It was the next day, the The four other Foretellers were all waiting, wondering who’d be next to head off with training. “I can’t believe Jenny finally asked Flash on a date.” Kira said.
“I know, it’s fantastic.” Dan said honestly.
“Ya’ll can still go fuck yourselves…” Alex grumbled, drinking another cup of blood coffee. “Don’t care if the meal was good…I could barely sleep from all that screaming still stuck in my head…”
“Heh, sorry. But at some point we all will probably get roped into cooking crazy meals.” Lan stated.
“Alright kids.” Cript said, walking into the room. “The next one for training is going to be… Alex, for helping cook dinner last night.”
“Sick.” Alex said. “So, who am I going to train with besides Mom?”
“Scootaloo. She’ll be training all of you in strength and such. Your mother will be training you all on your vampire abilities.” Cript informed.
“Cool. So… what’s for dinner?” Dan asked with a nervous gulp.
“Eighth dimensional pot pies. So, who wants to help me hunt down the ingredients in the eighth dimension?”
“Not it!” Kira yelled.
“Not it!” Lan yelled.
“Of course…” Dan sighed.
“Alright then, Alex, head on outside, Scootaloo is waiting for you outside the front door. Dan, let’s go.” Cript said, snapping his fingers as a portal that looked to hold colors impossible to perceive and was either folding in on itself or imploding constantly opened next to him.
“Get the smartest man here to go to a place that can’t be understood…goodie…” Dan grumbled.
“Have fun~.” Alex teased as he waved and walked outside to meet Scootaloo.
Alex met up with Scootaloo by the pillars outside the house. “Morning.” She waved.
“Morning.” Alex nodded. “How you doing today?”
“Good. Are you ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Alex nodded.
With a nod, Scootaloo snapped her fingers. Alex soon found himself on… He blinked, several times. This looked like… a Sonic video game.
“Uh…why are we in Green Hill Zone?” Alex asked curiously.
“Your main thing is speed, isn’t it?”
“Yes it is.” Alex nodded. “Speed is indeed my game.”
“Then we need to test that. Let’s see how fast you can go.” Scootaloo said, a small robot floating above the two displaying a red light. “And get you faster.” The light turned yellow. “Otherwise, you’ll not be much help in a fight.” The light turned green.
Alex immediately ran as fast as his legs could take him, even though he wished he had Leopardus to increase his speed by an asston, he didn’t need that bastard, he was faster than whatever it could make him, and he’ll prove it!
He ran down the hill, making it to the first loop… and fell rolling backwards down it. Alex looked up, seeing Schootaloo there. Before he could talk, she popped a Flesh Fruit into his mouth. “Again.” She said.
“I should be faster than that…” Alex grumbled around the fruit in his mouth, eating it quickly as he got back up and started running again.
Alex made it back to halfway up the loop, and fell back down it again. Scootaloo popping another Flesh Fruit in his mouth. “Again.” She repeated.
Alex growled, eating the fruit again and running faster than before, furious that he’s somehow not fast enough to do a simple loopdeloop.
Alex attempted the loop again. And again. And again. And again. Soon the sun began setting and Alex still never made it much further than just shy passed the loop’s halfway mark.
He crawled himself back to the top of the hill, this time taking the flesh fruit from Scootaloo and biting it himself before he dropped onto the grass.
“What…the…fuck…” Alex panted. “Why can’t I do it?”
"Guess your Keyblade helped you out more than you thought." Scootaloo said taking a seat next to him.
“Maybe…” Alex grumbled. “I…I know I’m faster than this…so what the hell is going on?”
"Are you putting magic into your legs?"
“Uh…no?” Alex said. “Am…am I supposed to normally? I know there’s buffs…”
"Heh. You're Keyblade did way more for you than you knew. Not surprising." Scootaloo said, pulling Alex back up to his feet. "I'm guessing that, like Jenny, you don't know the origin of your Keyblade either."
“I can only assume from what you're saying.” Alex said honestly. “So did Leopardus form from thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening me?” He asked, quoting Bohemian Rhapsody cause he could.
"He was forged using some of the Admin of Speed's Speed Force." Scootaloo said, holding up a book titled 'Keyblade History for Dummies.'
“First off…why is there a book like that and two…forged using the Speed Force…”
"Yeah." Scootaloo said. "and this book is from the house Library. Anyways, your Keyblade was forged when the old Admin of Hearts wanted to utilize more abnormal and force of nature type materials into a Keyblade reform. He managed to get the Admin of Speed to give them enough Speed Force to craft a Keyblade from it. Creating Leopardus."
“So…Leopardus has been making me stupidly fast?” Alex asked.
"He's helped. Like all Keyblades, they work with their wielders, giving them power in amounts they can handle until you're able to handle the full unfiltered amount."
“Of course…” Alex grumbled. “Well this sucks…”
"Relax. You're still fast, you just have to work for it now."
“Gonna need a lot of work if I’m gonna be as fast as I was before…”
"You'll get even faster." Scootaloo said. "Now get running!"
“Fine.” Alex said, as he started to run swiftly down the track again.
The night turned to day, and Alex was still at the hill loop. Finally, after noon the next day, he made it up and around the first loop.
“HA! FINALLY GOT IT!” Alex cheered happily.
"Good job." Scootaloo said, putting another Flesh Fruit into Alex's mouth.
Alex ate the fruit quickly. “Ah, the sweet feeling of success.”
"That only leaves the rest of the track. Plus enemies."
Alex frowned. “Thank you for…pointing that out…”
"Hey, progress is progress."
“It is indeed progress.” Alex nodded. “Well…let’s get on with this.”
And so, Alex continued. Restarting if they fell off or slipped from any part.
By the time they finally beat Green Hills, over four months passed for the Foreteller, but he was reassured by Scootaloo that time back home would not be that long.
