Let me tell you a story... (currently rewriting)

“Is it just me… or did he fall asleep on a roof?” Rythian asked.

“I think so.” Duncan tilted his head quizzically while looking at the sleeping human.

“And just exactly why did you think it was a good idea to invite him?” Rainbow asked Twilight.

“I don’t know… there’s something about him. He needs friends.” Twilight replied.

“Mind ta’ explain? Applejack asked.

“Something weird happened when he looked at me. I felt years of agony, pain and loneliness stored within his eyes. I can’t really explain.” Twilight answered.

“And that’s why you invited him?” Rarity asked.

“Yes. Maybe if he meets this friend in Canterlot he’ll get better.” Twilight said.

“I saw it too. That’s a look I’m all too familiar with. If he has a friend then it’s for the best that they are reunited.” Rythian said with crossed arms, his purple eyes looking at Alligat. “But I saw something else about him.”

“What?” Twilight asked.

“Chains. There was a cross of black chains on his eyes.” Rythian explained. “I have heard of this before, and if my assumptions are correct then Alligat is much more powerful than he looks.”

“Just how powerful are we talking about?” Duncan asked.

“Power neither me nor you can possibly phantom.” Rythian answered.

“That does not explain why he didn’t stay awake for the party!” Pinkie Pie chimed in.

“Taking into account that he went through the Everfree he must be very tired. And that also explains how he immediately fell asleep.” Twilight replied.

“No, that makes no sense. He was thinking and talking fluently, and his movements were not sloppy as one would have if one was tired.” Rythian said.

“We’ll have to clarify that with him tomorrow.” Duncan said. “Changing subject, did you bring any wood?”

“You’re lucky I have three stacks.” Rythian replied.

“What are you talking about? I don’t see any wood.” Twilight said.

“So you don’t have the inventory system?” Duncan asked, resulting on a quizzical tilt by the ponies. Duncan sighed. “The inventory system lets us carry many more items than physically possible for us. It lets us carry stacks of sixty four cubic metres of a certain material per inventory space. Rythian has one hundred and ninety two cubic metres of wood in his inventory. That’s how things work in Minecraftia, we have inventories.” He explained.

“Interesting… Is it some kind of magic or technology?” Twilight asked.

“Legend tells that the first Minecraftian, Steve was his name, was enchanted by Notch, the creator. This enchantment allowed Steve to break the blocks of Minecraftia with relative ease and it gave him the inventory system. We’re not sure if it’s the truth, though, it might be just some technology implanted in us when we’re born.” Rythian explained. “Now if you don’t mind, me and Duncan are going to get to work.”

“Work?” Rainbow asked. “Work on what?”

“Why did you think I asked for the wood?” Duncan asked taking a stack of wood Rythian was giving him. “Build a house of course!”

“And you’re gon’ do it right now?”Applajack asked with skepticism.

“Watch us.” Duncan replied with a grin and setting down a block of wood making the ponies gasp in awe. Duncan set another one, and another, until eventually he had the basic structure. “Impressed already? Well there’s more!” He said filling in the walls and setting blocks of glass every few metres. “Now for the finishing touch.” The ponies heard Duncan say from inside the building before light began coming out of the windows. Duncan then walked outside and set two torches and doors. “And voilà!” Duncan said with a bow, the ponies clapped as if they were in a show.

“You’re a bit full of yourself aren’t you Duncan?” Rythian said, standing in the front of a wooden building, much smaller than Duncan’s.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit small?” Duncan asked.

“It’s all I need.” Rythian simply replied.

“Okay then. So you said tomorrow we’re going to Canterlot or whatever it’s called, right?” Duncan said, looking at Twilight.

“It’s likely but maybe the princess is busy, so I can’t promise anything.” Twilight replied.

“You heard that Rythian? We’re going to meet a princess!” Duncan said.

“I heard that perfectly! Now stop bothering me!” Rythian slammed the door of his house.

“Why is he so mean to you?” Pinkie asked.

“He hates my guts because he has reasons to do so…” Duncan simply replied, turning serious for a moment and confusing the ponies. “Well, I’ll see you all tomorrow!” He said, back to his cheerful tone and walking into his house.

“What do you think he meant?” Rarity asked.

“Maybe he’s a mad scientist and he did something to Rythian.” Rainbow said scaring slightly the others.

