//------------------------------// // What Is At Stake // Story: Strength And Honor // by dudenotactive //------------------------------// The blazing heat of the dessert was barely bearable. Ryze would've died if it weren't for his runes, it was a miracle that there were living creatures around. The real mystery to him was the skull of a cow, he guessed the rest was taken by scavengers but wondered why there's always one in a dessert.  As he glared at the remains, his mind wandered to a certain revenant. The question of death and what lies beyond. Ryze shook the thought away, he had work to do.  He entered a ruin, it looked to be a shrine of sorts, well, whatever was left of it. There were signs of battle, something happened and reduced the shrine into rubble. The stone pedestal was broken beyond repair, the sand beneath his feet was oddly sticky. Strangely, there was an odd smell in the air, it was the stench of Zaun.  This was it, the place where the anomaly started. He looked around at nothing but sand.  That is until he noticed something in the distance, a cloud of dust approached, it cleared the distance faster than a man who's not ready to face the wolf. Ryze scowled. "Rammus, that better be you!" His hand glowed brightly as his fists clenched tightly.  Soon enough, the cloud got close enough before something emerged from the sands. A gigantic beast roared as two more creatures appeared. One was equally large, while the other was just as tall as Ryze.  "Voidlings." He muttered.  Cho'gath laughed as Kha'zix glowered at Ryze. Rek'sai slowly circled him, her deep growls shook the sands.  "Rune mage!" Kha'zix snarled. "You've come for us, but you are a fool! This will be your end!" Ryze sighed. "Yes, yes. I heard it all before." He waved a dismissive hand at them. "Let's just cut to the chase and fight it out. I have an important meeting later and I don't want to be late." The three Void creatures prepared themselves, Ryze groaned loudly as he charged up a spell. This was troubling, and he was honestly tired of it.  Poppy was in a panic, she shuffled on the spot awkwardly as she glanced at every pony before her. It had been a minute or two since the encounter with the humans. She had to make herself look friendly so no unwanted conflict would arise. Sadly, Kled on the other hand was acting childish. He did not see the situation, as if he was blind to the fact that they were surrounded by magical ponies.  They stood with their defenses raised, careful not to be caught off guard by the old yordle. It would seem most of them were eager to fight if it meant to defend their town. None showed cowardice, they were determined to stand their ground against Kled. He showed no fear, especially when he had Skaarl by his side. "I am tellin' y'all nothing until you horses surrender this town to Noxus! Accept my terms or me and Skaarl will-" "It's Skaarl and I." Twilight corrected.  "Don't you sass me!" Kled snapped at her.  The ponies readied themselves, he looked like he was about to explode, though he was shorter than a regular human, his temper was just overwhelming. He was like an angry chihuahua who was armed with a sharp stick.  "I'm telling you for the last time; I want the Noxian banner to be displayed around town to show your alliance to me!" He traced the edge of his halberd with a finger. "Or else Skaarl and I will personally convert your race to our cause, by force!" "Kled, could you please behave!" Poppy pleaded.  "I am not listening to someone who is not a rank higher than me!"  "We just want some answers! Is it that hard?" Twilight said with a hoof on her face. "We don't want a fight, but we will defend ourselves. So please, for the good of all, lay down your weapon and we can settle this like adults." "Sounds like Demacian propaganda to me," Kled whispered to Skaarl, only to find that she was not by his side. "Skaarl? Skaarl!" He gasped.  Skaarl was there next to Fluttershy, it would seem the drakalops was infatuated with the pegasus, she acted as if she was a dog who misses its owner after a whole day alone. The betrayal, the lack of loyalty to her rightful partner! Kled seethed with jealousy as this pegasus hogged all the attention.  "Oh, hello Skaarl... Hmm, are you hungry?" Fluttershy asked. "Hold on, I think I can ask Applejack for an apple, I'm sure she has one on her. Right Applejack?" "Oh, well," The farmer inhaled sharply. She wanted to say no, but Skaarl stared at her expectantly. Now that she saw it, Skaarl was kinda cute, in a weird lizard way, almost like Gummy, Pinkie's pet alligator. "Fine, Ah got an apple here..." She fished under her hat and produced a shiny apple for Skaarl.  "Have you been giving Skaarl garbage food!?" Kled exclaimed. "The only thing in her diet is human flesh and random bugs we find on the ground!" Skaarl made a strange noise.  "I know that you're on a fruit and vegetable diet, but meat is just better!" Before anyone could say another word, a flash of light blinded them for a moment. Once it was clear, the ponies and Poppy gasped in shock. A large bug-like creature was brought into the grassy field from out of nowhere, and next to it was the rune mage himself, Ryze. The giant bug was held down by magical chains which the beast could not break out of. "I will grind your bones to dust, rune mage!" Cho'gath threatened as he attempted but failed to free himself.  "Shut up," Was Ryze's only reply to this void-born. "So, I guess avoiding the locals was harder than you both can manage?" "Another human..." Twilight said, her eyes were wide open. "Are you perhaps these um... cats?" "They are called yordles," Ryze said blankly. "and no, I am not their leader if that is what you were going to say. I am simply employing them just this one time to help me with something important." "And I want to know why you people are destroying our home, and what you all are fighting for!" Twilight took a step forward.  "I assure you, princess, that you need not be concerned about our work. This will all be over before you know it, by my name I promise it." Ryze said. "How are we not sure that you guys aren't trying to take over our home!?" Dash flew up to Ryze's face and pressed an accusing hoof on his chest. "For all we know, this is some secret invasion where you act like the good guys fighting the bad guys!" Ryze glanced over to Twilight. "Is your friend an idiot or do I have to perform surgery and give her a bigger brain?" "Are you calling me dumb!?" "Yes." He said without missing a beat.  "That's it!" Dash reared back a hoof for a quick punch, but she froze when the tip of Kled's halberd was pressed against her throat.  "Go on, give me a reason!" Kled grinned. "I'm hungry for some buffalo wings!" Twilight and her friends didn't like that, not one bit. Spells were ready to be cast on Kled, the others took on a defensive stance and were ready for another fight.  Ryze pushed Kled's weapon away from Dash. "We aren't here to fight, I just want none of you to be part of our problem. So please understand that I am only looking out for your kind." Twilight shook her head. "As noble as your reason is, I will have to step in if something like that skirmish ever happens again. Pony lives are in danger, and it's up to us to take a stand!" "Ugh!" He placed his palm on his face, a tired heavy sigh escaped him. "Do you see yourself as the hero here!? Are you just that righteous!? Honestly! I am sick and tired of you locals always getting in trouble just because of me!" Ryze slammed his fist against Cho'gath's face, and the voidling whined in pain.  "Do you not see this monster I had caught!? There are two more out there, preying on creatures such as you! If I had not found him, he would have grown bigger than a mountain and all will fall into his disgusting maw! This is Cho'gath, the Terror of the Void!" The ponies and Poppy recoiled when Ryze struck the monster a second time. His rage and frustration overwhelmed the whole field, it felt so suffocating just being next to him.  "He represents what that blasted void is, insatiable hunger, this monster devours all life because it is his purpose! If that doesn't scare you, there are psychopaths out there that wouldn't think twice about ripping you apart!" He glared at them all with fury, but his rage shifted into sadness, it was clear in his eyes that he feared for them. He wasn't mad that they were persistent, no, he was just worried for their sake, and now they can see that. "Death is a mercy, knowing someone like him is still out there... Listen! Just think about it, and let us do our job." Ryze placed a hand on the beast, a bright blue ring appeared beneath him and Cho'gath. A teleportation spell from what Twilight and Starlight could tell.  "Poppy, ignore these ponies and head north just as I told you." He ordered.  "What are you gonna do to him?" Poppy asked.  "I will bring him back to our base in the Everfree forest, without the artifact I cannot send him back to our world. So for now I must imprison him and hope that he stays where he is." He glared one last time at the ponies. "Think, for your own safety." With that said, a light flashed, and somehow the giant beast was gone along with Ryze. Twilight was shocked after witnessing such a powerful teleportation spell. Just by the way he talks and his appearance, Twilight knows that Ryze is not a man to be trifled with. His magic alone was stronger than his words, deadlier even. Which gave Twilight more reason not to trust Ryze right off the bat.  "So!" Poppy clapped her hands to steal their attention. "We would love to stay and all, but Kled and I have work to do... So sorry about the mess, I'll make sure that this won't happen ever again." "Wait," Twilight sighed. "we got off the wrong hoof here, and it is very much appreciated that you both risked your lives for the peace of our town. I wanted to learn more about this problem of yours, so I ask that you stay and tell us what exactly it is." Poppy awkwardly coughed into her fist, her eyes focused on the space beside her. "I would be happy to, but Ryze wouldn't like that, sorry." "Please, I beg that you let us help in any way we can!" Poppy gasped as she felt two hooves on her shoulders, Twilight stared deeply into Poppy's eyes with determination written all over her face. "My home is in trouble and I want to defend it! If innocent lives are in danger, then none of us could ever live with ourselves knowing that we did nothing!" "I-I... I'm sorry, but-" Poppy could not finish her sentence as Kled shoved his hand into her mouth. The yordle screamed, but it only came out muffled thanks to Kled.  "Shush!" Kled pulled out his hand and wiped it on Twilight, who recoiled in disgust. Fluttershy and the others couldn't believe how the aura in the air shifted from something serious to something silly. "Don't talk for a second, the damn magpie is listenin'!" He told them as he pointed a finger at a raven nearby.  The ponies and Poppy stared at him weirdly, unsure what he meant.  "I see you!" Kled tossed a pebble at the corvid, which flew away, scared off by the lunatic. "That's right, scram! I don't need you poking around here!" He then turned towards the ponies.  "How about I make a deal! You renounce yer leaders and join Noxus!" He grinned. "I'll tell you everything you need to know!" "Don't listen to him, he's nuttier than a Bandle scout around acorns." Poppy warned.  "Don't you go and run your mouth, Demacian! We know you fancy pants are always goin' around eatin' slugs!"  "Please don't fight!" Fluttershy stepped between them, she risked her life just so conflict could be avoided, a foolish move, Kled could've ripped her apart for that. "T-there are more important things to do than fighting..." "Fluttershy is right!" Twilight stepped forward. "Our home is in danger, and we can only depend on you both. If what that human told us is true, then we can't just go and trust anyone else." Poppy shook her head. "You are worried for your world, I understand, but Ryze knows more than anyone. If he thinks that you shouldn't get involved, then it's best to do what he says..." "Please," Twilight begged... It was true, they knew too much now and just couldn't ignore it, this is their home, they have friends and family everywhere. None of the ponies wanted to just stand around pretending the danger doesn't exist, living a life as if there was no evil lurking in the shadows.  Jhin and Jinx brought with them weapons that could raze and burn fields, leaving nothing but ash. They were armed and dangerous, just like Ryze and his two helpers. If so, then anyone who did not belong to this world was also a threat to them.  Poppy understood her, she knows everything there is to her world, the monsters that breathed the same air as she does. Some who don't even look monstrous, they all come in all shapes and sizes, not to be underestimated. A sigh left her lips, she glanced towards the direction of the forest where Ryze hid, a thought ran through her mind as she stared silently. Finally, she faced Twilight once more, but with a soft smile. "I don't think we've introduced ourselves properly, I'm Poppy, the Keeper of Orlon's Hammer. It will be a pleasure to work with you!" Kled snarled. "Now just hold on a minute! This was goin' to be my conquest! Why in Skaarl's name are you stealing my chance for expansion!?" He grunted in pain after Poppy elbowed his gut.  "Could you shut up for once, Noxian? This alliance of ours is temporary, but I will put you in your place." "I'll rip your cute face off for that!" He tried to pounce at Poppy but found himself frozen... again...  But this time it was thanks to Twilight with a little bit of telekinesis to hold him down. She smiled warmly at Poppy. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, and let me be the first to welcome you to Equestria, Poppy." Poppy was filled with a rush of joy, though it was the wrong choice, she was happy that she decided to allow these ponies to have a part in her quest. The yordle just hoped that Ryze would understand her decision. Maybe it was wise of her to do so, or perhaps she would regret it one day, only time could tell.