Hollow

by Demonfire463

First published May 3rd, 2013 18:00

Agroth the warrior is almost at the end of his journey in Lordran, but when he and his comrades are killed by one of the Lords, they are teleported to a different bonfire. They find a bridge leading to a strange land full of ponies! They still fear the Darkwraiths in this new land, and now try their hardest to protect something they have never had before, something very worth defending: their friendships with these ponies.

Chapters

Chapter 1 The Abyss
Chapter 3 Trespassers
Chapter 4 The Cleansing
Chapter 5 Recovery
Chapter 6 The Library
Chapter 7 The Fire
Chapter 8 The Generous
Chapter 9 Awakening
Chapter 10 A Friend
Chapter 11 Rage
Chapter 12 Departure
Chapter 13 To Canterlot
Chapter 14 Preparations
Chapter 15 The Royal City
Chapter 16 At the Gala
Chapter 17 Fear the Flame
Chapter 19 Into the Fire
Chapter 20 Hanging by a Thread
Chapter 21 The Power Within
Chapter 22 Ever Faithful
Chapter 23 Back to Lordran
Chapter 24 Relighting the Fire
Chapter 25 Fluttershy's Talent, Joshua's Story
Chapter 26 The Chaos Demon
Chapter 27 Our Last Goodbye
Chapter 2 Traversing the White Light
Chapter 18 Out of the Frying Pan

Chapter 1 The Abyss
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Chapter 1 The Abyss

Chapter 1

Finally past the Darkwraiths and ghosts of New Londo, I slip the Covenant of Artorias ring on my finger and prepare to drop down into the Abyss, as my two companions did the same. I look at the other two, the sorcerer wearing Logan's Sage Robe and the Crown of Dusk, and the pyromancer wearing the Crimson Robes. For a moment, I wonder, will we kill the four corrupted kings? Or will we fall to their magic power? Little does it matter, we are undead. We cannot die. We all know strange things happen to those who fall to the Abyss or to those corrupted by it. I am the first to jump down. After what seemed like ages the others follow. We land safely and the first of the kings appears. The sorcerer quickly casts pursuers as I rush towards the king. The pyromancer casts a great fireball that flies past my head and bursts into lava all over the king's silver flesh. I stab his chest with my Zweihander as the pursuers all hit the king as well. The first king has fallen.

The second king approaches just in time to be shot with a Soul Spear from the sorcerer. I fiercely bring Zweihander down on his head, staggering him. The pyromancer quickly used a firestorm, engulfing the area surrounding the king and blinding me. The king recovered quicker than I did and slashed at the three of us, then stabs and kills the sorcerer. Damn! Without him, we may not last much longer! My Greatshield of Artorias absorbed most of the hit, I saw that the pyromancer was weak, so I took a swig from my estus flask. He hurled a fire orb at the king's skull, blinding him long enough for me to bury my sword in his corrupted heart. Two down, two to go.

The third appears and fires a brilliant magic energy at the pyromancer, bringing him horrifyingly close to death. I quickly drink my last dose of estus, healing him just enough to continue the fight. Just as I think the king is going to unleash another sorcery, the pyromancer summons a great fire tempest which devours the third king in flames and magma. The king has one last chance to kill us, and takes full advantage of the moment. He grabs the pyromancer before I could stab the king, and takes his humanity and the rest of his life force as well. "NOOOO!!!" I shout, then stab the king's chest. It was only me now.

The fourth king appears, and thoughts rage through my mind. What if I die here? What will happen? Those who died in the Abyss never returned. Have my phantom companions suffered the same fate? Where had they gone? As I think, I block the sword of the king just in time to deflect what would have been a stab through my body. I roll left to dodge his hand trying to steal my humanity, then go for a slash across his body. Yes! He's getting weaker! But before I can get another hit on him, he spins completely around, his blade out, and slices across my chest, the magic of the blade dealing heavy damage through my black knight armor. I put my flask to my mouth only to have a single drop of estus touch my lips, then he fires a single magic blast. The magic collides with my body. I am dead.

Author's Note

MLP and its characters belong to Hasbro, Dark Souls and its characters belong to From Software. I simply watch the show/play the game. I actually have quite a few chapters finished, but I probably won't upload them unless I know people are reading and enjoying the story. Please comment on how it is so far, I'd love to get some input. Thanks!

Chapter 3 Trespassers
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Chapter 3 Trespassers

Chapter 3

We all sit around the bonfire, Arthur attuning his magic, Joshua improving his robes with twinkling titanite, all while I am repairing my armor and weapons. "So," I begin, "what land is this?"
A light blue pony with wings and a multicolored mane is first to answer, "Duh, this is Equestria."
"I have never heard of such a land, I am from Astora and now reside in Lordran."
"Lordran?" This time a purple pony with a horn on her head speaks up. "What's it like there?"
Joshua responds before I have a chance, "It's horrible! A land brimming with hollows and demons, turmoil everywhere, death 'round every corner. The best way that I can think to describe it is a nightmare."
"That is quite accurate, 'tis an incredibly dangerous land. Even with my sorceries I find that Lordran and its residents are not to be tested."
"When somebody turns undead, like us, their homeland exiles them to Lordran. Sometimes they meet others from their homelands. I met Oscar the elite knight, Andre the blacksmith, and Solaire the Warrior of Sunlight."
"As I met the great sorcerer Logan, and a student of the dragon school, Griggs. Griggs, that evil little rat!"
"What did he do that was so evil?"
"I'd rather not get into that, but we still don't even know your names, and you don't know ours either." Arthur points out.
"Good point," the purple pony states,"well, I'm Twilight Sparkle."
"Ah'm Applejack" says the orange pony.
"I am Rarity" says a white unicorn with a sense of nobility.
"My name's Pinkie Pie!" said a pink pony.
"I'm Rainbow Dash" stated the blue pegasus with the multicolored mane.
"And, um, I-I'm Fluttershy" the yellow pegasus whispers just barely loud enough to hear.
"Well it is quite a pleasure to meet you all. My name," I stand and bow as I introduce myself,"is Agroth of Astora.
"And I am Arthur of Vinheim. It is a pleasure to meet you all." He bows properly as he introduces himself.
With a standard bow as I had done, "And I am Joshua of the Great Swamp." Almost as if on cue, as he finishes introducing himself, our bonfire goes out.

"Oh no, have either of you sinned and not requested absolution?" I question the two with me.
"I would never stoop so low as to sin against your covenant Agroth, I am not foolish enough as to provoke the wrath of the Darkmoon Blades upon myself" Arthur states.
"If I ever sin then I request absolution from that odd fellow from Carim" Joshua informs me.
"That means it's a Darkwraith..." I hopes it wasn't who I thought it was.
"What are the odds Agroth? Do you honestly think that it will be him? In all my years as a sorcerer I've never been invaded by him before."
"Nor have I, even in Blighttown or at the Ash Lake I've never been invaded by him before."
"But there is still a chance that it is him! He seems to find my world with ease. I understand it is just a chance but-"
"What's going on here? Why'd the fire go out all of a sudden?" Rainbow Dash asked us. I had forgotten about them, they wouldn't last a chance against this Darkwraith. I hear a phantom enter the world and the ponies and undead alike begin to panic.
"Rainbow Dash, get everypony inside now, lock the doors and hide until we tell you to come back out. Do you understand?" She nods and goes to go secure her friends. I don't want them to get hurt and just want them safe for the moment. As she gathered them up and took them back to the locked building from earlier, I prepare for the fight, as do the other two. Arthur unsheathes the Moonlight Greatsword as Joshua uses the Power Within pyromancy. We brace for the invader to approach, and a dark spirit wearing armor covered in spines approached us. We all breathe a sigh of relief. "It's only Knight Kirk" I chuckled as I raised my large shield. Then yet another dark spirit appeared behind Kirk. I am sobered at the sight. This Darkwraith is wearing the full Dark Armor set, wielding the gold tracer of Ciaran the Hornet, and the bloodshield. He removed his skull shaped mask as if to confirm our fears. His heavily scarred and beaten face was revealed, as was his parted, jet black hair.
"Agroth, it is good to finally see you again." He said with a dubious grin upon his evil face. "Without this Red Eye Orb I wouldn't have seen you since the death of our parents." He laughs and puts his mask back on and we prepare for a true battle.

Author's Note

Again, constuctive criticism welcome. Please comment, enjoy!

