-Ponyvile Library-
It has been a couple of days, since the Applebuck season. Applejack, her mind no longer overstressed, had apologized to everyone for her not asking for help, and thanked them for helping with the harvest. Twilight had even said that's what friends are for. At the Library, Garebel had spread some of his cards out on the table. It actually help when he want to improve his decks.
"I could remove all my Dwarf Star Dragon Planeters from my deck, but I would have to remove the sword from my Extra Deck, since it needs a dragon-type to use it. I can remove Flashbang and replace it with Mirror Force, which means I can add that card to my Extra Deck, but, I don't have any free copies of that card..." Garebel muttered to himself. It wasn't his Ra Deck, since Ra is still missing, so he was working on one of his other decks.
"Maybe I should go outside, it's a beautiful day after all." He said. Lifting himself off his seat, he moved his cards back into two stacks, one without sleeves, and another much smaller one with sleeves, although these were see-though sleeves, so, no one might notice that fact. "Maybe, I should ask Shant-y Jig & Purisk to duel each other so the others might see the power that EACH God Card has?" He asked to himself, correcting himself mid-thought and storing his deck in a pocket of his jacket, which is an access point to a section of a place called The Void, which only he can access. 'Don’t know why it gave me a section, but it's still convenient.' He thought as he went though the door. He blinked when he noticed Pinkie & Dash just sitting around.
"What are y'all doing?" He asked.
"Waiting." they answered.
"'Waiting'? It's a beautiful day! Birds are singing, Flowers are blooming. On days like this..." at this point he didn't notice he stepped and snapped a hidden wire. "Ponies like you two should be..." a cream pie then interrupted him, landing on his face, making a splat sound. "Pranking other ponies...?" He trailed off, looking at the pie tin still on his face. After a few seconds, he noticed Pinkie & Dash laughing at the result. "Okay, didn't expect that!" He said before he shook his head to get the pie off. "I take it, y'all were waiting for that?" He asked.
"Hehehe, yes, hehe." was all Pinkie got out, before laughing again. Dash didn't even bother to answer. Garebel let out a small laugh.
"Not what I was expecting. Y'all planing on pranking others, too?" He asked. They both recovered from their fit and nodded. "Don't let me stop y'all.” he said, before the duo disappeared. "Makes me wonder if they have any Bananas, though...No." He said, shaking his head. "More than likely, they are too expensive. So they won't sell them. Ah well." He promptly shivered, though. It wasn't from any sort of cold, rather...
"I have a bad feeling about this..." He said before going back inside the Library. It was a good place to mediate, after all.
-one day later-
Rainbow Dash smiled to herself. The day after She & Pinkie pranked a number of ponies in Ponyville, one of her old school friends, Gilda, had arrived in Ponyville and met up with her. Gilda was easy to spot. After all, She's a Griffon, not a Pegasus like her. The two decided to prank with different ways.
Unknown to Dash, Gilda was trying to tell her friends that she does not need hang out with their 'lame-o' group. Gilda decided to try and prank Twilight with what Dash thought was a bottle of invisible ink. It was really a water bomb. Gilda had a feeling this 'Twilight' mare cares about her books, so a water bomb going off in the Library would mean that Twilight would refuse to hang out with Rainbow Dash, having Dash hang out with her, more often. Gilda decided she would be the one to make the delivery, secretly having found a way to implement Dash as the culprit. Unknown to her & a being secretly influencing Gilda, the plan was doomed to failure.
"Delivery!" Gilda said, using a disguise to hide the fact that she was a griffon. Surprising to her, Twilight was not the one who answered the door, but, Garebel, although Gilda didn't know that.
"What is it?" Garebel asked her.
"I have a package for A Miss Sparkle from a Miss Dash." Gilda said, her voice not wavering at all.
"Very well." He said before touching the package. Unknown to Gilda, Garebel detected her Mind Wave, signals that tell him how a certain being feels. Gilda's Mind Waves did not look right at all, though almost as if... "I'll bring it inside, Miss Sparkle's out right now, but she'll back later." He said to Gilda who nodded and flew when He went inside.
