_____*the dungeon, Fang's POV*_____
Fang calmly and quietly moved through the dark hallways, he couldn't figure it out, but he felt a sense of unease here, not only that, he felt like he wasn't alone.
As Fang reached split off paths, he marked them with a subtle cut in the wall, so he could find his way should he get lost. 'I just want to find the others and leave at this point, first things first, get out of these tunnels or whatever they are.' He told himself.
_____*Golden.*_____
Golden Freddy was many things, but confused was normally not one of them, he entered a fortress like area with destroyed golems and constructs everywhere, so this was either Fang, or the others.
As Golden walked through the destroyed bodies to the exit, he found that there were no real signs of environmental damage, and knowing Fang, he was surprised at this, but didn't stop moving.
When Golden walked through the exit, he found himself inside the fortress, where there were more bodies, he sighed and went through the only door that didn't have any.
Soon enough, Golden was inside what appeared to be a mess hall of sorts, there were broken tables and benches everywhere. "What the hell happened here?" He wondered.
He quickly left the room and was now in what appeared to be a large room with three exits other than the one he just entered from, he knew Fang didn't come this way as there were golems wandering aimlessly, he drew his staff and approached, as he neared the golems furiously charged him, intent on killing him.
Golden destroyed the golems one by one, and eventually he managed to clear them all out, after that, he approached one of the doors and opened it, he went inside and found an old infirmary. "An infirmary next to a mess hall?" He muttered.
He examined nearly everything, and discovered that the equipment was old.....far older than him. "How old is this place?" He wondered.
Golden left the infirmary and went to another door, as he opened it, he was immediately flooded with dirt and rocks, he protected himself with a psychic bubble and forced a path out.
After he was free, Golden lowered the bubble and coughed as the dust filled his lungs, when it finally dissipated, he was surprised, the dirt was halfway across the room, and it was still blocking the whole door, Golden brushed himself off and walked over to the other door.
Once he reached it, he opened the door, ready for another avalanche of dirt and rocks, but it never came, he sighed in relief and walked through. 'I have no idea where I'm going, but it's better than here.' He said to himself.
_____*Lyaroa, Shade and Roxanne.*_____
Roxanne was breathing softly as she awoke, she felt rejuvenated from the rest, she opened her eyes and saw Lyaroa sitting across from her, sleeping, she blinked a few times and let her limbs wake up, she looked over and saw Shade fast asleep on the ground. 'How long were we out?' She wondered.
Roxanne slowly got up and stretched, she then walked over to Lyaroa and knelt down. "Hey, Migraine, get up." She said quietly.
Lyaroa didn't react right away, but as Roxanne went to stand, she heard Lyaroa chuckle, she looked back. "No no, I'm fine, don't give me drugs." She mumbled.
Roxanne rolled her eyes, the Sentinel was just talking in her sleep, but she couldn't help but laugh a little at the nickname, Roxanne had given Lyaroa that nickname the day after she had returned to her wolf form, Lyaroa had laughed loudly at the joke, and when asked about the name, Roxanne had said. "The first thing she did was give me a migraine when she got her body back, I think it fits."
Roxanne knelt down and shook Shade. "Come on buddy, get up." She said.
The Night Wolf hadn't responded, instead, all she got was a grumble, and something about Kor Sticks. "Ok." She muttered.
Roxanne sat back down at the wall, she decided to wait for the others to just wait up, one she noticed was Soul propped up against a wall next to Lyaroa, with Spirit on the ground in front of her. "But I hate that jerk, I don't want to be stuck with him." Lyaroa said unconsciously.
Roxanne smiled a little, she found it a little creepy that she talked in her sleep, but she also found it a little cute, as weird as it was.
It was a few minutes until Roxanne decided it was long enough, she stood up and walked over to the Sentinel, she placed her hand on her friends shoulder and talked. "Lyaroa, come on get up, we need to get moving." She said, but after she said that, she realized something, she saw the Sentinel as a friend, even though she did so much to them, infuriated her immensely every day, and recently faked trying to killing her and Shade, she considered Lyaroa a good friend.
'I guess I do think that way.' She thought, she smiled a little and stood up, she walked over to Soul and knelt down. "I know you can hear me, so when Lyaroa wakes up, give her a message."
Roxanne looked at Lyaroa. 'Heh, I hated you so much, and now?.....I want to protect you like a friend, did you plan on this?.....or was it just a coincidence?.....oh well, we can talk this over some other time.'
She grabbed Life and Death and walked off.
_____*Fang's POV*____
Fang finally exited the catacombs, but now he was somewhere else entirely, where before it was an old and decaying fortress, it was now a clean and maintained mansion of sorts, he seemed to be in some kind of antechamber, he doubted he would find enemies here, but he would be cautious regardless.
Fang quickly and quietly made his way through the room, he entered a kind of museum, but what he saw was confusing, he saw ponies and Griffins cleaning the room, he made sure to be quiet and make himself unseen as they worked.
Fang snuck around the room, carefully maneuvering around the cleaning people, he was almost spotted, but he slowed time and ran around him and through the door.
The next room was an entryway of sorts, there were many doors and there was a staircase leading up, he decided against going upstairs unless he had too, so he searched the next room.
After he went inside, he saw he was in a music room, there were polished instruments, normally, he would play one, but he had better things to do, so he left and entered another room.
The next one was a dining hall, he cautiously looked around and up, seeing nothing, he continued through, entering the kitchen area, he found himself unable to really go anywhere in that room, as there were cooks everywhere, so he left without a sound.
The rest of the ground floor went the same way, with him looking, but finding nothing of interest, soon, he went upstairs, once there, he soon found a bathroom, he knew better than to use the toilet while sneaking out, but when a Griffin came up the stairs, he quickly hid and locked the doors.
When the door nob shook and a knock came, a voice was heard, Fang thought up something quickly. "Occupied!" He called.
A voice followed. "Farrun, you better not be sneaking smokes in the bathroom again!" The voice said angrily.