Chapter 4 The Cleansing
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Chapter 4 The Cleansing

Chapter 4

Tightly gripping Zweihander, I angrily lunge myself at Raymond, my brother, and he narrowly dodges the blade. I swing the huge sword with inhuman speed and strength. When I miss a second time, I lift the Greatshield of Artorias and bash his head with the giant piece of metal. While he is dazed I bring Zweihander down fiercely, only to be parried by the red and silver shield after a quick recovery. He then lunges the golden curved blade through my stomach. He slashes at me with great fury, as I kick him hard enough to send him on the ground. As I bring Zweihander down on him, my rage empowering my attacks, I hear a myriad of magic spears and fire orbs being launched at the unfortunate Kirk. I had forgotten all about him. I quickly spin around and use the momentum to leave a massive gash across the knight's armored chest. Immediately afterward I feel a curved blade go through my back and see it come out the center of my chest, only barely missing my heart. I run a few yards away and have just enough time to take a swig from my estus flask. I feel a burning sensation as the liquid heals all of my fresh wounds. I see that now only Joshua is attacking Kirk, and Arthur fires dark beads at Raymond. With that massive damage dealt to the Darkwraith, I charge in for the final strike. Only to be parried yet again and stabbed fiercely in the chest. He runs a few yards away and crushes a humanity as I drink another estus. I hear a phantom be vanquished, I look to see Kirk on his knees, bleeding profusely. I turn toward Joshua, still standing but nearing death from his earlier pyromancy. He takes a few swigs of estus to heal himself. I am slashed in the stomach several times by my brother and begin to bleed badly. My estus is out. How could I be out of estus so quickly? Raymond turns toward Joshua and slices him several times as he begins to bleed. His Power Within had worn off so he was no longer being drained of his life force. Arthur quickly launches a set of ten pursuers at Raymond. Raymond grips his Silver Pendant and the pursuers all fly off in different directions. He stabs Arthur in the back and kicks him onto the ground. As we kneel there at his mercy, he raises his sword up in preparation of the final strike to my throat. When he strikes, only his hand comes down. His sword is suspended in midair! Surrounded by some magical aura! I take full advantage of this moment and call upon my last bit of strength and much of my rage to strike him with my Zweihander. He parries and kicks me away as the blue pagasus flies down and catches me before I hit the ground. She lifts me up and I look behind my brother. All six of them are there! Applejack rushes up behind him and kicks him to the ground, Rarity and Twilight Sparkle launch magic at him which mostly goes through his shield. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash fly at him and quickly kick him as they fly. Pinkie Pie is firing some sort of cannon at him. Joshua and Arthur get to their feet as I firmly hold my ground. I raise my Zweihander, Arthur prepares the largest crystal soul spear I had ever seen, and Joshua prepares for a powerful black flame. The six see this and run so as not to be hit accidentally of any of these. Raymond raises his shield as Joshua charges in, a great black flame already coming from his hand in a great blast of pyromancy. The black fire connects with the bloodshield, knocking Raymond's shield from his grip. The crystal soul spear hits him in the center of his chest and explodes into a powerful blast of magic. Immediately after, I swing the Zweihander harder than I ever had before horizontally across his stomach. He falls to his knees. As his final breath in this world escapes his lips I stab him in the heart with the ultra greatsword I wielded. I look deep into the eyes of the Dark Mask and see the light exit his evil eyes. We have been cleansed of these dark spirits. For now at least.

Chapter 5 Recovery
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Chapter 5 Recovery

Chapter 5

"He's gone," I manage to choke out, "It's safe now everyone." I sit down at the bonfire, as does Arthur, and Joshua lies down on his back. That fight was exhausting to say the least. The ponies approach us cautiously, and they have a right to be cautious. They had just witnessed one of the most difficult fights I had ever had thrust upon me. Even a fight which rivals that of killing the great Dragonslayer and head executioner of Anor Londo. I thought for sure we would've died. We probably would have if they didn't come in and help us. They had saved our lives. "T-Thank you all." I choke out.
"We did what we could sugarcube" Applejack says to us.
"That magic you used, to halt his weapon in midair, could you teach me how to do that? It could come in quite handy as you've proven." Arthur asks Twilight.
"I might be able to teach you sometime." Twilight answered.
"You probably saved our lives, we cannot thank you enough" Joshua reinforces.
"Raymond could have killed you" I think aloud.
"Raymond? That was his name? How do you know him anyway?" Rainbow asks me.
I sigh. This is going to be difficult, but they should know if we plan on staying here in Ponyville. "Alright, I'll tell you I suppose." This isn't going to be easy. "Raymond is my brother." They all gasp. "We were invaded by Knight Kirk the Murdurous," they shudder a bit when I mention his name,"and Raymond the Dark, my brother. Kirk was the one in the spine-covered armor, Raymond was the one wearing the Dark Armor, the armor that looked like a skeleton and which is the symbolic armor of their covenant, the Darkwraiths."
"What are covenants?" Rarity asks me.
"A covenant is a group of undead that are dedicated to a certain purpose or cause." I explain.
"So it's like a team then?" Rainbow asks.
"Somewhat" Arthur responds,"There are nine covenants, I walk the Path of the Dragon, Joshua is a Chaos Servant-"
"You serve chaos?!" Twilight asks with a tone of sudden anger.
"Chaos in Lordran is a special type of pyromancy, based on the daughters of chaos and the Witch of Izalith's powers. I work to make one of the daughters well again. She has fallen ill and when I offer a humanity to her she becomes healthier."
"So ya don't really serve chaos or disharmony, but ya work to heal one of the daughters of chaos in Lordran?" Applejack asks.
"Correct" Joshua states.
"And I am a Darkmoon Blade. I serve the god of the moon, Gwyndolin, and take revenge on sinners for the deaths of the innocent. I serve the moon, and use the blue eye orb to destroy evil. You mentioned chaos and disharmony, well the covenants behind that are the Darkwraiths and the Gravelord Servants."
"We thought you meant disharmony, like a lack of peace." Twilight explains. "But if you serve the moon god in your homeland, you should meet Princess Luna, and Arthur, you should meet Spike."
"Who is Princess Luna?" I ask, intrigued.
"She is the moon princess of Equestria. Celestia is the sun princess, and Luna's older sister."
"Interesting, and what do they do?" I ask.
"Celestia raises the sun, and Luna raises the moon." Twilight casually explains. My eyes widen in disbelief of this.
"She raises the sun?! And Luna raises the moon?! That's amazing! Do they use magic to do it?" I'm very interested now, a single being that can raise the sun, turn day to night and night to day! I am astounded!
"Yeah, that's why they're the princesses. They're the most powerful beings in Equestria. They're alicorns, so they have the parts of pegasus, unicorn, and earth pony." Twilight explains further.
"Is there any royalty in Lordran?" Fluttershy asks.
"Well, yes, but...well, it's hard to explain. There's Lord Gwyn, Lord of Cinder and Sunlight, his son Gwyndolin, god of the moon, and Gwynevere, his daughter, goddess of sunlight. Lord Gwyn has been corrupted by the first flame. He sacrificed himself to fend off the Age of Dark, which the Darkwraiths want to bring about. I was attempting to kill the last being in which I needed to reach Lord Gwyn before I came here."
"Back to the covenants though," Joshua says, "there are nine covenants in total. The Warriors of Sunlight, the Darkmoon Blades, the Way of White, the Princess' Guard, the Chaos Servants, the Gravelord Servants, the Forest Hunters, Path of the Dragon, and the Darkwraiths." Rainbow Dash is lying on the ground, she seems to be in pain.
"Are you alright?" I ask.
"I'm fine, it's just a scratch, it'll heal in no time."
"Let me see." I tell her. She lifts up one of her wings and reveals a deep cut near the joint of the wing and in her back. "Why didn't you say anything sooner? You've probably lost quite a bit of blood." I inform her. I give her my estus flask. "Take a sip of this, it should work." Honestly I don't know whether it will work or not, as it is an item made for the undead. She shuddurs at the taste and the fiery feeling. She gives my flask back and grunts from the pain of the flesh and bone moving back to it's original place."You're going to need some rest now that you've gone and lost all that blood." I glance at the area around her wing, dampened with her crimson blood. "The guilty pay the price, and they always shall" I mutter under my breath.
"What was that?" Twilight asks.
"I said it's getting late, we should find a place to stay for the night."
"Arthur can come with me back to the library."
"Oh excellent! And perhaps I can learn some spells whilst I stay." Arthur says excitedly.
"You can stay with me at my cottage Joshua, um, if you want to I mean. You don't have to if you don't want to."
"That sounds excellent, Fluttershy" Joshua says.
"Would you like to stay with me Agroth dear?" Rarity asks me.
"I think that's a splendid idea, as for the rest of you, I'll see you tomorrow then."
Then we all say our goodnights and go to where we were invited. 'Tis a shame I will need to leave for a while.

