//------------------------------// // Ch5: going into town: a time for rest // Story: Trapped in another world. // by mild hotsauce //------------------------------// Ch5: going into town: a time for rest To say that walking through the town was an interesting experience would be putting it lightly for the ponies. As to not be harassed by the towns inhabitants, they walked the divide, which was a district separating the one that the Lycans resided in, and the one that the Vampires call home. Even though it divided the districts, it was still used: merchants from both casts set up stalls and opened shops all throughout the straight that made up the divide. The buildings were made from the light wood that made up the trees in the swamps, and the wares ranged from bones to gold jewelry. Food was also sold, but on both sides it involved meat that they would rather not even look at, much less eat. Several Lycans looked at them like they were dinner, but the red robed Vampires stopped them once they pointed out the three head leaders of the town walking with them, plus the dragon, who might have claimed them already. Not much is known about the race called the Blood Dragons, but it is widely known that if you mess with their stuff, you will be torn apart. The eight of them made it to the center of the town, which had a castle in it. Rogvir looked upon the massive structure of grey stone, which resembled a restored version of the one in the Everfree, with a slightly reminiscent look. “Home sweet home.” He said. “So, how is everything inside, you didn’t let the mongrels in did you?” Narine looked shocked, “heavens no! Those things are the most barbaric of the vampire race; I would rather stand in direct sunlight while being poked by an enchanted sword up the ass for three hours!” “Well, a few of the pups don’t know their boundaries; I have to teach at least six a week what it feels like to disobey the pack leader’s orders.” Celia put in, smiling from the memories of disciplining countless pups in her time at the family castle. “As long as nothing stinks in there if that’s the case.” Celia gave a nervous laugh. “What did you do?” He asked in a stern voice. “I might have marked my territory to make sure the others know their boundary.” “What the fuck Celia!” Rogvir yelled “I was in wolf form!” she retorted. “What’s the difference!?! You pissed in the castle! Not even dad would do that, and he was even worse than you!” “Ugh… alright, I’ll find another way to make the boundaries…” she walked towards the castle with a hand to her chin in thought. “Don’t worry Rogvir, it doesn’t smell too bad in the western wing.” Narine comforted. “Why is that?” he asked. “Do you think I would be dumb enough to let her pee near my room?” “Smart girl, but what does it leave me with?” he rose an eyebrow. “A big mess.” She replied with a laugh as she trailed after her sister. “This is going to be a long day.” He muttered. “And it already isn’t? Not to offend you, but is there somewhere else we can stay, I already smell like swamp water, I won’t want to step or fall into any puddles.” Rarity shivered at the thought. “We got an inn open both sides, your choice really.” He answered. “Ooh, we should go say hi to the puppies!” Pinkie exclaimed, waving a red ball, which several Lycans were following with their eyes. “Why are they acting like dogs?” Rainbow asked. “Oh, I don’t mind too much, they seem harmless when they act like that… if you don’t mind me saying.” Fluttershy put in. “Those are the ones who just said ‘Fuck it,’ and embraced their inner canine, well, the good side anyway.” He said as he watched pinkie play fetch with several of the pups. “Ah don’t think Winona would appreciate it if ah came back smellin like ah was just in a dog park.” Applejack said. “So, two for the lycan side, and two for the Vampire side.” Rogvir announced. “Why do you assume I want to stay on the vampire side?” Rarity asked. “Do you honestly want to know?” he asked. “Since it’s you asking, then no.” She shivered at some of the things he might say, 99.99% of the scenarios involve her getting dirtier than she is now. “That just leaves you Rainbow.” He pointed out. “Well… um… I guess I could just sleep on one of those clouds up there…” she flew up and tried to plop down on the cloud, only to fall through it. “Sweet Celestia! What the hay!” she flew back down. “Clouds here aint magic ah guess.” Applejack gave a light laugh at her friend’s misfortune. “Well Dash, choose. You are the deciding factor that will decide where we spend the night.” Rogvir said with a grin, the Brave Pegasus from before was now hovering with a slightly concerned look on her face. “What’s the matter, scared of a couple of hounds, or maybe it’s the bat brains?” “Hey! I heard that!” a vampire yelled. “Shut up Volkar!” Rogvir yelled back. All eyes were on Rainbow… “Ugh, alright. I guess we could go with the… um… vampires?” ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Blackwater Inn, the oldest inn in the Vampire district, nearly as old as the castle itself. The wood was dark in color, and the sign hung out on a limb, depicting the inn’s logo of a swamp pond with rotted trees around it. It used to serve as a rest stop for those who didn’t want to bother with the castles old masters, Rogvir’s great grandparents. Since the old days, the place became slightly bigger to accommodate any new patrons, and also got itself a washing area out back, covered of course, not all vampires are the picture of maturity. It was here they stayed, unfortunately, thanks to King Vold, or the dark king as many called him, many vampires and lycans that didn’t join his cause ended up in this city. The lycan district was downright packed, and the vampire district only had one room left between its three inns. The last room in this inn was of modest size, and can easily accommodate three patrons, but was cramped when you shoved five ponies and a muscular soldier in it. The girls went to get washed up while Rogvir lay on a cot, thinking to himself. A knock was heard on the door, and he walked over to answer it. A blue robed vampire was behind it, one of Narine's special guards. “Message from the master.” A gravelly voice emanated from his masked face. “What she want?” Rogvir asked. “Your presence, immediately.” The robed figure walked off. “Well hello to you too.” Rogvir mumbled. He grabbed his pack and left a note, saying he was going to be away for a bit, and left for the castle. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Rogvir stepped up to the castle, which seemed more intimidating at night with the full moon hovering behind it. He had to admit that the whole damn city would make a royal guard shit his metal pants if he was an enemy of his family. He stepped up to the front gate, a massive set of mahogany doors, with a transformed lycan and a blue robed vampire standing on each side. The vampire unlocked the door for him and let him inside, to which an unrobed vampire was waiting for him. This vampire was about his height, with wrinkled skin, pointed ears, and deep red eyes. “Greetings my lord.” He said with a bow, showing off his red royal robes. “I shall be taking care of you while you stay within the castle, my name is Cairn.” “Great, now I got a summons from my sister before…” “Ah yes, the greater of the siblings.” He said, even with Rogvir in front of him. “She has requested you in the hall of the ancients, right this way.” They walked through the dark halls down to the library. So many fond memories of learning magic from his mother here, but the signs of use here were non-existent, such a pity, tomes of spells and knowledge lay unused among the various shelves of the library. The vampire led him to the far back, with more dust settled on the shelves than in the front, and pulled a red book from the shelf. A section of the bookcase swung outwards slowly, ancient hinges groaning with effort. They entered the dark staircase, and the wall shut behind them with a loud slam. Rogvir’s steel boots clunked loudly on the stone stairs, while Cairns were seemingly silent. They made it down the stairs and yet another hall, and finally to an old door. They opened it and found themselves in a large chamber, with a glowing red circle painted on the floor. Every layer of the circle was lined with old runes, and flowed like blood, it was recently used. “Greetings brother.” Narine said from the middle of the runic circle, sitting in a meditative state. “Yeah I'm here, what did you want?” “Cairn, leave us, this is family business.” She commanded. Cairn did what he was told, and left the two of them to their own devices. “Have you heard the news?” “I’ve heard a lot, assaults on the Eternal Plain, rising number of hostile lycans and vampires to the castle, and even an army invading the elven lands.” He replied. “No, it’s something else, something warping this dimension.” A pained look spread across her face for a brief moment, before returning to its passive state. “Like what happened before?” “Yes, it will happen here too soon.” “So what? We pack up and leave again? I'm not running anymore, I'm going to kill his