Fang did the only sensible thing, he pissed in the toilet to prove his point, to be honest, this worked out for him, at least he wouldn't have to worry about it for a while now.
The voice spoke. "When your done in there Farrun, clean up the bedrooms, they're a mess!" The voice shouted angrily.
"Alright!" Fang replied. 'Did I just get drafted?' He wondered.
"We had to move the cleaning supplies!.....they're in there somewhere!" The voice said before walking away.
Fang sighed in relief as he finished up, he didn't know who this Farrun was, but it might work out for him, if he had to clean the rooms, it would help him find an exit.
Fang carefully left the bathroom, after grabbing the supplies, WHY he was doing this?.....he wasn't sure yet, it wasn't his job, but it would work out.
He walked to one of the rooms with a bucket, a mop, and a duster, his heart stopped once he saw an earth pony mare walk out and look at him in confusion. "Farrun?.....didn't I just see you go in there?" Said the mare out of confusion while pointing to a room.
Fang raised an eyebrow, was there someone here who looked like him? "You must be mistaken." He assured.
The mare blinked and rubbed her head. "You sound different?.....you alright bud?" She asked.
Fang nodded. "I'm fine, just have something stuck in my throat." He said calmly.
The mare nodded. "Alright, well, good luck, catch you later." She said before walking off.
Fang walked to the room the mare pointed at, he opened the door quietly and stepped inside, he saw a wolf that was almost identical to him in appearance standing there mopping.
Fang slowed down time and quickly set the supplies down, he rushed behind the wolf and put him in a choke hold before letting time return to normal. "Sorry." He said as he choked the wolf.
The wolf, Farrun, presumably, attempted to scream, but Fang muffled him with his hand. "Can't have that." He muttered.
Soon enough, Farrun fell unconscious, Fang released him and his him in the footlocker under everything.
Fang then continued Farrun's work, he cleaned the floor, and dusted the walls, after he was done, he left the room and went to the other rooms. 'I don't like doing this, but it's safer this way.' He told himself.
After cleaning the nearby rooms, Fang went to other rooms, after cleaning one up, he was about to leave when he noticed something odd, it was a pendant but it looked just like Roxanne's. 'Weird, but I shouldn't worry about this right now.' He thought as he returned his focus to finding an exit.
Fang exited the room and shut the door, he opened the door to the next room, he entered it and walked to the center before setting it down, when he did, he noticed something on the bed, he walked over and picked it up, it was a book, he opened it and read it, he realized quickly what it was, it was an exact copy of Verdants journal, he set the book down.
Fang decided to simply get back to work, but as he went to move, he was struck by a powerful blow to the head, he fell forward and was quickly unconscious.
_____*Golden.*_____
Golden was walking across a field, it seemed to be never ending, but he knew better, he could feel the exit getting closer, but as he walked, he eventually found himself walking through a dead field, he looked back and saw that it was alive, but now he was in a dead part of it. "The hell?" He wondered.
Golden continued walking, but he soon reached a scarecrow in the middle of an empty patch. "What is that doing here?" He asked himself.
Golden walked by the scarecrow and continued on, he soon reached the door, he opened it and stepped through.....only to return to the scarecrow. "Ok, who put a loop here?" He asked himself.
Golden simply walked to the door and opened it again, just to return. "I'll be here all day." He complained.
____*Lyaroa and Shade.*____
Lyaroa opened her eyes, she yawned and stretched, afterwards, she stood up and looked at Shade who was still asleep. "He sure is a deep sleeper." She said quietly.
Lyaroa walked over to Soul after grabbing Spirit, she put the harness on and sheathed Spirit, as she grabbed Soul, the ghost materialized. "Morning sleepyhead." Soul said happily.
Lyaroa raised an eyebrow. "What's got you so happy?" She asked.
Soul smiled. "Well, I have good news and bad news, wanna hear?" She asked excitedly.
Lyaroa nodded. "Go ahead." She replied, genuinely curious.
Soul crossed her arms and her smile grew. "First off, you know how you wished that Roxanne knew you were sorry?" After receiving a nod, Soul closed her left eye and tilted her head. "Little Roxie does forgive you, she even seemed happy to see you when I saw her." She said.
Lyaroa felt a little better. "That's great." Her smile faded though. "And the bad news?" She asked.
Soul sighed and stood straight. "She grabbed Life and Death and walked off." Upon seeing Lyaroa's panicked expression, she held her arms out quickly. "Wait wait wait wait!....she left a message!" She reassured.
Lyaroa let out a sigh of relief from that news. "What is it?" She asked.
Soul faded away, and an image appeared. "I know you can hear me, so when Lyaroa wakes up, give her a message." Roxanne's image said.
"Tell her......well, I guess to start that I forgive her, I think I get it now, I would be very pissed off if someone decapitated me too, tell her....." She sighed. "Tell her I had fun, when we went out those few times, I had a blast, and that when she held it together the time Celestia visited.....I was proud, no....joyful, that she didn't do anything to provoke her." The image rubbed her eyes.
"No, I'm not crying from sadness.....those are tear of joy, heh.....go figure, back at the Empire, I swore hatred, but I couldn't bring myself to hold up to it, not after knowing what I know now.....I guess it was hard for me to see it, or even admit it, but you're my best friend, I mean, yes, I have Fang.....but to be honest, I've always seen him as a dad more than a friend, and when I discovered you took control of him forcefully.....I guess I just missed the closest thing I had to a father, I don't know if you know what I'm talking about, but still.....its good to get this out." The image said.
Roxanne's image smiled and rubbed her eyes. "You're going to be so pissed I didn't tell you in person." She laughed a little. "But I didn't think I would have another chance, and I figure my leaving would light a fire under your asses, besides, I don't think I could have told you in person.....I don't have that kind of strength." She took a breath.
"Anyway, I needed to get this out, I talked to a therapist." Lyaroa raised an eyebrow, and somehow it seemed like the image knew. "Shut up! I know what I said about them! how they don't help or whatnot.....but I was stumped, I mean, how do you tell the person you said that you hate with a burning passion that you actually love them?.....how? It just isn't easy." She said, she took another breath. "Oh well, when we talk again, you can chew me out there." She said with a wave. "See you later." She said quietly.
