//------------------------------// // Countdown // Story: The Equestrian Gourmet // by Gamel_Lightshow //------------------------------// The morning catches Richard alone, once again, rifling through various books and scanning over a general area of the lands map. The map in questions doesn't go far out of the lands rules by ponykind, but it does allow him to see the other options of places champions and rifts could be. Of the books laid out in front of him, several seem to be journals belonging to those of history's past. None of them go into detailing of the rifts, the creatures, or just the whole system that him, Armon, and Liloth all seem to be in, but it does mention that the blooms near the Everfree Forest on the far east side are very lovely to watch and smell. For whatever reason... Richard gingerly raises his coffee up to his lips and allows the caramel blended mix pass its way through his lips, along his tongue, and down his throat well it will sit in his stomach and release the magic that was put into it. Because everything he makes, let it be even a simple cup of water, is imbued with some sort of magical property. He once brought up why is that to Twilight, Celestia, and accidentally Luna and all the answers have been very mixed. This led to whether or not magic in large douses would be safe for a body of any sorts which led to a special invitation by Twilight for medical and scientific check-ups. Simple to say that his life has fallen further since the days have gone by. But this being said he was able to spend some time working on his level bringing up to fifteen and gaining ability. The ability he has taken allows him to summon a set or anything cooking item he would need. Such as a pot and ladle for a soup or a toaster for toast. Seafoam had seemed impressed but Richard had let him know that if there is a plan for him and the others to be sent out, this basically means less stuff for him and them to carry. Mainly himself because he doubts Liloth would allow more stuff than her to be carried around. Speaking of Liloth, she hadn't taken the loss to well and has demanded several rematches which have all ended in losses. Even when pitted up against a single opponent of the captains. She's even started having trouble with fighting some of the lieutenants who she had previously wiped the floor with. Other than her, morale has never been higher from what Richard has seen. Seafoam has started disappearing more and more, but he can understand somewhat why. Which has left him to try to make nice with people other than the ponies Seafoam tries to introduce to him. So far Richard's friends consist of Armon, Seafoam, Golden Harvest (the gardener for the royal gardens), Grape Wine, and Merry Light. Aside from Armon, he can't really get used to the names or talking animals. Though it's more the names that are off-putting than the actual sight of a pony talking at this point. He's mainly become numb to the entire effect by this point. Speaking of becoming numb to things, Liloth enters for possibly another session of berating and questioning Richard's intellect to the point of trying to see whether or not he would burst into tears or not. The first couple of time he would vent and argue back only causing her to smile as if she's won some sort of prize. Other times he would leave and she would follow calling him a coward until he would respond or simply leave after berating him for an even longer extended period of time. Now he's just become numb to the whole thing and just tunes her in and out here and there. He only replies with "hmms" and "oh yeas" at this point. "Ah. Finally brushing up on something to help that poor thing you call a brain are we?" She begins taking a seat across from Richard upon spotting him at one of the rounded wooden tables near the entrance, "Are are you just pretending so you can at least look smart. Either way seems pretty impressive given your track record of making reasonable decisions." Richard rolls his eyes not giving her much attention as he skims through another book regarding plants of the Everfree. Apparently, there's a weird plant out there than when "smelling" blood will use its roots to hunt down the creature and drag it back to its main body to consume. Frightening for sure seeing as it uses various different methods in order to do this. Sometimes poison to cause the creature or victim to become sleepy and soon afterward unconscious, another that simply just beats the will out of them, and finally the last reported way was that of trickery hinting that is does have a mind of sorts. Makes ya wonder if it knows creatures are keeping track of it and adapts. "You listening to me airhead?" Liloth says yanking the book down to the table glaring angrily at him. "And if I'm not?" "Than there is no helping you after all despite whatever their princesses might say." She takes the seat across from him, "You're a pitiful what. Thirteen? Thirteen levels below me. And you're trying to sass me back? And here I am trying to help you out with learning something that may help you catch up to my level. Of course, that's impossible, but I do love a challenge." "Yea I bet those challenges are what got you in trouble the first place right? I'd rather not wind up as messed up in the brain as you are. Especially not with that high of superiority complex." She glares and leans forward in her seat, "You better what that tongue of yours before it gets you into trouble." "I really could care less." Richard says taking a sip of