ass.” “I was going to get to that brother, control yourself. Moving will be our last resort if need be.” She took a deep breath, and sighed. “The blood tells of the elements of this world, the ones protecting it from evil.” “Hell of a job their doing.” “They are active now; their chosen are in this realm.” “Who are they?” “Your friends.” Rogvir stared at her I shock, “The ponies? How could that be? They aren’t the types.” He retorted. “You have not seen their accomplishments in their world; this must be why they have been chosen.” “How do we get them then?” “From their Terra guardians in the Eternal Plain, but all six must be present to receive their gifts.” “Why all six, don’t they choose one?” “Foolish brother, magical artifacts have mind of their own, and will choose their own destiny, and the destiny of others, at their convenience.” She waved a hand over a pool of blood that formed in front of her, and an image showing the six mares he met, each wearing a set of bright gold armor, bearing the symbol of the Blood Dragons, standing triumphant over the evil that plagued the universe for millennia. “As much as I hate to admit it, you are right.” He said with a sigh. “When am I ever wrong… don’t answer that.” She chuckled. “You know what this means right?” He asked. “They must train.” She replied. “I have seen their souls, I shall take on Rarity as my apprentice, Fluttershy and Pinkie will train with our sister, and you will get the other two.” “What about Twilight?” “She will not need our help. A spirit of light forced into darkness will awaken her true potential.” “Damn you and your riddles.” He cursed. “A girl has to keep secrets somehow, besides, you and he have already met. Now, be gone, I must prepare.” She waved him off. Rogvir retraced his steps out of the castle and back to the inn, the girls were all asleep. H looked upon them, and with his inner magic, sensed a power he hasn’t seen since his first home. ‘Maybe here it will end.’ He thought as he remembered other homes, other friends, and other deaths at the hands of Vold. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight stood in front of the Dark Paladin, now beaten and bloody thanks to her new friend. The dream world final shattered, and they stood in nothing but complete darkness. “Damn you all, Vold will have your head.” He cursed through weak breaths, his magic quickly draining. “You should have thought this through, ah would have. Maybe you should have seen the clues, and shown up with something better than before.” Melborn said. “Anywho, its time you died, and this young lass to get out of this tower. Twilight, if you would…” “Oh, my pleasure.” Twilight replied as a bright light emanated from her horn and engulfed the paladin. He screamed as flames arced over his body and he was torn from the dream world. “well, time to wake up.” he stomped a hoof and the darkness shattered, revealing a dark tower room with a kneeling paladin before her, and a tall man wearing black and red spike armor standing beside her. He wore no helmet, and she could see long brown hair covering his head, dark red eyes staring from their sockets, and sharp teeth peeking out of a sinister smile. “Now that’s much better.” He said as he rolled his shoulders, stretched, and cracked several of his bones. “How about we get you out of those restraints.” He snapped Twilights bonds with a swift wave of his hand. She just stared at him in shock. “Don’t keep me waiten, fry the bastard already, it’s the only way to break the wards and escape this tower.” Twilight hesitantly lowered her horn to the paladins form, and readied a spell. “I'm going to suck the marrow from your bones mortal!” he wailed and lunged at the unicorn. Twilight unleashed a ball of energy with enough heat to make the sun seem cold, well, to the undead anyway. The dark being burned, the odor of burning flesh could be smelt, and the wails of pain from the paladin deafened her ears. As quick as it started, it stopped, nowhere was there a piece of evidence he existed. Melborn turned to Twilight. “Ah must say lass, that is some pretty impressive magic.” “I didn’t know I could do that…” she said as she sat on her haunches and stared at the spot her adversary once stood. “The magic of this land opened some new magical doors for you, take advantage of that new power, and use it to protect yourself. You will need it.” he put in. “How do I get to my friends now?” she asked. “Ah got an idea.” He said slowly. He turned to her, and touched her forehead with his pointer and middle finger, and then the world went black.