Author's Note

Alrighty then, next chapter's gonna be a fun one! I'll explain what it really means to anyone who gets confused. Please like/comment/share/etc. Enjoy!

Chapter 6 The Library
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Chapter 6 The Library

Chapter 6
Arthur POV

We walk through the library door to find Twilight Sparkle and Rarity with worried looks on their faces. Looks which worsen when they see Fluttershy. Rarity is first to speak up.
"Is Agroth with you?"
"Afraid not." I answer. "Shame too, he loves demon slaying."
"Demon slaying?!" Twilight shouts. "There was a demon here?!"
"Yes, there was." Joshua says, laying Fluttershy on a couch. "The beast injured Fluttershy quite badly. If Arthur hadn't shown up it might've killed us both."
"Well it's quite alright, I'm just concerned where it came from and if any more will come. I certainly hope not." Joshua takes some bandages from the closet and wraps them around Fluttershy's wounds. He runs out if the bandages and tears a piece of cloth from his robe to suffice. He isn't wearing his mask anymore. Odd.
"I will find these demons. And I will destroy them." He says.

Author's Note

Hooray for demons! I like putting some action in there every once in a while. Poor Fluttershy, too bad Joshua's so weak. Arthur the Dragonbro had to come in and save them both. But anyway, I added more details into this chapter so it wouldn't seem so rushed. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 10 A Friend
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Chapter 10 A Friend

Chapter 10
Joshua POV

I awake to the sounds of many animals. Fluttershy is feeding them all. Twilight Sparkle is here as well. "Good morning Joshua." Twilight says.
"Good morning Twilight." I say.
"Good morning Joshua." Fluttershy says, just now realizing that I woke up.
"Good day Fluttershy." I say.
"Breakfast is on the table, if you want." I get up and walk over to the table. I see a large dish of vegetables and a seat set for one. I sit down and prepare to eat.
"Why thank you Fluttershy, this looks delicious." It looks much beter than anything I ever had at the swamp. It's no welcome feast, but any food is good since the undead don't eat much anyway. I take one large chunk of the salad on my fork and eat it. It's amazing! Nothing I had ever eaten before tasted so fresh! I hungrily and swiftly finish the dish. "That was amazing Fluttershy! I had never had anything so delicious before. Thank you very much."
"Oh it was no trouble. You're quite welcome." I clean my dish and put it away.
"So, Twilight..." I begin.
"Yes?"
"Don't take this the wrong way or anything, but what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I just thought I'd check on you guys. Speaking of which, I'd better get over to Rarity's to check on her and Agroth."
"Is Arthur here?" I ask.
"No, he was still sleeping when I left the library. I figured it would be best to just let him sleep in. You all looked so tired yesterday."
"Alright, well goodbye then."
"Goodbye Twilight." Fluttershy says.
"Bye you two." she says as she shuts the door.
"So," Fluttershy starts,"what are you going to do today?"
"I think I'll practice my pyromancy, I still need to improve a lot. I'm the weakest of the lot of us undead."
"You're strong, I've never seen anyone do fire magic before."
"But Agroth is very strong physically, and Arthur has his sorceries which are immensely powerful."
"Even if you're not as strong as them, you're still my friend." she says, giving me a short hug, which I return. That was good to hear.
"I've never had a friend before." I say under my breath.
"How do you practice pyromancy?"
"Oh. Just perform the spell, but focus more on how the spell will perform and what the outcome will be. Or you can just visit a string pyromancer and he or she can improve your flame. Pyromancies are rather simple, but the better you understand them, the stronger they become."
"What an you do with pyromancy?" she asks me.
"Well, I can do many things. I can create things from Fireballs to Fire Tempests. Great chaotic fire spells. But I have yet to ascend my Pyromancy Flame. So my spells won't be as powerful as they can be."
"You can still defend yourself though, Lordran sounds very dangerous and scary. But you made it out." she says to me.
"By pure chance, yes. I placed my summon sign by a new fog door and Agroth happened to touch it. Fortunately, I am now here, in Equestria. With my new friend, my first real friend. But, just so you know, I will be going back to Lordran." She looks at me with a sudden sadness.
"But, you can't go! It's too dangerous! It's full of demons and hollows! You said yourself that it was a nightmare!" She says.
"Well I'm certainly in no mood to fight any demons today, but I must strengthen my pyromancies. I will go back. But I'm not leaving today." She wraps her forehooves around me in another hug, which I return. She buries her face in my robes and I can feel her begin to cry.
"Please don't go." She says. Then I feel something else. Like a tremor, the ground shakes violently. Fluttershy holds on tighter, I let go.
"Wait here." I tell her. I cautiously walk outside. I hope that isn't what I think it is. I see a gargantuan hairy monster in the distance, staring directly at me. It is holding a giant greataxe made of bone, covered in blood. The monster charges for me and I summon a Great Chaos Fireball. I hold the fire in my hand. I hurl the fireball at the demon and it explodes into lava all over the monster. Fluttershy runs outside to where I am fighting it.
"What's happening?!" she asks, her eyes still red from crying.
"Stay back!" I shout. "It's a Taurus Demon! Very dangerous, don't go near it!" The beast recovers and brings the axe down, I barely dodge in time. The beast narrowly misses Fluttershy and hadn't even noticed she was there until now. It stares her in the eyes and I see her freeze up in fear. She is petrified. I prepare a Fire Orb to distract the beast. I throw it at the monster's shoulder. It turns and looks at its attacker, throwing another Fire Orb at it, hitting its face this time. The monster jumps towards me and the axe lands on me, slamming me to the ground. The beast turns around and swings the greataxe at Fluttershy. Everything stopped. I froze. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. I see Fluttershy get knocked far to the side, blood coming from the fresh wound on her leg and side. I fell to the ground as soon as I heard two of her legs and many of her ribs snap from that strike. She falls unconscious from the pain. I stand up and charge at the beast and shoot flames at it rapidly. I catch a glimpse of Arthur jump on its back as a dragon. When he lands, the Moonlight Greatsword is thrust deep into its back, I take the opportunity to take a drink of my estus flask. Arthur breathes white fire on the demon as I bombarde it with Chaos Fire Whip, though I was very careful not to hit either of my friends. Arthur and I are blown off our feet by its next attack. He charges for Fluttershy, who I see now is conscious again and accompanied by Spike. Arthur quickly dashes towards them and gets there before the demon does. I see him holding Spike and Fluttershy as he jumps to the roof of her cottage. He places them on the roof and jumps down in front of the demon. He force pushes him in my direction and I have just enough time to use a Great Combustion. He breathes more fire on it and I strike it in the head with my powerful battle axe. The beast falls. We feel our bodies absorb many souls.
"Thank the Lords you got here Arthur."
"I heard the roar from the library. Where did that damned thing come from?"
"I don't know. But I will find out." I swear. He jumps up to the roof and gets Spike and Fluttershy down. He then uses a spell to return to his human form and puts his robes back on. We sit by Fluttershy and Spike. I now notice just how severe of a hit she had taken from the demon. Two of her legs are broken, the bones snapped in two, and one of her wings is hurt badly as well. A surge of guilt washes over me. I should have protected her better.
"You did what you could. It's okay." She says with pain, almost sensing what I'm feeling.
"I could have done better, and I should have. I don't have any estus left now so I cannot heal you that way."
"That's okay. I prefer to just allow my body to heal on its own anyway."
"Let's go back to the library." Arthur says. He turns to Fluttershy. "We can heal you back there" he says. Fluttershy winces as she attempts to stand. I immediately halt her.
"No, no. Here, I've got you." I pick her up off the ground.
"Thank you" she whimpers. We walk back to the library to be greeted by the worried looks of Rarity and Twilight Sparkle. The become visibly more worried when they see Fluttershy in her condition.
"Is Agroth with you?" Rarity asks.
"Afraid not." Arthur responds. "Shame too, he loves demon slaying."
"Demon slaying?!" Twilight shouts. "There was a demon here?!"
"Yes, there was." I say as a lay Fluttershy on the couch. "The beast injured Fluttershy quite badly. If Arthur hadn't shown up it probably would've killed us both." I could never thank him enough for his action.
"Oh, it's quite alright. I'm just concerned with where it came from and if any more will come." I grab some bandages from the closet and begin to wrap Fluttershy's injured legs, wing, and ribs in bandages.
"No more demons will come. I promise you Fluttershy." I whisper to her. I run out of bandages. I'm almost finished, so I tear a piece of cloth from my robe to use as a bandage to finish the job.
"Thank you."
"I will find these demons. And I will destroy them."

