"So this is your horde?" Nylock asked as he entered Ember's cave. In the back most section was a collection of gold coins, various gems, books, and to Nylcoke's biggest surprise, Comic Books. "I did not know Graphic Novels existed in this world."
“They do, they’re from my best friend Spike.” She said honestly. “And this is it so far.”
"So, I get the gems, you said Dragons eat them… but why the gold coins? What purpose do they serve aside from just being shiny bobbles?"
“Wealth equals power.” Ember started. “Both metaphorically in the sense where ‘I can buy my own small country with this much’, yes I even did the math, don’t ask it took me three months.” Ember grumbled something about ‘losing count’ but Nylocke couldn’t hear it clearly. “But also because to Dragon’s, they’re wealth can empower them a lot, as there’s a thing called ‘Greed Growth’, where a dragon can jumpstart certain growth’s or evolutions based on what they’re Greed is for.” She said simply. “And this is also why Dragon’s need to also be careful, cause nobody wants to be Fafnir, greedy fuck.” She grumbled. “Obtain your wealth through any means, but don’t let it consume you.”
"I see… the closest to a hoard of my own back home was honestly my movie collection."
“Movie collection huh? I’ve heard about movies before but they’re mostly in Equestria and only in theaters so I never had the time to see one of them.” She shrugged.
"So, does it only work with precious metals and gems or can anything count towards a dragon's hoard goes for this greed growth?"
“Anything really.” Ember shrugged. “As long as you want more, Greed Growth can affect you in some way.” She said honestly. “But that’s only half of what makes Dragon’s so big, just because my dad has one of the biggest hoards here doesn’t mean that’s the reason why he’s the size of a mountain.”
"I'm assuming age and diet play a part in that?"
“Yep.” Ember nodded. “Gotta make sure you’re eating correctly and a bunch of other things or else you’ll stunt your growth or worse.”
"Hm. So, if I may ask, when a dragon passes, what happens to their hoard?"
“That…depends.” She said carefully. “Either it’s taken by whoever they deemed deserves it, like their mate or their child, a close relative, whoever beat them in a death match which is practically nonexistent…or just straight grave robbing for some assholes that don’t understand basic decency for the dead.”
"Hm. And how do most dragons start making their own hoards? Do the parents help or do you hunt and gather the items alone?"
“Again, it depends on the dragon.” Ember said simply. “But the common event is dragon’s starting to gather by themselves when they feel ready to start finding gem’s and gold and the like.”
"Ah. And what do dragons do in terms of schooling the young? Do the parents teach them or is there a school or equivalent?"
“Parent’s teach them the basics, then the kids have to learn the rest by themselves when they leave the nest.” She shrugged. “First Hand Experience is the best teacher after all.”
"So… I take it basic arithmetics and the ability to read and write are… not the best?"
“Weird you’re assuming those aren’t ‘the basics’.” Ember pointed out. “Remember, dragon’s are very long lived creatures, as an example…my friend still looks like a baby dragon when his mother is twenty three, when in reality my friend is actually going to be eighteen this year.” She explained. “I’m a teenager and I’m going on a hundred and eighty.”
"And aside from yourself, how many of your fellow 'teenage' dragons actually use or remember any of what they were taught?"
"Remember the Lorescale's I talked about?" Ember asked. "Some of them go off to do that, others travel, and others...well act like Teenagers." She shrugged. "But math is super important when counting your hoard."
"True. So, if I may, where is your mother?"
"Next question." Ember said a little too quickly.
Nylock noticed her quick answer, and decided to ask again later. It was probably a touchy subject. "Alright. Hm, well, how about agricultural? Aside from gemstones, do the dragons farm anything?"
"The entire Dragon Lands is volcano's and stone, so no, we do not farm cause we literally can't." Ember answered. "Sure outside the lands on the border is so fertile and pure Phoenix's nest there, but in these lands no."
"Odd, one would think the volcanic ash would make quite fertile soil. As for the stone, well, broken stone turns to gravel and gravel is the foundation for construction."
"It's the volcanic equivalent to a mountain range." She brought up. "And while the gravel bit is true, the place has enough cracks as is."
"Hmm." Nylock thought to himself. "No agriculture, no industry, it's a bit… concerning. Have any dragons tried to do things differently from the norm? Modernize like the other regions of this land?"
"We've never really had to." Ember shrugged. "And if we did, at least to some of our experts in those fields say, we'd shoot way past anyone with all our collective knowledge, skills, and resources in five years."
Nylock hummed in thought at that again. "And, what's your personal opinion on that matter?"
"Personally, there really hasn't been a reason for a lot of modern stuff like the ponies or other races need." Ember shrugged. "Would it be cool to see some of the things in comics come to life? Sure, but that would cause such a shift in power around the world that, again, might cause problems."
Or stop some… Nylock thought with worry.
As if on cue, the cave home of Ember shook as the head of a larger dragon poked itself inside the cave Entrance. "Dragon Lord Ember! There have been strange monsters spotted entering the Dragon Lands from the western borders."
“What kind of strange creatures?” Ember asked carefully.
"They're small, but fast. They jump as high as we can fly… and their claws slice through our scales like our claws through stone. Many who spotted them tried to attack first but… two have died, many more are wounded."
"Take me as close as you can to them." Nylock said without waiting for a reply.
“We need to hurry, now.” Ember said carefully, grabbing the Dragonlord Staff and getting up. “How fast can you run?”
"How fast can you fly?" He asked back with a smirk, drawing his ice sword and bolting out the cave entrance the second the larger drake moved enough. Ember rapidly began to fly after him.
In a short few minutes they were met by a worrying, if very strange scene. Ember landed, wide eyes as two of the larger, older drakes she'd known lay fallen, their scales and hides split open like prey after a predator's kill.
Fallen scales and pools of blood littered the area from the now fleeing wounded. All that was left here were the ten or so creatures. They resembled a Minotaur, standing on two hind legs with large muscular upper bodies. The similarities ended there however as their heads contained a single black orb for an eye, torso split down the middle revealing large tooth filled maws and their arms ended in three claws that seemed to act both as weapons and digits.
"I've definitely never seen beasts like this before…" Nylock spoke bitterly as he kept his sword raised and eyed the monsters now feasting on the two fallen drakes.
“What in the world are those things?” Ember asked in horror. “How dare they…” She growled, gripping her staff tighter as she wanted to tear these things apart.
"Whatever they are, they clearly have a taste for dragons…" Nylock said sickly at the display before them.
One of the creatures took notice. It jumped a shocking distance both in the air and distance. From where it was feasting to attacking Nylock and Ember.
The two dodged. Ember tried clawing it when it landed but her claws almost bounced off their skin.
Before it could attack, Nylock managed to swing, his blade slicing the creature in two. It fell and seemed to dissolve into a silver liquid before evaporating into a mist, leaving behind bones, scales Ember recognized as Dragon Scales and several of it's own claws.
"... That's not normal here, right?" Nylock asked as he picked up one of the left behind claws.
“No…that’s not normal in the slightest…” She said carefully.
"And….let me guess, that's the first time your claws have ever failed you?"
“I will legit slap you if you think I’m weak because we both experienced a being that…has never existed before.” She started carefully, already taking a blow to her pride as she couldn’t hurt the damn thing, she did not want to hear she was weak because of that.
"I wasn't saying that. Whatever these creatures are, your claws were repelled by them, and I'm willing to bet those two fallen ones weren't able to do anything, yet these creatures effortlessly ended them and are eating them. Despite the size, whatever these beings are, they are meant to be a dragon's predator. They prey on drakes…" Nylock started, turning back and seeing as from a gushing wound on one of the fallen drakes rolled out five more of the creatures, smaller but quickly growing. "And… nest, in the remains. What twisted devil would conceive such a creature…"
“The hell are these things? Tarantula Hawk Wasps?” She asked worriedly. “We need to kill them before they grow stronger, now.”
"Hmm…" Nylock hummed as he quickly picked up the dropped claws, dragon bones and tore some cloth from his cape. He quickly fashioned two makeshift daggers from the creatures claws and gave them to Ember. "If your claws can't hurt them, I'm willing to bet their own claws can."
"True…" Ember said, taking the improvised daggers and, surprising Nylocke, twirled and moved them around with practiced and trained hands. "Little heavy, but they'll do."
With a nod the two got to work. Carefully but brutally disposing of each of the creatures. Nylock took notice of the creature's drops. Dragon bones and scales seemed common but they also seemed to drop their own claws, gems occasionally, or lite red gem crystals.
It took a few hours, but eventually after the fallen dragons corpses were rendered nothing but bones and flakes of flesh the last of the creatures was slain, and the ground was decorated in their strange drops.
"May I ask, where did you learn to wield a blade?"
"Dad taught me how to use a lot of weapons, the logic being 'if you know how to use the weapons, you'll know how to fight against them'." Ember explained simply. "Many dragons take that saying as law cause of how often it's been proven right."
"Impressive. Now… what I want to know is where did these vile creatures come from? They clearly aren't native to this world, nor do anything like them exist within TOME…"
"They don't even exist in this reality." Nylock and Ember jumped, spinning quickly and readying their weapons. The being before them stood in a red suit with a blue tie, their face that of a sad frowning white drama mask. "They really are nasty little vermins."
"And who the hell are you?" Ember growled. "And what were those things?"
"My name is Demon." He addressed with a bow. "And those little monsters are most often called Drakicites. Nasty little buggers that exist solely to eat and breed within the corpses of dragons. I figured they'd be a good test run of his skills, you though gave me some genuine surprise."
"Excuse me? You sent these monsters?" Ember growled, readying her daggers at the being ready to attack the person that caused the death and injuries to her dragons.
"Indeed, and trust me, had it been my associate, the ones who made these monsters… there would have been far more of the dead." He stated. "But, enough about all that. This is the part where you attack and I beat you into blissful unconsciousness while not even trying."