Lyaroa said nothing as Soul went back to her sword, her mind was overloaded at the moment, but she smiled softly and held her hand over her heart. "Well, that answers that mystery." She said before walking over to Shade. 'She basically opened her heart with that message, and while I am pissed beyond belief.....she was right, it lit a fire.' "Shade, get up." She said firmly.
Shade opened his eyes, after standing he looked at Lyaroa. "You alright?....you look like you went into a frozen wasteland." He asked.
Lyaroa nodded. "I'm fine, but Roxie wants to play chase.....lets go catch her!" She said eagerly before running off.
Shade sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I can't even wake up properly." He complained as he ran off after the Sentinel.
____*Golden*____
Golden had already gotten out of the loop, all he had to do was destroy the scarecrow, it came to life and attacked him, but it was simple.
He was now in a mill of some sorts, there were grinding wheels here and there, as well as wheat just lying around in stacks, and flour in the corner.
Golden walked through the large mill and soon found the exit, he opened the door and walked through it, he found himself in what appeared to be a small town, he looked around and saw dimmed lights, he walked up to one and held his hand up. "Still warm." He said to himself. 'This town seems to be abandoned, unless they just want me to believe it, oh well, I'll just get out and find the others.'
He walked through the town, noting that windows were suddenly closing as he neared, it didn't matter to him as he walked, he eventually found a wooden archway that led to a path out. "Don't forget your mill." He said before he left.
Golden followed the path, it led him down and then up, and then down, then straight, he continued walking, with no fatigue, he was able to continue walking for quite some time.
Eventually, he found a door, he opened it, and found an old elevator system, he sighed as he got it moving slowly but steadily with his power, he sat down and closed his eyes, allowing his power to slowly recover from his lengthy usage.
'You better be alright.' He said to himself.
____*Fang's POV*____
Fang grumbled as he groggily opened his eyes, his vision was foggy, but he could see, he tried to move his arms, but found he couldn't, he blinked a few times and shook his head, after his vision was clear, he looked down, and saw that he was bound by ropes, he looked around the room, and saw someone familiar sitting there on a table looking at him, the mare from before. "Told you I would catch you later." She said.
Fang suddenly felt a thudding pain on the back of his head. "What did you hit me with?" He asked.
The mare was a dark purple with black hair, her cutie mark was that of a trio of raindrops, her eyes were a bright blue, and she had a strange device on her right eye. "A pipe....sorry about the drastic measures." She said.
Fang rolled his eyes, however, he could feel something in his system, he took a few deep breaths. "What did you give me?" He asked.
The mare hopped down from the table. "An adrenaline drink, it's not going to kill you, but it will keep you awake and aware for twenty four hours.....standard protocol." She responded.
Fang felt a wave of grogginess suddenly. "Yea right." He remarked.
The mare walked up to Fang and put something on the back of his head, and then on his neck. "The grogginess is a small side effect of the adrenaline, it will fade." She said before walking away and looking at him. "Now to my questions." She said.
Fang looked at her. "Uh huh, you mean your bosses questions?..... like I'll answer any of them." He said calmly.
The mare smirked and pulled out a cigarette. "Want one?" She asked. [1]
"Like you would give it to me if I said yes." Fang replied.
The mare sighed and held two out. "Want one?" She asked again.
Fang huffed. "Fine, I'll probably be dead soon anyway." He answered.
The mare's smirk returned as she put one in Fang's mouth and lit it, she then lit one for herself. "About what you said, how you wouldn't answer them?" She said.
Seeing Fang's nod, the mare continued. "I'm Kara, what's your name?" She asked.
"Fang." He didn't see the point.
The mare puffed on the cig and looked at him. "How many of you are there?" She asked.
"Five." He replied, his eyes immediately widened. "What the hell?" He said.
Kara chuckled. "The adrenaline, it acts as both a truth serum and an energy booster, however.....as fast as your mind is racing, you won't have time to think on it anyway." She answered.
Fang looked at Kara in hatred. "That......is unsporting." He stated.
Kara threw the cig on the ground and grabbed a dagger from a table. "Ok, fine." She threw the dagger at Fang.
Fang closed his eyes and waited for it to plunge into him, but it never happened, in fact, he felt his arms loosen, he opened his eyes and saw that the rope was removed. "What are you doing?" He asked as he removed his cigarette.
Kara chuckled and put the cig out. "My job, follow me." She said calmly.
Fang was going to attack and fight his way out, but found himself unable to do so, his body wouldn't obey him, and it simply followed Kara. "What did you do!?" He shouted.
Kara looked at him as she walked backwards. "That salve I applied, it forces you to obey, the more you fight it, the worse it gets, just follow instructions and you'll be fine." She answered.
____*a few minutes later.*_____
Kara and Fang exited into a courtyard, it was filled with various races, Minotuar, griffin, changeling, pony, kangaroo....you name it, some of them stopped their training as they welcomed Kara back.
"Who's the wolf?.....don't tell me that's Farrun." A unicorn stallion asked.
Kara scoffed. "As if, that lazybones isn't good for anything, he's my catch." She replied before continuing. "Fang, follow." She ordered.
Fang would normally resist, but he figured that it be better if he didn't fight it. "Whatever." He replied grumpily.
Kara looked at him. "No need to be rude, it won't help you." She said before heading to a large structure.
Fang examined it as best he could, in truth, it looked like a church, and was stone, but it didn't look like much. "If I may ask something." He said.
"You may." Kara replied.
Fang found the sudden urge to vomit, but managed to talk. "Why not kill me?" He asked.
Kara chuckled. "That would be telling, suffice to say, it's not my place to tell you." She replied, she stopped and looked at him. "If you want to know what this thing on my eye is, you'll find that out too, so, any other questions?" She asked as she kept moving.
"Uh yea, what's up with the mansion?" He wondered.