"Alright, you're definitely faster now. Before you were just about thirteen miles per hour. Now you're forty six miles per hour."
Alex nodded, catching his breath as he definitely felt his legs were more powerful than before.
“That’s good so far…” Alex commented, lightly stretching a bit to help his legs not be so sore.
"And that's so far just raw speed. No magical augmentation or enhancement." Scootaloo added.
“So…next is me actually using magic to increase my speed?” I inquired.
"Not just yet. Let's see how fast your raw speed can go. Then we can move onto magic, and, if you'd like, getting your own Speed Force."
“I thought I’d have gotten the Speed Force just by being fast enough?” Alex inquired. “I don’t know much about how that whole thing works, but kinda thought if I wasn’t in some horrific scientific accident, it would have just been ‘I’m fast enough’.”
"It depends really, but getting Speed Force is usually a byproduct of surviving extreme electric currents or something like that. But given your natural immunity to lightning thanks to your Foretellers stuff and such I'd have to inject it into you directly." Scootaloo explained. "But for now, let's focus on where your raw speed caps before we make you a Speedster."
“Alright.” Alex nodded, getting ready to start running again.
Time passed and Alex Truly began to notice the difference in his speed over time. He even began making a path along the grass within the stage. He memorized the path well enough to run it with his eyes closed.
Eventually though, he began to feel his speed reaching a limit, and lastly on a two year mark, he felt he hadn't gotten any faster in some time.
"Hm, looks like you're raw physical speed caps out at around 480 miles per hour." Scootaloo informed as Alex ate another few Flesh Fruits. He had eaten nothing but these vampiric products since his training began, and long since grew numb to the taste.
“Can’t I get something else?” Alex asked. “Cause seriously…I’m starting to get numb to the taste.”
Scootaloo shrugged, snapping her fingers as a raw T-bone steak appeared in his hand. "Given you haven't gained any speed over that I'm guessing now is the time to work on your magic. I will be throwing in a twist however."
Alex ate the T-Bone steak, bone and all cause apparently Vampire biting strength was just that good. “God that tastes so good…” Alex groaned happily. “So…what’s the catch?”
"I'll be throwing in enemies to kill and objects to run through in order to get to the end." Scootaloo said.
“Fair enough.” Alex nodded. “So, how do I do this magical enhancement stuff?”
"Alright so first you need to focus. You're used to your Keyblade acting as a conduit for your magic, but this time you need to use your own body to conduct the magic to do as you will. In this case, focus it on your legs, feel it flow through your veins and every muscle fiber and bone in them."
“Alright…” Alex nodded, putting his hands on both his legs, focusing on the feeling of his magic, of the lightning he’s used so many times, into every fiber of his lower half.
It took more effort than Alex expected, but eventually he managed to get his magic flowing, feeling it pulsate through his legs.
"Good, now use that same focus into your arms and torso." Scootaloo said.
Alex nodded, trying to get his magic evenly distributed along his body. He managed the task but was unable to hold it for long as he felt his magic run out before he was able to use it.
“Ugh, I’m not as magically gifted as Dan or Kira…” Alex grumbled, trying to do it again.
"Neither was Jenny when she started and now she surpasses them magic wise." Scootaloo informed.
“Really?” Alex aksed in surprise. “That’s a shocker, both of those two were pretty solidly in the lead for magic…”
"That's the whole point of this training. To push you all to be better. Now here," Scootaloo brought up an ether, handing it to Alex. "Drink this and do it again. We won't stop til you can focus your magic all along your body is second nature and you can hold it practically indefinitely."
“Alright.” Alex nodded, grabbing and downing the Ether real quick, trying to get into magical shape this time as best he could. “So, might as well ask, how long have I been doing this? Cause it’s been about a full day from what the sun says.”
"Two years and sixteen days."
“Fucking what!?!” Alex shouted in surprise.
"What? You thought this kind of progress happens in a day?"
“I didn’t expect years to be passing! And unless this is some weird Hyperbolic Time Chamber nonsense, I’ve missed two years back home!” Alex said in a minor panic.
"It is some weird Hyperbolic Time Chamber nonsense. Did you pay attention to what I was telling you when we started this training?"
“I did, and you mentioned nothing about that.” Alex pointed out.
"I did. Maybe all those hits you took to the head trying to make that loop made you forget."
“Wait, I think you did now, but that was…I don’t know, technically a year and eight months ago.” Alex answered. “
"Eh. Well in any case get back to it."
“Fine fine…” Alex said, getting back to working on his magic to amplify his legs.
More time passed, roughly another year before Alex had a proper hold and control over using magic through his body. But he was able to hold and flow that magic without interruption. He even managed to use spells through his limbs. Mainly Thunder and other electricity based ones.
"And with magic your top speed caps at about 940 miles per hour." Scootaloo informed.
“So how am I not literally peeling off my own skin from the air resistance and friction?” Alex inquired.
"You aren't a normal human or pony or even vampire for that matter and this training also built up your friction resistance and wind resistance. That wasn't obvious?"
“I was more busy trying to run and get faster.” Alex said honestly.
"Well now that you're almost as fast as a jet engine and you can cast spells while keeping that mana boosted speed going it's time for your Speed Force." Scootaloo said, holding up a vial of gold colored electricity that self sustained itself inside the glass vial.
“So I just need to drink lightning?” Alex inquired, gently taking the vial.
"Drink, no." Scootaloo said, making Alex point the corked end of the vial at himself. "Get zapped by it. Yes."
“Uh…right…” Alex said carefully. “Well…this is gonna suck…” Alex muttered, thinking this is gonna be incredibly painful as he uncorked the vial towards himself.
The lightning shot out and hit Alex like a bullet. Knocking him down and leaving a small scorch mark on his neck where it entered. It didn't hurt as bad as he expected, but it hurt nonetheless.