While Ember wanted to fight him, her instincts were screaming at her not to fight someone that could apparently magic these being’s designed to kill Dragon’s. “Damn you…” She growled, really wanting to fight him even if he basically explained what might happen.
He shrugged. "Different world, same curses and threats. Now then, I imagine you both have questions? Seeing as your lady friend here has decided to be… civilized."
“Yes…” Ember said, taking a deep breath as she tried to reign in her anger and urge to fight. “Why did you do this?”
"Setting the stage little lady. Giving you and that hero a little taste of what's to come is all. The cast is almost complete, and once it is, the real Play begins."
"Play? This is all some… stage act to you?" Nylocke asked.
"My appearance isn't just for show, you know." He said with a chuckle. "My associates and I have been going all through the multiverse and back setting up these little plays and games for the ones we selected to play the part of compete. Largely for entertainment, partly for… private reasons."
“And perchance, would thou also be involved with Lady Void?” Nylocke inquired. “And that strange occurrence with the Goblin King to get us here?”
"Her name's Pain, and yes. She's the one who infected that little program and opened the rift that sent you all here." Demon said with a nod.
“And what happened to Sir Avenborn? He is the only one unaccounted for amongst our ranks.” Nylocke brought up. “Sir Alpha mentioned he and Squire Kirbopher were together, as well as Lady Flamegirl and Sir Gamecrazed, but nothing for that vile hacker.”
"He's fine. He has his own role to play and you'll find out what it is soon enough."
“Why or how is Nylocke so strong?” Ember asked. “Cause out of all the dragon’s I have known or researched, nobody’s been this physically capable in a very long time, especially against my father who is one of the strongest dragon’s still alive today.”
Despite the emotionless mask of a face Demon had, Nylock and Ember could feel he was smirking. "Digital or Physical, all of this reality is made and structured by numbers. I simply… took him and his friends from their world where the numbers were… restricted, put them into the bodies they use in the world where the numbers mean power, and brought them here as such, with all those numbers and powers plus extra."
“But…” Nylocke started. “Math being confusing aside…how does our game characters strength’s mean we’re so much more powerful here? I wasn’t that strong in game, and Torch would be considered a raid boss in TOME.” Nylocke said worriedly, breaking character as he thought about all his stats and just how strong he was in this brand new context.
"Long explanation short, you are not playing by the rules the numbers of this world, your world or even TOME play by. We set you all up to play by the numbers my reality plays by. And by comparison, that makes your numbers higher than most any entity on this planet." Demon stated. "I guess you could say I turned you all into hackers, but in reality it's more like I've… glitched you all. Well, Glitch by comparison to the world you're in."
“You took off their limiters?” Ember suggested.
“Oh…” Nylocke said carefully. “So…what’s our objective?” The dragon knight asked. “Cause all plays need a Villian…”
"That role has… yet to be cast. Heh, you'd think a group of all powerful ____ would be better at planning ahead, but, I won't lie, the Improvising always entertains. Now then, when we do find our Villain, then the real show can begin. Until then…" He snapped his fingers. Five more of the Drakicites appearing in a flash of black and green energy, accompanied by various other monsters soon surrounded Nylock and Ember. "Enjoy the… Cannon fodder." He said with a laugh as a swirling mass of the same black and green energy opened behind him. He entered it and once he did, it vanished. Leaving Ember and Nylock surrounded by Monsters.
“Great…” She growled. “And we didn’t even get to ask what those weird item’s are either…” She muttered, preparing her daggers to fight these damned things.
“Later my fair lady, for we must best these foul creatures here and now.” Nylocke said, as one of the monsters leaped at him as he jumped in the air. “For I am Nylocke! Master of Monster Slaying!” He said in roleplaying glee as he cleaved one of the Drakicites in half.
"I have to admit, the giant Zeppelin was a surprise." Alpha said as he, Kirby, Flamegirl and Gamecrazed all looked over the railings at the vast landscape below.
“Oh yeah.” Kirb nodded. “And this place looks fantastic.”
“It’s a really beautiful world that’s for sure.” Flamegirl nodded. “Not a single bit touched by industry.”
"Much of Equestria is mapped but unsettled, and industry largely lies near the coastal cities. Much of the Minotaur trade and goods and cultural influences are there as well." Luna stated as she enjoyed the view with the heroes.
“What? Did they…” Kirb stopped himself. “Actually, would it be considered racist if I mentioned labyrinth’s here?” Kirb frowned, now having to think about certain things being racist against these new talking magical beings.
"In modern Equestria… sort of? Most immigrants from the Minotaur Lands do take offense but tourists and proud Minotaurs find a good maze to be a worthwhile challenge."
“Fair enough.” Kirb nodded, not wanting to offend new races technically.
"So how long until we reach the dragon lands?" Flamegirl asked.
"With the winds and the current speed, it should only take two days at most."
“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Alpha nodded. “Even if it’s a magic Zeppelin, it’s still a Zeppelin.”
"I guess that means we can take it easy til we get there. So, is there anything to do while we wait?" Flamegirl asked.
"There is a lounge, Library, game room and a pool aboard this vessel." Luna informed.
“Game room?” Kirb asked quickly.
“Pool?” Flamegirl inquired, giving a quick little glance at Alpha who was looking away and listening, apparently having the same thought on that.
"Yes. The game room consists of games both old and new, and the pool is large enough to enjoy a pleasant swim. This is my private Zeppelin after all, so feel free to enjoy yourselves. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in the galley at sunrise, noon and sunset."
“Awesome, where’s the game room?” Kirb asked readily.
“We don’t have swimsuits though.” Flamegirl said sheepishly. “And I doubt you have anything fit for…us.”
"Hmm, true. Ponies don't usually have swimsuits to go swimming. I am no Rarity but if you can draw something of what they are meant to look like I might be able to fashion something usable." Luna informed.
“Oh, that should be easy enough.” Flamegirl nodded, already deciding if she should be modest in her choices or do something special for Alpha.
“What books do you have on board?” Gamecrazed inquired.
"A wide variety of popular fiction, and a few personal favorites that were from before my absence Sister managed to preserve and reprint." Luna informed.
The groups split up, Gamecrazed heading for the Library while Alpha and Flamegirl went with Luna to draw up and hopefully obtain usable swimsuits. This left Kirb to head into the game room, where he was surprised to see a mix of board games and Arcade cabinets, and a few of what would be considered Retro consoles hooked up to several old school TVs.
“Good lord, what did I do, step into retro heaven?” Kirb asked in awe, remembering his childhood at an arcade, listening to all the sounds and seeing all the lights and just feeling all sorts of giddy about it. “Jeez, what do I choose to play?”
As Kirbapher ran around browsing the titles, Gamecrazed moved along the Library. It was small, but there was a fair sized collection in the wall to wall and isle shelves.
As he looked through the titles along the books spines he sighed, remembering his conversation with Luna before.
“How can I tell my friend’s…when they’re endangered because of my existence?” The shadow creature sighed out, hating their mistakes in creating her ‘Negative Half’ as it was leeching off of Alpha everyday. “They’d probably blame me for it as well…”
"It could always be worse." Gamecrazed quickly spun around, their arm morphed into a blade as they kept it at the neck of a surprise individual. They wore a blue suit with a red tie, and their face was replaced by a smiling porcelain white drama mask, as if laughing. "Easy there tiger, wouldn't want to hurt yourself trying to hurt me." They chuckled.
“Who are you?” Gamecrazed asked carefully. “And…are you with that weird woman from before?” The morphological added, slowly pulling away but not taking away their arm blade.
"Her name is Pain, and yes. She and I are… associates, of sorts. There's more but for now you'll just be speaking with me. The name's Genie." He said, extending a hand as if expecting a handshake. "And I'm the one who freed you."
“What do you mean?” They asked cautiously, not knowing what these mystery people want or how they know too much.
"Can't lie to me, little Program with her own mind. Tell me, do you think when you were all pulled here, do you believe that your friends physical bodies are still in their human world, or that your true self is still hidden away, locked behind walls and doors meant to never be opened?"
“That would make the most sense, cause even if our characters are ‘real’ here, we still have ourselves back home. Plus I wouldn’t…feel myself back home if I didn’t.” Gamecrazed said, as they’re character was practically a shadow of her real self she was the most ‘tuned’ with it. “Or am I somehow wrong?”
"Entirely so." Genie stated as he spun around, a chair suddenly behind him as he took a seat. "You see, if we did that and just that when dragging you kids here, well, frankly your human friends wouldn't have lasted a week. After all they need food, water, such weak fragile bodies really. Yes you can eat and drink here but it shouldn't take a genius to know that can't transfer over. So, we dragged them here, mind, body, soul, and replaced said body with a physical, flesh and blood replica of their avatars. Same goes for you too kid." He said, giving Gamecrazed a poke to their stomach. "I personally cut and ripped you out of that prison and into this form you made for yourself. You're as flesh and blood as they are now. Heh, well, maybe flesh and blood is a stretch. Maybe… just alive as them works best."
“But…” Gamecrazed said in surprise. “What about my original form? My…what I’m able to do with that? Wouldn’t I just be…locked to this?” She asked, her real voice starting to come out of the shadow avatar she made, instead of a gruff and gravely voice it came out as soft, feminine, and pretty like a fairy’s.
Genie stood up, chuckling a little. "I'm actually a bit proud of this one." He said, suddenly using the gamepad controls on Gamecrazed's body and entered all but the last button of the infamous Konami Code. "Now, say Start."
Gamecrazed couldn’t help but roll their eyes at that. ”Of course you would.” She chuckled. “Start.”