Kara shook her head. "It's the house of the family, the family that started all of this." She answered. "By the way, that was your last question, no more until I say so, or if someone asks you if you have any, you are also prohibited from talking to others beside me or threatening anyone, am I understood?" She asked.
Fang fought it, but he eventually relented. "Yes." He forced out.
Kara wasn't satisfied though. "Yes what?" She asked.
Fang growled but talked regardless. "Yes.....ma'am." He struggled to not obey, but it was next to impossible.
Kara smiled. "Thanks pet." She said cheerfully.
At this moment.....Fang wanted to rip her spleen and eyes out. 'I am not your dog.' He said in his mind, yet, somehow, she reminded him of someone.
_____*the past.*_____
Fang had recently named Toy Foxy, he gave her the name Roxanne, he couldn't explain why, but he felt the name fit her, they didn't play their game tonight, they felt the guard had earned a break after all he had gone through.
This time however they were just talking. "So, what do we do now?" Roxanne asked.
Fang shrugged. "I don't know Rox, we already agreed on the break, so I guess we talk?....or shut down." He suggested.
Roxanne blinked. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the name, it seems pretty one sided." She replied jokingly, just before shutting down.
Fang shook his head. "Kids." He muttered before shutting down.
_____*end of flashback.*_____
Fang couldn't help but remember how mischievous Roxanne was originally, but now, she was all grown up, so he did the best thing he could do, he decided to not get himself killed, at least he could do that.
As Kara walked to the doors, she looked at him. "Care to do the honors?" She asked.
Fang silently walked up to the doors and opened one. "There." He replied.
Kara smiled at him and walked inside. "Thanks pet." She said.
Fang muttered something under his breath and followed.
The two eventually reached a platform in front of a large statue of an unknown figure. "That's our deity, he's known best as 'The Shaper'." Kara explained.
Fang went to walk forward. "Don't move, and don't talk." Kara said.
Fang gave her the stink eye and threw his hands in the air. "We....I...a." He replied.
Kara pulled a lever by the altar and walked back to Fang. "You should be honored, the Four NEVER ask for specific people, or allow them to meet them without being devoted to the cause." She said as the platform they were on lowered.
Fang didn't talk, because he couldn't.
Kara looked at him. "Now, when we are down there, I'll do the talking if possible, but if they demand you speak?.....then you are to do so, and you will listen to their words intently, no ignoring them, and you WILL speak with respect." She ordered.
"Y...I..." Fang crossed his arms in defeat but gave a nod.
The platform stopped moving, and Kara started walking. "Follow." She ordered.
Fang was led to a large room with four tall robed figures that stood in a circle, featureless, motionless aside from them looking at Fang and Kara. "Kara." One of them said.
"You may leave us." Another said.
Kara seemed surprised, but bowed before leaving.
The figures all looked at Fang. "Step into the circle." One of them said,
Fang stepped into the center of them all. "You may move and speak freely, we have remove the salve." The one directly behind Fang said.
Fang turned around and felt behind his neck, he looked around at the figures. "Why?.....that seems like a stupid move." He pointed out.
"You cannot defeat us in combat Fang." One of them said. "But we are not here to boast about power." Another said.
"You want answers so you not?" The one behind Fang said. "We, The Four, are able to give you them." The one in front of Fang said.
Fang would have moved to fight, but he found himself at ease, like there was no danger here. "Why am I so calm?" He asked.
"You believe deep in your mind, that there is no danger in this room." One of them said. "Which is why you are calm, you know we are correct." Another said.
Fang looked at one of them. "Why did you send Kara away?" He asked.
"She has bound you to her will, her presence would only disrupt this meeting." One of them said.
Fang finally decided to ask a meaningful question. "What is this place?.....and why me?" He asked.
There was a brief pause, but they spoke regardless. "This is a nexus of pure energy, formed from nothing but sheer willpower, this place is sacred, and our order is in charge of its protection, from any who dare threaten it, it's other purpose however, will be revealed to you, in time." One of them said.
"As for why we wanted you, you possess much potential, we believe that it would be invaluable to our cause." Another said.
"Which is why we shall ask you this, do you wish to know?.....to have knowledge of us, and our order, and the cause for which we shall die to see to its end?" The one behind Fang asked.
Fang looked to the one behind him. "Why would I do that?.....you have given me no reason to do so." He countered.
"Your logic is sound, but you are wrong, there IS and always will be a reason, we have knowledge that you seek, and a method, for your vengeance." One of them said.
"We shall ask this once again, will you join us?.....and fight for our cause, if not for you, then to safeguard those you care for?" Another asked.
Fang looked around him and saw only shadowed faces, no features, no emotions, just figures that spoke to him, but the problem was, he knew this was a bad idea, but he made a promise to survive.
It took a while, and Fang was running out of time, he battled within his mind over what he should do, but he eventually made a decision. "Alright.....i'll do it." He eventually said.
The Four seemed to go still as stone for a few minutes. "We are glad to grant you the rank of initiate, however, you will be observed, we believe that Kara....the one you resent, should be ideal for your partner and mentor, she will guide and teach you in our ways, now, leave us, we have much to discuss." One of them said.
Fang walked away and to the platform, when he reached it and saw Kara standing their with a grin. "Hello pet." She said.
Fang flipped her off. "Whatever, let's just go." He replied.
Kara rolled her eyes and pointed at the lever. "Go ahead and pull it, I can feel the Four calling me, just don't do anything stupid while I'm gone pet." She said before walking off.
Fang sighed, he really' did not like that name. "Screw you too" he pulled the lever and the platform began moving.
____*Lyaroa and Shade.*____
Shade and Lyaroa ran through the rooms that had destroyed constructs everywhere, most had their heads completely melted off, and others had giant holes in their chests, all in all, it was a bad day for them as they chased after Roxanne.
Lyaroa looked around at the destruction. "Wow, Rox means business." She said.
Shade nodded as they ran through the door. "I can see that.....what's got her fighting like this anyway?" He asked.
