//------------------------------// // Spirit of Earth: Heart // Story: It's a brutal world mate... // by shattered_sky //------------------------------// Thunderlane and the Cakes were restless. The deer have left for a time now and they were still waiting for the others. They haven’t have word of any of their guildmates. Fluttershy woke up violently, promising to painfully murder a certain fat purple blob. Eventually she stopped because the vines held her tightly, leaving her to her morbid thoughts. Eventually a large green flash erupted, leaving a bunch of singed workers and guild members. Hundreds of green motes flew back to the forest. Diane was on Octavia’s back. Isaac let out a bleat and collapsed. The workers looked pretty beat up, Octavia glared at them and they sulked towards their comrades. Pumpkin rushed over to them. “Where’s are the others?” She asked in a panicked tone. The purple stallion groaned and raised a hoof, lying down where the workers were. “How about the others?” Pumpkin demanded. Octavia scoffed and whispered. “I don’t know.” She admitted. Pumpkin’s ears hugged her head. Pound flew over and tried to cheer her up. “Things are fine sis! Knives and Ditzy Doo are going to take them all down.” He sounded confident. Thunderlane wisely kept quiet on how three of their powerful combatants were down, not wanting to spoil things. Dusk’s horn was cracked, but he seemed capable of casting some spells. He was in a foul mood and he looked like he was going to skewer the workers. The workers wilted under his gaze. He then stared at the body of Diane. “I’m getting myself a pair of neko ears. And a tail.” He ground his teeth in rage. The mission was already complete. But their guildmates were still there with Celestia’s men. Fluttershy looked around, everpony from the guild suddenly had their eyes on her. She took a few calming breaths, seeing that she was the highest ranking member present. “Okay, all of you head back to Ponyville.” She simply commanded. Ignoring their protests she turned to Dusk. “I need a sword, can you still summon one?” Dusk closed his eyes and a Kukri fell at his hooves. His horn sparked as he lifted the blade. “Anything in particular?” He asked in that otherworldly voice. “The best you have.” She simply replied. “You’re not getting it. Unless I come.” Fluttershy mulled it over for a bit. “Sure, just don’t slow me down.” Before Pumpkin could complain Fluttershy explained the situation. “I need you to get these losers out of here Pumpkin. And get everypony.” She grinned at Dusk. “I wonder if Henry would like a purple mochi…. or cat meat.” Dusk chuckled darkly. “Henry?” Pound asked. “Oh, my friend. It’s hard to find fresh fish these days for a bear. He’s have to make do with this.” She clarified in that sickly sweet tone of hers. At their blank looks she smiled innocently. “What? It would be a waste you know.” “…Do you have a shed?” Dusk joked, finding something extremely funny about it. “No. A basement.” Dusk decided to keep quiet at that statement. “Hey guys? I hate to be that guy, but shouldn’t we hightail it out of here?” Thunderlane suggested. He flinched at Fluttershy’s intense stare. He swallowed and gathered his thoughts. “Look, I can’t fly. Isaac and Diane are out for the count. Octavia is useless right n-“ Immediately the twins held back the charcoal earth pony, for once Thunderlane didn’t seem to be amused. “Dusk’s horn is cracked and the Twins have to see all of these ponies out.” He lay down the situation. “I don’t give a damn. I’m killing that motherfucker.” He turned to Fluttershy. “And Angel here has a score to settle.” “Guys! We head back to town and get the entire guild!” Pound suggested. Thunderlane thought this over. “Yeah, that be epic. A great stomping for sure.” He grinned. Octavia shook off the Pound Cake. “The forest has gone silent mostly. Something bad is about to happen.” She grimly supplied. “We don’t have the time to wait for back up. And this is our problem too.” Pound huffed. “How is this OUR problem? We completed the mission, all that’s left is a good stomping.” Dusk’s eyes opened in realization. “Pumpkin?” “Yes?” “Our potions are made from the forest’s ingredients right?” “That’s right…” “So what if the bad guys capture the ancient spirit that keep things going?” Everypony stared at him. “The what now?” Pound and Thunderlane asked in chorus. “Buck.” Octavia swore. “The deer were talking about that…” Pumpkin recalled as she scratched her mane. “But spirits aren’t real!” She bursted out. “Yeah, that’s bonkers.” Pound agreed. “Spirits are real filly.” Octavia