"So nopony has seen Agroth anywhere?" Twilight questions.
"No, he wasn't at the fight with the demon." I explain.
"Perhaps he's just in town somewhere." Arthur suggests. I'm still sitting next to Fluttershy on the couch, the others are standing nearby.
"We checked everywhere. Nopony's seen him." Twilight says. Just then there is a knock at the door. Arthur opens it to see Rainbow Dash standing there.
"Come in Rainbow." He says. She comes in and flies up to Twilight. "Good morning to you too."
"What's going on?" she asks.
"Rainbow, can you search for Agroth by sky?" Twilight asks.
"Sure, you can't find him?"
"No we can't." Rarity says. "We looked everywhere! When I woke up he was gone! I don't know what happened." There is another knock at the door. Rainbow Dash answers then bolts out the door and up to the skies. A grey pegasus with yellow eyes that stare off in different directions walks in. She is carrying a mailbag and pulls out three envelopes. Twilight takes them and the grey pony flies off. Not a moment after she places the letters down on the table, Agroth walks in with Rainbow Dash. He looks as though he had just been through a long battle. He collapses on the floor in exhaustion. That was quick.
"I found him." Rainbow Dash says.

Author's Note

So yeah, got bored and thought, "I should upload another chapter." So here's your second chapter of the day! Joshua and Fluttershy are getting pretty close.

!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!...kinda
It will not get romantic, this is Dark Souls. True they are close, but they are close friends. I once read a fanfic that got romantic right at the end, pretty suddenly. There were some hints earlier on but I kept hope alive that it would not get romantic. God dammit Solaire...
!!!END OF SPOILER ALERT!!!

So yeah, maybe I'll upload another chapter soon though it's doubtful. The Chosen Undead remains on hiatus until further notice, if anyone is reading both of these. Now that that's out of the way, enjoy chapter 10, wait for Chapter 11. The fun one, muahahahaha.

Chapter 11 Rage
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Chapter 11 Rage

Chapter 11
Agroth POV

I walk to the center of Ponyville. It is very early in the morning. Everyone is still asleep. I grip the Blue Eye Orb in my hand. The Greatsword of Artorias and Smough's Hammer are on my back. I kneel down and say one quick prayer to Gwyndolin as I feel myself fade to another world. To take my revenge. Revenge for hurting Rainbow Dash, for invading this peaceful land, and most of all, for the death of our parents.

I materialise into a world very familiar. The center of Ponyville, where I was just standing, but it's much different. The buildings, all of them, are either a pile of rubble and ashes, or burning down and collapsing. I turn in the direction of the now unlit bonfire. I see the figure of a man standing near the extinguished flame. I put on the Bloodbite Ring and the Ring of Steel Protection. I pull Smough's Hammer and the Greatshield of Artorias off of my back and walk towards the figure in the Dark Armor.
"Agroth, how nice it is to see you again." He says with a smug tone.
"Sinner," I say,"prepare to taste the wrath of the Darkmoon Blades."
"I almost killed you last time and you had assistance from 8 others, how could you possibly kill me by yoursel-" I cut him off by swinging the hammer at him, knocking him far to the left. While he is on the ground I take the Dark Mask off of his face and hold it in my hand. I crush the piece of metal in my fist, rage empowering my strength. He looks at me, still dazed,"Why, why did you do that?" I drop the hammer and grab him by the throat and lift him off the ground.
"Becuase when I kill you I want to see the last bit of life leave your worthless being, sinner." I say through clenched teeth and a furious glare. "What's that in your eyes brother? Is that fear I see?" I stare deeply into his eyes and his demonic soul. "Did our parents have fear in their eyes when you killed them? You are nothing but a cold-blooded sinner that needs to die. After I kill you, if I see you again in this land, I will not hesitate to kill you and everything that you ever loved." He chuckled at this.
"You would never, you can't kill me!" I drop him. He stands up and unsheathes his Gold Tracer.
"We shall see." We stare at each other for a long time, him with no mask, me through the Black Knight helmet. He goes for a stab, which I sidestep and quickly retaliate with a strike from Smough's Hammer. With a direct hit, he lies on the ground, face down, in intense pain. I can tell how weak he is becoming. "Pathetic." I say to him. He quickly recovers and stabs me in my right arm with the tracer. He gets a few more slashes on my right side before I swing the hammer horizontally, sending him flying through the air and onto the ground some thirty feet away. I quickly pull out my talisman and heal before he has a chance to get up off the ground. When he does get up, he pulls his estus flask out. I charge at him hammer first and knock him to the ground. Damn, he got a drink of the estus. I walk to the flask on the ground and stomp on it, sending shards of emerald into the air and estus fluid on the ground. He stares at me in shock. I feel no remorse for doing so. All I feel is hatred and anger towards Raymond. I walk to him while he is on the ground and bring the hammer down. He narrowly rolls right of the blow and quickly comes to his feet. He stabs me in the back with the tracer and kicks me to the ground. He then jumps at me wih the tracer in a downward stabbing position. I catch him on my feet and tear the tracer from his iron grip. I drop my shield and break the blade in two. He unsheathes his Uchigatana and stands up in one fluent motion. I go for a downward strike and he takes the opportunity to stab me multiple times in the chest. I finish the strike and then hunch over as I bleed badly. I pray again and am healed. He stands up as I drop the hammer. He looks at me in confusion. I take the Cursed Sword off my back. When he sees what I am wielding, his face twists into an expression of pure terror, the likes of which I have never seen before. I take off the helmet and drop it beside the hammer so that he can see my face, my smile. I stared at him with delight as I held the black blade in my hand. He begins to run away but I chase him, rage still strengthening me. When I catch up I stab him in the back and push him to the ground. I rip the sword from his back and turn him face up so he can stare me in the face as I kill him. I come close to him and stab him in the heart with the sword. "The guilty pay the price." I tell him. He begins to turn to stone with crystal-like spikes protruding from his body. Before the curse takes full effect and while he can still hear and see me, I smirk and repeat, "The guilty pay the price, and they always shall. Never come back." He looks into my eyes with...sadness...sorrow.
"Forgive...me...please." He manages to choke out between coughs. He reaches his hand up to me, in a last begging gesture of mercy. As his face turns to stone I see a single tear run down his face. I stand up. I look down at him. I place my foot on his solidified and worthless skull, and crush his stone head. "I can never forgive you, scum." And I feel myself leave his world.

Author's Note

This one was fun to write. This chapter shows that it's a really good idea to be on Agroth's good side. Do not piss him off. Bad idea, poor Dickwraith. I actually had something like this happen once, I almost died with two phantoms then I invaded his world back and annhialated him. (Someone check the spelling on that please? I get real ocd bout that kinda stuff. Thanks.) Enjoy everyone! And I almost forgot: in Dark Souls the Greatsword of Artorias doesn't actually curse people, but it does here to help get the point across that Agroth is not very happy with his brother.

Chapter 12 Departure
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Chapter 12 Departure

Chapter 12

I return to the center of a busy and now shocked town. Rainbow Dash immediately lands in front of me as I collapse to my knees, then collapse completely. Dash just stands there, not quite knowing how to react. "Uh, come on," she says, "the others are waiting. Hey are you okay?" Waiting? For me? How long had I been gone? I now realize it is after midday. I had been gone for hours. She helps me to my feet again, then flies up to my eye level. "Come on Agroth. Please get up."
"Thank you. I'm fine" I say.
"Where were you? What happened?" She begins to question.
"I'll explain later. Where are we going?"
"To the library, that's where they're waiting for us." I see a grey pegasus leave the library door and then we knock. We enter and I immediately feel too weak to stand. I collapse onto the floor in front if everyone, too tired and fatigued to care. "I found him" Rainbow says.
"Indeed you have." Arthur states. Joshua doesn't leave Fluttershy's side. Arthur gives me his estus flask and I take a drink and give it back.
"Much appreciated" I say, feeling better. "I suppose you're all wondering where I was all this time then?" They all nod in response. "First, allow me to apologize for leaving so suddenly and unannounced. Especially to Rarity, who was kind enough to allow me to stay at her home. I am very sorry for how rude I was to all of you by doing this." I bow.
"Where were you? I was worried sick about you darling." Rarity looks as though she may begin to cry at any moment. I didn't know how much I had hurt her until now. I suppose I didn't think about it at tw time. I take out my Blue Eye Orb.
"I use this to invade the worlds of those indicted in the Book of the Guilty. My brother is a notorious sinner and a Darkwraith. Since I knew where he was I had decided to invade his world to repay the deeds he did."
"Like attempting to kill us?" Arthur says.
"Or like hurting Rainbow Dash?" Twilight says.
"Or for bringing demons to this land." They stared at me with puzzled looks. "The presence of a Darkwraith is like a beacon for other creatures. Especially demons. What's worse is now we may be infected by the Gravelord Servants."
"What do they do?" Fluttershy asks from the couch.
"Hopefully you'll never have to find out. The undead know well what they do," Arthur and Joshua nod, "and I think I speak for us all when I say I never want you to experience it."
"Agroth, may I speak to you privately for a moment?" Joshua asks.
"Of course, I suppose." We walk outside.
"I must go back to Lordran."
"Go back? Are you hollow? Absolutely not!" I whisper.
"I must! I'm the weakest of us three, I want to become stronger. The only way to do that is to speak to Quelana and the Fair Lady."
"How soon will it be? You know how distorted time is in Lordran."
"Exactly, as do you. Therefore, you know as well as I that I could return at any time." I sigh. There will be no changing his mind about this.
"Do hurry, please. And speak to Fluttershy about this, she seems to have taken you as quite a friend."
"I have spoken with her about it. She did not take it well. However she knows I have no choice if I wish to ensure her safety."
"Then good luck friend."
"Thank you. I will need it." He says.
"When do you plan to leave?"
"Tomorrow, before dawn."
"We should go back into the library."
"I agree."
We walk back into the library.