Lyaroa laughed as she found a remaining golem, she leapt up to it and kicked its head off. "It's a game!.....she runs, we try to catch up to her!" She answered excitedly, intentionally leaving the message out of it.
Shade didn't respond, but he felt like he was missing something. "Are you not telling me something?" He wondered.
Lyaroa smirked. "Maybe!" She said.
Seeing he wasn't going to win, Shade stopped asking.
The two soon entered a room that was significantly different than the others, as in, there were still constructs and golems, the puzzle was not complete, and Roxanne was nowhere to be seen.
Lyaroa then did the most sensible thing she could do, to get the game back on track, she immediately began destroying everything. "Work on the puzzle bud!" She called out.
Shade went to say something, but instead shrugged and began working. "Fine." He answered simply.
As Lyaroa dismantled the golems and constructs, Shade found himself solving a riddle, he sighed. "Of fucking course." He complained quietly as he began think on it.
It was a few moments later, but Lyaroa finally destroyed the last golem, she looked at Shade. "What's the issue here?" She asked.
Shade sighed and rubbed his eyes, he then put his hand on the door and disintegrated it. "I'm not in the mood." He stated simply.
Lyaroa ruffled the Night Wolf's hair. "I like how you think kid, let's go." She said before running.
Shade growled a little but followed the Sentinel. 'Why did I come here again?' He asked himself.
_____*Golden*_____
Golden opened his eyes as he felt the elevator stop, he picked up his staff and stood up, he exited the elevator and found himself in a rocky wasteland area, he began walking to try and find someone.
He used his staff as a walking stick as he walked along the rocky path, he didn't have to worry about it breaking, or tiring himself out due to his powers.
After a minute or so of walking, Golden found an anomaly amongst the rocks, a wall corner amongst a warzone of sorts, it had dirt in an area where there was no dirt. "Life?" He wondered quietly, believing he was getting closer, he got to moving again.
Golden started running now, feeling the familiar psychic signature of Lyaroa was there recent, it was odd however, as long as it took him to get there, why did it feel so recent that they were there?
'I'll find out when we group back up.' He told himself.
_____*The present.*_____
Fang looked at Roxanne. "I guess you did light a fire didn't you?" He said teasingly.
Roxanne sighed and shook her head. "To be fair, it was a metaphor, but it was an unintended side effect of that message." She replied.
They heard Lyaroa laugh a little a that. "Yea, it motivated me a lot." She said quietly.
Roxanne was glad to see her talking again. "Give it some more time, you'll be back to your joking and hyperactive self." She said reassuringly.
_____*The past, Fang's POV*_____
Fang walked out of the structure, he waited a while, and Kara soon walked out. "I'm going to point this out right now, you aren't to come within personal space of me, am I clear?" He stated.
Kara rolled her eyes. "I'm not allowed to apply more salve or adrenaline stuff on you, so don't worry about that, come on, let's get you started." She said.
Fang reluctantly followed Kara, while he had given his word to help, he wasn't going to openly trust them, he would be a fool if he did.
Kara led him into a library of sorts. "Week one is usually Initiation and settling in for our new recruits, but we don't have that long, so you get the crash course." She pointed to a stack of books as she sat on the table. "Read these, these are the basics of what you need to know, the rest of it is mostly history." She said before jumping off. "You should have no trouble as long as you don't say anything to provoke anyone." She told him as she left.
Fang looked at the books and sighed. 'Might as well get it over with, have to start somewhere.' He said mentally.
As he picked a book up and read it, he found that it was a complete explanation of the order and its purpose, he was intrigued so he continued reading it, he learned the name of this place, Dalcorus, it's purpose was simple, to end the Eternal One, who Fang believed to be Lyaroa, but he couldn't understand the meaning of it, why they would want her dead?
Eventually, it was many hours later, but Fang completed the books, he learned much from them, about the order, about their motive to kill Lyaroa, and of their leaders, the mysterious Four, apparently they were among the first to join the order, and gave up their lives and bound their souls in order to lead the charge, but why they wanted Fang specifically was beyond him.
Fang stood up and walked out of the library, he found Kara waiting for him. "Did you wait the entire time?" He asked.
Kara looked at him. "No, I worked, come on, let's get to the next step." She said.
Fang followed the mare and they were soon In an armory. "Why did you bring here?" He asked.
Kara threw a training sword at him. "You are to spar with the instructor here, he had orders to teach you, your no good to anyone dead." She answered.
Fang looked at the mare. "Aren't you supposed to be guiding me?" He pointed out.
Kara looked at him with a glare. "Shut it, I'm under orders to make sure your ready, not to hold your hand." She spat out, all form of manners gone In an instant.
"Fine." Fang said before looking for the instructor. "What's his species?" He asked.
"Rat man, can't miss him." Kara answered before leaving.
Fang walked around and soon found the rat man, literally, it was a giant rat that stood upright but didn't have a diseased look about him. "I take it your the instructor?" Fang asked.
The rat man nodded. "And you must Fang." He replied, his voice smooth and firm. "I've been expecting you, I am Neil, come, let's get to the training room, I have quite a bit to teach you." He said.
Fang followed Neil to the training room and there the instructor grabbed a training sword. "Let's begin." He said.
Suddenly, Fang found himself in a fight, the instructor assaulted him with graceful and deadly combos that Fang was barely able to fight.
As they fought, Fang found himself losing ground inch by inch In a matter of moments, but he soon found an opening, he took a risk and parried a strike, forced the instructor back and swung as if for the kill.
Fang's attack contacted with Neil's shoulder, he backed off and looked at the instructor. "Good, however, you were a little slow to counter, and your parry was mostly inadequate, but it's a start, at least I can skip the basics." He said.
Fang didn't know whether to be insulted or glad he was getting some swordplay advice. "Again?" He suggested.
Neil nodded. "Again." He answered.
_____*Lyaroa and Shade.*______
The two found themselves held back time and time again by golems and constructs, thankfully, it was mostly golems now as the constructs seemed far more limited.
As they cleared the next room, they heard heavy footsteps behind them, they turned around and saw an old face. "Well well, hey Goldie." Lyaroa said with a smirk.