grumbled. “Without the spirits the forest would have died a long time ago. How do you think the forest knows about things?” “Yeah, like your grandpa. Do you still talk to him?” Fluttershy sneered. Pumpkin had to rein in the charcoal pony again. “Look, we’re magical ponies. Are spirits that hard to believe in?” Dusk irritably added. Pumpkin mulled it over. “The Ideals would not go through all of this if there wasn’t anything important. Most forests don’t act this way. So could it be a magical artifact?” She suggested. “Yeah! Makes more sense than spirits.” Pound nodded. Dusk growled and cut the vines that ensnared Fluttershy with a medieval sword. It glowed with a sickening green aura. He hovered it in front of Fluttershy and she tilted her head. “Where did you get a cursed sword?” “A black scottish Cyclops.” Dusk simply replied. Fluttershy just stared at him in confusion. “Also, it’s not talking for some reason. It’s usually very talkative.” “Whatever.”Fluttershy rolled her eyes and held the hilt in her mouth. She hovered and grabbed Dusk. Before any of her teammates could voice their protests she shot off with Dusk in tow. “Crabapples.” Pound swore. “Now what sis?” “We should do as she says. We should get going.” Pound and Pumpkin herded up all of the workers and led then to town. Octavia stared at the forest for a while longer, afraid of what was going to happen. ****** Using Rest again Ghost was fully restored. Ghost resurfaced from the ground, contrary to popular belief he had harder time remaining incorporeal than solid. He’d have to eat and rest for a bit. The forest seemed to cease in its attempts to murder him. But he wouldn’t relax just yet. The Guardians could be channeling the forest’s energies into their bodies. Only they had the proper attunement. The optimistic thought was that the forest realized its efforts were futile. Unlikely. From what he understood of the spirit’s message it had a physical form. He had a few options here. First was to try to forcefully take over the spirit’s body. Very dangerous, a soul that old could destroy him. Second he could wear the person down with Dream Eater, then take control using nightmares and hallucinations. According to the intel none of the Guild members here had any abilities to counter those kinds of assault. But it would take too long, reinforcements could come. Third option wasn’t pretty. He could simply destroy the person’s mind. “Fuck. Who am I kidding? I haven’t done much of this shit.” Ghost lamented. In theory he could pull it off. But it could have unexpected consequences. It could destroy miles and miles of land. “This is what I get for pretending to be a ‘specialist’.” He lamented, paling slightly. *Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.* *Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.* *Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.* Ghost decided that whatever it was it wasn’t good. He quickly pulled out a few tiny berries and downed them. He sank once more into the ground and headed to the source. To his dismay it was the Guardians. The smaller one wore a cloak and rode a stone golem. The other wore an armor of stone and thick vines. As he stared he realized the vines were moving and flowers sprouted in her braided hair. “This is bad.” He whispered. His head was barely poking out. “I have to get around- yipe!” He floated out of the way as thorny vines lashed out at him. The golem plunged its fists into the ground and more vines shot out of the earth, attempting to ensnare him. Ghost floated around dodging the attacks. Hazelnut charged but to her surprise she harmlessly passed through him. Ghost plunged into the earth and popped right in front of Flora. He grabbed her by the head and his eyes turned into spirals. He forced her to look at him. “Look into my- OW!” A rock hit him in the head causing him to flinch and fall to the ground. “Get away from her!” Hazelnut shouted as she rushed over and grabbed Flora. The golem attempted to step on him several times. He let out a shriek of terror as he crawled away. He once more dove into the ground. “Ugh. What is that thing?” Flora groaned, clutching her head. Ghost was panicking. He couldn’t float through terrain soon. He had to find a way to end this fight. He popped back out a few meters away from them and telekinetically threw the golem away. “Psychic!” “Daisy!” Flora cried out. He lifted his foot and stomped. “Earthquake!” The ground shook, causing the ground to shake and throwing the deer off balance.” Ghost felt he was running low. Apparently the cost of more than