//------------------------------// // Thief of Time Pt 4: And Time Goes Marching On // Story: The Equestrian Omni-Knight // by Azure5555 //------------------------------// “...yeah I get it, it looks cool, but can you change back!? It’s creepong me out!” Cried Rainbow as we exited the portal. “But...fine.” I close the portal and revert back to my base human-ish form. “ Well, we made it, but where’s Zidane?” “You think that weirdo witch got to him too?” Asked Rainbow. “Oh. There you are.” Zidane said as he came out off one of the many cave's “How long were we gone?” I ask. “Not that long..” Zidane said “Good, let me grab what we came for and we can get out of here...Seriously, all that’s left is for the stupid skeleton to reanimate its-” I don’t so much as reach for the staff that lay on the floor, when of course Murphy reared his ugly head. Bones began to fly and reconnect to age worn sockets as the ancient skeleton rose to it’s feet, the golden idol locked inside of its rib cage, my Staff of Awe!! held firmly in its bony claw. “Fools...I live!!” Cried the one eyed skeleton as it began to cackle. “...Ultima.” A burst of volatile green magic tore the undead demon apart. It’s bones once again began to reform. “Let's see how you burn.” Zidane said as he shot a fireball out of one of his daggers that held his fire Materia.. It's leg now covered with a scorch mark. “...Ahh…” Zidane said as he searched his bag. “Ugh, thought I had a Holy Materia in here.” The undead swung the staff, three waves of wind elemental magic pushing us to the wall of the abyss. “Grr, this may not end well. Zidane, catch,” I say as I throw a copy of my Green Dragon Ocarina. “When and if I say play, you play! Rainbow, try and dislodge the idol!” “My Idol! I didn’t die stealing it to have it taken from me!!” Yelled the demon as it swung the staff, the orbed relic spinning and pinning Rainbow to the wall. The staff returning to it’s grip. Hm...I wonder.”Zidane mumbled. He concentrated on the daggers, after a short charge one had a blue aura around and the other had a red aura. “Now we're talking.” Zidane said as he charged at the skeleton. The demon had tried to swipe at the agile Zidane, only to fail miserably as Zidane carved into the demon’s skull. This in turn allowed Rainbow a chance to slice off some of the demon’s rib cage. “You. Shall. Not. TAKE. MY IDOL!!” AS if reacting to it’s rage, the staff began to glow and the Abyss was saturated in magic. “Play the ocarina…” I whisper in fear.   “Right.” Zidane said ass he put the ocarina to his lips and played it. It wasn’t a moment too soon, as before us descended the Guardian Dragon. “BURNINATE!! Please don’t sue.” The mighty dragon sent a torrent of void flame at us, only to be blocked by our own Green Dragon Zard. The beasts flew skyward, the magic in the air slowly fading as the sounds of clashing metal and scale echoed through the walls. “That would have killed us…” I say nonchalantly. “I didn’t even know the staff could DO that,” Said the skeletal demon. “That just means I have more to keep from you!” The demon began to cackle only realize it had a sword jutting from its skull. “Hi, how’s it goin?” Asked Rainbow with a sly grin. “Other than the sword through my head? Rather well.” “Yeah that’s good, that’s good. Now could you stand there while my friends pummel you with their build up of light magic?” “I don’t see why-wHAT!? NOO!” Only it was too late, as Zidane and I shot our collective payload of Light and Holy magic. The bones, finally fell, and with it, the Staff of Awe!! And the lost Idol of Borealis. “Well...that was anti-climactic. I just hope the others are-NOPE! Not tempting fate again!” I yell at no one in particular. “We’re done here, I want to go home, and shower, and eat. AND I’M FLYING YOU UP THIS TIME! I’M NOT GETTING STUCK IN A TIME WARP AGAIN!!” I scream as I grab Zidane and fly back to the top of the Abyss with Rainbow following close behind us. The flight back had been weathered in silence, the light of day our only sign that we had left the Abyss. But all was not right with the world...gazing into the distance, our pastry group had been surrounded by griffon soldiers in rusted armor. The vulture from before holding Gilda in a vice grip. “Oh fuck me sideways can nothing go RIGHT TODAY!!!” “What happened here?” Zidane asked “It’s a bit far to see, but our group is surrounded, and Gilda might die. How good are you with falling and landing from great heights?” I ask. “Good, as long as I’m warned first.” “GREAT! I’mma coat you with magic now.” The monkey-like human in my grasp began to glow with a bright golden light, wings unfurling from his back. I pull back...and launch my living projectile at the group closest to Pinkie. “HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!! Rainbow, catch him if he falls.” With a salute she was off.    