Golden walked up and rested his staff on his shoulder. "My trip was infuriating, how about yours?" He asked.
Lyaroa shrugged. "Found Ankip's village, destroyed Ankip's village in a fit of rage while fighting Shade and Roxanne." She explained.
Golden looked around and then at Lyaroa. "And Roxanne is where?" He asked catiously.
Lyaroa pointed behind her. "Up ahead somewhere, we've been chasing her." She replied.
Golden nodded. "Well, it will go faster with three of us." He said as he followed the others.
____*an hour or so later.*____
Fang was breathing heavily as he sat. "Why does it feel like forever passed us by?" He asked.
Neil walked up to Fang and sat down next to him. "Time moves differently in this area of the mountain, an hour just passed in a few minutes for instance.
Fang blinked and rubbed his eyes. "This is insane." He said.
Neil stood up. "I thought so too once." He responded.
Fang watched as Neil leaned against a pillar. "A long time ago, I was in your position, no reason to believe, no reason to join, but I did, just like you." He said.
Fang rolled his eyes. "Does the Four get a kick out of recruiting basket cases?" He said jokingly.
Neil shook his head. "No, they do not, they feel nothing, they are one, but seperate, they are many, but are one, they have nothing but time, and a shared will to see this through to the end." He said cryptically.
Fang stood up and walked away. "Where are you going?" Neil asked.
Fang looked back at the rat man. "I need answers from someone who believes in this cause, and I know just who to ask." He replied.
Fang heard Neil chuckle before he left.
He saw Kara walk into the library from a distance, so he started walking towards it, doing his best to avoid contact with the other members of the order.
'She better have the answers I need.' He told himself.
_____*Golden, Shade and Lyaroa, an hour later*_____
The trio eventually found an empty room, and a familiar white tail move out of view at the other end.
Golden watched as Lyaroa's tail twitched and then watched as she ran off. "Wait!.....damnit." He cursed.
Shade didn't say anything and followed the Sentinel, with Golden following soon after.
Lyaroa rushed ahead excitedly, she eventually reached another room and heard the sounds of fighting, she entered it and saw Roxanne effortlessly destroy the golems, she grinned and crossed her arms.
Once the fox was done, Lyaroa spoke. "Nice work Roxie." She said.
Roxanne laughed quietly and she looked at Lyaroa. "So you got my message did you?" She asked quietly.
Lyaroa walked up. "Yep, and yes.....I am pissed, but only because you told me through a recording." She answered in a teasing tone.
Roxanne seemed confused. "Recording?.....I just asked Soul to tell you......oh." She said in realization.
Lyaroa smiled and gave the fox a hug. "Sorry for possessing your dad." She whispered.
Roxanne hugged back. "Like I said, I understand why you did it." She replied.
Lyaroa released her grip as she felt the others getting closer. "We reunited with Golden Freddy just so you know." She said in her normal tone.
Roxanne waved at Golden and Shade. "Did I give you a good chase?" She asked.
Shade nodded as he panted, he looked at Golden who was just fine. "How.....are you?......not exhausted?" He asked between breaths.
Golden looked at him. "I'm using my powers to sustain myself, it's not neverending, but it will suffice." He answered.
Roxanne laughed at Shade's expense. "Your out of shape man." She said.
Shade looked at her. "Very funny, but I'm literally not built for this stuff." He replied as he calmed his breathing.
They then began moving as a group, they cleared out the next few rooms but then something unexpected happened.
Roxanne led the others through, the were simply walking when they heard stone depressing into the ground, they looked behind them and saw Golden looking extremely annoyed. "Don't you dare say a word." He said blankly.
A loud crash came from behind them, they turned around and saw a giant boulder rolling down at them. "Time to go." Shade quickly said before running.
The others immediately began running away from the Boulder hoping to find a way to avoid it, as they ran, they felt the floor sink, and more and boulders fell down. "This sucks." Lyaroa complained.
"Quiet!" Roxanne called out.
Lyaroa looked at the fox. "Your still mad at me aren't you?" She asked.
Roxanne laughed. "I'm always mad at you!" She answered.
Lyaroa would have felt hurt, but she didn't sense any form of hostile intent from the fox, so she continued running. "Works for me I guess." She said quietly.
It wasn't much longer until they found a door that was too small for the Boulder to fit through, as they neared it, Shade felt stone depress under his feet, he saw a spike rocket up to him and he stopped as fast as he could, thankfully, the spike only impaled his side, he disintegrated it and continued moving.
Roxanne ran up to the door and slid under it, she got up quickly and looked back. "Hurry up!" She called.
As the others neared the door, it suddenly shot up and sealed itself. "Rox!" Lyaroa shouted as she banged on the door with her fist.
The wall on the left quickly lowered and Shade looked at the boulders, he threw a disintegration blast at it and ran through the new path.
Golden quickly grabbed Lyaroa's arm and ran through the door. "No!......let me go Golden!" Lyaroa shouted angrily.
"We can't do anything right now damnit!" Golden stated as he dragged the Sentinel away.
The wall closed behind them and torches lit themselves along the walls. "Come on, let's get going." Golden said calmly.
Lyaroa winced as she heard loud crashes behind the wall, she decided to work on the assumption that Roxanne was alive, and kept on moving.
Shade looked at the bear. "How are you so calm?" He asked.
Golden stopped and looked at the Night Wolf. "I've dealt with loss before, I'm not calm at all, but I can focus on what we need to do, and that is reuniting with Fang and Roxanne.....again." He said as he continued moving up the stairs.
Shade sighed. "Better than nothing I guess." He muttered.
The trio walked up the stairs the seemed to circle in a way.
As they walked, they noticed it was getting brighter and brighter, and soon, they discovered why, there was a window that went around an entire ring, as they looked out the window, they saw what appeared to be a fake star up at the ceiling, they looked down and saw a large arena with two familiar figures. "It's Fang!" Shade said happily.