Hollow

Chapter 19 Into the Fire

Sorry for the long wait guys, still trying to finish this thing up! More will be up soon, enjoy!

Chapter 22 Ever Faithful
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Chapter 22 Ever Faithful

Chapter 22
Solaire POV

Well, I understand why he left. He has nopony else in Equestria to to be a reason for him to stay. He only had Fluttershy. I will always have Celestia, my dear sun. Agroth left because his friends were taken by the chaos. Arthur was consumed by it as well. Joshua was strong, but even he succumbed to the very chaos he tried to defeat. I stand motionless by the white light in the Everfree Forest. Agroth, what happened to you? Arthur, where have you gone? Joshua, why do you doubt? Joshua has just left for Lordran through the light. I raise my hand to the light. Perhaps I should go back too. No! Solaire, you are a loyal knight! Have faith! I unsheathe my straight sword and unstrap my shield. Discord, you had best prepare yourself. For I shall come like a storm. A storm of lightning and sunlight. And when I do, there will be no place for you to hide!

I storm out of the dark forest, weapons ready for battle. I pick up the pace, from a walk to a run, then to a full sprint. I see Discord and the ponies, save for Rainbow Dash.
"Harmony in Equestria is officially dead. Discord rules, Celestia drools."
"Discord!"
"Oh! What now?!"
"Hear me, monster! And hear me well! You have driven the undead from this new land, save for myself. Your chaos shall not prevail, harmony will triumph. Hear my words, and remember them when the undead return. By the power of the sun and all power within me, I promise you one thing."
"And what might that be, knight?"
"You will not be victorious so long as I stand with faith against you."
"Well, I have places to be and havoc to bring about. Farewell." He slides away on the slippery roads.
"It's your fault it didn't work!" Pinkie shouts.
"Who are you talking to?" Twilight asks.
"Any of you! ALL of you! I'm outta here!" She bounces away angrily.
"Ah gotta go too. I got new, better friends waitin' fer me at the farm." Applejack says. Rarity pushes her rock away without even the courtesy of a goodbye.
"Yeah! I'm sick of you losers." Fluttershy soars away.
"Fine! Leave then! See if I care! With friends like you, who needs," Twilight Sparkle hangs her head in defeat. "...enemies." Her body turns a dark grey. A tear falls from her face and onto the ground beneath us.
"Twilight, you cannot give up. Not now. Have faith, we can defeat Discord yet." She turns to me.
"I'm going home Solaire. You should do the same."
"What? But. Just. Leave? I, I would never..." Perhaps she is right...maybe I should just go back to Lordran. My body begins to grey over as well. I stomp my foot and stand with pride. "No! I will not just leave. I refuse to let him do this." Twilight is already well away. Damn. I look down, my body isn't grey anymore. At least I have one good sign in my day so far. I look over at Twilight, Discord is speaking to her. She rises to look at him for a moment, she looks at the new Ponyville. Her head slumps back down. Discord begins to dance joyously.
"Discord! I believe we have unfinished business?"
"Solaire, you're not under my spell yet! Impressive."
"Of course not! My great faith can hold off any form of evil. And I shall remain ever faithful." I slip my straight sword back into its sheath. I prepare a large Lightning Spear in my hand with my talisman.
"Well, if the 'Elements of Harmony' couldn't defeat me, what makes you think that you-" I hurl the great bolt at him with great power. Electricity courses throughout his body visibly. Yellow sparks fly from his skin. They wear off and he brushes himself off.
"You're going to need more than that if you are to hurt me foolish knight!"
"Then with more shall I attack!" I shout. A beam of sunlight shines through the eye slits in my iron helmet. I look up to the sky. I pull the sword back out and raise my arms in praise. "Praise the Sun." I say softly. I let my arms fall back to my sides and I think of Celestia. "By the power of the sun, I shall not be defeated!"
"Isn't that adorable; well Solaire, where are the other undead? The undead that you have aided in battle countless times? Where are they when you need help?"
"I will not fall for your tricks! I wouldn't be surprised if you yourself had cast a spell on them just like you did to the ponies!" I gasp suddenly. That's it! "That's exactly what you've done is it not?" Discord begins to clap.
"Bravo, bravo! Though you are quite slow, even for a dead man. This information probably could have helped you more in the maze, shortly after its collapse, or especially just a short while ago. You could have fought me and achieved an easy victory for four undead, instead it will be a sad defeat for one." He teleports to a throne a short walk away. "Have at me then, knight!" I rush at him with a primal battle cry. I stab at him with the sword, but he easily dodges with his serpentine body. He breathes fire at me, I block with my shield. The ground beneath my feet turns to soap. Luckily, my heavy armor prevents me from slipping. I slash at him again and again, he dodges every strike. I have an idea. I stab at him, he dodges and I kick him. When he loses his balance, I slash at him. Success! He bleeds mildly from the cut across his slender body.
"Enough!" Discord shouts. A blast of force energy pushes me away. I land harshly on the dirt. He forces my weapons from my grip with his magic. "I am sick and tired of you undead interfering with my chaos! Accept it! Harmony in Equestria is gone! And peace has never existed in Lordran." I stand and look him in the eyes through my helmet.
"The Warriors of Sunlight always have hope, we can make Lordran a land of peace."
"And how do you plan to do that?"
"Through the power of the sun and the strength we have in numbers. You may be able to defeat me, but you cannot defeat the covenant." Twilight Sparkle tugs me away from Discord as magic fries the spot where I was just standing.
"Solaire, we need your help!"
"Why? What do you need?" The other five are with her as well, and their color has returned! "Oh praise the sun you all are back to normal!"
"We need your help Solaire." Discord shoots me in the back with magic.
"Gah! Alright, let's speak of it on the way then shall we?" We retreat away from Discord.

On the border of the Everfree Forest we catch our breath.
"So, what do you need?" I ask between breaths.
"We need your help navigating." Twilight says.
"Navigation? But why? You know Equestria much better than I do."
"Yes, we do." She says.
Rainbow Dash chimes in, "But none of us have ever been to Lordran before."

Author's Note

Agroth linked the First Flame and sacrificed his soul to preserve humanity for a while longer. Though his body burned in the fire, his soul remains a part of the flame. The three undead returned to every portal to Equestria they knew of, but could find nothing. The walls in Anor Londo collapsed over the light, and the bridge in Darkroot Basin crumbled. Solaire was left to the realization of the permanent absense of his sun, and he went hollow. Joshua could not bear to be without his closest friend anymore, and snapped after some time. Joshua went hollow. Arthur however, could mentally withstand the loss of Twilight Sparkle. He remained sane for almost one year (Equestrian time) before discovering the Everlasting Dragons' secret to immortality. His dicovery led to him hollowing soon after however, today he mindlessly wanders the swamps of Blighttown. No human being was ever to withstand immortality. Arthur could one day be saved with powerful magic. As for the notes, the ponies went searching for the undead when none had returned from Lordran. They found three piles of ashes and one wooden box in the Everfree Forest, near a gateway that once was covered by a powerful white light. Arthur left Twilight the White Dragon Breath spell, the only soul magic that she hadn't mastered. Joshua left Fluttershy his Pendant, with a picture of them both inside. On the back of the pendant was the charred image of a hummingbird. Twilight Sparkle found Solaire's Sunlight Talisman and delivered it to Princess Celestia. Agroth left some belongings for Rarity, Rainbow Dash, even Applejack and Pinkie Pie who he did not know very well. He left Rarity a Crystal Shield and some Twinkling Titanites. Rainbow Dash was given the note, which she has kept to this day.