"All right, I'm all alone, now. This should work." he said to himself. He knew what exactly was in the package, due to reading her mind. After moving the tables and chairs out of the way, he created a small barrier. Not even he can't go outside the barrier unless he wants it to. He opened the package, discovering that it went off when it was opened. He was grateful It was water, though, so he was only wet with no injuries. He frowned though, drying himself off.
"What the heck is wrong with Her Mind Waves?" He asked to himself. He knew who the 'Deliverymare' was. The thing is, he felt that sort of influence before. He can't quite place it, though. He unknowingly pulled a stack of Poker cards instead of his normal cards. He shrugged and shuffled the deck before drawing a card. He looked and frowned. Somehow, he knew he had the answer, but he didn't know what.
"Maybe, I should do that? It’s been a while..." Garebel's eyes widened. He found the answer! Why the card & Gilda's Mind Waves are familiar to him! "Dang it! Everypony's in Danger!" He yelled, recalling Pinkie invited everyone to a party, including Gilda. He should have been there, SECONDS ago. "Shoot!" He yelled, sub-consciously dropping the card on the table before disappearing. The forgotten card laid face up where it was dropped.
It was the Joker card.
-Gilda's 'Party'-
Everypony backed away from Gilda. It was supposed to be foolproof, Gilda revealing her to Dash, so she can learn what Gilda really thinks of her friends. Now, though, Gilda started yelling and holding her head.
"Who, what are you!? Get out of my head." Gilda yelled.
"Gilda..." Rainbow Dash said, slowly approach Gilda, who put her hand out in a manner that said 'stop'.
"No, Dash! Don't come any closer, please!" Gilda yelled out, before screaming loud. Darkness appeared and covered her body fully, before vanishing. Gilda however had her face changed. It was pure white, appearing like she put on a mask, covering everything but her beak, which now sports a smile, and not the happy kind.
"I'll make you all PAY for treating me like trash!" Gilda yelled, her voice sounding corrupted. Suddenly, Gilda was covered by a blue aura, and some manner of...beast appeared. It only had a head & neck which connected it to a body covered with tentacles with the tips split into five claws.
"Time to DIE!" Gilda? yelled before the beast raised its tentacles to the ceiling of the Carousal Boutique. Suddenly, black clouds appeared & sent a lighting bolt towards...
"Dash, NO!" Twilight yelled, realizing the bolt was going to strike Dash. The bolt striked down. Dust covered the area. Twilight's pupils shrank. She failed...
"What the buck...?" Twilight gasped. That was Dash's voice. She was Alive? The Smoke soon cleared, revealing Dash, who is unharmed at all, and another being. This being seemed to be completely different than the beast. It stood like a Manticore, but in a manner that shows that it was it's normal stance, with no hint of being beastly. It wore a black coat similar to Rarity's dresses, but the front was open. The clothing spoke of being a rebel, yet a leader at the same time. Its head was covered in a helmet that hide all of it's face, except its eyes, which are slited pupils on a almost-monsteruos yellow, yet it does not show anger, but rather protectiveness. The being had its arms folded, while electricity sparked around its body, showing it took the attack in place of Dash. An awkward shaped sword stood blade down in the floor.
'What is that?' Twilight thought to herself, before a voice echoed out.
"Good, I made it!" Everyone present, but Gilda? recognized the voice instantly. The front door was open, revealing...
"Garebel!" Twilight yelled.
"WHAT!?" Gilda? yelled in shock. There was no way...
"Sorry I'm late. I didn't realize what is going to happen till a couple of seconds ago." Garebel said, before thinking to himself. 'It's a good thing I can slow down time.' "Now then..." He spoke, looking towards Gilda? "why don't I send you BACK TO HELL AGAIN, NYARLATHOTEP!!" He yelled out. The newly revealed Nyarlathotep growled, despite the fact the grin was still there. One of seven people that ended him is here. He was so close, too.
"Nyarlathuotp...?" Dash asked, getting up & mispronouncing his name.
"Nyarlathotep. A so-called 'God' that wants nothing more than total extinction. Stopping him peacefully is NOT an option." Garebel told them. Nyarlathotep let out a chuckle.
"I doubt you can summon a Persona, now." He revealed, finishing setting up a barrier that would dispel any persona he knows of.