Lyaroa perked up a little and walked over to the window, she looked down at the arena and her mood brightened. "Thank goodness their alright." She said.
Golden however was not optimistic. "Somethings not right, look at them closely." He said.
Both Shade and Lyaroa saw the problem, Fang was wielding some kind of sword, while Roxanne had Life and Death drawn and she had her arms ignited in white flame.
Lyaroa quickly ran around the ring to try to find a way down, Shade went to follow but Golden stopped him. "This doesn't concern us Shade, let them handle it." He said calmly. "We will stop them should they go to kill, but otherwise we stay out of it." He stated.
_____*the present.*_____
Fang couldn't say they were wrong, as he himself now remembered it all, he sighed and looked at them. "I don't think we need to continue the story." He said.
Shade shook his head. "No, you weren't around for everything, so just listen." He said.
_____*The arena.*_____
Roxanne pounded on the wall that trapped her friends, she let a tear out as she heard the loud crashes the followed, she bit her lip and closed her eyes. "Damnit." She said quietly.
"They'll be alright." Said an all too familiar voice.
Roxanne's eyes shot open and she turned around to see Fang, the one she considered a father. "Fang?....your alright." She said out of relief.
Fang did not move, he was on the opposite end of the arena standing in front of an open door that soon closed. "Depends on your version of 'alright'" he said blankly.
Roxanne approached but quickly stopped as she watched Fang unsheath a sword from his back. "What are you doing?" She asked.
Fang looked the sword over, he then looked at Roxanne. "You have no idea what I've been through." He replied as he tested the swords weight.
Roxanne saw something off about his appearance, namely his fur and face, his fur seemed far more wild than it normally was, and his face, mostly his eyes, had a strange pattern around them, it was that of thorn vines and his eyes themselves looked different, they were no longer normal pupils, instead they had a hexagon pattern. "What happened to you?" She asked,
Fang hardened his gaze. "I went through practical hell these last few days, I'm not even sure what the right timeline is anymore." He said blankly as he readied himself for battle.
Roxanne's eyes widened. "And......you think killing me is the answer?" She asked, her eyes slowly watering.
Fang didn't even blink as he shook his head. "It's not that I want to kill you, but I will.......unless you swear to stop protecting Lyaroa." He replied blandly.
Roxanne wiped the tears from her eyes. "So that's what this is about?.....your revenge?" She asked as she drew Life and Death.
Fang said nothing and slowly walked forward.
Roxanne ignited her arms and legs, she took a breath. "I can't let you do this." She said.
Fang stopped moving and looked at the fox. "So, this is where your true loyalties lie......you.......have betrayed me." He closed his eyes and then opened them. "So I'll have to kill you first!" He then charged with unnatural speed.
Roxanne gasped and then dodged a sudden strike to the side from Fang who had no emotion, the only thing she could see in him was a murderous intent.
Fang attacked with a flurry of strikes as Roxanne defended herself, the clashes were frequent and practically neverending, but they continued.
Roxanne finally found an opening, she parried Fang with Death, and swung at him with Life, she barely missed him as he jumped away, she went to have Death ingulf him in flames, but found that not only Death, but Life was silent as well, she growled. "What's wrong with you two?" She asked quietly.
Fang stood straight up again. "Wondering why your sword don't work?" He wondered. "Simple, my sword can completely negate magic, it can't kill the spirits bound to the swords, but it can make them helpless." He answered his own question calmly before engaging Roxanne in combat.
Roxanne growled and continued fighting Fang, it was difficult with Life and Death, but it was possible, Roxanne broke off from another clash and closed her eyes as Fang vanished again.
Roxanne soon felt it, a slight misstep to her right, she took a keep of faith and unleashed waves of fire in that direction, she opened her eyes and saw Fang ignited by her fire. "This won't kill or defeat me Roxanne." He stated as the fire disappeared.
Fang then charged normally, he thrusted his blade at Roxanne and she blocked it, he then threw a punch at the fox's gut, the punch impacted and Roxanne lost her breath, Fang then kicked her away, making her drop her blades.
Roxanne landed with an audible crash, she forced herself to stand and looked at Fang who kicked Life and Death away. "You can't defeat me girl......you don't have the stomach for a real fight." He taunted.
Roxanne growled and put the fires out on her arms and legs. "If fire won't work, try the next best thing." She muttered.
Fang slowly walked forward. "Just surrender." He said.
Roxanne closed her eyes. "When all is lost, and you need assistance." She muttered.
Fang continued walking. "What are you talking about?" He wondered.
Roxanne put her hand together and her arms glowed a faint light blue and red. "All you need to do....." She opened her eyes. "Is ask." She said.
Almost immdediately after she said that, a bright flash of light appeared between them, forcing Fang to stop and look away.
As Fang looked back at where the light came from was a large creature, it was a manticore, he did not blink but instead readied himself to fight it. "This is your big weapon?.....a manticore?" He asked as though it were meaningless.
After he said that, he heard blades clang behind him, he looked back and saw that Roxanne had grabbed her swords, only she had armor made of crystal now. "That's new." He observed.
Roxanne said nothing as she charged, the manticore also attacked, Fang then grinned and slowed time, he went to move behind Roxanne and strike from behind, but the manticore seemed to move at incredible speeds now.
Fang was caught off guard by this, but decided to destroy the manticore first, the creature tried to impale him with its tail, but found it was soon cut off.
Fang then ran up and swung his blade down on the creatures head, driving it through the skull, time then returned to normal and he found himself fighting an enraged Roxanne, he blocked the strikes as best he could, but it proved very difficult, as she was fighting with no pattern, and the strikes were very strange to block, he found himself having to defend against one blade on the left, he saw the other come to his right, he threw hand out and grabbed it, his hand began bleeding, but it was better than losing his head.
Fang then felt the blade stop forcing itself into his hand, but before he could act, his gut was kicked in by two strong feet covered in crystals.
Roxanne grabbed Life and walked up to Fang, she shed the armor and watched as he vanished again. "Damnit." She cursed.