"Dear Rainbow Dash, I cannot express my apology in words that I could not say goodbye in person. Time is always of the essence, and Lordran needed us. Though we hate it, the curse needs somewhere to go and not harm innocent people. You are very lucky. Follow your dream, join the Wonderbolts. I know that I am chosen, I am the one who killed the Lords. I dealt the final blow every time, and it was my world that we were adventuring in. Even though we are connected now I suspect I am still chosen here. There is a three in four chance I don't come back. I merely wish to keep it a secret so that the others are not concerned for me. Tell nopony, please. Keep this note if you so wish, though it will not be all you have to remember me by. I give you my most important item: my Estus Flask. I will not need it against Gwyn, I have my talisman still. Just in case anything else were to happen, now I know that you will be safe with the flask. To refill it, simply rest at a bonfire. Always follow your dreams Dashie, since I am bound to a cruel fate and cannot. Stay true and loyal, always. There is another item in my box for you as well, you'll know it when you see it. I made it myself. Goodbye Dashie. -Agroth"
Rainbow Dash read the letter to herself and could not help but sob openly at the certain, and final, death of her friend. She folded the letter up and fell to lie down. Twilight came over to comfort her. Applejack looked into the Bottomless Box and found an apple from a tree in Darkroot Garden and an ornate dagger. Pinkie Pie recieved a jester's cap and some bells, for Astoran celebrations. Rainbow Dash got a hold of herself and walked over to the box to see the item Agroth had left for her. Sure enough, when she saw it she knew. She picked up a metal kite shield, it was made of a light but strong material. The shield was painted a cyan blue, the exact same color as her coat. In the center, painted on, was a white cloud striking multicolored lightning. Tears welling up again, she turned it over. Carved with a dagger above the handle was the message "Let this protect you, since I no longer can. Goodbye Dashie."

Author's Note

Well, finally finished. I know the story's a little rough but I didn't really do too much editing of late. I really just wanted to get the rest of this story out there for you guys. I might come back and edit it then republish it but I don't know. I also have a sequel in mind but with college looking, that seems unlikely. This story was fun to write, and while it may not be a fantastic story it's the first full story I've ever written and I hope you guys like it. Also comment if you want me to upload the letter to the ponies, since I actually have that done now. Thanks guys!

Chapter 2 Traversing the White Light
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Chapter 2 Traversing the White Light

Chapter 2

I awake at the Darkroot Basin bonfire. I must have forgotten to rest at Firelink. Oh well. I use a humanity and reverse my hollowing. I feel like taking the long way back, so I exit the cave and approach the base of the hill. But something is different. I look left to the giant hole that is near the hill. There is a bridge there, not just an empty void like normal. An old, rickety wooden bridge, may not withstand the weight of my heavy armor. I carefully cross the old bridge. How long has this been here? This could have been built yeterday, or centuries ago. Since the flow of time is so greatly distorted in Lordran it is hard to tell. Ever so slowly I make my way across the bridge. At the end of the bridge there is a fog door. I traverse the white light, and when I do it doesn't disappear. Uh-oh. Imminent tough enemy. But there is nothing to be found. No dragons, demons, or corrupted knights. Strange. I traverse back through the white light. I stare at the lake where the hydra used to be and at all of the crystal golems that are still there. Very odd indeed. I traverse back to the side without the bridge. It was still forest, so not much of a change in scenery. Then I could smell something horrible, almost as bad as a decaying hollow. Suddenly two beasts appeared. They look like wolves made from trees. I pull out my black knight greataxe and make quick work of them. Slash! The wolf falls to pieces. Crush! The other does the same. I then decide to traverse back to the other side of the white light to check for summon signs. I traverse, and sure enough, the names Arthur and Joshua are in white written upon the earth. I touch both signs, these names are familiar. Arthur, the great sorcerer from New Londo who helped with the kings, and Joshua, the very same pyromancer. Looks like we all came back to this bonfire. Very peculiar.

As soon as they are summoned, I bow to them, and they to me, and we are off. We traverse the light and destroy more of the wooden beasts, quite common in this area. I look back at my phantoms. They are no longer phantoms! They are here, completely, in my world! Well, we can have a conversation later perhaps. We have fighting to do here and now. We finally breach the forest and are on the outskirts of what appears to be a small town. The buildings are colorful and not destroyed, maybe people still live here and were actually sane. That would be a pleasant change. We walk to a large house that was built inside a tree and I try to open the door. Locked. I pull out my master key and try that. Still locked. Damn! I turn towards the center of the town. There's a bonfire! Albeit unkindled, but I can use some humanity to kindle it, I don't mind. I get more estus! I crush one humanity and one twin humanity and offer them all to the bonfire. I then sit down for a nice rest. My companions stare wide-eyed at me and the lit bonfire. They sit down as well. "So...we are not phantoms anymore?" asks Arthur. "You can speak to us and we can speak back now, correct?"
"I suppose so" I respond.
"Well excellent!" Joshua says, "Maybe now we can actually have a conversation!"
"Splendid idea!" Arthur says.
"I do not really wish to talk at the moment..." I say. I'm not sure about this. Suddenly these two phantoms are brought wholly to my world? Why? And why did we all come back at the Darkroot Basin bonfire? Was it just the power of the Abyss that was causing strange things to happen? And probably the most important question, where in the Lords' names are we?! Why is this town so nice and not destroyed by undead, are we the first undead to come here?

Just then, there is a noise in an alley. Like something just running away. There is another noise, this one sounding like somebody dropped a metal shield against a large stone. I get up and run over to investigate. I see a small figure, orange, with a purple tail and hair, and...wings. "Please don't hurt me!" The figure says. Simply because it can speak, I know it isn't a hollow or demon.
"Alright. I won't hurt you, because you're not hollow and my companions and I are very confused. Perhaps you can help us." This should get some of my questions answered.
"O-Okay..."
"Good, now follow me."

We arrive at the bonfire and the others look at us in shock. "Alright," I begin as I resume my seat by the fire, "let's begin easy. What's your name?"
"Scootaloo..." She says as she sits by us at the fire.
"And where are we?" To this question I recieved a strange look of surprise from the small being.
"You're in Ponyville. You didn't know that?"
"We had no idea where we were until you told us." Arthur chimes in. "But we still don't know exactly where we are. What land is this? It is not like Lordran in many ways."
"Lordran? What's that?"
"It is the land where all undead are sent for the rest of their days. To await the world's end," Joshua states.
"'Tis a land of misery and death, brimming with hollows and demons and many other spiteful creatures," I explain. "We were sent there because we are all undead, and therefore not wanted by our home countries."
"W-Well, you're not gonna h-hurt us then?"
"No, we won't hurt you." I decide that this is the best decision for the moment. She doesn't appear to be insane or hollow, and we haven't seen a single hollow or demon yet. I could get used to this.
"Well good! Then I'll tell everypony it's safe to come out!" After saying this, the young being whistles very loudly, deafening us for a few moments. Then, other beings come out of the houses and shops that were locked before and lock their gazes on us. "It's safe everypony! They said they won't hurt us!" They seem to feel safer after that and they approach the bonfire, some have a seat. These strange creatures are incredibly trusting. We are completely surrounded now, some of the creatures sitting near us or next to us.
"If all of you are quite comfortable now, I have a few more questions to ask."
"As do I", Joshua chimed.
"I do as well", said Arthur.

Author's Note

Okay, second chapter is finally up, figured out how to upload chapters mobile! Please comment on how it is so far. Sorry I didn't mention this before but this story does contain spoilers to the game Dark Souls, and if you have never played Dark Souls before then you probably won't understand a majority of what's going on.