his drink, "If anything, maybe they were right to lock you away int he first place." "And what would you know!" She says her eyes squinting into a glare. A chill runs down Richard's spine as her eyes seem to go more cat-like than they usually do. Her tail is no longer swishing behind her either which is a sign of aggression among animals if he remembers correctly. He sets the cup of joe down and glares right back at her. With the last of his drink flowing down his throat and into his stomach with the rest of his drink, he states matter-of-factly, "You're a psychopath and probably a murderer." "I've never killed anyone that doesn't deserve it. And I'm starting to think you are becoming one of them. So you better drop it before you go too far." "Go too far? You say that like I care about your opinion. If you only kill people who deserve it, then I can't think of anyone more deserving of it actually. So why not do me a favor and kill yourself." Richard never considered how fast she could move. In a flash, she vaults over the table and wraps her hands around his neck screaming in rage. She has pure anger in her eyes and he can start to feel her claws sink into the skin of his neck. His eyes go wide as the sound of chair and body slamming into the floor echoes through the library. "life dra-!" "No wai-!" A flash of yellow and white sends Liloth flying into the air and onto her back on the table. A large text box begins to shimmer into life between the two followed by the words meant to be with it. No fighting among champions to the death Spots of light dance within the sight of Richard as he grasps at his own neck feeling something trickling down it. He keeps his teeth grit as he tries to blink away the spots as well as make sense of the floating words before him. He turns to his stomach and forces himself up as the sound of hooves galloping catch his attention. During this time Liloth seems to be recovering just as fast as Richard. She continuously paws the area around her before rolling off the semi-broken table. She lands on her hands and knees before getting to her feet to stare at the words before them both. Liloth just stares at Richard as ponies of a multitude of colors appear with guards. The pony Richard knows as the Librarian steps forth. "What is Celestia's name is going on over here!" Richard casts a sideways glance to the door leading out of his room as a set of guards proceed to walk in unannounced and uninvited. But completely expected. It had been several days since the last incident between himself and the woman known as Liloth wrapped up. They were no longer allowed to speak to one another or be in the same room as one another. They had also be placed under somewhat heavy guard to ensure that neither he nor she tries to start anything again with one another. Of course, that was fine with Richard seeing as he mainly associated with the ponies more than the other "Champions". Yet, the reason for this intrusion was not about the effect that the incident had but more of the current situation that has been presented to not the "Champions" but to the rulers of the various lands. For it seems the true reason behind their appearance here seems to have made itself known. Richard rises from his seat and walks behind the guards silently mulling over the things talked between everyone as well as recent information brought to them by the Princesses themselves. It seems that other people like him and the others have been spotted as well throughout the land by various other leaders. In fact, some of them are currently staying with the other leaders as well. So far the count is up to thirteen champions including the ones in Canterlot. A very unlucky number if he has to say so, but it was said others were spotted as well through the various lands. The throne room doors open slowly revealing Armon and Liloth staring into space as Celestia, Luna, and Twilight speak in hushed tones to one another. Richard proceeds to walk in standing on the opposite side of Armon and making no eye contact with Liloth despite her best attempts. Celestia is the first to address the group. "I see the day finds you well Champions." All three nod staring at the ominous rectangle positioned above the throne that seems to be glowing with an eerie black and red glow. Said glow seems to come from the numbers that are currently posted on the rectangular floating contraption. 10/23/30/58 and counting down. Its appearance was only noticed by Armon when he had come to talk in the night court about various night activities he wanted to push forward onto the ponies from his own culture. Needless to say, the original talk was completely forgotten when his face with from one of curiosity to one of shock and then concern. Needless to say, the leaders can't seem to see them, but the champions they have had also seen them. And all these timers read differently. "We have been in contact with the various other nations and decided that the best course of action is to begin preparations and planning for whatever these timers are counting down as well as figuring out how to minimalize the amount of damage that will be done once said event has started. In order to do so, we have decided that taking the time we still have to find and train the other champions as well as the champions we have is of the utmost importance. News has also returned to me about the creatures you faced have been returning in an increased number around the world as well. "Now, we have gathered up a bit of information