Fang then swung his blades rapidly at Roxanne, forcing the fox to dodge. "You shouldn't have removed the armor." He said.
Roxanne felt numerous cuts on her skin, she growled and went to hit him with a fire punch after she dropped Death, but it was just a regular one as she remembered the effect Fang's sword had.
Fang grinned as he grabbed the fist and twisted it, breaking the hand and then the arm. "You are a fool." Fang said calmly.
Roxanne growled and kicked Fang in the leg and then the stomach, the first one landed, but Fang grabbed her leg and broke it afterwards.
"Anymore limbs you want to lose?" He asked, in a somewhat sadistic manner.
Roxanne growled as swung Life at the wolf, Fang merely batted it aside and broke her other leg, Roxanne screamed in pain as it all caught up to her. "Your magic is useless now, you can't do anything to me.....surrender or die." Fang said as he aimed a sword at Roxanne's neck.
Roxanne's head fell to the ground, she looked at the ceiling and closed her eyes. "You know, I always knew that you were strong, but I didn't think you would be weak enough to fall under a spell or believe lies." She said.
Fang showed no emotion as he held the blade to her throat. "Like I said, surrender or die." He said firmly.
Roxanne looked at Fang and opened her eyes, and to his surprise, they were black pits with a white dot. "Bite me." She said in a menacing tone.
Fang went to cut her head off but found that she was gone. "What the?" He was suddenly punched in the spine, he flew forwards but he recovered, he looked and saw that Roxanne was standing upright, watching as she sheathed Life and picked up Death. "What's wrong Fang?.....you look like you saw a Nightmare." She said darkly, she changed in appearance as well, she was cut to shreds and looked burnt, she had teeth like razors, and her eyes glowed.
Fang braced himself as Roxanne vanished with incredible speed, he growled and heard it, he moved his sword and just barely blocked Death, he saw the look in her eyes, the insanity was clear, she wasn't herself now.
Roxanne swung Death again but this time put a kick into her attack, as in, she fired a blast of some kind at Fang, and he went flying.
Fang was soon impaled in the arm as Roxanne appeared behind him in an instant. "Surrender or die bitch." Roxanne said mockingly as she kicked him away, she shook her head.
Roxanne watched as Fang landed hard on the ground, she walked up and she slowly returned to normal, she stepped on his hand and looked down at him. 'That was unpleasant.' She thought.
Fang looked up at Roxanne and blinked. "Go ahead, kill me, I won't stop until that bitch is dead." He swore.
Roxanne raised Death and swung down, it lodged itself in the ground next to Fang. "Don't you dare make me regret this." She said as she pulled the sword out and walked away.
Fang sat up and growled, he then looked at his blade, he sighed and then looked at Roxanne who sheathed her blade. "Big mistake." He said as he threw the sword.
Roxanne heard him talk, she looked back and saw the sword flying at her full speed, her eyes widened before she closed them, awaiting the sword to impale her.
Fang grinned as it neared, he had slowed time to watch it happen, but the second he let it return to normal, the surprising happened.
Roxanne was waiting, but nothing happened, she felt no pain, even as she heard the sword pierce flesh and bone, she opened her eyes and she gasped in horror.
Fang chuckled, and then it turned to full on laughter. "Well isn't this a welcome treat!" He said.
Roxanne looked on in horror as she saw a sword impaled through Lyaroa's heart. "W.....why?" She found herself asking.
Lyaroa laughed painfully. "What kind of friend let's another get impaled?......especially when they love them? better me than you Roxie." She forced out before falling over.
Roxanne was at the Sentinel's side in an instant, she found herself hyperventilating a little but calmed herself down, she looked at Fang who approached and grabbed his sword. "Leave, get out of this mountain while you can, and never return." He said firmly before vanishing.
Lyaroa was silent, for once in her life she was silent, she looked at Roxanne. "Don't be so concerned, I'll just heal myself." She said before coughing up blood.
Roxanne watched as the Sentinel glowed, but then her hope fell once it flickered. "What happened?" She asked.
Lyaroa shivered. "I.....I don't know, why aren't I healing?" She asked herself.
Glass breaking made Roxanne look, she saw Shade and Golden land and then rush over.
Roxanne looked back at Lyaroa and an idea came to her. "Lyaroa, this might hurt a lot....but it's better than doing nothing." She said as she ignited Lyaroa's wound, working on cauterizing it.
Lyaroa's eyes widened as she fought back the pain, but her head soon fell to the side an pad she stopped breathing.
Golden knelt down and put his hand on Lyaroa's chest, lending his aid to the healing process. "Come on come on." He said quietly.
It was a few minutes but eventually, Lyaroa gasped and coughed up more blood, she was breathing heavily now, she looked at her wound and saw that the fur and skin were burned but the wound was closed, she attempted to heal it, but nothing happened except pain.
Lyaroa sat up and looked around, she looked at Golden and Shade and flicked their foreheads. "Ow." Shade said.
"That was for not helping." Lyaroa explained as she stood. "Ok, we should get moving, if anything we need to find a way to cure Fang of his insanity." She said before wobbling a little
Golden nodded. "Agreed." He then looked at Roxanne. "What the hell was that?" He asked.
Roxanne walked over to Lyaroa and helped her to walk. "My Nightmare......it's hard to explain, but it's my alter ego." She answered.
Shade blinked. "Does Fang have one?" He asked.
Roxanne shrugged. "I don't know, if he does, I haven't heard about it, anyway, let's just pray he can't call on it." She said as she walked with Lyaroa. "We can work through this right?" She asked the Sentinel quietly.
"Sure, right after I kill Fang for putting this hole in my chest, then we can go out again." The Sentinel replied jokingly.
Golden and Shade then followed, unaware and confused about what was going on between the two.
Golden however, resolved to one thing. 'It's probably up to me.....again, if I can't defeat Fang, it'll either be Shade or Lyaroa who does it, because Roxanne won't be able to kill him if necessary.' He thought.
'But her Nightmare will.' Golden found himself thinking. "I hope it doesn't come to that." He mumbled.