He began to get up, noticing his arms and legs seemed to vibrate sporadically. It was a way different feeling from his raw or magic speed.
“Oh-ho-kay…that feels…really weird.” Alex said, trying to calm down his vibrating body.
"Relax, this is normal and good. Your body is just adjusting to the speed force and the two are working to modify your body to best hold it. Normally this process would put you in a coma for a while but you aren't normal and your body is already built for speed so this should just take a few hours at most."
“Alright…” Alex said, feeling his entire body relax around the newfound speed. “This still feels a bit trippy.”
"Well, Speed Force is a force of nature. It's not magic or physical. It's just pure speed energy." Scootaloo said. It was a short two hours before Alex's body adjusted to the speed force energy and he was ready to try it out.
“Alright, time to go for a simple run.” Alex said, taking a small runner’s stance and running with his new speed force.
Alex barely felt effort into his running, and yet the world around him was moving by so fast that, as he ran time seemed to slow down. He quickly discovered though that breaks were a lot more tricky with Speed Force than with magic or raw speed.
His first stop crashed him into a small hillside.
“I’m okay!” Alex groaned out in pain.
The next few months Scootaloo taught Alex how to use his Speed Force. Vibrating through walls, vibrating faster than light to appear Invisible, running up buildings, on water, phasing multiple objects, throwing lightning and catching it.
"Alright, so speed wise you're officially done." Scootaloo said. "But, while fighting with your speed is good, you must learn to fight with weapons as well. And while moving that fast."
“Well…I at least have some experience with that.” I said honestly.
"Yes but using a sword the length of what you're used too will be too difficult to properly swing, as moving at such high speeds and velocity and the wind resistance will work against you. So you will need shorter weapons." Scootaloo said, snapping her fingers as a trunk appeared next to her.
“So knives, daggers, and fist weapons or something?” Alex inquired.
"Basically." Scootaloo said, opening the trunk and pulling out a small, five inch dagger. A set of smaller, four inch knives and a set of thin gauntlets that seemed to have claw based use in mind. "Here. This dagger is Vibranium, it will easily deal with your speed and even help you weaponize it. These knives are very similar to King's Foudre, but they don't let you make clones of yourself. Lastly, these gauntlets are built to absorb your excess Speed Force while you run, storing them up to use in charged melee attacks or for a rapid set of ranged attacks."
“Cool.” Alex nodded, putting on the gauntlets and taking the knife and dagger.
"Now then, try out the Gauntlets. First charge them up. You can tell how much they're storing based on the gems near the bottom palm. The brighter they glow, the more they're charged.”
“That’s pretty cool.” Alex said, seeing the gem’s starting to glow brighter and brother as it absorbed more and more of his speed force. “And I can just…activate it and punch someone really hard with it?”
"It's intention based magic. It won't release the energy unless you want them to."
“Neat.” Alex nodded. “Is there a limit to how much it can store?”
"Forty thousand watts."
“That’s a lotta watts.” Alex said in surprise.
"Well, speed force is unlimited energy so you'll fill them up in no time."
“Fair enough.” Alex nodded. “But…gonna need to relearn how to fight, cause I’m used to a sword, not knives and daggers…”
"Relax. That is why time here works differently. So you can train and master them and go back a better, stronger Alex."
“Yeah.” Alex nodded, but thought back to his fight with Wallflower and what the other’s had to deal with. “Hopefully it’ll be enough.”
And so, Alex continued his training. Killing various enemies Scootaloo spawned in for him to deal with. Running well passed Green Hills and across the Sonic based world.
In the uncounted time he spent fighting and training, Alex had a better mastery with his three new weapons than he did with his Keyblade, to his surprise.
"Alright, one final test." Scootaloo said, she and Alex were at the start of Green Hills stage one again.
“Alright, what’s the catch?”
"You will be fighting that." Scootaloo said, pointing at the distant blur of darkness rushing along the various roads and such. "That, is a Hunter Shadow Creature, Runner Class. They're glass cannons being they can move and dodge and hit hard but they can't take a lot of damage themselves. I'd say if you land one or two good hits and you'll kill it."
“So I have to catch up to the thing and hit it once or twice…should be simple enough.”
"It sounds like that but this thing is as fast as you and is an expert in dodging."
“Fantastic…” Alex grumbled. “Well, best be off to stab that thing then.”
"Good luck."
With a nod, Alex was off. He had to admit, this thing was fast.
Alex managed to make out that it was extremely thin, but also extremely lethal. It's arms, legs and torso built with blades piercing out along the limbs and despite the frail frame it dodged, turned corners and jumped long distances just as well as Alex did. It was even fast enough to dodge various lightning attacks.
“Seriously, the fuck is this thing?” Alex grumbled, wondering how in god’s name this thing was able to move around that easily.
Each time Alex got close to it to attack it readily dodged and evaded. He needed a plan, and he thought of one. A poor one but it was better than. Nothing.
Alex let his magic flow into his legs, adding to the Speed Force and giving him enough extra speed to tackle the creature. The two tumbled and before it could get up Alex jabbed his gauntlet claws into it's back, easily piercing it's skin.
It gave several pained whales before collapsing dead under him and evaporating into a silver mist.
Scootaloo appeared next to him, clapping her hands. "And with that your Speed and new melee weapons training is complete."
“Didn’t know I could mix the both of them…also the fuck was that thing? How was it already that strong?”
"I told you. A Hunter Shadow. Runner Class. They're a new type of monster Shadow Creatures Dad's been making."
“Why am I not surprised something that strong right out the gate would be one of Dad’s creations…” Alex shook his head.
"They are still in beta testing so, it's not like they're out and about yet." Scootaloo said with a shrug. "So, got a bit before Mama Alushy is ready. Wanna talk or something?"