"I wonder about that..." Garebel said.
"What!?" Nyarlathotep let out in surprise. Suddenly, the being that protected Dash unfolded its arms and grabbed the handle of the awkward sword in one hand before lifting it up with ease.
"Brave Blade, IZANAGI!" Garebel commanded, the being suddenly disappeared and reappeared in front of the beast, the blade glowing orange. the being then began swing its sword wildly, at least to everyone else, Twilight & Dash both saw that the swings were not wild at all, but calculated. Twilight could see that blade only hit the beast, while Dash saw that the blade was adjusted in the smallest second to avoid hitting anything or anypony else. Nyarlathotep actually screamed in pain.
"No, that thing is a Persona!?" Nyarlathotep gasped out. Garebel nodded.
"and he's not the only one. Let me show you a new skill I found out, Orpheus!!" Garebel yelled, now surrounded by the same blue aura. Suddenly, a mechanical body with a head of flesh appeared. the head has black skin, red lights where the eyes and mouth should be with its 'mane' being blonde. Its body is pure gray, with an almost simple design. On its back was a harp, its color the same as its holders body. Nyarlathotep's eyes widened, and it was not just because of Garebel summoning another Persona.
"How are you able to do that? It's impossible!" Nyarlathotep yelled. Garebel was somehow able to maintain TWO Personas at once, something that was impossible! One only switch the active Persona, something that only used by those blessed with the Wild Card "Not even I or Philemon can do that!" Nyarlathotep stated. he didn't know when but he started to feel it. Fear...he was afraid of Garebel. He was doing things that were outright impossible, even for him. "You...you're not stronger than ME!" Nyarlathotep yelled. The beast started to throw fireballs at Orpheus, who was in front of his intended target, Garebel. the smoke cleared, revealing Orpheus was uninjured. The beast was then struck by lighting, Nyarlathotep screaming as lighting coursed though the beast. Izanagi have an open palm towards the beast with electricity moving across its claws showed it was the caster. "I won't lose!" Nyarlathotep yelled as he began pouring his power in to the beast, only to grab his head. "What?" He let out.
'Get out!!' a voice echoed.
Nyarlathotep's eyes widened upon hearing the voice. It was impossible. There's no way!
"No! YoU wErE sUpPoSeD tO sEaLeD aWaY! HoW dId YoU BrEaK oUt!?" Nyarlathotep yelled out, his voice becoming distorted. This can't be happening! How...?
"Gilda!" Dash yelled running to Nyarlathotep who was possessing Gilda's body, but was stopped by Izanagi.
"No! I don't know what's happening. Stay away from her." Garion yelled, in a commanding tone of voice. It was true, though. He didn't want Dash to die, and maintaining his Personas was taking a toil on him, though he didn't show it visibly.
"WhY!? wHy-WhY-why-WhY!?" Nyarlathotep yelled out in a rage. The seal he made to keep Gilda away from her body was made in a way that only two can break it, him and one other, so how...?
"You heard the young one. Kindly leave her body, now." Another voice echoed in Nyarlathotep's head. Nyarlathotep gasped.
"YoU! yOu LeT hEr FrEe, PhIlEmOn!? WhEn DiD yOu FiNd Me!? i HiD eVeN fRoM YoUr SeNcEs." Nyarlathotep let out. This wasn't supposed to happen. the other one who can break the seal, Philemon, was here!? How!?
"Really? Did you forgot that Personas as a whole can act as our eyes and ears~..." Philemon let out in a singsong tone of voice. Nyarlathotep let out a sound of shock. He forgot Personas can do that but He only summoned one, which only works for him, so where did Philemon's... He glared at Garebel as soon as he realized it as best as he could.
"DaNg YoU, gArEbEl! iF iT wErEn'T fOr YoU, i WoUlD hAvE bEeN ReViVeD! cUrSe YoU!!!" Nyarlathotep yelled out. The beast tried to do some kind of attack, but it's body was disintegrating fast, leaving it unable to anything.
"Get out of My BODY!!! Gilda yelled out, taking control of her body from Nyarlathotep.
"NoOoOoOoOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...!" Nyarlathotep shouted for the last time, before Gilda took full control of her body, with Nyarlathotep being sent back to where he belonged, once again, hopefully for good This time. the Griffon fell to the ground, heavily breathing.
"Gilda!" Dash yelled, avoiding Izanagi's attempts to stop her from going to Gilda. "Are you Okay!? Say something!" Dash yelled in panic.
"*gasp* Sorry, Dash. *gasp* Guess I *gasp* Screwed up * Gasp* Royally." Gilda let out. Garebel shook his head, approaching the duo.
"Don't worry. It's all over, now." Garebel comforted Gilda, dismissing Izanagi & Orpheus. It was true; Garebel didn't even sense a trace of Nyarlathotep's influence anywhere, not even in Gilda's body.
-Few days later...-
*Splat!*
"Bananas...Thanks!" Garebel said, to the new Pranking Trio. Gilda & Dash have managed to become friends again, during Gilda's recovery from the battle. While Nyarlathotep did took the brunt of the damage instead of Gilda, She still got injuries. Nothing fatal or debilitating, thankfully. She still needed to recover since her mind was starting to degrade a bit, due to her mind and body being seperated. Still, she pushed forward, though not literally. Gilda even managed to forge new bonds with Dash's friends, too. Pinkie, well... The three of them both love pranks, so it's hard not to be friends. Gilda didn't at first approve of Fluttershy for being Dash's friend because she acted weak.
A brief fight with Angel Bunny, one of Fluttershy's pets and who made Gilda angry by throwing a carrot at her, which interrupted by Fluttershy giving them both the Stare & ranting at them, Angel for picking a fight, & Gilda for trying to harm Angel, soon had Gilda regret thinking Fluttershy was weak.
Garebel also made a note to not get on Fluttershy's bad side, after seeing that.
Gilda wasn't on good terms, with Rarity, at first, before Rarity learned Gilda's taste in clothing. Gilda actually prefers armor to clothes because it's more useful. With Rarity guess correctly that all Griffons have a similar taste, She ended up bonding with Gilda over Practical uses. Garebel joined in, since he, too, has similar tastes. Garebel has been the flank of Griffon jokes since then, not that he minds at all.
Gilda bonded with Applejack when they also discussed things, this time being advantages of have paws instead of Hooves. While Gilda can grab apples, she can't do it as fast as Applejack can since her paws can only hold so much.
"Bucking with your Hooves is much faster, than me picking the fruit off of trees." Gilda told Applejack at one point.
Twilight was angry with Gilda for trying to ruining her books, but she was not angry as Gilda thought she would get, since Garebel revealed he stopped that from happening. Twilight got less angry when she got pranked by Gilda, using what she told Dash she was giving to Twilight. Needless to say, not even Twilight was above pranking others, since she sent the bottle of 'special ink' to her mentor. The two bonded further, when Gilda saw that there were several errors pertaining to griffons in history books & Mythes. They didn't touch Fiction, because, well, it's fiction, meaning not real, so there's no real need to change them.
Right now, Garebel was now sporting Bananas in his mane, due to the trio's latest prank. Again, He didn't mind it. He always did enjoy bananas before...That...happened.
"What's wrong?" Gilda asked noticing Garebel shiver.
"It's nothing. Just something I don't want to remember..." He trailed off. Gilda noticed this & decided to dropped the subject.
"Oh, I know! Let’s give Applejack an orange cloud that will rain apples & follow her around." Pinkie suggested.
"No. Cause if an apple hits someone, it will hurt." Dash pointed out.
"Oh, Pooie!" Pinkie said, sadly.
"Actually, why not make it look like it's snowing, but the 'snow' is actually Flour?" Gilda suggested. Pinkie and Dash blinked before nodding. The idea was entertaining.
"Come on!" Dash said, before she went to the Sugar Cube Corner.
"Hey, wait up!" Gilda yelled out, running after Dash, with Pinkie following. Garebel just laughed at the trio, enjoying their antics before sighing.
'Gilda reminds me of someone, but whom? Wait, could it be...? No, she disappeared... There's no way...' Garebel thought before shaking his head. Yet, the thought kept nagging him.
It wasn't until later, when they have the supplies together that they realized they would need clean up the mess they would made and discarded the idea altogether.