Equestria's Thaumaturgist

“So, which room?” Will asked cheerily, completely ignoring the dumbfounded Twilight.

“Two doors down from here.” Celestia replied just as cheerily, also ignoring Twilight.

“Hmm?” Will pretended to just notice the slack-jawed unicorn. “Oh, dear Celestia, it seems we’ve broken your student!” he said in mock surprise.

“Oh dear me, it seems you’re right!” replied the solar alicorn. The other mares in the room were quietly snickering to themselves.

“Okay you two. I believe that young Twilight’s had enough of your game.” Luna interrupted, still smirking a bit. “Never have I seen somepony that could figure out when my sister was playing one of her mind games, and yet here you are instigating one.” Luna shook her head in amazement.  “You truly are something young Wilhelm.”

“Young?” he said, cocking an eyebrow. “Child I’m ten thousand three hundred and ninety six years old.”

“But you said that you became immortal two thousand years ago?” Twilight said, finally snapping out of her stupor.

“Yes, but you didn’t account for time travel.” He responded, acting like time travel was an everyday occurrence – though it may be when you’re acquainted with a certain two-hearted alien with a physics defying blue box.

He paid attention to the expression on her face before responding. “I take it you’re no stranger to time travel, miss Sparkle?”

“Um, yes. There was this thing where I was visited by my future self and kinda… got a little crazy.” She said, blushing at the memory.

“A little?” Applejack deadpanned, also remembering the time her purple friend had become manic trying to prevent a non-existent disaster. Before the conversation could continue however, a royal guard burst into the Princess’ chambers, panting.

“Your highness, there is a group of unicorns and pegasi robbing a bank and the unicorns are augmenting their magic using forbidden artifacts! There are seven confirmed hostages in the building.” he said as soon as he had caught his breath. Celestia and Luna were already on their way out the door, the six mares and the guard following close after. What none of them were expecting was for Will to already be halfway down the hall, striding quickly, a grim air about him.

Celestia hurried to catch up. “Will, where are you going?” she asked.

“There are criminals threatening the lives of innocents. I’m doing what I always have; Stopping them.” He replied in the same short tone as during the second changeling attack earlier.

“You don’t have to. My sister and I usually handle –“ The solar alicorn began.

“Exactly. The perpetrators most likely know this, and given the fact they are using forbidden objects to amplify their power this is more likely than not, a trap. Set for you and your sister.” He said. Celestia stopped for a moment to ponder. Her conclusion was that he was right.

“Guard.” Will said. Once again unable to think of him as anything but a commanding officer, the guard saluted.

“Yes, sir? What do you need, sir?” he said.

“I need intel. What are the numbers of the captors?” Will asked.

“Four unicorns, two pegasi, and two diamond dogs, sir!” the guard barked. Will just nodded, and none of them saw fit to speak until they arrived at the bank itself fifteen minutes later.

An interesting point of Equestrian banks: they were open aired with the exception of the vaults. Which meant that the criminals and the hostages – all hog tied – were in the open. However, the unicorns had several rather nasty spells ready in case the guards made a move. Will simply strode past the line of guards.

“Erect shield, now!” he barked. The guards quickly complied. All but a certain acting captain of the guard; and by acting captain, it is meant that Dark Spectrum was actually the captain of the Night Guard, and she was damn good at it too.

“Hey! What’re you all-“ she cut off as she felt a metal-clad hoof on her shoulder. Looking over she was met by the sight of Princess Luna, accompanied by her sister and the Elements of Harmony. Captain Spectrum understood the unspoken order and turned to watch.

“So, you’re the idiots that have disrupted the peace.” It was a statement. “I am thoroughly unimpressed.” Will said. This shocked the eight mares that had accompanied him, as well as the guards that had been present during the attack. He had killed changelings, but he hadn’t insulted them.

“Oh, so the Princess’ pet monkey thing thinks it’s a big shot, eh? Teach the freak a lesson boys!” said the assumed leader, a sickly green unicorn that spoke in a stereotypical New Jersey gangster voice. A red unicorn responded by leveling his horn at Will, the jagged ring around it sparking with dark magic, before a green and black spell containing a depiction of a pony skull inside it fired. The watchers expected Will to dodge, but instead, he lifted his right hand and caught the spell.

“Is that really the best you’ve got?” he asked mockingly. “I’ve fought imps with stronger magic.” He crushed the spell in his fist, dispelling it into wisps of power. Before they could come up with a rebuttal however, he was already among them, his hat, jacket, and cane – which they hadn’t noticed – before, falling to the ground. Then they noticed that his undershirt was in fact a type of hauberk, woven from a strange silvery metal.

Five seconds was all it took for him to bring down one of the diamond dogs, and one of the three unicorns, the one that had not yet done anything. The two pegasi managed to engage him before he could continue. Their put down was just as brutal. The first was kicked clean through a pillar, a bit of blood coming out of his mouth as he was sent hurdling towards it. The other, Will jumped over and elbowed into the ground with such force that a Mach ring appeared on impact. He approached the remaining two unicorns and quickly brought their head together three times, before dropping them, unconscious like the rest.

“You’re quite strong.” Interrupted a voice. They all looked to see the remaining diamond dog, whose grammar was surprisingly good compared to others of his species. “Strong enough to do this.” He said with an evil grin, stamping his paw on a tile. A previously hidden magic circle appeared, with Will in the dead center.

“Chains of Domination.” The dog explained. “A forbidden dark magic capable of enthralling the most powerful of beings. We had planned to use it on one of the Princesses, but you’ll do.” As he spoke, black chains rose from the seal, wrapping around Will’s limbs. They began to drag him down. The dog chuckled. “It’s no use struggling, the chains are unbreakable.”

But Will kept struggling, and the chains began to give. They were all amazed at this. It had never happened that a being could defy the fundamental nature of a spell.

With one last heave, the chains broke, and Will was encased in light. The light didn’t blind them however, and they could clearly see. Will had cast aside the Veil that hid his true existence from the mortal world. Normally only spirit beings could see him in truth. And a sight to behold it was.

Twelve feet tall, hair that flowed like Celestia’s mane, but red as fire, six wings sprouted from his back, the three on the right, blacker than a starless night, the three on the left, brighter than Celestia’s own sun. A great blade that glowed with fury old as mountains was in his hand. He was clad in silver plate armor and his face was grim and kingly. It was this form that had met the Dark Gods in the Old Days of creation in battle, and this form they feared, its name was doom to them. For like this, he was no longer Wilhelm Straatvs, but Amoth’Sul, the Lord of Deep Fire. Before the power of the unveiled Spirit Lord the spell broke. He was only in that form for an instant, but it was enough. The dog was paralyzed by fear. As Will returned, he moved, and struck the dog in the throat. It was dead before it hit the ground.

The ponies were about to start celebrating, before Will fell backward, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. Unleashing that power and fighting Chains of Domination had taken their toll. He was in need of a hospital. Now.