I re-don the Mercenary, its resident spirit finally talking to me. ‘Dude, I can see you’re upset, but even I don’t wanna see what you do next.’ ‘Then hide yourself in the back of my mind like a good squatter and avert your gaze!’ I launch my kunai at the vulture, flying behind it. Zidane found his target, the area exploding in blinding light, Rainbow had similar success, freeing up a large portion of the field as she cleaved through various guards. I had no such luck. The vulture batting the weapon away with one of his… “THAT’s MY AX!!!” i scream as I land in front of the vulture and Gilda. The vulture holding the weapon to her throat. Normally the ax glows with a white flame, but it seemed to be dead. “Ah..the heroes arrive!! Now...give me the idol.” “Don’t...I’d die first!” Protested Gilda. “None of that grand daughter! Or would you rather your friends see you die?” “You’re in no position to make threats, old bird. Hand her over.” I say with as much venom as I could muster. The vulture only laughed as he drew blood from Gilda’s neck. “I’m in a better position than you hero. Guards! Arrest them!” More griffon soldiers had begun to descend, their forces dwarfing us ten to one.  “Hey, where is Choco?” Zidane asked as he saw he was nowhere “Kewwe.” “Charge!!” Two voice said as they landed, one was Choco and the other was a grey coated griffin. “Gabby! What are you doing!” Gilda yelled “Me and my friend here saw that you needed help. Take this!”she said as she punched one of the guards. “Kewwe.” Choco flapped his wings and a strong gust of wind blew some of the guards back abit. “Humph, youthful treason. Guards, seize them!” Four guards had managed to separate the duo, though there had been some trouble. The entire event devolved into an all out brawl, yet despite the sounds of cannon fire and magic I couldn’t stop staring at the vulture and Gilda. “Funny isn’t it hero? All this for a simple artefact? Foolish, but only I know it’s true worth, and with it shall come my rise to power! The world shall fall TO ME!!” “...stop.” “What’s that hero, I don’t think we can hear you.” “Stop.” “Louder, let the world hear your screams!!” “STOOOOP!!!” And the world stopped. I moved slowly, held the ax and tore it from the vulture, it’s fire once more flared to life. I Then removed Gilda from her grandfather’s grasp as the world once again began to move. Gilda let out a feared gasp, as my blackened dragonic arm held Gruff by his neck. The battle had since died down, rainbow and Gabby still punching the guards they held. The vulture struggled in my grasp. “Heh, you...won’t actually kill me will you? Heroes don’t kill.” “No, they don’t. But I’m no hero...I’m just a Demon.” I couldn’t see his fear, I could only hear his realization as I snapped his neck. The body falling to the floor, the image of Griever flashed for a second. Silence...followed by a yell. “The old king is dead!” “Long live the king!!” “Hail to our king, The Lord of Beasts!!” The cacophony of soldiers became deafening, ending only as I plunged the ax into the dirt. “I am no king!! I am only death itself!” The staff appeared in my hand, I began to swing the weapon as it glowed and changed. It’s transformation ended with a portal ripping into the air. “To hell with this lost soul…” I then promptly kick the dead bod into the void.   “Zidane, gather the group, I’ll meet you in the castle.” I sat alone, in an empty throne room, the only sound was that of the various exclamations of the kingdom’s new ruler. Zidane and co. walked briskly into the throne room. “Soo. How's it going?” Zidan asked the question on everyone's mind. “I killed another sentient being in cold blood. Not very good all things considered.” “H-hey, look on the bright side...the fighting stopped, and the scones are selling pretty well.” Said Pinkie, her hair had straightened out and darkened. “Zidane, I think you may have a few problems facing you when you get back to your world…” I say absent mindedly. “Yeah. I know.. Having to face a friend in battle..Maybe to the death…” Zidane said as he leaned on a post “Your world’s Kuja I take it. He won’t be your only problem…” I say as I mindlessly remove my new limiter. Griever’s form hung over me like a cruel punishment. “Gah!? Put that away!!” Screamed Dash. “Sorry,” the limiter once again in place, I continue. “It seems Chaos is hiding somewhere in your world. The coward…” “If that's the case I’m not alone in this. There are more heroes of light out