Chapter 18 Out of the Frying Pan
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Chapter 18 Out of the Frying Pan

Chapter 18

I awaken. Rarity is sleeping still. I get up out of the bed and leave the room. I walk down the hall leading to outside. As I reach the outside, I realize that the sun has not yet risen. It is clearly morning though, the air is light and the sun's light shines in the distance. I sit down on the cool grass and think. Perhaps she can go to Lordran. The voice of reason speaks up. Of course not! That would be suicide for her! Rainbow Dash walks up next to me and yawns.
"You're up early." She says.
"As are you, don't you usually sleep late?"
"Yeah, but I heard chainmail clinking through the hall and thought I might see what you're up to."
"Sorry for waking you. Just thinking. How did you know it was me?"
"Nopony wears armor, and you're the only undead that wears armor made of metal. Whatcha thinkin' about?"
I sigh. "Rarity asked me if she could go to Lordran with me yesterday."
"Well I can see why."
"What?"
"Well, you guys talk about it a lot. You tell us about adventures and great battles, sounds exciting."
"But Rarity asked me. She's more fragile, not built for great battles, no ponies are that I've met, except possibly for you."
"Me? Really?" She asks excitedly.
"Sure, you're the fastest pegasus I've seen. Your speed could be a great advantage, one that I couldn't dream of having. In Lordran you're either fast or durable. I may not be very fast but damn can I take a hit."
"I noticed, both times you fought your brother you took every slash and stab he dished out. What's that flask for anyway?"
"My estus? It's for healing in the midst of battle. It's my most important item."
"I guess that is pretty important." Some beams of sunlight begin to reach over the horizon. "Why does Raymond keep invading you anyway?"
"Not sure. Could be to finish off the family. He was very insane but he won't be coming back. I promise. You are all safe from him now."
"I hope so. I though he was going to kill you."
"That wouldn't be so bad."
"What do you mean? I never would have gotten a chance to really talk with you." She scoots a bit closer. "I mean, you're such good friends with Rarity, Joshua is with Fluttershy, and Arthur is with Twilight. If you were killed I never would have had a chance to be your friend, I'd never really know you well."I laugh at this a little.
"I didn't even think of this. You haven't seen me lose a battle yet have you?"
"No."
"Well, I am an undead. When I am killed, I come back at the last bonfire I rested at. I won't be permanently dead until I hollow, and even then there's a chance I'll still come back. So you would have still gotten a chance, you would just realize that I'm not invincible."
"You are pretty powerful though, right?"
"My power comes from experience, I know how to fight because I have died countless times."
"What's the worst part about dying?" I am shocked at the suddenness of this question.
"Um. Well, uhh..."
"Like, does it hurt?"
"Well, that depends. But, I suppose the worst part of death, is the calmness and serenity you feel." She stares at me, obviously puzzled. "An overwhelming sense of nothingness...then you open your eyes and your sitting at a bonfire, thrust right back into battle. Simply to await another death. And another, and another. That is the curse of the undead. You die over and over again until you snap and go insane. Then you have but a slim chance of staying dead." I say, gravely serious.
"Sorry... I shouldn't have asked." She says apologetically.
"No, it's alright. I don't mind, really." I lighten up a little. "By the way, where do you live in Ponyville?"
"In a cloud in Cloudsdale." She says, very glad I changed the subject.
"Of course you do."
"You could stay with me when we get back! Twilight could cast a spell on you that lets you walk on clouds and you could stay at my house!"
"That sounds nice, but there's still the problem of getting there in the first place."
"Twi could take you up, do you want to then?" She put on a face with a huge smile that screamed 'Pleeeeeaase?'
"Faces don't work on me." She frowned and her ears drooped down. "But sure, I'd love to." She lights up and flies a few feet into the air and flips.
"Great! Uh, I might have to clean up a bit before you come though." She says as she regrounds herself.
"Well just tell me when we get back to Ponyville then." I look at the sun, now almost completely over the horizon. "I should head back to our room, farewell Rainbow Dash."
"Bye Agroth." With that I walk inside the palace, and now I know my decision about Rarity going to Lordran: Still no. I open the door to the room and Rarity is standing near the bed, packing one of her suitcases.
"There you are darling! Can you help me pack please?"
"Certainly."
"And about Lordran, I'm sorry. I understand your decision."
"Oh. Well then, thank you for your understanding. I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I know, thank you." I put my plate armor on, except the helmet.
"There, now I'm about ready for a fight." I put Smough's Hammer away and replace it with my Black Knight Greataxe and strap it to my back. I strap the shield to my back and put the Bottomless Box on over that. I put my helmet on as well. Rarity finishes her packing and we walk to the train station. I set her bags down and we wait for the others. Pinkie Pie and Applejack walk up, well Applejack walks anyway, Pinkie bounces up as usual. Rainbow Dash flies up and lands next to me.
"Oh, Rarity, by the way. You don't mind if I stay with Rainbow Dash when we return do you?"
"Of course I don't mind, you'll drop by every so often though, won't you?"
"Indeed I will, and thank you very much for allowing me to stay in your home as well as for your brilliant hospitality." I say as I bow. Arthur, Twilight, and Spike all walk up.
She returns the bow and says "You are quite welcome." She stands and smiles at me. I smile back under my helm.
"Hi everyone." Twilight says. Spike and Arthur just smile as a greeting. I can see Joshua and Fluttershy walking this way. They arrive, both smiling as well.
"Hello everypony, and undead." Joshua says. "When will the train be here?"
"It should be here about now." I respond. Sure enough, there is a whistle in the distance. I pick Rarity's bags as I see the train from afar. The train hisses to a stop and the doors open. We all load on and I set the bags in the area above us. I put my bottomless box up there as well and sit down in one of the small seats. I remove my helmet and lie sideways in my seat. I should get some extra sleep, I did wake up very early this morning. I look out the window of the train as it begins its departure from the station. I look up at the palace and see Solaire and Celestia at the highest window. Solaire praises the sun then waves to us. I smile and drift off to sleep. Praise the Sun!