“Sure.” Alex shrugged. “Anything you want to talk about?”
"Nothin much. I did ask Jenny how she met Crow. How did you meet him?"
“Oh fuck…” Alex sighed, thinking about Crow and how much that hurt. “That…really hurts right now…” The normally horny teen sighed out. “I met Lan, Crow and Kira all at the same time, with Kira having tackled me, crying about not jumping off a cliff…” Alex sighed out. “Crow made me realize that, even though my family life of ‘rich parents abandoning their child’ sucked total ass…that I could have a new family with them.”
"Hm. So, they met you at your lowest?"
“It was after I finished my first fencing match with my butler Benson…” Alex sighed. “He said I was good at fencing, and tried to calm me down…but I couldn’t take feeling abandoned and alone by literally everyone in my life…” Alex shook his head. “Then…well my Mastery Exam helped me sort out a lot of things…”
"Hm, that actually explains a lot about you thinking about it." Scootaloo said, pondering that information.
“Thankfully, I got to talk to mom and dad after I passed my exam…I don’t know if they’re still alive or they passed but…well it helped me know they still cared, even if I wasn’t…fully supported until Lan and everyone else came in…”
"Huh. Well, that sadness aside, how long have you and Pinkie been a thing?"
“Since…pretty much day one we got here.” Alex said honestly. “We just immediately hit it off…she’s my wonderful energetic cotton candy girl.”
"And she a pervert like you?"
“Like you would not believe.” Alex chuckled.
"Hm. Weird. If you're both perverts I'm amazed Lan is the one with a harem and not you."
“I would have also had a harem…or at least, maybe a second girlfriend…” Alex sighed. “I just…feel terrible about Wallflower…”
"Did you know her well back before?"
“She was…one of the shy people I noticed…” Alex sighed. “She was an introvert, but she was…pretty much as beautiful as the flowers she tended to…I promised to keep her safe…to make her strong, to give her some modicum of hope…and yet she immediately threw it all away when I couldn’t save her, and Crow gave her false promises of power and brought her back to life in some sick unversed amalgamation…”
"Do you think Crow lied to her or any of them?" Scootaloo asked, making Alex look up and over at her. "He might just be the dark half of the Crow you knew, but he's growing. Changing. His motives are developing too. In short, he moved past you guys to achieve something else. If revenge was just his game, he wouldn't have gone so far as to fully revive those people to the best of his abilities."
“No…Crow sounds about that petty to be honest.” Alex said honestly. “Plus…all I can say about ‘he lied’...all they said was ‘he promised power, and he delivered’...but what I see isn’t ‘power’, all I see is just some abominations just to taunt us, to show us we’re just terrible people when we’re trying our best for fucking highschoolers!” Alex snapped bitterly. “Like, I’m fucking sorry that we couldn’t do literally fucking everything when we’re some combination of fourteen to sixteen years old, having to juggle social lives, school work, and saving worlds with our own school’s of Keybladers!”
"Hm. So, you don't believe he is capable of moving past you all then?"
“I don’t fucking know, maybe?” Alex said. “Currently we’re still trying to get over the fact that we just abandoned him because we didn’t know that…he would literally work with the Ventral’s for his family…we didn’t know that everything we did just hurt him to no end…” Alex took a deep breath. “And considering what we just saw? How he personally grabbed people we couldn’t save, to make them Unversed amalgamations, just so they could blame us for not saving them against those Ventral Clones? I’d say yes, he would be petty enough to fuck with us in any way he damn well pleases…because we didn’t help him when he needed it the most…”
"Hmm. Now, let me ask you. Do you think they were the only ones he revived? And, if not, then what makes you think they didn't willingly go with him when you all met up in Paris world?"
“We already blame ourselves for not saving their lives, for not being better, now you’re saying that they themselves wanted to become monsters just because we weren’t mystically better?”
Scootaloo sighed, giving Alex a hard thump to his head. "You aren't listening. Or thinking… Look, I've been studying Crow, and those others for a bit. Watching them act and travel through the lanes and worlds. It's nothing much but what I have seen is interesting."
“Well…what do you know about them?” Alex asked, rubbing the bruise on his head.
"Simply put. They're living. DTD opens in some world, they trade items with Moogles for Munny or Rem, then they buy supplies. Food mostly. Occasionally Crow will be out and about by himself, looking around a world, maybe getting something to eat. Frankly, he's acting like a person. Not a monster, and the others are too. Seen them laugh, cry, get excited. Despite their bodies, they're still people."
“Cause that’s exactly what I fucking need at the moment…” Alex grumbled.
"Look, I'm not saying you didn't do enough, or that you could have done better. You all gave it your all, yes people… passed, but it happens. Nothing you can do after the fact. All you can do now is work to get stronger so you can protect people better next time. And you are. Your speed and such here is proof of that. Sure, they may hate you, you can't please everyone. Just don't let their words judge your self worth. They died, but they're also back. Maybe they aren't human anymore, but they don't seem to mind, and from what I've seen, are living their own lives. Isn't that better than them being dead?"
“I mean…it would if I didn’t have to end it with my own hands…” Alex answered carefully. “Cause they will keep hunting us down…even if they’re happy, or just ‘normal people’...it’s not gonna end well for anyone at this point…”
"Yeesh. When did I start talking to Ben some many depressing years ago?" Scootaloo sighed. "Just remember, it is their life now. Will you be able to take that second chance away?"
Before Alex could respond he found himself back at the front yard. The sun indicated it was just a bit passed noon.
"I see you got stronger." Alex turned, seeing Alushy at the door. "Did you go fast?" She asked with a smirk.
“I sonic speeded myself into depression, yes.” Alex nodded.
"Oh, well luckily for you I'll help you eat the pain away." Alushy said.