there.” “True, but that doesn’t change the fact that you will need help once Chaos decides he’s tired of hiding. Take these,” I finally give Zidane the summon scrolls to the two numbered beasts, and another scroll sealed with the sigil of the Elements of Harmony. “The summons are yours, as well as the ocarina. Flick the ocarina if you want to call and take up a moment of my time. The other scroll however, is for Cosmos. Tell her it’s up to her if she wants to hire me for whatever your world will face.” “Thank's. If I ever met her in person I’ll make sure to give it to her.” Zidane  said as he pocketed the items. “This is goodbye then, it’s been a trip,” I pull out my copy of Zidane’s token and bite it. The destination locked, and I ripped a portal back to his realm. “I almost forgot, give this to a white mage,” I remove another scroll from my inventory. “The healing wings are a basic spell, novices can cast it to heal for how strong they are, and experienced mages can do what I did when I threw you at the soldiers.” “Noted. Bye then.” Zidane said as he walked towards the portal but stopped to see Choco hiding behind Gabby. “It’s time to go.” Choco made a pouty face, then hugged Gabby. “Kewwe.” “You too.” Gabby said as she wiped a tear away..Quina just bowed to Pinkie before running into the portal. “What a band we are.” Zidane said as he walked through the portal with Choco behind. The portal closed behind them, and silence once again reigned throughout the throne room. “So, you’re our new king now?” Said Gabby. “No, I’m not. I have an army to lead, Gilda!” “S-SIR!” “None of that, it’s rather ill fitting for a king.” “You’re making me king!?” Shouted Gilda. “You’re making her king!?” Shoued Rainbow Dash. The two looked at each other, smiled….laughed...cried...and had then been knocked to the ground by Pinkie and and Gabby. “I think it’s time to find out what this thing does then, wouldn’t you agree your highness?” I say. “The...lost idol...t-the pedestal is right in the center of the throne room.” The pedestal had been right behind me of all places, the end to my journey had finally come. The idol returned to it’s home...and nothing. “I DID NOT GO THROUGH TODAY TO GET NOTHING!!!” Yet, as if the heavens itself heard my plea, a wall had opened behind the golden throne...that had not been gold a moment before. “What do you think’s inside?” Asked Pinkie. “I don’t know, and I don’t care! Let’s just...go outside. Tell the kingdom they have Gilda as their new king and be done with it.” “What, you’re gonna leave without this?” Asked Gilda, as she held my ax. “Keep it, throw the materia into its pit, enjoy your new weapon. C’mon...we have a ceremony to kickstart.” “What’ll throwing that electric orb into it do?” Asked Gilda. “It’ll amuse me.” The view from the balcony was harrowing, a city fallen to ruin, awaited their new king. The cheers flooded the air, all aimed at me. “ENOUGH!” That seemed to get their attention. “Poverty...Famine...and a trade embargo,” Murmurs began to echo among the citizenry. “Yeah, I heard about it. Idiots…” The sound of hundreds of booties being tickled replaced the murmurs. “Oh sure, seal yourselves off from the rest of the world, because that’s smart! No, no, I’m not done! You let yourselves get trampled by your own military! Also smart. Well it’s not, and as much as I would like to help fix your problem I won’t!” “But you’re our new king! The lord of beasts! Come to rescue us from the oppression of the ponies!!” “Shut da fuck up! Do I have your attention? Good. This shit happened because you were dumb, not because of a pretty pony princess. Thankfully, there is one among you who isn’t dumb. Allow me to present your new king! Gilda!!” Startled murmurs echoed, as Gilda made her appearance. Armor fitting her form as she rested her new ax on her shoulder. “But she’s a girl!” “And I’m hungry!! Who else wants to be dumb!? No one? Great. I’m leaving.” I walked back in, much to the protest of what I can no doubt call loyal followers. Gabby catching me as I walk. “You’re not gonna stay for the party?” “No, I’m tired and fed up. Rainbow will be your liaison, I may be back another day, but something tells me more of you will be showing up in Ponyville. Which isn’t bad, Akriloth is packing more heat than we have. Pun intended.” “You...aren’t gonna say bye?” “I said my goodbyes. Except to you,” I give a curt bow take her claw, and give it a light kiss. “I’ll probably be so much happier the next time we see each other, that is if you don’t hate me for being such a dick. Adiós!” And with that, I left the kingdom behind, the cries of an angry party mare howling in the distance. part 1 2 3