four moves was a debilitating few uses of all moves he knew. Out of Rest. He still had Solarbeam, Curse, Confuse Ray, Earthquake, Psychic, Dream Eater, Hypnosis, Shadow Ball and Lick. A few uses of most except Ghost and Psychic moves. He wondered if Displaced could do it because Pokémon from the show were basically powered critters. And people were smarter? “Wait no, Alakazams are smarter than humans… I think?” More vines. And rocks. He got whipped a few times. Then he stabbed himself with a claw. This shocked the deer. “Curse.” He croaked. This was enough to stop the battle for a few minutes. He laughed and wiped off some blood that was dripping from his mouth. Then Hazelnut felt it. She coughed up blood and collapsed. “Hazel!” Flora screamed in terror and she embraced her sister. “What did you do to her you freak!?” She shouted in rage. Hazelnut coughed violently before rising to her hooves again. She flashed with a green aura and she recovered. Ghost knew that if they still have the forest’s magics they might as well have unlimited magic. But the Move was very painful, next time she was inflected he would try and finish her off. He could probably pull it off. “Kekekekekeke.” He laughed. “So these are the forest guardians eh?” He popped a few blue berries into his mouth and chewed. His injuries healed. The golem came lumbering back. Flora looked ready to fight again but Hazelnut blocked her with a hoof. “I’m giving you a chance. I beg of you, leave and never come back.” Hazelnut requested. “There doesn’t need to be any more bloodshed today. So please, turn back.” She begged. Ghost pretended to give it thought. “Nah. I cashed in with the Queen. After she establishes things I’m set for life.” He grinned wickedly as Hazelnut coughed violently again. “Magic can only do so much. Eventually your body won’t heal from my little trick. So I don’t think you can stop me.” Vines quickly wrapped around his body, the thorns dragging gashes around his body. He let out a screech of terror and tried to struggle. His efforts only hurt him more so he ceased. “There was only two… Oh! You’re Avalanche!” Ghost declared with glee. “So that means the other forest guardian is behind me! Kekekeke- GACK!” He flailed around as the vines tightened. “You should have left while you could.” Fern coldly remarked as she stepped out. “The forest does not take kindly to such insults.” She then directed a hot gaze to Hazelnut. “And you shouldn’t be here.” Hazelnut lowered her head in shame. “Fern! She came all the way here to help us!” Flora stomped her hoof. “And the forest welcomed her. It’s not up to you to decide.” She fumed. Fern turned red. “She left us! She turned her back on us. She went on that silly little adventure of hers!” “For us! Without mates our line would be finished!” The vines slackened a bit. “Awkward…” Ghost sing songed. “Is it a bad time? I can come back latter to appropriate- GACK!” He squirmed again as the vines tightened. He wished that one of them would step closer. “Keep quiet you filth.” She growled in his face. Ghost was cheering in his head. He used Hypnosis on her. She fell asleep and the vines slackened. Before either of the deer could react he slipped out of the vines and grabbed the unconscious Fern. “Dream Eater.” He whispered. Cuts and burns appeared all over her body as she whimpered. His own injuries faded and he inhaled deeply. “Oh that’s the stuff. You’d be surprised what she dreamed of.” Hazelnut tried to charge him but she doubled over in pain, still under the effects of Curse. The vines started to creep behind him but he simply floated away. “Nuh uh! Simmer down or I’m killing this deer.” A black blob appeared in his hand and he held it close to Fern’s face. “You lot are adorable. It would be a shame if I would tear apart a pretty face.” Both deer were paralyzed, one wrong move and their sister could die. Flora was crying now and was trembling. Hazelnut got up again, her injuries healing again. “Let her go.” Hazelnut demanded. “Hypnosis.” The Shadow Ball dissipated and his eyes turned into swirls. To his surprise Hazelnut closed her eyes for a few moments, the reopened them. “You already figured it out? Eh, clever one.” He praised. “But I want you two to fall asleep. And then I’ll go on my way.” “Sorry we can’t do that.” Flora sniffed. “Okay then, Curse.” He stabbed himself with a claw. Flora’s eyes widened then she gritted her teeth. “If I stay here you’ll both die. The Curse will wear off once I leave. Even with your magic you won’t hold out forever.” Both deer collapsed in pain. “Case in point.” Before they