She walked over to Alex, when Suddenly the door burst open, Dan holding onto the frame for dear life. "Help! It's trying to Fuck me!"
“Woo! Go get em tiger.” Alex cheered.
"You bitch!" Dan replied.
Suddenly, a long negative colored tentacle wrapped itself around Dan's leg. "Bring that ass back here!" Yelled a feminine, yet distorted voice.
"Ahhhhh!" Dan yelled as he was pulled back insides the door closing as he flew back into the same portal from earlier.
"Huh. Eighth dimension succubus. Gotta add that to my kill list." Alushy said, pulling out a leather bound book and writing down her next prey.
“Right then.” Alex said. “But about eating the pain away?”
"Right, well to develop your vampiric powers properly you'll need to eat the flesh, blood and souls of various Creatures. Starting with animals, then demons/monsters, and lastly, humans or equivalent sentient beings."
“Neat.” Alex said. “Cause I need all the food I can after what Scoot’s told me.”
"Oh good. Now, what world to take you too? Preferably somewhere different than where I took Jenny…"
“Where did you take Jenny?” Alex inquired.
"A world full of monsters and demons and murder but everything was basically in victorian times." Alushy said.
“Jeez, no need to be that savage to England.” Alex joked.
"Hmmm… ah, I got it! The world is basically in the middle of an Armageddon anyway so this will be fun!"
“Goodie.” Alex said. “Where the hell are we going?”
"A world I used to go hunting in some time ago. It has this weird cycle where some heroes from other dimensions are summoned to save it from death by monster fodder."
Alex took in the scenery around them. It was a quant, medieval-like world with knights, monsters, demons and evil doers. And of course, lots of wild game all around.
“Well, this looks rather quant.” I said honestly.
"It is a rather simple world. Save the semi recurring monster invasions and such." Alushy said with a shrug. "Alright then Alex. Before we begin, Jenny got her guns, so now you will get yours!"
“Would Gun’s even work with my kind of speed?” Alex inquired. “Cause I’m already running faster than a bullet to be honest…is there guns made for speedsters?’
"Yes." Alushy nodded, snapping her fingers as two guns appeared in her grip. One pistol, one rifle. They both looked fairly identical, some form of more futuristic firearms, both sporting largely black colors with a shade of grey glass covering the magazine area. "The Speedsters firearm of choice. Rail Guns. Powered by your own Speed Force and completely magic adaptable. Flow a magic spell and the rail it shoots becomes infused with the spell in question. Because it's powered by your speed force, the projectile moves as fast or even faster than you."
“That sounds pretty cool.” Alex nodded. “You know, I also thought of something…I’m probably going to need a Rapier…now that I remember Benson told me I had a pretty weird talent with them…”
"Hm, I suppose. It is a fast attack weapon and speed is your thing. Maybe someone here has something worth… acquiring." Alushy said as she looked around.
“That would be great.” Alex nodded, looking around the place carefully. “Hmm…place feels a tad…empty now that I look around for a fancy setting…”
"This is a countryside, which for right now is perfect for you. I'll be watching your progress like I did Jenny, so going off that you need to eat 100 animals."
“100 animals? That…should be easy enough.” Alex said, sniffing the air for any animals around the place.
"You definitely seem more open to this than Jenny was at first."
“It’s something to do…” Alex said. “I need my mind off…literally everything right now.”
Alushy nodded.
Alex sniffed deeply the air, catching the scent of a familiar prey. Rabbits. Fluttershy, Dan's, brought her pet Angel over enough that it was something each of them recognized. It was simple, but a start.
“Alright…time for rabbit season.” Alex said as he loaded his M14 Garand shaped Railgun Rifle.
To his surprise, the gun immediately molded out a scope. "That's an automatic feature, just turn it off… which you don't know how or your Assistant stuff either so you?"
“No…but I’m gonna need a scope for longer shots.” Alex answers. “Also…uh…I think I only shot a rifle once…so mind helping me here?” He said sheepishly. “I know how to load it and stuff but…how to fire…”
"Oh sweet sweet baby… you won't need a scope." Alushy started. The next few hours she spent teaching Alex about his guns. How they shot a small, needle like projectile made from a special magic metals blended with highly magnetic metals. How the difference between the rifle and the handgun were the size of the projectiles, only a few millimeters in length and a single millimeter in diameter.
“This is…a lot more complicated than I first thought…” Alex said carefully.
"A lot of first time gun owners say that." Alushy said with a smirk. "Just remember, both these guns are capable of extreme damage despite their projectile size and it all depends on how much you 'charge' them."
“Yeah…” Alex nodded. “It would be either the gun they’re made of…to a giant cannon and I’m concerned about that.”
"More or less yeah." Alushy said, picking up the hand rail gun. "They have many variations of charge levels, but the ones you should be concerned with are the Fully Charged, Max Charge, Over Charge, and Force Charged.
“And…how strong are each charges?” Alex inquired.
"Well, Fully Charged for the rail hand gun is the equivalent to a .44 caliber round. Max Charge, a .45. OverCharged is like a .50 handgun round, and Force Charged is like a 20 gauge shell. For the rifle, Charged is .308. Max Charge is a 45-70. Overcharge is a fifty caliber rifle round, and Force Charge is the equivalent to an anti tank rifle round."
“Damn.” Alex said in surprise. “This is a pretty strong gun.”
"Yes. The handgun holds five hundred rounds. The rifle holds nine hundred."
“Awesome.” Alex nodded. “But I might need to keep this in reserve…cause as far as I know, nothing here can withstand a bullet.”
"Not until we start hunting the monsters and such." Alushy said with a nod.
They finished up their lesson with all the Assistant was capable of. Storage, maps, teleportation, everything.
“Alright, now it’s rabbit season.” Alex nodded, ready to stretch his legs in this new world and hunt some animals.