I wake up on my own this time. "Have we arrived yet?" I ask to nopony in particular.
"Almost there." Twilight responds. I begin to stand up to retrieve my box. My head hits the shelf with the luggage on it and I sit back down. Rainbow flies over and sits next to me as I rub my head in mild pain.
"Hey" she says.
"Hello." I say back.
"So, um, you need to get anything at Rarity's then?"
"I should drop off her luggage. But everything I own is in that box above us." I say, pointing to the Bottomless Box. The train stops and I replace my helm on my head. Rainbow flies to the platform and I grab Rarity's bags and my box from the shelf. The rest of us exit the train, Rarity and I last. We all walk to our homes. Rarity holds the door for me and I set the bags down on the floor by a mannequin.
"Sorry about your shawl at the Gala."
"Oh, don't worry. It was well worth the mess to keep you alive." She says holding the heavily bloodied cloth with her hoof. She sets the shawl down. "Thank you for staying."
"Thank you for allowing me." I kneel down and give her a hug and Sweetie Belle walks down the stairs.
"Rarity! You're back!" She shouts happily as she squeezes herself into our hug.
"Hello Sweetie Belle, I certainly am glad to be back home."
"It was nice to meet you Sweetie Belle, and it's nice to see you. I will be leaving shortly and staying with Rainbow Dash." I inform the young filly.
"You're leaving?" She asks sadly. "But, you just got back."
"You will see me again, I'm not leaving forever. And I promise I'll drop by every so often. Maybe I'll see you around Ponyville as well."
"Bye Agroth." She says as she hugs me tightly. Rarity hugs tighter too.
"Goodbye Agroth." Rarity says.
"Goodbye Rarity, bye Sweetie Belle." I hug them closer, not tighter since I don't quite know my own strength. "I should go, I need to learn a spell from Twilight." I release them, but they still hold tight for a moment.
"Alright." Rarity says as she lets go. "It was nice having you."
"Nice to meet you Agroth." Sweetie Belle says. I open the door and wave goodbye. I walk to Twilight's tree library house to learn the spell.
"Hello Agroth." She says with joy.
"Hello, how is your sorcery with Arthur going?"
"Quite well actually." Arthur says. "We both have learned much from each other's magic abilities."
"Actually that's why I'm here. I know basic sorceries, would you care to teach me the cloudwalking spell? Please?"
"Of course, it's a pretty simple spell." She says as she levitates a large book over to a table. She uses her magic to flip through the pages to the lage with the spell on it. I take out my Oolacile Catalyst, which is a small bundle of ash-white sticks. The spell doesn't look difficult. I read the page over a few times and attempt to cast it. I immediately feel much lighter and there is a dim aura of magic underneath my feet. I think it worked! Only one way to find out though.
"Got it." I tell her. "Now how do we get to Cloudsdale?"
"We might be able to go in my balloon, not wearing that heavy armor though." Twilight says. I sigh.
"We can try."
"Alright. If you insist." I put on Havel's Ring. After replacing Smough's Hammer with the Great Club that had been smithed with a Titanite Slab, Twilight Sparkle calls for me.
"Great! Then off we go." I charge out the door feeling much lighter and I see a great big balloon outside. Twilight invites me into the basket underneath. I climb in, and we begin to rise off the ground. Suddenly I feel horribly ill as I recall the Bat Winged Demons lifting me from Sen's Fortress to Anor Londo. My illness is so great I am forced to sit down in the basket. "I feel like I may vomit." She just giggles a bit.
"Don't worry, we're almost there." She says. "Just don't look down." Within a few short moments the balloon stops moving and we touch down somewhere. I leap over the side of the basket and land on a large cloud.
"Thank you Twilight Sparkle." I say nobly as I bow.
"Your welcome, have fun with Rainbow Dash." She begins the descent back down to Ponyville. I look around to see Rainbow Dash sitting near...a bonfire! Thank the Lords! I rush over and sit at the fire. I take a deep breath as Rainbow Dash notices me.
"Hi Agroth! My house is ready if you want to go there now."
"I'd like to sit by the fire for a while, if you don't mind."
"Okay, cool. So, how do you like Cloudsdale?"
"It makes me uneasy, but I feel with time I'll get used to it. I'm not used to being in the sky, most things that fly often try to kill me." Bat Winged Demons, dragons and drakes, Harpy Demons, other evil creatures invade my thoughts as well.
"I'm not gonna push you too much about Lordran." She says.
"I don't mind, however I do have a question for you."
"Go for it."
"You are the Element of Loyalty, yes?"
"Yep, that's me." She says proudly.
"You are very loyal to your friends then?"
"Totally."
"Good, loyalty is a rare quality, and true loyalty is one if the best qualities a knight can have."
"You're pretty loyal then too?" I nod. "Has your loyalty ever been...tested?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like, after I met my friends, I was tempted to leave them behind to follow my dream of being the greatest flyer in Equestria."
"You chose your friends over your dream? How honorable of you. That was a truly loyal act. I think I understand now. I don't believe I have had such a test of my knightly qualities." I stare into the flames and become much more relaxed.
"Do you have any like, dreams?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like, I wanna be a Wonderbolt someday. I've wanted to since I was just a filly. I work so hard every day, and I train really hard so I can be one someday. Do you have anything like that?"
"I hope to defeat the corrupted Lord Gwyn and link the First Flame. For it is my destiny. And what are the Wonderbolts?"
"Only the best group of elite flyers in Equestria! I used to watch their shows all the time as a kid! But anyway, link the flame?"
"The Age of Fire is coming to an end. Lord Gwyn tried to hold off the Age of Dark by sacrificing his soul to the flame he created. In the Age of Dark, there is nothing but chaos since the Darkwraiths will rule. They will prey on the innocent, and death will reign everywhere. But Lord Gwyn has hollowed, therefore another must take his place. I hope to do so. I must sacrifice my life, my soul, to keep order in Lordran for a time. I cannot let the Darkwraiths win."
"Sacrifice your soul? But, you can't!"
"I must. They cannot win. Before I came to Equestria, the three of us were fighting the last lord we needed to open the door behind the Firelink Alter and hopefully, reach Gwyn."
"Lord?"
"The Four Kings, the Bed of Chaos, Gravelord Nito, and Seath the Scaleless each possess a great soul that the Lordvessel will accept. When full, the door behind the Lordvessel will open to Lord Gwyn's domain. We had defeated the Bed of Chaos, Gravelord Nito, and Seath the Scaleless before coming here. We were fighting the Four Kings of New Londo and were killed. We came back at a bonfire in the forest and traversed through a portal into this world. It's the best mistake I've ever made." I say, smiling under my helm.
"Mistake?"
"I could have gone right back to the Abyss and fought the kings again, but my curiosity got the better of me."
"Oh, well I'm glad it did. Wanna go back to my place now?" She asks, not quite enjoying the bonfire as much as I am. I feel great comfort at the fire, the amount of times I had simply dozed off while staring into the flames is far too great to count.
"Alright, let's go then." I say in spite of my comfort. She flies off the clouds as I clumsily make my way across them, following her to her home. We reach her home, which is made of clouds, and she sits down on a couch. I tentatively set my box down, testing the cloud to see if it will fall through. It does not, so I begin to take the plates off my chainmail. When the plates are off, I am tackled by Rainbow Dash.
"Agh! What are you doing?" She gets off and lays down near me.
"Comfy? Check out the clouds." I actually feel very relaxed, the clouds are soft and plushy.
"Actually yes, I am. Wow, clouds are quite nice." I feel very tired just lying here. "And you only got me down because I wasn't on my guard."
"Oh really?"
"Really. I am like Havel the Rock or Artorias, immovable in battle." There is a multitude of loud screeches outside and we both become serious. "Perhaps now you will have a chance to see." I strap my plate armor back on and rush outside with my hammer and shield. Just as I thought. There are four scrawny, pale, winged creatures. They wield spined spears and are huddled around a grey pegasus. I sprint over and slam two of the demons aside with the hammer. One goes to stab the pegasus and she shields herself with a hoof. I dive in front of her and take the stab with my shoulder. A painful electric shock courses through my body and the other three go to stab me as well. I raise my shield and block the attacks. I swing the hammer with great force and pain, being very careful not to hit the grey pegasus. The three demons are knocked away. I yank the spear from my shoulder and gulp down a dose of estus. The unarmed demon grabs me by the throat and begins to strangle me. I drop the hammer and grab his wrists with my free hand. I crush the bones in his forearms with ease. The creature cries out in pain and I punch it in the face, crushing its skull. I gasp in a big breath of air as the other demons charge. I pick up my hammer as I see a flash of rainbow in front of me.
"Rainbow, no!" I shout as she kicks one of the demons in mid flight. It isn't affected and tries to claw her in the air. She dashes away with great speed as I charge after the demon that clawed at her. I leap towards the demon feet first and kick it full force in the throat with both legs, crushing its windpipe and causing blood to come from the creature's mouth. As it slowly suffocates I grab my hammer again. I see another flash of color and Rainbow is kicking a demon in the face, hovering in midair. The winged demon grabs her with its free hand and digs in with its claws. I see blood drip from Rainbow Dash and run for her, still held by the demon. It brings her to its mouth, looking as though it is going to tear her to ribbons with its jagged teeth. I shout with rage as I bash the top of the head of the hammer into the demon's chest. I hear ribs crack and it drops the bleeding Rainbow Dash onto the clouds. I slam my shield down by Rainbow to create a barrier between her and them. I grasp Smough's Hammer with both hands and charge, shouting wildly and holding the hammer high above my head. I jump and bring the hammer down on one of the demons, killing it instantly. I swing upward and hit the other, sending it high into the air. When it lands I hit it again, killing the last of the vile creatures. Gasping for breath, I take another swig of estus and strap the hammer to my back. I walk over to Rainbow and my shield.
"Are you alright?" I ask, looking at her wounds. She has ten deep puncture wounds, none fatal however, five on either side of her body. I kneel down and put the estus flask to her lips. "Drink up, you'll feel better." Her body is still quivering and shaking badly with pain, and she drinks some of the estus. She grunts with further pain as the estus liquid closes her wounds and stops the bleeding. "Now, are you okay?" I ask softly.
"Yeah, fine now." She stands hesitantly.
"Good." I say, still kneeling beside her. "Promise me something?"
"Sure."
"Never do that again. If I tell you to run, you run. I don't want to lose you. So please, promise me that you will never fight demons again."
"Okay, I promise." She says, smiling innocently. I hug her for a moment. She hugs back.
"Thank you." We release. "However, not letting your new friend go into a battle four to one is a great act of loyalty. An act that I have not seen in Lordran by any, save for Solaire and a few others. I am impressed."
"Thanks. Can we go home?" She asks.
"I don't see why not." I stand and we begin to walk back to her house, but a grey pegasus stops us. She looks traumatized, but not hurt, thankfully. Her yellow eyes look in different direction, which I find odd, as I have seen no ponies such as that before.
"T-Thank you. You saved my life."
"Think nothing of it, I am merely glad you were not harmed. What is your name?"
"Derpy Hooves. Who are you?"
I bow. "I am Agroth of Ast- I mean, of Lordran." Lordran has shaped me into who I am today more than Astora has, especially in my combat.
"Agroth? Well, thanks Agroth." Derpy says.
"You are quite welcome." We continue back to Rainbow's house. That fight must have taken longer than I thought, the clouds glow as orange as the flames of a bonfire in the setting sun. We arrive at Rainbow's home and I remove my plate armor.
"Why do you take your armor off?"
"I don't need to have it on all the time anymore, and just the mail is much more comfortable." I take my rings off and put them in my box so as not to lose them. I take my catalyst and cast the cloudwalking spell again, just to be safe.
"Room's this way." She says, leading me to our room. She flies above the bed, inviting me to enter first. I lie down and almost instantly fall asleep with such comfort. "Comfy huh? The bed's fluffed up more than any other clouds in the house, so it's more comfortable." She lands beside me.
"Excellent." She yawns, as do I. "Goodnight Rainbow Dash."
"Goodnight Agroth." I fall quickly into a deep, delightful sleep.