In a flash Gamecrazed noticed they were smaller, floating at eye level with Genie as they looked their old, true form over. "The same series of taps along your body and saying start again will revert you back to the other form. Just be careful, in this form you are a God, and it comes with all the buffs and strengths. You are not bound to TOME but all it's data still exists in you. You can use that to create anything from there and make it real. I advise not abusing that to high hell."
“I…” She started, feeling untold amount of power in her, nothing from her time in TOME, whether as Gamecrazed or herself, came close to this new feeling. “Wow…”
"Consider that your little trump card should anything really bad happen." Genie stated.
With a nod, Sofdi quickly tapped the code along her body, speaking Start and reverting back to Gamecrazed.
“Thank you.” They nodded, back to their gravelly voice. “But…what other changes have happened since we’ve gotten here? And where’s Aven?”
"The hacker is fine. He has his own role to play in all of this. Aside from that, well, it's more fun to show than to tell really. You can see for yourselves when you reach the Dragon Lands."
“What’s happening to Nylocke?” Gamecrazed asked worriedly.
"My associates, specifically, Demon, has decided to test and pressure him. He should be fine but I'd bet a lot more drakes are gonna get hurt. Two are already dead."
“What!?” Gamecrazed exclaimed in shock. “Is he okay?”
"Your friend is fine. Though I bet after the battles he will be shaken. Playing the knight and being one are so very different. Perhaps that is why he has taken such a… strong approach to him?"
“This…Demon is it?” She asked. “Well…Nylocke has always been special that’s for sure, devoted to his character to a fault sometimes, but he’s very strong…I just hope whoever’s around is also safe.”
"They're safer than if Pain was the one doing this little attack. Trust me, Pain has never held back when she's allowed to attack."
“Considering she’s the one that probably caused the Goblin King to become…that, I wouldn’t be surprised.” Gamecrazed said carefully.
"Yes. And, with that I suppose there isn't much more reason for me to remain here, unless you wish to ask more questions?"
“How much does TOME’s logic still work here?” Gamecrazed asked. "Like experience, loot, and the like?"
"Well, there is something similar but the only thing akin to what you're referring to is the Loot. See, you working off the logic of my home reality, Not TOME's and not your friends human physical world."
"And...what's that logic?" The elemental asked carefully, not wanting to get blindsided by anything new here.
"Well, the enemies we spawn in, the Cannon fodder do have drops, but you don't gain experience like normal. Normally you'd build up experience and level up, but we've changed that a bit. You'll build up experience and use that to spend building up aspects of your powers and or weapons. We try and keep each world we do this to unique to keep things interesting."
"An interesting way to do skill points, but sure." Gamecrazed nodded.
"You will, at seemingly random or through trial and error gain new abilities that you'll be able to increase in strength with your gathered experience, but just remember, for now you and your friends are the only ones that can really hurt the monsters Demon will send out. Be sure to gather their loot drops, the materials there will help the people of this world defend themselves better than their normal weapons and magic. Especially after the role of villain has been cast."
"Alright." Gamecrazed nodded, thinking about who might be the villain in this. "Thank you Genie...this is a lot to take in."
"Do with this information as you wish. Now, I suppose this is the part where I bid you goodbye. Oh, but before I forget, another associate of mine will be visiting you all after you're all gathered in the dragon lands."
With that, Genie seemed to vanish as if Gamecrazed blinked and he was gone.
"This...got a lot more complicated…" Softi muttered to herself.
Nylock could barely believe what can change in a day.
While half hazard, a large dirt and Rock wall had been rapidly built using a mix of digging and Lava from the many active volcanos to help keep the young and injured drakes safe. Or rather, safe enough.
The Drakicites we're just one worry. Overnight the dragon lands became home to a whole ecosystem of strange and deadly creatures, as well as unexpected flora that seemed to thrive all along the formerly barren landscape. Thankfully not all of these new changes were hazardous. Some of the new animals that appeared were harmless, and in fact many declared quite tasty. It seemed harmless creatures could be hunted, eaten and even corralled for farming.
Speaking of, the new plants that existed ranged from highly toxic to rather medicinal. One such herb they discovered to grow inside the lava of a volcano was rather effective at helping to seal and fix injuries while also preventing infections.
"This is a mess…" Nylock huffed as he looked from the makeshift tower over the wall.
"A major mess…" Ember agreed bitterly.
"At least there were no other casualties. Injuries can heal at least. Still, I'm actually surprised this wall is keeping them at bay."
"Either that, or they think this is some zone they can't enter." She said, cause while they did hear an occasional scrape against the wall, it was strangely few and far between. "But we need to stop these assholes someway...only reason why we're holding out is those strange items, as well as their claws, that are making this easier."
"True. The Drakicites are the more concerning ones, but these others that appeared are still largely unknown. So, how has your father taken the news of this development? I'm honestly surprised he isn't out here trying to fight them."
“I know he’s still alive, thankfully.” Ember sighed out, holding the Bloodstone Scepter tightly. “But…either his strength and experience has helped him at least kill a few of these beings so he’s marshaling up his strength, or he’s trying to defend an important position where others are also hiding.” Ember explained carefully. “I…hope he’s alright…”
"He is bigger and stronger than just about any other of the drakes I've seen. I'm sure he is fine." Nylocke said, trying to reassure Ember. "At least not all of the… new additions are lethal. Those strange pig-fox-bears are surprisingly tame… and oddly tasty."
“Never had fox before, but pig is always good, and bear…well thankfully those things don’t have trichinosis in it, even if we cook it perfectly.” Ember shrugged. “But yeah, there’s…a lot here, especially all these plants that are growing, I’ve never seen Obsidian Flowers before…or even know they could exist.”
"True. Despite the dangers the Dragon Lands look so much more vibrant and lively. It… practically invites exploration…" Nylock said, thinking suddenly on his own phrasing.
“What? Thinking there’s suddenly adventure afoot?” She asked.
"Maybe… but I'll need a few things first. Do you have any metals not gold in your hoard I can borrow, and is there a blacksmith?"
“Well, there should be a blacksmith in the makeshift forge, old drake is sure as shit excited to be making new items we’ve scrounged up, and plenty of metals that aren’t gold.” Ember nodded. “Why do you ask?”
"It's a surprise." Nylock said before rapidly dashing off. Ember raised a brow before following. She watched as Nylocke grabbed several iron nuggets, some of the claws the beasts Drakicites dropped, and rapidly ran towards the forge. Ember waited outside the makeshift forge, and after several hours Nylock emerged with a long cloth covered item in his hands. "For you." He said, handing the item to Ember.
“Hmm..” She started, gently grabbing the item as she uncovered it to see what surprise he had in store for her.
What Ember saw did indeed surprise her. It was a rather unique looking sword. Made of volcanically tempered cast iron, one side was thick and blunt, while the other was holding in place a long row of the Drakicites claws to act as a lethal ripping blade. "I have a hunch on how exactly these changes to the dragon lands work, or might work, and I know it's fruitless to ask you to stay behind, and this is better than the makeshift daggers."
“This sword…it’s incredible…” She said in awe, slowly moving the blade and swinging it carefully. It was heavy, but fairly balanced in the weight. One side to rip and tear flesh, another to crack and break stone and bones.
"I loosely based the design off of something similar from my world, just changed a few things and the Blacksmith said it was a simple yet effective design. All we need to do now is grab some supplies so we can more safely explore outside the walls."
“Works for me.” Ember nodded. “And while it slightly hurts to use thing’s from my hoard…right now we need to survive and expand.”
"I imagine all but the most stubborn of drakes will agree." Nylock said with a nod.
He and Ember quickly packed sacks with some basic supplies before jumping the wall. Ember happily tested her new sword against two roaming Drakicites. She enjoyed smashing and ripping them to shreds with their own claws.
When she was done and picking up their drops, she noticed Nylock was actually writing something. Quill to parchment with a small bottle of ink uncorked.
“What are you writing?” Ember inquired.
"Bigger dragons have smashed these creatures with their fists or tails, and they suffered no effect. Yet you broke them with the blunt end of your weapon easily. It confirms a theory I had floating about in my head." He said, finishing his notes and blowing on the ink to dry it. "They are specifically immune to dragons. Claws, fire, and strength. None of your natural abilities harm them, yet simple iron can bruise and break what your claws and fists can't harm."
“Well that’s horseshit.” Ember frowned. “I mean, I know these things are supposed to be Dragon Predators, but to be literally immune to everything a dragon can do seems a little…overboard.”
"Which adds up with this Pain character Demon mentioned. If she made them to be exactly that, then it's no wonder. However, this hopefully also reveals their biggest weakness." Nylock said with a smile as he rolled up his notes and stashed them away.
“And what would that be?” She asked carefully. “Cause anything at this point will be fantastic.”
"Dragons can't harm them, but this means possibly anything else can. Be it simple metals or non-Dragon fire." He informed, Ember also growing a grin. If Nyclock was right, then the Dragons just needed to armor up to turn this fight around.
The two tested various methods of disposing of the Drakicites. Aside from all things Dragon, they were only also immune to Lava, much like a Dragon. Aside from that, heavy rocks, large sticks and even makeshift Spears seemed to harm them, and nearly effortlessly as well. They did discover that they also ate gems and gold, and seemed to be healed by them.
Among the Drakicites, there was also another beast they dubbed a Hunter Flower. It was some form of insect that disguises itself as a large flower filled with a sweet smelling liquid and a small pile of gold and gems in the center of it's trap. Anything that got too close and it's petals rapidly shifted to rows of sharp teeth as it bit and shredded it's victims, swallowing the corpse whole before re entering it's camouflage state.
That royally disturbed Ember and Nylock. Thankfully it was not immune to dragon fire, and upon death dropped several potent medicinal herbs, it's bait of gems and gold, and to both their surprise, a bottle of it's sweet smelling liquid. They were more surprised it was in a bottle than anything else.