Once the weapons were put away, Alex took another sniff, locating his prey yet again and rushing off. Catching the small rabbit easily, and without hesitation, biting into its neck. Quick and painless. Alex had to admit, fresh was quite different from Flesh Fruit. Richer, more savory.
In no time at all Alex finished the critter off, spitting out a few hairs off his tongue.
Lesser Soul of: Rabbit, absorbed.
Soul Bank Unlocked.
Vampirism Rank 2 Unlocked
New Ability Acquired: Hair intuition. Detect enemies of danger to yourself immediately.
“Neat.” Alex muttered. “Alright, one down, ninety nine more to go.”
"With your speed it will probably be quick."
“That’s if i don’t accidentally get caught up in anything.” Alex shrugged.
With a stretch and determination, Alex took another sniff of the air. Catching the scent of wild boars, deer, bears, turkeys, and all kinds of animals.
With his speed they didn't feel or see a thing, eaten before they could register as Alex quickly was reaching the set amount Alushy stated.
Various animals soon were devoured. And after a short two hours, Alex had finished off his hundredth prey.
Alushy checked him over, making sure they all rested comfortably inside him.
Alex himself was more amazed that his body didn't show signs of his gluttony.
"So…why aren't I affected by that buffet of wild animals?" Alex inquired.
"Our stomachs are more like pocket dimensions rather than the usual ones you're thinking of." Alushy informed.
"Fair enough." Alex nodded. "So, what's next?"
"Well it seems like you are holding the souls and blood in well. So, now is onto monsters and such. Souls with intelligence but not sentience."
"Cool. Now where would these monsters be?" Alex wondered.
"Hmm. If I were to guess, lurking about thick forests and caves."
"Cool, time to find either of those places." Alex nodded, ready to run around and find the es.place.
"You'll probably need a hundred of those too." Alushy mentioned. "Also, how are you feeling?"
“I feel fine…is there a problem?” Alex asked nervously. “Did all that blood do something weird to me that I don’t know about?”
"No, I'm just checking is all. Like I told Jenny, with my other kids who were born half vampire they had a slower adjustment to getting to this part. You, and Jenny so far, show none of their drawbacks to being half bloods."
“That’s…weird.” Alex frowned. ‘What kind of drawbacks should we be having?”
"Well, a hundred animals for your siblings normally leaves them feeling a bit nauseous, and there is resistance from the consumed souls attempting to escape. But with Jenny, and now you, there's none."
“That’s…really weird.” Alex frowned. “You don’t think there’s…gonna be any side effects when we’re not paying attention…right?”
"No, if they're not showing resistance or escape attempts now then it means they're fully bound to you."
“I still don’t like how…easy it is from what you're saying.” Alex frowned.
"Don't you worry about it now Alex. For now, focus on hunting those big nasty monsters."
“Alright.” Alex nodded, bolting in a random direction in hopes of finding either a decently sized cave or a dense forest.
It took longer than Alex would have hoped, but he eventually found his hundred monsters over the course of a few days. He was actually rather surprised by the variety of monsters. Dragons, Cerberus, giant insects, trolls, ogres, cyclops, a kraken even. He especially enjoyed that one's taste.
Eventually, Alex met back up with his mother… who seemed to be finishing off a snack or meal if the arm she was biting into was any indication. Just, the arm was visible. No other body… or bodies, aside from some gear were around.
"Oh, you finished?" Alushy asked, the savagely torn and mawed on arm limply moving in her grip as she moved.
“Yes…and uh…who are you munching on?” Alex asked nervously.
"Don't know really. Called himself Sword Hero and said a bunch of the usual crap cause I'm a Vampire, demon or whatever and tried to attack. Normally would-be attackers like that I'd knock out but once I got a sniff of him, well, I needed to make a meal out of him for disgracing the title of hero." She informed.
“Well uh…” Alex started. “That’s not good…also, I didn’t actually ask, what world are we i-” Alex was cut off as he suddenly grabbed onto a sword that flew at him. “Uh…why?”
Alushy shrugged. "It's magic. Similar to what I've seen Cript mess with recently but it's like a Keyblade and a smartphone had a baby for a blunt statement. Minus the useful Key stuff."
“So…again, what world are we in again? Cause ever since we figured out more on our Assistant’s I’ve been going on a manga and anime binge with Kira.”
"Hmm… can't really remember the name to be honest." Alushy shrugged, biting into the late heroes arm again.
Alex then noticed that amongst the bloody and fallen gear was a bow and a spear. Both with the same odd gemstone as the sword.
“Um…” Alex started, walking over to the bow and spear. “These look…weirdly familiar…” Alex frowned, trying to pick up the spear to test a growing thought.
The spear and bow did not react to him. The Sword however did, and his thought was soon confirmed. He may not know the name of the world but he knew the name of the Anime. Rising of the Shield Hero. And his mom just ate the sword, spear and bow heroes.
“So uh…there’s a lot of problems that are going to be starting mom.” Alex said nervously. “You just ate three of the ‘heroes’ that were supposed to help protect this world from it’s monster problem…”
Alushy blew a raspberry in response. "Some heroes. The spear guy was a total pervert. And not in the nice way like you." Alex did not know whether or not to be offended. "He reeked of stolen virginities. The bow guy smelled of innocent blood and the sword guy too. Reeked of murder and selfish intent. See, smell." Alushy said, holding the remaining bit of the arm, now down to just the hand and three inches of arm, up to Alex.
“And…you want me to eat the rest of his arm?” Alex asked carefully.
"What? No, smell it."
Confused, Alex slowly leaned in, smelling the remains of the limb.
