looks different today. I can't put my hoof on why, but she looks different. "No... I mean, I'm alright Rainbow. I was just talking to my animals."
"Ah, the usual then," Rainbow sighed in relief.
"Um Rainbow, did you... could you hear them talking?" Fluttershy asked hesitantly.
"Uh, nope. Why would I?" Rainbow arched an eyebrow.
"Um, no reason. Just wondering," Fluttershy answered almost immediately. The nagging thought continued in Fluttershy's head and for a brief moment she thought she saw a silhouette of a pony behind Rainbow.
Just my imagination. Maybe I'm just hungry, I did wake up pretty late.
"May I take your order?"
"Oh, yes please. I'll have a daisy and cucumber sandwich, if you don't mind."
Fluttershy found herself outside the local cafe ordering Brunch. Still puzzled as to what she just experienced this morning, she sat quietly as she tried to clear her mind. Never mind the fact that her animal friends didn't swarm her with their usual disappointment when she forgot breakfast, she heard them all speak in her language.
"Here is your sandwich, Ms Fluttershy."
"Oh, thank you."
Fluttershy stared at her sandwich longingly. Oh my, I'm so hungry I could just eat a giant daisy stalk. She was just about to bite into her meal when out of nowhere...
"HI FLUTTERSHY!!" the Pink Party Pony named Pinkie Pie screeched her usual greeting.
Fluttershy leapt at the pink mare's greeting with an "EEEEP!!" throwing all her thoughts out the window of her proverbial mind.
It was just then, a daisy in her sandwich glowed and burst with a spark of magic as it grew twenty feet high with stalks, roots and more.
"Awa... Ah.... Aaaaah...." Fluttershy was reduced to a babbling mess as she muttered gibberish and gawked at the sight of the enlarged plant.
"Wow!! Where did this magically overgrown daisy come from?"
Okay Fluttershy. Don't panic. Just normal Ponyville things. Although, it's not everyday your daisy sandwich grew to an unusual size.
"Hey Fluttershy! Could you give us a hoof for a second?"
Fluttershy looked up to see Rainbow Dash, her pegasus friend, on a cloud with several other members of the weather factory. "Oh, hi Rainbow Dash," she smiled nervously, "What do you need help with?"
"Nothing too big, Flutters," the cyan pegasus replied with a shrug, "We're just stress-testing these new clouds from the weather factory. I just need you to give it a tap, just to see its lowest setting."
"S-sure, I suppose." Reluctantly, Fluttershy flew up on the cloud and readied herself. A light tap. Just a light tap, how bad could that be?
As she gave the cloud a soft pat, the yellow pegasus felt a powerful surge of magic from within her pulsed and released into the cloud, causing it to fire a powerful bolt of lightning that incinerated a tree directly below her with a deafening thunder.
"I.... I..... I'M SORRY!!" Fluttershy fled the scene, leaving a disoriented team of weather ponies.
"Send a note to the weather factory. Tell them their new clouds has too much punch."
"Twilight, something is happening to me."
Fluttershy found herself in Twilight's Castle of Friendship, twitching nervously as she turns her gaze to one end of the map room to another.
"I've been hearing things Twilight," the soft spoken mare continued, "It started with this weird dream I had, then I heard the animals started talking (in ponish I mean), then I'm seeing strange silhouettes behind our friends (and you). And there was the giant daisy that sprouted from my sandwich, I fired a lightning bolt just by tapping a storm cloud; I don't know what is going on." Fluttershy whimpered as she covered her face with her forehooves.
Twilight took a sip from her tea and levitated the cup on the table before speaking calmly, "Fluttershy, I know you are concerned about all these things happening around you, but are you quite sure aren't just natural for you or just a string of odd coincidences? I've checked you for Thaumaturgical fluctuations and found none over the usual influences of being the Bearer of the Element of Kindness. Maybe you being able to hear your animals talk in Ponish is just a leftover surge of power from that incident with Cozy Glow's attempt to rid of magic? Maybe it was Discord pulling a prank with that daisy sandwich of yours? Maybe that storm cloud Dash asked you to test was just too sensitive or too strong? I'm sorry I can't provide much help in a way that you are hoping, but I really can't see what is wrong without finding anything unusual."
Just then, the doors to the map room burst open as Zecora the zebra entered panting with a ghastly look on her face, "Princess Twilight, I am need of your aid! Something is happening to me, I am very afraid!"
The purple alicorn lept off her throne and approached the terrified zebra, "Slow down there Zecora, what happened?"
Zecora took a moment to catch her breath and then continued, "This morning while I was making my brew, I felt a surge of magic come through. My tree hut grew taller than before, and I heard a voice within me call evermore. The voice I tried to ignore, but more magic flowed through me as it implore. I heard the animals speak and plants bend to me, I see far beyond trees as I rush at a faster pace across the Everfree."
"That sounds similar to what I've experienced," Fluttershy trotted towards the frantic zebra and gave her a pat on her shoulder with her wing, "I heard my animals talk in Ponish, I see strange yet colourful silhouettes around my friends, a giant stalk grew out of my daisy sandwich and I fired a lightning bolt by just touching a storm cloud."
"Hold on a minute," Twilight stood before them trying to process the information, "are you telling me that the two of you somehow managed to cast magic?"
They both nodded hesitantly.
Twilight took a deep breath and stared at them with anticipation, "Can either of you demonstrate what you can do?"
Zecora closed her eyes, held out a hoof and pointed it at Twilight's teacup. Suddenly, out sprouts Chamomile from the teacup and blossomed. Fluttershy tried something similar but ended up teleporting next to the teacup instead. "H-how... How did I do that?"
While the yellow mare was still trying to process what she had just achieved, Twilight went maniacal, "That is amazing!!!! How is that possible? I didn't sense any Thaumaturgical fluctuations when you both did that!! Could it be that both of you are using a different means of casting magic? Oh, imagine if we could tap into this method of magic casting, then both Earth Ponies and Pegasi could achieve the same kind of spellcasting as Unicorns! Think of how this could revolutionise spellcraft!!!"
"Twilight, I appreciate your enthusiastic nature," Zecora stops the alicorn on her tracks, "but should we not find out how we came by this power?"
You have done well, young Fluttershy.
Fluttershy's ears perked up as she heard the voice from her dream, "A-are you... Are you actually real?" she whispered.
You and your friend's power will only continue to grow stronger. If you truly wish find out the source, touch the map before you.
As Twilight and Zecora were still discussing the possibilities of how they came upon this power, Fluttershy held out a forehoof to the map table and touched. The map glowed a bright turquois blue as a symbol of a crystal stood above the Everfree Forest. Twilight and Zecora stopped immediately as they looked at the pegasus, "Fluttershy, what did you do?"
"The voice from my dream told me to touch the map," came her timid reply, "She said if we want to learn more, we must find her here."
Author's Note
G'day all.
This chapter took a while but it needs to be done because it is long overdue. Any suggestions and critiques is encouraged to help improve this series as it progresses.
Also do let me know what you guys think so far, your comments will help encourage me to improve.