The next monster of note was something that looked like a rock, but was in fact a massive worm like creature seemingly made from gems, gold, and other valuable stones and metal once it moved the layer of dirt off itself it seemed to use for camouflage.
The final item they discovered before leaving was a tree. It reminded Ember of an Apple Tree, mainly because it grew Apple shaped gems on it's branches. "Huh. This is either another trap or possibly a good thing?" Nylock questioned.
“Well…let’s see.” Ember said, carefully grabbing a rock and tossing it close to the tree.
The tree did nothing. Another rock toss, this time hitting the tree also did nothing. A third rock toss managed to knock a gem apple down and still, the tree did nothing.
Nylock picked the gem apple up. It seemed to be a solid rubey from stem to bottom. Inside we're several metallic looking seeds where an apple's seeds would normally be located.
“So…a gem apple tree?” Ember asked.
"Well, one last test…" Nylock said, silently praying this didn't damage his teeth. He took a small bite of the apple. He was surprised when his teeth bit through it like they would any other apple. Even more when he chewed, he felt it melt into a liquid on his tongue. He swallowed, it tasted like a mix of apple and cherries. "Do rubies usually taste like cherries?" He asked, handing the rest to Ember.
“Well, it depends on it’s purity, cause either it tastes like fruits, or candies.” She shrugged. “So maybe.”
"Well, it seems they are safe. Let's grab as many as we can before heading back. If we're lucky we can figure out how to grow them from the seeds."
They picked the tree nearly clean before rushing back to the walled off area of the dragon lands. Once there they headed back towards Ember's cave, where Nylock went over his notes and Ember looked through the loot. Every item came from a monster she killed. She battled and won. She felt a strong surge of pride in that as she looked over at the weapon Nylock gifted her.
“This feels fantastic.” Ember said happily, sorting through everything in glee. “But I still have to wonder what all these gems are? They’re one of each color so far but…they’re not any gem’s I’ve seen before.” She said, counting up all the weird looking gems that looked the purest out of any normal gem they’ve found.
Nylock looked up. Those gems were odd. Something about them definitely did not seem normal. He picked one up, this gem glowing a shade of light, almost sky blue. It felt cool to the touch, and breathing near it made a small fog.
His prior experience with eating a gem still fresh in his mind, Nylock threw caution to the wind and bit into the gem. It crunched under his draconic teeth like hard candy rather than like the gem apples more, well, apple texture. The flavor was a strong cool mint that he nearly coughed out, but kept it down. "Well, that's definitely different-" Nylock spoke, suddenly spitting out cool fog, then suddenly breathed out a breath of ice and snow, freezing a wall of the cave before he closed his mouth.
Ember sat on her hoard, jaw dropped. Her fiance breathed ice and snow.
"Wh-what?" She asked. "These...these gems are elemental gems!? I thought they were only a myth!"
"Elemental… so, their glow and colors correspond to different elemental forces?" Nylock asked.
"Yes, nobody knows how they're made, but they're capable of letting anyone use the elements of the gems type, no matter the race." She explained.
"I assume they're magical in nature then? They must be rather rare to be referred to as a myth."
"They're an element of nature in crystalized form." She deadpanned. "Also yes, even dragons being so long lived we've heard of them but not a single dragon has seen one in way too long of a time."
"Well, are there stories about people who have?"
"There's a story of a Pegasus who obtained an Earth Gem and started to use Earth Magic, something that Pegasi can't do normally." She explained. "Then there's the famous Minotaur who found a Fire Gem, as Minotaurs can't use magic like most other races, and when he obtained that the Minotaurs started to take notice to the benefits of fire, and then industry went from there on."
"Hm, interesting. Nothing about Dragons?"
"There is a few, one of them being a dragon, Cinder a fire dragon, who found a pretty big Fire Gem, and when he ate it, it's said his flames could even burn other Dragons who are notoriously fireproof."
"Huh. And now we have all these ones…" Nylock motioned, looking down at the half eaten gem. He shrugged, eating the rest and forcing the strong mint flavor down. "Not going to lie, that gem apple and this are the first gems I've ever eaten."
"What do you think?" She asked. "Also that's funny, your first Element Gem is Ice."
"It's not what I was expecting, and yes I can see the irony in it." Nylock said with a laugh.
"So, what do you think we should do with the other gems?" She asked. "Though...I do wonder what would happen if we put one of the gems in our weapons?"
"I imagine the weapon itself would be imbued with the elemental properties of the gem." Nylock guessed.
“Hmm…” She hummed, picking up one of the lapis lazuli gems, which on closer inspection looked like it had a crackle of electricity in it, as she put it onto her sword, not sure if it would either fall off or somehow fuse to it.
To her surprise, the gem seemed to melt and absorb into the sword, and soon the sword suddenly crackled lightly with blue electricity.
“Okay, now that’s really cool.” She said with a smile.
“These gems truly are fascinating. The power of the elements in crystalized form, easily imbued and absorbed by anything. The possibilities seem endless with resources like these…”
“Seems…a little strange that we’re getting these from those monsters…” Ember said carefully. “Such powerful items that can do so much…just random drops?”
“Must be common place from their reality. Remember, Demon said he was playing by his realities rules. I’m guessing that means that these gems, and these monsters, are extremely commonplace where he and his associates hail from.”
“That would make sense…” Ember said, thinking about what could have been in their world that such a powerful gem could be commonplace.
“I do wonder, however. What kind of Gods are they?”
“I’ve never seen a god do this before to be honest.” Ember said honestly.
“Not even this Discord you mentioned?”
"Discords...weird." Ember said carefully. "Like...he is capable of this, but he's not so much a god but...something else." She said, not really sure how to explain the chaos being. "He's more of an embodiment if that makes sense."
“So, he’s more of a physical manifestation of his element rather than the God of it?”
"He's a physical manifestation of Chaos itself." She said. "It's...weird to explain in proper words."
“I think I can understand that. Well, it’g getting late. So… where should I sleep?”
"Over here with me." Ember said, moving over and climbing on top of the coins and gems.
“I-wait what?”
"Exactly what I said." She said, getting onto a comfortable divot in the hoard. "Are you coming or what?"
“Umm… Well, I’ve never… shared sleeping chambers with a lady before…” Nylock admitted. “Nonexistent dating life back home…” He added, dropping his roleplay persona again.
"I understand." She nodded. "But it's not like we're going to bang or anything, just sleep together."
“Well… I guess…” Nylock said, walking over to the hoard bed and managing to make a comfortable spot next to Ember. “Maybe a proper bed in the future though…” He added, pulling out and tossing an emerald that was poking his back.
"You get used to it." She said honestly. "But once you get a comfortable spot here, it feels amazing." She said as Nylocke saw her moving some of her spot like a cat would as she laid down fully.
“Ya know, when you said Dragon Lands, I expected less of a… magical jungle…” Alpha said as they arrived at the borders of the Dragon Lands. Luna said to expect barren volcanic terrain. What greeted them was a borderline tropical jungle forest.
“This is not normal.” Luna frowned.
"Something's happened…" Gamecrazed said carefully. "And it must have something to do with Demon."
“Well, where would Nylock be?” Flamegirl asked.
"Probably at the massive mountain over there?" Kirb pointed towards the place. "The one with the...mountain sized dragon?"
“That is the former Dragon Lord, Torch.” Luna said, the Zeppelin moving only slightly more until the large dragon flew over to the Zeppelin, actually grabbing it and then force landing it to the ground before him. Luna rapidly flew out. “Torch, what has happened here?”
“Gods Luna.” The large drake informed. “Some rather powerful Gods have taken to making the Lands their playground for their little Play.”
“How many are hurt?”
“Too many. And in total, thirty casualties across the settled lands I’ve visited.”
“Casualties!” Luna said in surprise.
“Some of the monsters, many in fact seem specific to be unharmed by dragons. Be it out strength, fire or claws, nothing we do harms them, yet simple weapons and even large rocks can slay them. Whatever magic flows within them makes them the perfect… predators to dragons.”
"Things immune to dragons?" Kirb asked in shock.
"That's...how!?" Alpha asked incredulously.
“My guess, whatever these Gods are, they are far more powerful at creating and altering reality than even Discord himself.”
“That is…not good at all.” Kirb said worriedly.
“One of them said…’Be glad it’s not Pain’.” Gamecrazed said openly to everyone.
“What are you talking about GC?” Kirb asked nervously.
“I met one of these Gods, he goes by ‘Genie’, wearing a happy drama mask…he said it’s him, Demon, and Pain, Pain being the woman we met back in TOME and…she apparently would have caused a lot more casualties.”
“Did they say what they were working towards?” Luna asked.
“How come you didn’t tell any of us before dude?” Alpha asked.
“I tried to, but you two were too busy trying not to get into an argument about swimsuits,” The morphological pointed out, causing Alpha and Flamegirl to blush. “And Kirb passed out after he played too many games.”
“What of Dragon Lord Ember, and my company's friend, Nylock?” Luna asked the large drake.
“Ah, yes. He bested me in battle fairly, and won my daughter's hand in marriage. It upsets me that all this has begun before the wedding…” He grumbled.
“Hold up, how the hell did he beat you when you’re literally the size of a mountain?” Kirb asked. “Even if you could resize yourself in some way, you should probably be stronger right?” He asked, not wanting to say Nylocke was weak but something about the match between a boss level sized dragon vs the lone knight seemed a little off.
“It surprised me too.” Torch said with a laugh and a grin. “But he was noble and honest, and despite his size, holds strength unlike any my size could ever deliver. I am pleased a drake like him is to wed my daughter.”
“That’s fantastic.” Gamecrazed said kindly.
“I still find it hilarious that, day one, Nylocke managed to get married on pure accident.” The budget link looking character chuckled.
“Well I for one hope I get to be the flower girl.” Flamegirl stated.