He smelled blood. Raw flesh… he suddenly felt something hit his nose. A new scent unlike anything he'd ever smelled with his enhanced sense before. It smelled of… vial cruelty, almost seeing the former 'hero' decapitate men, women and even children in his path. He backed up, shocked by what he smelled.
“Jesus that’s vial!” Alex snapped.
"That is the true power of our sense of smell Alex. We can smell the good and evil within a person, and tell their actions. Good and bad. Whichever permeates strongest is the kind of person they are. What you smelled was the scent of evil."
“Yeah…alright fuck that guy…” Alex said, looking at his new sword worriedly. “Well…this is rather concerning…”
"Looks like it's yours now. What are you going to do about the other ones?" Alushy asked, motioning to the two other weapons as she finished off the arm. "I bet Cript could make them work for ya."
“I mean…might as well.” Alex said honestly. “I can probably give one of these to the others…Kira would probably have a blast with the bow…” Alex hummed. “And well…glad to have a sword back to be honest.”
Alushy nodded. "We are Iuicicium Vampires after all. Killing scum like those three is what we do. Judgement is in our name after all."
“Neat.” Alex nodded. “So uh…about making sure this world doesn’t go ot shit because they lost several heroes and they’re weapons are being repurposed for me and my family?”
"Oh that's an easy fix… in fact, tell me a bit about this world would you? I think I might have an idea as who your Human prey will be."
“Alright, so this is Rising of the Shield Hero, four heroes are summoned to this world to help save this land from the Monster Waves, but there’s this church known as the Church of the Three Heroes, which basically set in motion a whole lotta horseshit against the Shield Hero and glorified the Sword, Bow and Spear heroes in every way shape and form.” Alex said. “To the point that the Pope was going to copy the three sacred weapons and take over the world cause…reasons.”
"I see. And pray tell, who were this Shield Hero's greatest adversaries aside from this pope?"
“The King and Eldest Princess, cause the King and Eldest Princess were also in on the Pope’s Coup and had the Eldest Princess frame the Shield Hero for rape, steal all his shit, and then have him be seen as the massive villain while they were trying to murder the young princess and rightful heir to the throne all while the Queen, the actual ruler, was away on important political buisness.” Alex explained in depth. “So…that kinda led towards the entire Kingdom being his greatest adversary besides the Heroes themselves because everyone believed some dumpster fire whore and her dumbass father.”
"Hmm.. I see. Well then, looks like I already know who your Prey is going to be. But first, I wanna meet this Shield Hero figure. For him to endure all this and still be a good person. He sounds quite… ideal."
“Not sure where he is at the moment…and I don’t know when this is.” Alex said carefully.
"Well, only one way to know for sure. We can have him come to us." Alushy said, helping Alex pocket the remaining loot from the Heroes. Once it was all put away, she took a deep sniff. "That way." She said, pointing. "I smell three, rather distinct evils in that direction. Among a population that large, it's a kingdom alright."
“That’s most likely the King, Princess Bitch, and the Pope.” Alex said honestly. “You want me to devour those three?”
"Yes. And once you do, I'm sure this Shield Hero will come to investigate." Alushy said. "But just to be sure, let's make a spectacle of things while we're there."
“I’m pretty sure seeing someone brand new wielding the Sword the former Sword hero was supposed to wield murdering the Pope and royal’s would be a whole lotta spectacle to say the least.”
"Oh my precious baby boy." Alushy cooed, pulling Alex into a hug. "Allow mamma to show you how to really show off some power. Presentation is half the battle."
Alex had to admit. His mother did put on quite a show.
It was like watching a biblical Armageddon in action. Monsters, demons and gods alike Alushy had devoured over her lifetime, marched upon the castle in bodies forged from blood. All the while, no one innocent was slain. Corrupt guards were killed and joined the ranks, criminals were captured to meet the same fate, and… oddly the local slave merchant did not meet such a fate.
Alushy actually purchased his whole stock and sent them home.
In no time at all the Pope, King and Eldest Princess we're bound and gagged in the throne room. Alushy sat atop the throne with Alex at her side.
"Not bad for just an hour's work." Alushy commented.
“I can tell.” Alex said honestly, bringing up his sword and lightly twirling it in front of the three without a single care.
Alex took a sniff of each of them. The smell of their crimes and sins was pungent.
High Priest Biscas, there was a fair amount of blood there. Manipulation, treachery and assassinations. All in the name of power for himself.
Princess Malty, while no blood actually tainted her, her lies and hatred ran deep, fermenting into a twisted egotistical lust for power, fame, recognition, and pride that let her effortless trick, betray and lie her way to this conspiracy.
Lastly, King Aultcray. There was much there. Betrayal of his own wife and true love. A long lived, fermented hatred, lots of lies, forced human sacrifices and manipulation. All to get revenge on the Shield Hero, and one who didn't even cause him his tragedy.
“All of you make me sick.” Alex hissed. “I am a Vampire, yet I can smell your crimes, your lust for power, your sin’s that make Monster’s look like Saints in comparison…” Alex growled, looking over the three in contempt. “But while I can do this whole speech to rub salt in the wounds…” Alex said as he stabbed the Pope in the stomach with the very Holy Weapon he touted to gain power. “But I’m just gonna let my actions speak louder.” He growled, raising his body up by the sword and lifted the pope up above Alex, the blood magically rushing past the sword like a fountain as he drank it all up, not missing a single drop in front of the two, who were now watching in absolute horror.
After literally drinking the Pope dry, he threw the shriveled corpse into a wall and cracked the wall and landed in a dry heap. “Next up, the King who would betray his own wife for his own personal gain and to fuck over an innocent man.” Alex growled, walking over as the King screamed through his gag, trying to get away from the monster, only for Alex to rush over and like a beast starving, literally started to rip and tear into the King and devour his body and soul, the old king screaming in pain until he devoured his heart, silencing the damned king forever more as he absorbed the King’s rotten blood.