“Don’t be silly Rainbow, he is a nice guy! He would never do anything too bad!” Twilight responded.

“You’ve only known him for a day, Twi! There’s still a lot we can learn about him.” Rianbow replied.

“You know what? We’ll just talk more about this tomorrow. This was a lot to take in.” Twilight said. The ponies said goodbye to each other and headed back to their respective houses.

<…>

Next morning…

Duncan and Rythian stood by the front of the library with the ponies, waiting for Alligat. “Where is that guy?” Rainbow impatiently asked.

“Rainbow’s right. I would assume that he’s the guy that is rarely late.” Duncan said. Suddenly Rythian threw a dagger at the top of the library.

“About time someone found me.” Alligat’s voice came out of the top of the tree. Alligat immediately jumped off and landed in front of them, Rythian’s dagger in hand.

“You really are well trained for battle.” Rythian said.

“I’d rather not have to use my training anytime soon.” Alligat said as he returned the dagger.

“Now that we’re all here… Let’s get going!” Duncan exclaimed. “But where to?” He started looking around.

“A carriage should arrive any time soon.” Twilight said. As if on cue, the carriage appeared, two white pegasi on the front.

“If I wanted to fly I have my Power Suit!” Duncan declared as he pressed a button on his wrist watch, causing a white and light green suit of armor to materialize around him. “See?”

“Whoa, that was amazing!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Huh… I’ll go in. I don’t want to waste any energy.” Rythian said taking a glance at Duncan.

“Two words: rechargeable batteries.” Duncan deadpanned.

“Let’s just get going already, geez!” Rainbow rolled her eyes. Alligat looked with curiosity and what could be identified as nostalgia towards the blue Pegasus.

‘So impatient… reminds me of him.’ He thought.

<…>

Soon they arrived at the castle. “I like mine better.” Duncan immediately said as the armor dematerialized.

“You have a castle?” Twilight asked.

“Not sure if you’ve seen it yesterday but Minecraftians are great  builders. This guy even had a massive telescope on his castle.” Rythian said.

“Ah… good times!” Duncan said reminiscing the times he gazed at the stars through his telescope.

Alligat took out the map Kimbley gave him. “It says that he is here… What have you done now?” Alligat’s muttering went unnoticed except by Rarity.

“Mind telling me what you are talking about?” She asked.

“It’s nothing. If this thing is correct you’ll see him soon enough either way.” Alligat answered.

They all proceeded to the throne room with relative calmness, as there was no event to disrupt it except for the background asking and answering between Twilight and Duncan.

Upon entering the throne room Alligat saw someone he recognized.

“Alligat! You’re here!” Kimbley said in a welcoming tone and with a large smile on his face. “Come on Celly, say hello to Alligat and the other human.” Kimbley nudged the white alicorn with his elbow.

“Greetings humans. And hello my little ponies.” Celestia grreted her visitors.

“Kimbley, what is going on?” Alligat asked.

“Do you not remember this place? I guess twenty one years is a lot of time for you… Well this is Canterlot castle, home to two of my best friends: Celestia and Luna, rulers of Equestria.” Kimbley answered. “As for the rest of you… My name is Kimbley, known as The Prophet and a friend of Alligat’s.” Kimbley introduced himself with a bow. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Well I’m-” Twilight began but got interrupted by Kimbley.

“You’re Twilight Sparkle, student of Celestia and element of magic, I know. Celestia has talked a lot about all of you. As for you enderborn and scientist, there’s also no need to introduce yourselves for I already examined thoroughly your introductions to Twilight.” He said.

“Why would you do that?” Rythian asked.

“Because I like to examine when something that will change the world happens. Oops, I said too much!” Kimbley said covering his mouth. He just shook it off with a laugh. “Oh and someone is gonna come here soon Alligat. Someone you haven’t seen in a long time.”

“Are you talking about-” Alligat began but was interrupted as a human came through a hole in the wall where there was supposed to be a window. Rarity could swear she heard Kimbley whisper to Celestia. “Told you.”

“Okay, I’m here and ready to kick ass! What did you call me for Kimbley?” The blonde human asked, crimson eyes looking at his friend.

“Tempes, it’s about time! Do you know who’s standing there?” Kimbley pointed at Alligat.