“Do you know where Nylock and Ember are now?” Luna asked.
“They are safe. For some reason, the monsters refuse to pass or break down the makeshift wall they built as a barrier between them and the dangers. They built it at the Slag Volcano caves.” Torch informed.
“Hmm, sounds like they found a Safe Zone or something.” Kirb mentioned.
“Well…I suppose that makes sense, none of the monsters from the Everfree ever came out of the woods to attack Ponyville.” Gamecrazed mentioned.
“Not true, the occasional Manticore, Timberwolf and such leave the everfree in search of food or general curiosity.” Luna informed.
“But they don’t just assault the town’s folk do they?” Gamecrazed inquired.
“Sometimes, it depends on if they actually go into town or not.”
“Fair enough.” Kirb nodded. “So where’s the caves?”
“Continue west and you’ll see it when you find the stone walls around two volcanic mountains dotted in caves of all sizes.
“Thank you.” Kirb nodded, drawing his sword and ready to fight any monster’s they come across. “So what do some of these monsters look like?”
“Like that.” Torch pointed.
The group turned, spotted large insects, clawed three talloned minotaur looking beasts with vertical mouths, a large gem and metal worm with a massive maw of teeth, and other various beasts.
“The hell did we just walk into?” Kirb asked in shock and awe.
“Well…it was either this or literally walking into a Volcano filled with Dragons.” Gamecrazed said simply, bringing out their sword arm and ready to fight.
The group readied their weapons and began to prepare for a fight.
Luna and Torch defended the Zeppelin as it returned to the air and the group worked to defeat the monsters. They were rather surprised when the slain monsters actually dropped items. From gems to bones, scales and gold. Even herbs and scented liquids.
Once the Zeppelin was airborne again, the group rushed back aboard, Kirb carrying a large haul of the loot.
"Did you seriously loot all the drops from those monsters?" Alpha asked.
“Why in god’s name would I not loot everything from these things?” Kirb countered. “They’re like loot pinatas they’re so easy to kill, it's amazing.”
"I've never seen any creature in the world drop items upon death." Luna informed.
“That means whoever these people are created these things with Video Game logic in mind.” Kirb pointed out.
"But none of these things exist in TOME." Alpha pointed out. "Or any game I know of, so… just what are we dealing with?"
“I have no idea…” Gamecrazed sighed out.
“But hey, loot is loot.” Kirb said happily. “Who knows what we’ll be able to make or use with it all.”
"Hmm…" Luna hummed, levitating a palm sized dark green gem. "Are these…?" She questioned, taking it into her hooves and pressing it. To everyone's surprise, the gem seemed to melt and rapidly absorb into her skin and hooves. "It is!" Luna cheered, everyone watching as she suddenly sprouted a flower around her hoof. "Elemental gems, these haven't been seen for almost fifty thousand years!"
“Hold on what?” Kirb asked in shock. “Elemental Gems? How the hell does that work?”
"They are mysterious and extremely powerful, each gem and their unique colors correspond to an element of some force, both natural and unnatural. There have only been five ever discovered in all of history." Luna said, looking over her flower.
“Damn.” Kirb said. “And these things just drop em like candy.”
"That's… odd. Why drop such OP loot like common stuff?" Flamegirl questioned.
"It's probably not as OP as we might think where these originate…" GC brought up.
“I mean…technically?” Kirb started. “They might not be overpowered if we just look at it as ‘people gain an element type’ or something.”
"Maybe, but remember, by TOME logic, it would make some sense for these to be fairly common, but this place doesn't work by TOME's logic, even with all the magic and such." Flamegirl added.
“True…” Kirb frowned, thinking about all of this and how weird it was. “Well, no need to worry about it right now, we need to find Nylocke and a blacksmith cause we’re probably gonna need to gear up for whatever comes next.”
"That would be wise. Once we land in the safe Dragon Territory, I'll send a message to my sister and speak with Dragon Lord Ember about setting up a form of aid and helping stations."
“That just beg’s the question…is this happening somewhere else?” Gamecrazed had to ask. “Cause if it’s happening in one region…it would happen in another…”
"I will send that letter to my sister immediately." Luna stated.
With that said the group split up again. Kirb headed back to the game room to relax before landing.
Upon entering, he jumped as the door slammed shut and there was a large purple playing card covering it.
“Who’s there?” Kirb asked, drawing his sword and ready to fight whoever was suddenly here.
"Easy there mini Link." Chuckled a southern voice. Kirb spotted the source, the figure was dressed in an all purple suit with a top hat, their face and hands bones with no skin or muscles at all. Their head held claiming purple orbs for eyes. "I'm just here to talk, Zetto."
“How the hell…” Kirb growled. “You’re not supposed to know that Dr. Facilier.” He growled, thinking the witch doctor accent and the very dapper attire reminded him a lot of the Princess and the Frog bad guy.
"Heh, child please, I'm one of the ones who sent you here, knowing your 'secret double life' isn't difficult." They replied. "The name's Voodoo. And out of all of us I'm the middle ground man."
“So…we have Demon, Genie, Pain, and now Voodoo…” Kirb said. “Not the weirdest names…but what do you want?”
"I'm doing a job, like the others. I don't pick the heroes or the bad guys or spawn the monsters. I make wagers and deals for my own entertainment."
“Right…” He said carefully. “So…I might as well ask behind closed doors, am I able to log into my other character?” Kirb asked carefully. “Or am I stuck like this due to whatever the hell caused us to get sent here to begin with?”
Despite not having facial features, Kirb felt that Voodoo was grinning. He reached into his coat, pulling out a black and green card and tossing it to Kirb. Looking at it, Kirb spotted his Zetto avatar on the image side. "Press that to your chest, it will change you to your Zetto avatar. Same thing to swap back, so don't go losing that card."
Kirb frowned as he tested it first, wanting to see if it actually turned him back into his main account. “Let’s see if this is true…” Kirb muttered, before in a flash of light, he transformed into his original TOME Avatar, the same grey skin, desaturated orange jumpsuit and the same robot arm that he was upgrading. “Wh-what?”
"Heh, told ya kid. Would I lie to you?" Voodoo asked. Kirb, or rather, Zetto, looked back at the card, seeing his Kirb avatar on the card now. "Different than your friend's, but it works just as well."
“My friend's?” Zetto asked. “What are you talking about?”
"Oh, nothing to worry about really. Just remember, if you see them and they see you in the… other forms, it will be quite the surprise. But, enough about that. Right now you lot have quite the tasks ahead of you. Demon has his bad guy candidate and once that guy is up to speed, well, that's when the real fun begins."
“That doesn’t sound foreboding at all…” Zetto grumbled. “Alright…so why us?”
"Why not you?" Voodoo questioned back. "You're already up against unfair and strong threats, your sad and silly hackers while strong only held power in TOME. Here, threats and stakes are much higher. Your friend Alpha bears the curse of that 'Forbidden Power' that, back in TOME was a big deal, but here, well, it will take a while before Pain tweaks that little arc of the play. You're already a band of heroes, we decided to just raise the stakes and see if you have what it takes to prove you are what you play as."
“This isn’t some game…the stakes were already too high with that damned monster plaguing my friend Alpha.” Zetto growled.
"Ah, but isn't everything a game. After all, it was you snatching all the loot like it was any other TOME quest."
“First of all, they were just dropping loot like monsters, and we might have needed the items they dropped.” Zetto countered. “But…” Zetto growled. “My friend’s could get hurt, and whatever you’re going to do with the Forbidden Power, don’t.” He said, raising his machine arm up. “I’m going to take it out of Alpha and cast it into whatever abyss it deserves.”
"Awe, see, I'd be touched if I had a heart to beat in these ribs. But I ain't the one working on that beast, that's all Pain's department, and we try not to step in on each other's turf, less workplace issues arise. Besides, can you really hurt something that came from your sweet, innocent little Sofdti?"
Zetto’s eyes widened. “H-how do you know that?” He asked, holding his arm as a phantom thrum of pain coursed through the limb.
"Kid, if I know about your little double life, I know everything about you, your friends, new and old, your side project and all the in between blanks you only wish you knew." Voodoo chuckled. "You don't have a secret I, nor the others don't know, none of you do." Voodoo said, a deck of cards suddenly in his hands as he shuffled and drew out one card for the TOME Admins, his old friends, his new friends, Sofdi, the Forbidden Power. "We're holding all the cards. Makes it easier to set the stage."
“Damn it…” Zetto growled, bringing the card back up and turning himself back into Kirbopher. “Fine…but what about Aven? We haven’t seen him since we got here.”
"He's fine, and has his own role in this Play. The cast is about ready and soon the show will begin properly."
“Wonderful…” Kirb sighed out. “Alright…might as well ask since you already seem to know, was my plan of siphoning off the Forbidden power into my arm going to work?”
“No, and it would have only made everything a whole lot worse.” Voodoo answered.
“Shit…” Kirb frowned. “So…is there any way I can make it actually work?”
"Hmm… well, maybe. But I can't just give you the answers, child. Not my gimmick."
"So your gimmick is...games?" Kirb asked carefully.
"Games, trials, battles and gambits. And if direct conflict isn't your desire then the classics can work just as well."
“Right then.” Kirb nodded. “So, what kind of trail would I need to take to get an upgrade to seal away that thing?”
"None. It will resolve itself when the time is right."
Kirb frowned, not liking that vague as shit answer when his friends are in danger. "Alright...then what can I obtain to get into contact with my friends back in TOME? I can't just rely on Aven when I don't even know where he is."
"That, would require something along the lines of this little beauty." Voodoo said, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a simple looking smartphone. "This little thing is magic, no charging or bills required and can let you talk and text your buddies back in TOME from here."
"Now what do I need to do to obtain one?" Kirb asked. "Cause I doubt freebies or rare drops would work for obtaining a transdimensional smartphone."