“And now…” Alex said, looking over at the crying princess, walking over to her and undoing her gag. “Onto you.”
“P-p-please…” Malty whimpered. “D-d-d-don’t…I…I’ll do anything…” She cried, pleading for her life at the monster in front of her.
“Oh really?” Alex asked, giving her a disarmingly seductive grin as he kneeled down. “Then please, don’t scream too much.” He said kindly, before lashing out and biting into her neck, sucking her dry as she let out a silent scream, feeling her life drain from her in a way that was extremely confusing to her senses as she was wracked with both pain and somehow pleasure as he consumed her in such a simple, primal vampiric way.
When the deed was done and her corpse was but a husk of skin and bone, Alex began processing.
Unlike with the animals and monsters, drinking their blood and devouring their flesh made him feel stronger, more… alive.
And, he saw their memories. From their earliest moments, to their deaths at his hand. Their emotions, ideals and desires he knew and felt.
As he stood there, looking over his own carnage, it finally settled in. He Truly was no longer a human. Not in any sense he could draw a claim to.
“I…” Alex said, fully processing this as he started to feel sick. “I…I don’t like this feeling…” He said. “What…what did I do?” He wondered to himself, not feeling sick from the soul’s of those damned people…but sick from what monstrous act’s he just did…
Alushy walked up to Alex, pulling her son into a comforting embrace. "There there. Jenny had a similar reaction…"
“I…” Alex teared up. “What have I become mom?” Alex cried, hugging Alushy tightly as he tried truly processing his actions.
"You've become just like me, and just like Jenny. We… are Monsters, Alex. But that doesn't make us evil."
“Certainly doesn’t feel like it with how I…bruttally murdered two of them…”
"Sometimes brutality is needed. The people we will be up against won't hesitate to be just as brutal towards you and your siblings Alex."
“Honestly…out of everyone left…I’m scared for Kira…” Alex said sadly. “She’s…she’s going to take this the hardest.”
"Probably." Alushy said with a nod, giving her sona kiss on the forehead before looking him in the eyes. "That's why she'll be last. So you all can help her through it. Like I know Jenny will help you, and you two will help the next."
Retuning home, Alex found Dan sitting on the bed. His clothes sliced, burned and torn while he had a far off look in his eyes.
“Sup.” Alex said. “You uh…doing alright?”
Dan didn't respond. He seemed to not be aware of anything.
"Eighth dimension does that when you aren't accustomed to it." Cript said, looking Dan over. "Plus those Eighth dimensional succubus demons didn't help. He'll be fine in a few more hours. The Eighth dimension just needs to finish getting out of his system."
“Right…” Alex said. “But I need…to take a long shower…” Alex sighed.
"That's fair. Oh, and Pinkie's here, probably in your room now so, go wrap that up before dinner in an hour.
“I’m…going to be needing some heavy cuddles after this…” Alex sighed, heading off to the bathroom to get washed up after all of that nonsense.
Alex quickly showered, heading to his bedroom without changing and still in his robes.
Once inside he took his room into view. His siblings all more than likely believe his room to be a perverts paradise. The truth is, Alex's room was fairly simple.
It mainly consisted of a recreation of a hotel, Alex and his birth family went to many, many years ago when he was little. It was the last time they were really together as a family.
Okay, not that simple, but also not a perverts paradise.
Once in he made it to the presidential suite, his main bedroom and looked upon Pinkie Pie. She was already dressed for their usual session. Adorned in loose fitting PJ's and surrounded by huge pillows.
"Hi Alex- Alex?" She asked, noticing his expression.
Alex walked over, crawling in bed and just cuddling up to Pinkie. “Hi…”
Pinkie sighed, smiling softly as she pulled Alex in close. "Something told me to keep my underwear on today. So… bad?"
“Very bad…” Alex admitted. “Pinkie?”
"Yeah?"
“If…if I became a monster…” Alex started. “Would…would you still love me?”
"Alex…" Pinkie said, holding Alex's face in her hands as she looked at him. "I love you for who you are. Not what you are. That won't ever change."
“But…I…did some messed up thing’s to people…” Alex said sadly. “What…what if I….” Alex trailed off, fearing what he might admit.
"Alex." Pinkie said, an oddly firm tone in voice that seemed almost out of place for the usually bubbly teen. "If you did messed up things to others then I trust you did it because they deserved it… after… the attack on the school, my world view exploded. The dangers and risks all became so real and… despite everything, you kept me grounded. And I'll be here to keep you grounded."
“T-thanks Pinkie.” Alex said softly. “This…this is honestly what I needed after…well, waterfalling a corrupt pope like a 2-Liter, cannibalizing a corrupt King and…just vampire drinking his bitch of a daughter…” Alex said nervously.
"Huh. So, is it true people taste like pork then?"
“Well…kinda.” Alex shrugged.
"Huh." Pinkie hummed. The two rested in one anothers embrace, Alex feeling better, knowing that Pinkie still cared for him, despite what he has done and what he is likely to do. "Too bad you aren't in the mood though. I had a surprise all set up for ya too."
“Well, what’s the surprise?” Alex asked. “Cause I’m feeling a whole lot better right now.”
Pinkie smiled, whistling as suddenly three pairs of arms came out of the pillows and grabbed Alex.
The teen was startled until the arms owners emerged from the pillows. Limestone Pie, Marble Pie, and Maud Pie. Pinkie's three sisters. All dressed in similar, loose fitting PJ's.
"My sister's really enjoyed listening to me… talk about our sex life. And they figured since your brother has a Harem~" Pinkie said, giving her lover a wink. "Folks were oddly okay with this too. Just as long as we finish school they're okay with us all dating and… more with you~"
“You know exactly how to cheer me up Pinkie.” Alex said with a giant smile.