could heal from their injuries he grabbed Hazelnut by the hair and forced her to look at him. He tried to bat him with his hooves but her blows went through. “Hypnosis.” She tried to fight her sleepiness but she succumbed to it. “Now you. Huh, you smell like flowers.” He grinned as he pushed the golem away with Psychic again. Her eyes were red and she was trembling. “Whatever you’re planning it will fail.” “Maybe. But it’s worth a shot.” He shrugged and grabbed her. “Shhhhhh. Don’t worry, it’ll just be like a bad dream.” He cooed as he wiped her tears. “Hypnosis.” She went limp and he dropped her. He grinned maliciously and he did a little skip towards the Heart of the forest. He shivered as he felt someone else arrive. “Fuck. It’s never easy.” He turned around and saw the formerly hooded mare, Knives. He sweated as he realized something. “You beat them!?” He pointed at Knives as his eyes and tongue bulged in a cartoonish fashion. “Yeah. You’re not too bad yourself…” She waved her hoof in the air, trying to recall if his name was spoken. “Ghost.” He bowed and smiled. “I can’t believe you beat the three of them Ghost. They’re very powerful.” She shook her head. “I’m going to have to stop you here.” He looked her up and down and raised his claws. “What, you’re going to give me a bad time?” He cackled at a joke only he got. She didn’t seem insulted. “I guess?” She offered. She looked behind her and sighed. “Two of you I suppose.” Ghost looked hopeful at his comrade that arrived. “HEY! Flashy boi!” He crowed in relief. They both took a closer look at the Pegasus and broke into hysterical laughter. Flash Sentry’s mane was shaved off, clumps of sap, twigs, mud and wood stuck to his armor. “Who did that to you!?” Knives wheezed. “Curse. Kekekekeekekeek!” Ghost stabbed himself while laughing. Knives eyes gleamed as she glared at him. He took a few steps back, he wondered if she noticed. “Weird, what did you do to me?” She growled. Ghost felt the atmosphere change, the bloodlust radiating from the mare. Blood trailed down her eyes and mouth. She wiped it off and stared at her bloodied hoof. “Huh, that’s a lot. I guess I have to repay the favor.” She dashed over and punched him the face. Instead of phasing through he seemed to crumple on himself as he got knocked away. He recovered midair and hastily threw a Shadow Ball. She dodged it and closed in on him. She hit him with a flurry of punches. Her attack was cut short as she clutched her own gut in pain. Ghost released another Shadow Ball and Flash slashed her in the back with his swords. “Why you-“ Her words were cut off by another Shadow Ball to the face. She twisted and yanked one of the blades from Flash’s grasp, she was aiming for his neck but he grabbed it with his mouth. She flipped over him and landed on Flash’s back. Despite the now alarming amount of blood running down her mouth she grabbed the blade and pulled hard. Flash bit hard, preventing the blade from moving. Black lightning coursed all over his body. She ignored all of the pain and jumped over, twisting the other blade from his grip and stabbing him in the chest. Her strength allowed the blade to go through his armor. Ghost kneeled down and popped the health potion – bottle and all – into his mouth. He stepped back in shock and stared at his own sword embedded in his chest. He made a gurgling sound before collapsing. He lay on the ground twitching. After what felt like an eternity his lifeless eyes were still on the mare that killed him. Ghost didn’t waste his time hallway through her maneuver he was charging his Solarbeam. As she finished he launched the blast at her. “SOLARBEAM!” He yelled. A thick layer of magic enveloped Knives and the blast didn’t hurt her as bad. But she was finished. Her body was burned all over and one eye was swollen shut. Her fur was coated with large amounts of her own blood. Ghost looked at the deer and realized that everyone could die from his curse. And he almost died from every Curse that he used and the damage he sustained. He floated over past the barely standing mare and turned to his objective. She fell on her back and she wheezed out. “I’ve… had worse.” She chuckled. “Derpster better take care of my coat…” She moaned as she passed out. Ghost simply ignored her, lost in his own thoughts. After he left the effects of Curse subsided. The damage had already been done, he wondered how far behind the Guild was and if they could still save them. He wondered about the fate of his comrades. He didn’t really care for most of them, he was in this for his own interests. He was afraid