Voodoo hummed in thought, putting finger bone to chin bone and seemed to smile, or so it felt to Kirb. "There is an item in the Dragon Lands, very well treasured and prized. Owned only by the strongest who prove themselves worthy to rule the rest. The Bloodstone Scepter. It's carried by the current dragon Lord at all times. Bring it to me and, This will be yours." Voodoo said, waving the smartphone in front of him.
"It's...just bring it to you?" Kirb asked carefully. "Like...not giving it to you forever and them losing something very important?" He asked cautiously, not wanting to cause massive problems to the dragons right now.
"It's a Barter, a trade. Demon might be the one who makes deals but I give choices. Trade the Scepter for this, or wait and ponder longer til another option arises. The choice is yours."
Kirb frowned, his mind now at war with itself over the decision. "And...what is this world doing to that...monster in Alpha?" Kirb asked carefully, hoping it's not getting stronger because of them being here in this strange world.
"You should be asking, what is Pain doing to that entity. For now, it's asleep. Resting while Pain Tweeks and modifies it to… better reflect what it is in this reality. What happens when it starts to wake up, well, that's all up to Wills at that point."
"I…" Kirb trailed off, thinking about his friends, how Voodoo said it would 'solve itself in time's, as he felt a moral dilemma between his duty to protect his friends and end the Forbidden Power, or just have fun and beat the monsters with his friends like TOME was meant to be.
"The offer will always be on the table. Just remember, choice is yours and what matters most to you. Your friends safety or your friends trust." Voodoo said as he began to walk out, the card blocking the door now gone. "When ya choose, call me." With that, Voodoo left, closing the door behind him.
Kirb looked down at his card, seeing his other avatar and sighing. "What the hell am I going to do?" Kirb muttered bitterly.
Ember was the first to awaken in the morning. A habit she was used to and of course, expected to wake up as normal. That is, until she realized she wasn't actually sleeping atop her usually gold and gemstone bed hoard. She felt… warmer, slightly softer than the metal and rocks and a rhythmic breathing and heartbeat.
She rapidly shot open her eyes, discovering herself resting atop Nylock as if he were a bed.
"Oh...oh yeah…" Ember muttered carefully.
Sleepy memories quickly returned to Ember from late in the night. It was abnormally cold, and she partly blamed the sudden terraformation of the Dragon Lands for it. She remembered feeling something warm next to her and with a sleep filled mind and primal instincts, got comfortable atop it like a hatchling does fresh out the egg on hot rocks.
Slowly and carefully, she moved up and off Nylock. The dragon knight was thankfully a heavy sleeper, not even to have moved sleeping positions since she watched him settle into his spot last night.
"Jeez...this is gonna need some getting used to…" Ember muttered.
Deciding not to tempt fate she went about her typical morning routine, only half awake as she grabbed some gemstones for her morning breakfast and began the task of digging more space into her cave.
It was a common hobby amongst drakes. The parents would dig out the first section when the whelpling Drake first moves out and the young Drake had to expand it themselves as time went on. As Ember dug, she suddenly fe;t the painful clank of her claws hitting something they could not damage.
“What in the hell is it now?” She muttered, digging around whatever she clawed into to get a better look at it.
The more Ember dug, the more she made out of the strange item. It appeared to be a door, all metal it seemed from top to bottom. It lacked a handle and try as she might an inch of rock behind and around the metallic door was somehow also resisting her claws.
“What in the hell is this?” She frowned. “I don’t remember there being a metal door in the dragon lands…or anything buried that wasn’t just the dead…” She frowned.
Ember debated on waking Nylock, but shrugged it off. She was still a bit flush at the recent event and he was sleeping like a sack of hammers. Gently she touched the door, a hiss of steam and a quick second and the door slid open, revealing a room of dark glowing blue that should not be there. The room was roughly the size of her cave at a glance.
“Uh…huh…” She started, carefully walking into the new weird room. “Hello?” She called out carefully.
Once Ember was fully in the room, tail and all, the door shut behind her. Ember prepared for a fight. Suddenly, the room glowed a bright, blinding white. She rubbed the white out of her vision and suddenly found herself… in a store?
She looked around, seeing isles of assorted items, modern coastal glass window refrigerators with drinks of many kinds on one side. Another side held potions and raw ingredients. Another, to Ember's surprise, held weapons. Most of which she has never seen before in her life. Sitting behind the apparent counter was a being, dressed in a red hoodie, and their face seemed to be a mouth less, near featureless structure broken only by the yellow eye like dots on its 'face'.
"Welcome to the Every-Dimension General Store." It spoke, despite not having a mouth.
“Uh…hi there.” She said carefully. “Who are you and…how is this place in my house?” She questioned the apparent shopkeep.
"My name is Shopkeeper, I am the owner and merchant here and I have no idea. That door appears wherever and I have little control over where and why it appears where it does. Just as designed."
“Right then.” She nodded. “So…what do you sell?”
"Anything and everything." He said simply.
“And…what’s the currency for such things?” She asked, considering she had a lot of money and could probably buy some important things, like item’s to help make the barricade stronger if need be.
"I accept all currencies of every dimension." He stated simply.
“Fantastic.” She nodded. “So, is there anything that can help with fortifications and barricades?”
"Take your pick." He said, Ember jumping as suddenly the small shop changed into a gigantic warehouse filled with metal bars, bricks and stones and wood all around her. "I have everything."
Ember blinked at the sheer size of the place. “Uh…wow…”
"Take your time. Until the others finish their shit I'm here so no real rush given they just started with this world…" Shopkeeper said with a slight yawn.
“Bored or tired?” Ember asked, thinking about what materials they could use to enforce the barricade from monsters that can withstand dragon’s at their best.
"Bit of both." He replied casually. "So, what are those four up to this time?"
“Who’s the other three? Cause Demon sent creatures that are specifically designed to kill dragon’s, practically remade the Dragon Lands in some weird lush obsidian jungle, and this ‘Pain’ is the one that sent Nylocke and his friend’s to our world…maybe…also we should be glad Pain’s not the active aggressor here.” She said, moving over to some brick’s. “Are there any brick’s that can withstand molten lava?”
"The other two are Genie and Voodoo, and yes and especially yes. Had Pain sent those monsters instead place would have been known as the Dragon Graveyard. That woman has a lot of extinctions under her belt."
Ember whipped her head towards Shopkeep. “Excuse me what?” She asked in horror.
"Pain has committed mass multiverse wide genocide on multiple occasions. These 'plays' as Demon and Genie call them, of Games as Voodoo calls them, all require her monsters, but she is given worlds where she can fully let loose and it rarely ends with the 'heroes' victory. Half the time maybe a few… hundred survive her antics in those places? Her newest toy world already had a short load of monsters so all she's doing now is adding to the chaos there."
“Goodie…” She said carefully. “Well glad we don’t have to deal with that…so anyways, about those bricks?”
Ember spent a while looking through the various options, eventually settling on Estuval Stone bricks. They were a rock, but they were tough enough to both resist her claws and, according to Shopkeeper, could easily resist the heat of dragonfire or lava.
“Fantastic.” She nodded. “So, how much will this cost?”
"For the bricks, lava resistant concrete, sand and gravel mixes and all that totals… what's your world's currency?"
“Gold.” She answered. “Or ‘bits’ as the ponies call it.”
"56,790 bits."
Ember frowned, thinking back to her amount of money she had in her hoard, knowing full well she could pay it off in full, and wanting to help make a safe place for her people against those damned monsters…but her hoard meant a lot to her. “Crap…needs of the many outweighs my own need for a hoard…” She sighed out. “Besides, I’ll just gather more through grinding.” She muttered. “So uh…most of my money is back in my cave so…should I go grab all of it?”
"For an extra hundred bits I can throw in these." Shopkeeper said, tossing a small strap bound bag. It reminded Ember of a ponies Saddle Bags, but far smaller and likely meant for bipedal creatures. The second item was some sort of small metallic rectangle, colored similar to her scales. "This is a bag of Holding. Can literally hold anything and weigh nothing, just securely tighten it around your waist or hip for use, and this is a currency storage card. It will hold all your money within it and will display how much you have within it, and you can take the money out or put more in easily. It even binds to you so no one else can steal your money."
"Yes please." The dragoness said eagerly, being able to keep track of her entire hoard, keep it safe from any thieves, and be able to carry it all wherever she pleased? It was like the ponies Hearths Warming came early for the young dragon.
With a nod, Shopkeeper handed the card to Ember. She felt a tingle along her claws as she touched it, the card suddenly displaying her name, an image of her face and then at the very bottom a small series of numbers rapidly going up until it reached 107,547.
"And there we go, already subtracted the amount owed." Shopkeeper said as he pulled up what looked like an ordinary small box and opened it. Ember watched wide eyed as the supplies she purchased were sucked into the box and said box placed inside her new Bag of Holding as well. "I believe that is everything."
"Amazing…" she muttered in awe. "But...that should be everything I think…"
"Alright then. Have a nice day and if you need to shop or sell anything else, you know where my door is." Shopkeeper said as Ember turned around, spotting the store back to the original layout and look and the exit right there.
"Right. Thank you." Ember nodded as she exited the shop, ready to expand the barricade to help protect others of her kind.
As she exited, she spotted Nylock, still asleep but now only on a pile of gems and non bit, or gold, valuables. She was surprised he slept so deeply.
"Jeez, how heavy can he sleep?" Ember muttered, walking over to the sleeping dragon. "Also how'd he sort through all of my stuff to sleep on?"
Ember sighed as she rolled her eyes and put on her new Bag of Holding strap around her waist, making sure it was tight so it did not fall loose. Once that was done she desired to test it. The bag itself was actually quite small but the mouth of it could open quite wide. She started with the comic books Spike had gifted her. Each one slipped in without issue and soon all were safely tucked away inside the bag.