about the various other champions and decided on how the pairings should be made based upon all the skills set forth." Celestia finishes "Of course we wouldn't just wanna force you guys into groups that you may or may not like, so we have gathered you here in order to hand you the papers we were giving about each known member and each known power the process." Twilight quickly interjects noticing the scowl forming on Liloth's face, "There might even be a chance that you guys might recognize some of the other champions from your own world perhaps. "We will also be giving you a set of the night, day, and umbra guards as well in order to make sure you get through the pony nation easily and no harm comes to you on your journey. The other nations have agreed to place border patrols in order to help Champions where they can. There are some neutral territories as well that all can pass through so don't be surprised if some of the guards wish to follow you longer if you do indeed head into those types of places. " Luna adds on. "Any questions so far?" Celestia asks. None are brought forth. "Good. Then allow us to begin by showing the listing brought to us from the Griffonia the capital of the Griffin Empire." "Looks like this is where we part ways," Richard says as he proceeds to step up onto the train platform Armon and Seafoam behind him, "It been one hell of a time." "And it was one hell of a feast!" The minotaur yells gloriously patting his filled stomach, "Luckily we had you as the chef with others! I didn't think the pony chefs would've been capable of filling me up with their meager meals!" "I'm just happy to help." Richard says wincing as Armon claps him on the back, "Aside from that, you sure you wanna go with that type of a group to the everfree? You heard what they said you know. At least wait for the rest of our groups to merge before trying to take on something so dangerous." "If the group I plan to join with don't share my same sense of battle and honor I will postpone adventuring there until we have a safety of numbers, but if they do then I will not back down from this challenge." Richard sighs running a hand through his hair, "Than I wish you the best of luck man. Hopefully, the guy from the deer tribe will be willing to communicate with the forest beforehand." Armon nods his head as the conductor yells for passengers to start boarding for the Griffin Kingdom. "Looks like your train is here. I'm just going to wait around for the Elements of Harmony group to show up before I ship out. Might as well say bye to them before things go south." "You think to darkly. Believe in your ancestors and yourself. For both shall guide your hand to a momentous victory we can all revel in." Armon says rolling his shoulders, "Now I must go. Be well." "And you too," Richard says watching Armon board the train much to the interest of the other ponies getting on board. Several guards that had been trailing behind the group board onto the train as well before it begins taking off down the tracks. Richard takes a seat at the now abandoned bench. Seafoam sits down in front of him. "You know there's a spot beside me right?" "Yea. I just wish you would bring me along you know? I figured I'd make you feel bad as punishment." "Oh no, whatever shall I do?" Richard says rolling his eyes. "Bring me along hopefully?" "I told you before I don't wanna put you into any danger. Training or not, there will be some very trying times. They'll you need you more here than I'll need you out there. Especially with all the guards, they're sending with us. With so many fewer guards they'll need you to stay here on the homefront. " Sea sniffs, "It's going to get boring without you around. " "Starting to sound like a forlorn lover ya know." "I shall count the days and wait beside the sea cliff side till you return." "And your voice shall forever keep my heart warm and my mind racing." "Perhaps you shall leave me with a parting gift of a foal than before you leave." "And at that, this conversation is officially dead," Richard says chuckling as Seafoam bats his eyes at him, "Also a butt baby would probably be horrible." "Breaking character so soon huh? Guess you were never stallion enough for me." He harrumphs. "I'd rather be a man than a stallion honestly. I like having opposable thumbs and finger and walking on two legs all the time." "Does towering over other creatures get you off?" "No, but being superior to them does." Seafoam leans in closer, "Please stay the way you are. I know we won't be able to talk until you come back, but please don't let those thought carry you down again. None of us want to see you like that again." Richard's face turns to one of semi sorrow, "I-I know. It's about pittered out honestly. I'll just keep writing and make sure to keep everything and we've said and all the advice you've given me in mind." Seafoam sighs and shakes his head laying in on one of Richard's leg, "Its the best I can ask since you don't want me to come along." "You know I would if I could. You're like one of my only friends in this new lands. It's still so hard to replace my old ones in my heart. The nightmare just." "Just don't think about it. They're merely dreams. I don't see why you don't like Luna help you with them, but I won't judge you for your actions." "Except for when my actions don't involve you?" Richard asks a bit of a smile returning. "Exactly." A hand finds itself on Seafoam's head and proceeds to rub itself through his mane, "Thanks for everything." "Always."