of going back however. The wrath of Celestia and Sir Platinum would be immeasurable. He needed to get the power. If he was successful he would be forgiven perhaps. If he came back empty-handed he would be tortured for a very long time. He briefly considered running away with the power. But he knew that power did not make one unstoppable. This world’s Celestia had been foiled over and over again and she had power of immense proportions. Eventually he reached a massive tree. He couldn’t feel anything magical about it actually. But the dreams of the Spirit of Earth were used to pinpoint its exact location. He wondered if it was dormant or if it was beyond his ability to sense. It was ten times wider than any of the other trees. Its roots reached out from the ground and curled around. The green motes of light dissipated as he looked around. There was an entrance, the wood curled around like a miniature archway. He treaded slowly, on guard for any vines. As he entered he saw a small spring of the clearest water he ever saw, sparkling like the brightest gens. In the center was a light blue bud wrapped up in vines. Blue, green and golden motes danced around the bud. The motes froze mid-air then charged at him. He held a Shadow Ball in his hand which sucked the motes on contact, when many of them diminished the vines holding the bud withered and the water darkened. He felt like there were a thousand screams. He clutched his ears and growled. It was too late, he had no choice but to follow through. Wadding through the water he placed a hand on the bulb. Fading into a purple smog he entered the bulb. OoOoOoOoOoO Ghost wasn’t that experienced in dominating minds. Derpy just let him in, but not before isolating herself and all of her secrets and thoughts. He couldn’t get much informations without committing all of himself. If she had any experience in the dream realm – that maneuver was proof enough – she could slip through and destroy his own mind. But she hid instead. Ghost’s own outer mindscape was filled with his old life, when he wasn’t actively shaping it. Skyscrapers, people the endless grind of life. He growled and pushed it all into himself. Leaving a landscape that changed colors slowly, waves and waves of color. It was oddly relaxing for him and a reminder of something from his childhood. He wondered for a moment if someone would ask questions to describe his nature. He wandered out and came across a wall. The wall was all that divided him and the other person. He was on guard, the wall was paper thin in a matter of speaking and he could simply push it away. But why did she even put a wall in the first place? Did this person want him in? These sorts of battles were a battle of willpower. It actually required little skill to defend oneself. In invading you were at a disadvantage if the person had knowledge to protect himself. In a person’s own mind you had to wear them down, dominate them, and break them. Skills like this require absolute discipline of the mind and control. If your focus is scattered you’d be easily destroyed. Most would say that Ghost was a person who could not concentrate on one thing. That he would be destroyed easily. He managed to fend off Princess Luna and protect his mind once. This was the feat that got him noticed. She was the only pony in existence with a lot of power, experience in battles of the mind. He knew what to do with practice and theory. Defend by concentrating your thoughts. Attack with painful memories and willpower. Distract with paradoxes, impossible concepts and weirdness. He gambled on dropping his defense and distracting her instead. The many years on the internet provided him with the ammunition he needed. Bizarre and foreign concepts were flinged at her like thousands of flies and wasps. And all he need was her to be distracted and he could push back. As she wavered he knocked her out of his mind with all he could master, her own defense weakened by his plan. He never slept much after that. He knew he would get him next time. He was reqruited so here he is, trying to dominate a mind of one of the most powerful forces on this world. Fail and face the wrath of the other powerful forces. Heck he could die. He grinned. He wouldn’t fail. ‘I’m going all in, risking it all. I will have everything.’ He promised. He shattered the flimsy wall and it felt like hot sand peppered him. He simply deflected it and went deeper. ‘You won’t. Leave.’ She replied. Mental walls were already in place. Ghost realized that she was simply stalling, shoring up her defenses. She was clever and had experience in the landscape. Ghost focused his will and crashed against the mental wall. It cracked but didn’t collapse. Her will was slightly stronger. Time to bust out his specialty. A piece of his mind broke off and flew into the crack. (oOoOoOoO) A city like Manehattan only smaller, under the cover of night. Time seemed to be frozen as birds stopped mid-air. Strange metal shells with wheels were around the roads. Hairless apes- with the exception of their heads for most- with clothing of all sorts dined at a restaurant. It was like a 3D picture. At a bridge a one of these hairless apes lay. He wore all black and had an impressive – if unrealistic musculature – he had a desperate expression on his face. He was beaten up a bit. A sexy looking ape wearing golden pants and jacket was carrying a weird cart with two large cylinders as wheels. “Roada rolla da!” (oOoOoOoO) ‘What in the river-‘ ‘Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda! MUDAAAAA!’ Ghost yelled as he broke through several walls. She regained her composure and regained her focus. She wondered who was invading her mind and how did he think of bizarre things such as whatever that was. He caught glimpses of her mind. A desert, cat nomads wrapped in cloth and traveling. That explained why she gave her energies to this forest. ‘Leave now!’ A wave a willpower washed over him. He concentrated his will to steel himself against the assault. ‘Give in!’ He shouted as he crashed against more walls. A concentrated tendril of will attempted to skewer him. He split his mind into hundreds of pieces to dodge and he attack the walls all over. (oOoOoOoO) He started with a dancing dog and one of these hairless apes dance along to the words ‘dance till your dead’ repeated over and over again. A large dinosaur dancing. The other sat on a crate and strummed a banjo. Someone was signing in the background.. ‘Couri roooooo dek me hooooo to da place wer ah behloooooo-’ Two biped wearing red and blue suits were on a bed. One sat on the other, straddling his back, suddenly he slapped the other’s butt with both hands. It was very audible. This repeated several times, speeding up every once in a while. A hairless ape wearing a business suit and had a pyramid shaped head that floated and rotated. His arms were extended in both directions as he floated. A fat cartoon duck with a yellow toupee wearing a blue suit shot the hairless ape with a gun that shot coins. ‘Obama pleaaaaaaaaaaase.’ Two hairless apes held plastic light sticks that were shaped like swords. One drew his sword. ‘All women, are queens.’ the drew his too and shouted back ‘ If she breathes, she’s a THOOOOOOOOT.’ She could feel the fury from his voice. The then clashed in a rather lackluster fashion. A comic. One of these hairless apes traveled to their future. She was greeted by a construct of metal, a golem of some sort perhaps, incredibly intelligent however. She was looking for adventure. The construct offered a pill that would make her feel all pleasant without the dangers of adventure. Then it was revealed that there were millions of boxes with people in the same state, drunken with bliss. Forever. ‘This lamb is so fucking raw it’s still following Mary to school! YOU FUCKING DONKEY!’ ‘I like big bois. Itty bitty bois-‘ A fat blob with a wicked grin and red eyes started at her. He wore a black trench coat and he had a Katana in his side. With a beard that fell off his face. ‘Can you have some SAUCE? Shoryuken!’ He yelled, his hands cupped as he bombarded her with lewd images of these hairless apes. Mostly female with extremely large mummeries. Doing all sorts of things. Unspeakable things. Any many many more things he showed her. (oOoOoOoO) ‘SWEET MAKER MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP!’ She shrieked. All of her mental resistances melted away. He found himself standing in the endless expanse of the dessert. A crystal ball was at his feet. He held it to his face a looked at the figure inside. She was a brown and yellow cat wrapped in bandages. She was cowering and crying, muttering things to herself. She peeked at him with her emerald eyes before wailing and covering her ears. He won. He didn’t know how to feel. He didn’t think it would be this easy. ‘Humans are really mad creatures are they?’ He felt dirty. It made sense however. People who could go on with their lives like that were truly mad. And to say that was his greatest strength in the mindscape was somehow THIS was very disturbing for him. He would survive, that was all that mattered now. But he would have a little fun first.