"These better not get damaged…" Ember muttered, having treasured the comics she was gifted from her first true friend.
She stashed more items into the bag, amazed that it really could house everything. She also learned that by reaching in empty handed and simply thinking about an item allowed her to instantly grab and pull it out. She finally slipped her magic metallic card that held all her gold wealth of her hoard within into the bag and desired to try and wake up Nylock.
"Wake up!" She shouted, not wanting to be subtle about it to her sleeping fiance.
“Mmm, five more minutes…” He mumbled.
Ember proceeded to put her hands underneath Nylocke and with a great feat of strength, table flipped her fiance. "Wake up lazy bones."
"Hmm, huh?" Nylock muttered, very tiredly managing to force his eyes open and look around. "Where… wasn't I sleeping on… gold coins?" He asked, half awake and trying to rub the tired from his eyes.
"You were, but I met Shopkeep." Ember answered, as she brought up her bag of holding. "And then he gave me this fancy thing."
"Shopkeep?" He questioned, slowly standing and trying to keep his own balance.
“He’s one of the same people like Demon and the others…maybe.” She said. “Only difference is that he owns the biggest shop I’ve ever seen, helped me buy some materials to make better walls.”
As Nylock stood up straight, Ember nearly jumped at the many audible pops and cracks echoing from his spine and joints. She did not know dragons could even make those noises. "Coffee…?" He asked weakly.
“How do you like your coffee?” Ember inquired.
"... Strong…" Nylock said before yawning. Ember had to admit, she was surprised to see he was not a morning person. His typical energy not just absent but subtracted from his functionality as a living being.
“Right…gonna need the ‘Dad’ cup here…” Ember muttered, thinking about how bad her father was without coffee as she went to a side cave Nylocke didn’t see before and went to a kitchen with all the necessities to deal with grouchy dragon’s who were not morning drakes. “Jeez, when was the last time I had to make this?” Ember muttered, trying to remember as she grabbed the necessary ingredients like it was second nature to her and making the fresh brew.
Dragons usually aren't that affected by normal coffee. So, they managed to make a deal with Zebra alchemists to create a special breed of coffee beans that is specific for dragons. A single Draco Coffee Bean is the equivalent to three hundred shots of Espresso of typical coffee. So the Expresso take on Draco Coffee is actually considered lethal to non dragons. Her dad would drink nine of them to wake up in the morning.
Once the cup was brewed and ready, she handed it to Nylock, who sniffed it before chugging the whole thing in one go.
“Need me to get you another one?” Ember asked. “Cause even my dad needed nine of those, which is comparable to five hundred espresso shots.”
Nylock didn't answer, finishing the cup before putting it down and taking a deep breath. "Three, two, one…" He muttered before suddenly jumping, nearly hitting the cave ceiling as he rubbed the remaining crusties and tired from his eyes. "Woah! Normally takes me three cups before I wake up properly." Nylock stated, his usual energy and pep returned as if by magic.
“There we go.” Ember chuckled. “Yeah, normal coffee can’t do shit for Dragon’s, and also, don’t bring up this kind of coffee to other races, it will kill them from too much caffeine.”
"Yikes! Well, now that I'm awake, what was that about a Shopkeeper?"
“So I started to dig, thinking we’d need more space for our kids later on, and I stumbled on a door that leads to a weird area that’s a massive shop, and this Shopkeeper is…a part of Demon’s group.” She explained nervously, as she pulled out her bag of holding and started pulling out all the barricade materials. “He sold me a whole lot of things, like a Bag of Holding and a weird card that holds all my money.”
"... Kids?" Nylock asked.
Ember realized what she said, and her blue scales quickly turned red.
“You didn’t hear shit.” She growled. “So anyways,” She started quickly. “We got new materials to make stronger walls, and hopefully start spreading out instead of just being stuck in here.”
"R-right, fair point…" Nylock nodded. "I guess I'll, go, um… check the wall." With that, Nylock rapidly ran out of the cave.
Ember stood there for a while, replaying the fact she said Kids in her head. The dragoness proceeded to kneel down and ram her head into the ground like an Ostrich and scream in pure embarrassment at what she said to Nylocke. ”Sweet Bahamut Ember what is wrong with you!?!” She mentally berated herself.
As she pulled her head out, she suddenly imagined small blue and green hatchlings… and proceeded to scream into the dirt again.
”Is it too late to find one of those Drakicites and have it murder me?” She mentally wondered. ”God help me from this embarrassing situation…”
She eventually managed to compose herself, taking a seat and sort her thoughts.
”Do I really want a kid with Nylocke? I mean…so far he’s a silly nerd that I enjoy being around…but kids? I barely know him and we have all of this nonsense…” The blue dragoness sighed out. “This sucks…” She grumbled, trying to sort through her head if she was really ready for kids.
As she pondered to herself, her cave suddenly shook in a familiar way. "Ember, I'm back." Her father said, peaking an eye through the cave entrance.
“DAD!” Ember shouted in glee, rushing towards him happily. “Are you hurt? What’s going on out there?”
"I am fine. I happened upon Nylock's companions entering the borders and pointed them here. Figured I'd fly ahead and give a heads up. Speaking of, where is that Knight?"
“He’s checking our barricade right now, as well as, hopefully, thinking about where to put new fortifications on.”
"Impressive. Good for him." Her father said with a nod, before looking at Ember closer. "Ember, you alright? You're head is covered in dirt."
“I’ve uh…it’s nothing dad.” She shook her head. ‘But I should go and tell Nylocke his friend’s are almost here, is there anyone else coming with them?”
"The Lunar Princess of the ponies is as well."
“Oh really? That’s new.” She said in surprise. “Crap…this isn’t really a time to see a royal now that the Dragon Lands are…like this…”
"Hm. Ember, I know I'm not the most… emotionally understanding, but if you need to talk you can. I know how hard the rule of a Dragon Lord can be, and I am still your father."
“Well…” She sighed out. “What am I supposed to think dad? Right now my entire country has been overrun by monsters that are specifically designed to kill our kind…the entirety of the Dragon Land’s has been overrun by some weird jungle…and I’m thinking about having kids of all things!” She said worriedly.
To Ember's surprise, her father chuckled.
“And what are you laughing about?” Ember asked, flushing in embarrassment as she pouted. “I’m having a real crisis on my claws here.”
"I'm sorry, it's just your mother wanted this conversation so badly with you, mostly because despite how young you were, you were so much like myself." Torch said with a chuckle. "Tell me Ember, how many drakes actually have a ceremony with their selected mate to announce their partnership?"
“I…don’t know…” She said carefully.
"Only we Dragon Lords and a rare selected nobility actually do." Torch explained. "The reason is exactly what you are experiencing. A dragoness has a unique Ability to just know their ideal mate at a glance by simply feeling the need to suddenly desire children. I feel like I don't need to tell you that this feeling you're expecting now has never happened when looking at other males?"
“Never…” She said nervously. “This…this is so new and…worrying…”
"It's nothing to worry about Ember. It's a natural sensation for a dragoness when they encounter their mate. You should just be happy you're the first one to encounter this with Nylock. Had another Dragoness gotten to him first, well, not every dragoness has your restraint and strength of will when these sensations hit."
“I can imagine.” Ember rolled her eyes. “If what stories I’ve heard about mom…all of which I wish I didn’t hear.”
Torch laughed again. "Yes, to be frank it's actually amazing you're even an only child. That aside, however I know you are stronger than others, and I can tell Nylock would not simply accept the advances of another."
"He's too noble for that, even if he isn't acting...like that." She said carefully.
"Well, regardless I know when you two actually talk about that rather than awkwardly run and hide from the issue, you are both adults after all. And set to be wed in a few days, best talk this out before it happens unexpectedly."
“I…I know…” Ember grumbled. “Doesn’t mean I’m not embarrassed as shit…”
"That will pass as you both learn to live with and love one another."
“True…” She nodded. “So how soon will our visitors get here?”
"Given the speed of their flying machine, they should be here in a few hours." Torch stated.
“Right then.” Ember nodded. “Well, better go find Nylocke and tell him the good news.” She said. “But…how have you been holding up? And are there any other survivors?”
"A large group managed to fortify the coast, and another took refuge inside Mt Blackstone. Others fled the dragon lands all together. Some are traveling to the other kingdoms, seeking asylum or refuge. Aside from that, there are still many that are… missing."
“Damn it…” She growled. “We need to set up something for us…we’re not some common lizards that could be killed off like this damn it!” She shouted, the pride of dragon’s, all the blood, sweat, tears, and death’s throughout the ages suddenly crashing down as being’s outside their knowledge acted like they were nothing but playthings for some ‘play’...it all seemed to be destroyed in one fell swoop.
"I agree there. This is infuriating, yet, also humbling." Torch said, surprising his daughter.
“Humbling!?” Ember asked in shock. “Dad…dragon’s have had to sacrifice so much…why are you saying that?”
"Ember, ever since the day Discord brought those… creatures to our lands so many centuries ago, we've kept that event as a memory of our strength and our wrath gone too far. But who outside the dragons even knows this anymore? The day we bested those monsters, we believed ourselves as a race both to be feared and to be kept isolated, and yet, overnight our lands have transformed, our fires and claws lack any effect against the threats now resting in our boarders, and many have scattered to the winds. We went from a self proclaimed top predator species, to one that is being hunted and corralled."
“All things considered, we know ourselves that we could scorch this entire planet and not many could do anything about it…” She said carefully. “But…this is beyond anything we could have expected…we’re being corralled because someone said ‘hey, let’s just make monsters that are somehow immune to dragon’s in their entirety…somehow’.” She frowned. “Our pride, our strength…everything about us means nothing when someone just says ‘I have created the dragon proof monster’...that’s not humbling, that’s just cheap…” She said weakly, trying to make some feasible excuse as to why this wasn’t fair at all.