“I’d say he’s lil’ Ally from the way you’re talking but that’s not possible.” Tempes replied

“Do you not remember your own brother?” Alligat asked as he took off his hat, scarf, gloves and jacket, revealing his face along with two vertical strands of chains going through his eyes and chain tattoos doing a double helix as they circled around his arms.

Tempes glared at Alligat. “How do you dare say you’re him?” Tempes slowly said, his red shirt and grey trousers were gently swayed by an invisible breeze.

“That’s because I am him.” With that, a gust of crimson wind blew against Alligat, knocking him back to a wall.

“Tempes what are you doing?” Kimbley asked.

“Stay out of this, Kimbley! This bastard is impersonating my brother! We both know he was taken away by the Elders for whatever reason, we both know that he had a flame tattoo on his right hand and we both damn well know that his mood was much more cheerful! I refuse to believe that guy is my brother!”

“Why don’t you stop him Kimbley?” Celestia whispered.

“The events are already defined Celly. I couldn’t change anything if I wanted to. Time works in strange manners you see?” Kimbley whispered back.

“You don’t believe me? FINE THEN!” Alligat proceeded to hit the ground with his fist as his tattoos glowed in an azure tone. Almost immediately Tempes got encased in chains.

“Ah! You’re gonna have to do better than that to stop me!” Wind began to pick up and soon it pushed so hard against the chains that they snapped under the pressure.

“I don’t want to fight you brother!” Alligat yelled.

“Lil’ Ally never called me brother!” Tempes said as he showed the back of his right hand. On it, was a tattoo of a hurricane which glowed crimson as he formed a small red typhoon right on top of Alligat, sucking him in.

“That’s it! You want to fight? THEN I’LL FIGHT!” Alligat launched chains towards the ceiling support beams and pushed himself, getting out of the pull of the typhon and kicking Tempes in the face. “And I’m just two years younger than you.” Alligat deadpanned.

“So you know mine and Alligat’s age? That means nothing!” Tempes summoned a red bow of wind, firing three arrows, all blocked by Allligat’s sword. Suddenly Tempes charged at blinding speeds and punched Alligat’s face. “You can’t stop the wind!” As Tempes was about to launch a devastating gale Kimbley interrupted.

“I’VE HAD ENOUGH!” His voice resonated throughout the chamber. “Do you want to know what happened to Alligat? DO YOU ALL WANT TO KNOW WHAT THIS MAN HAS GONE THROUGH? Well let me show you!” The eye tattoo on Kimbley’s hand began glowing green as an ethereal circle appeared in front of everyone. “This is my portal of time. It allows me to show others what happened in the past and I’m going to use it to show you all what Alligat went through.”

An image of a young child playing with his brother appeared. “Son of the Crimson Flame and the Azure Wind, Alligat grew up normally. His family and friends by his side. But at the age of five he was captured by the Elders, rulers of the human society in this world.”

“I’ve never heard of humans in Equestria.” Twilight said.

“We live in hiding, but we prosper, in part due to my connection with the outside of Icaria, the country humans live in. The Elders wanted to train him for their army of mages but there was something in their way.” The picture changed to the child standing in front of mages with robes of four different colors: blue, green, white and black. The mages were discussing something as the child stared at the tattoo of a flame.

“You see… Alligat has a power of legend called the Azure Flame. This flame stopped any kind of corruption and mind control from affecting the wielder along with giving him powers over fire. The Elders needed to control him to ensure he wouldn’t rebel. They encased the flame within the chain bindings you see on his body, only when they’re broken will he be able to use his flames.”

The picture shifted to Alligat bound by chains and Kimbley talking to him. “One day I freed Alligat from the mind control spell and then he broke out. I would advise the sensible ones to look away.” Fluttershy and Rarity closed their eyes. Then Kimbley played the scene of Alligat breaking out of the building, the absorption, the battle, the running, everything was seen.

Upon ending Tempes was lost for words “Holy shit! My bro’s a badass! Sorry about that a bit ago.” He said with a sheepish grin.

“I know how you are. And I definitely know how strong you are, so I knew what to expect, allowing me to protect against the worst of injuries. In the end there was no harm done.” Alligat said hugging his brother.

“Well I guess I owe you all an introduction.” Tempes said, turning towards the others.