"Isn't it?" Torch replied. "Even the smallest of us, few races can take on a dragon in one on one combat. Few metals and walls can keep out a dragon. We know and teach these facts to our young and yet, faced with an enemy we can't even touch, so many choose to hide or flee. All these events reminds me of something your mother once told me, one I never considered until recently."
“What’s that?” She asked carefully, wanting to know what her mother had to say when she felt well and truly powerless as a Dragon.
"This was many years ago, before even I became Dragon Lord. She said 'All our strength all our might and all our power, yet we laze about atop piles of gold, wealth is meant to spend, to build and to help, not to hoard.' Growing up all my life in the dragon lands, I never quite understood the meaning of her words until after you became Dragon Lord, and I had time to think about many things."
“Well…what in the world would we want to spend money on?” She asked. “And also, if it was mean to be used, why do we hoard and why is it intrinsic to our growth?”
"Well, I can see one option." Torch said, eyeing Ember's pouch. "And it's not, not really. Your friend Spike is proof enough of that."
“Except when he explained his ‘Greed Growth’...also he barely hoards from what he told me.” Ember pointed out carefully, scratching her head as too many thoughts raced through her head. “This sucks…” She grumbled, hating not knowing thing’s and only getting more and more questions.
"Change is always difficult, but in nature, if you don't adapt to the change, then you will be left behind, or worse. That's another thing your mother used to say, though her version was a bit more… colorful." Torch added with a chuckle.
“This is a nightmare…” She grumbled, rubbing her temples lightly. “Why couldn’t we just…ugh, why does ‘getting married’ sound more simple than what’s going on right now?”
"By comparison, it is."
Nylock sighed as he patrolled the wall for the third time. The morning with Ember was awkward to say the least. He always did like to imagine one day being a father, but to hear it, and given all that the dragons are going through… would it even be appropriate, or how, even. He still knew next to nothing of these lands' customs and rules. That's partly how he got engaged to Ember to begin with.
“Oh thank Bahamut there’s someone else!” Nylocke heard someone call out as Garble dove down towards Nylocke, the dragon knight seeing the poor dragon looking injured as he held a large stone shaped club. “The hell’s going on?”
"Sir Garble? What happened to you?" Nylock asked as he looked over the drakes' injuries.
The drake looked to have many dracite claw marks, some missing scales, and it looked like the young dragon had to put his left arm back into place. “Whatever’s been roaming around this place, that's what happened!” Garble said, the once cocky and proud dragon reduced to an injured mess on the verge of emotional collapse. “I’ve been looking everywhere for anyone else, trying to help Torch…but…”
"The Drakicites and other monsters." Nylock finished with a nod. "Without proper combat training or armaments, you quickly became overwhelmed."
“Yeah…” Garble said bitterly. “So…what have you been doing?”
"Lady Ember and I managed to discover a lot about the creatures. While anything a dragon would do to normally attack, fire, claws of raw strength seem to do nothing to them, yet a weapon even of simple wood or metals are capable of harming or killing them. The wall here, they oddly do not even try to bypass it, let alone come near it save a few occasions."
“That’s why I’m carrying this heavy thing…” Garble mentioned, swinging the makeshift club around carefully. “And…yeah, I noticed there was an outpost a few hours flight away from here and they weirdly stayed away from the walls…”
"Indeed. While quite the relief, it is quite suspicious."
“It really is…” Garble said carefully. “So what’s the plan right now?”
"Ember has discovered an… aid, of sorts. And in a while we will begin to reinforce the wall with the supplies she acquired from this unexpected helper."
“Right…” Garble said. “Can…can I rest here for a bit?” He said, using the club as a crutch. “I…haven’t had good sleep in a while…”
"Please do, I'm honestly amazed you are even still standing."
“We’re dragons…even these thing’s can’t handle our resilience…” He said, trying to find some pride against these monsters.
Nylock watched as he walked a bit til he sat to the ground and laid down to sleep on the dirt.
Nylock sat against the wall, wanting to keep an eye on the young Drake and began to wonder what to do next. "The wall will not be enough… I can feel it… maybe… maybe I can train them? Would be better in the end this way, at least it would prepare them better than their own pride and egos would…" Nylock muttered to himself.
Nylock remained seated there, looking up only when he spotted Ember flying towards him.
“I got important news from my dad.” Ember said. “You’re friend’s are going to be here in a couple of hours…and also…we got to talking…”
"That's wonderful… and, talk about what?"
“About…us having kids.” Ember blushed carefully. “Apparently…why I brought it up out of nowhere was…because my instincts tell me you…you are my true mate…”
"I, um…. Heh…" Nylock blushed as well. "Well, I'm flattered, but perhaps that should wait until after both the wedding, and once we've known each other long enough and when things calm down here in the dragon lands."
“I…I know…” She sighed out. “But we’re gonna have to talk about this sooner or later…and it’s better to now before mating season.”
"... There's a mating season?"
“Yes…” Ember said sheepishly. “It’s…not something many dragon’s talk about, or other races even know mostly…”
"That's… different." Nylock stated simply. "Definitely news to me…"
“Well it won’t happen for another couple of months so we don’t have to worry that much.” She shrugged. “So, when did you find Garble?” She asked. “And…how’d he end up like that?” She added worriedly.
"He ran up to the wall from the other side just like that. Said he was trying to help Torch, but clearly he was out of his league." Nylock explained.
“Jeez…” Ember looked to the sleeping dragon. “Poor guy must have gone through a lot of shit to get here…”
"I'm considering training some drakes to better defend this area and themselves. It's better than letting them run off, more pride than common sense and end up like that or dead…"
"Right…" Ember sighed out. "That's a good idea Nylocke." Ember nodded. "We need to get everyone trained...then we can show these monsters what it feels like to fuck with dragons." Ember growled.
"Not just Dragons, Ember." Nylock stated. "I get the feeling the Dragon Lands are just the start of this… 'Play' these beings are putting on. I'm willing to bet this will spread to many more locations."
"Yeah...it might…" Ember frowned. "Which will suck for everyone…"
"Ember… I know you might not like the idea, but do you think the Dragons could use some help?"
“We need help…our entire race is being threatened by creatures that are completely immune to us for someone else’s sick games…” Ember growled. “But one thing I know for certain…when the dragon’s come back…there will be a mass extinction on these damned monsters.” She growled.
"If it's all the same to you, I don't think things will ever go back to normal for anyone when all of this is over." Nylock said with a sigh. "I can only hope what grows out of this mess will be better and strong enough to live in a world like this."
“Hopefully…” She sighed out. “I…this is all too complicated…and it all happened too fast…”
"Something tells me that was the idea…" Nylock huffed. "They knew the dragons first reaction would be to fight them and the result was some dead and many wounded. Garble here proved this enough. Now that some have fled and others are behind barriers like this, I'm willing to bet it's a question of what will the dragons do next. Continue to hide? Fight but lose too their natural immunity to them? Or change and adapt? The main thing I just want to know is why the dragons first? If this is going to spread, why the dragons first… and who will be next?"
“The dragon’s first because we are the physically, and sometimes magically, strongest race on the planet, and also…it might be because your friend’s were heading here immediately, and…I don’t know who will be next…” Ember sighed out.
“Hmm, maybe, but if that is the reason then it might be worse than I fear.”
“How bad?” She asked carefully.
“Well, if it’s something like what they do in my world in some wars… First, knock out the strongest, then, pick off the rest off the list of strength. Dragon Lands have been changed, and with all the monsters… who’d be next on the list of strongest creatures on this planet?”
“Well…that would probably be the Ponies, cause they are the ones that are ‘jack of all trades’ in our world.” Ember said. “They’re not the best at anything, besides maybe magic, but they’re agricultural powers are what keeps Equestria the size it is and keeps it from being attacked by other countries.”
“Hmm… What about the other races, what do they all excel at?”
“Well, not getting into any industrial bits, a lot of races are really good physically, the more physical races would be Yak’s, Minotaurs Diamond Dogs, and a few others, while other races are great magically like Changelings, Breezies, Kirin, and many others.” She said. “The physically strongest would honestly be a tie between Yak’s and Minotaurs, I don’t remember if they ever figured out that whole thing…and magically I’d have to say Kirin’s, as they are the closest to dragon’s by blood and have kept themselves in check for centuries.” She explained. “Then there’s the…special sapient races that are extraordinary rare.”
“Hmm…” Nylock thought, trying to think on who would be next on the list.
“One thing I hope they don’t do is open Tartarus…” Ember said carefully. “But yeah…there’s a lot of races out there, and it’s a bit annoying trying to keep track of what everyone’s doing when you already have to run a country…”
“Tartarus? That’s something that’s a myth in my world. Back home it’s an underworld, a type of afterlife. Is it similar here?”
“Weird, cause our Tartarus is a prison created to keep the worst of the worst locked up if normal means like banishment or petrification either didn’t work or for other reasons.”
"Hm, interesting. Is it also protected by a three headed hound?"
“Giant black bulldog yes.” Ember nodded. “Named Cerberus.”
"Hm, in my world they vary, but never a bulldog." Nylock said with a shrug. "Interesting. In any case, hopefully when the others arrive we can discuss and plan properly."
“That would be for the best.” Ember nodded. “Hopefully they won’t mind…all of this going on.”
"They are warriors, like myself. They will see all this and happily accept the challenge."
“Hopefully…they’ll certainly be confused about you getting married from what you’ve told me about them.” She shrugged.
"No doubt squire Kirbopher will and is laughing about it." Nylock agreed with a chuckle.
“Considering what little you’ve told me about him…yeah I’d see that.” Ember chuckled, looking up and seeing the large Zeppelin flying towards where they were.
To be continued...