The collapse of the universe
Chapter 3: Universal Traversal
The six mares had been following the strange person through the forest for several minutes. The various sounds of the local fauna could be heard once more. He hadn’t said a word throughout the whole road. Twilight, Applejack and Rarity were discussing something between themselves. Pinkie just skipped around the group. But Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were walking with frustrated expressions and didn’t talk at all.
The silence continued, and after a while Dash decided to give a piece of her mind to the mysterious guy.
“All right! You said that if we followed you, you’d tell us what is going on. So better start explaining!” She said with anger.
“Exactly what would you have me tell you?” He calmly replied, not even bothering to turn his head.
That made the blue pegasus even angrier. She flew in front of him and gave him a death stare.
“Hey, nopony talks to me without looking me in the eye!”
“Dash, I think you should calm down.” Twilight tried to loosen her friend’s pressure.
“No. I won’t calm down until this guy tells me who and what he is!” She yelled.
“Darling that is very rood of you. This fellow saved your life and you treat him like so?” Rarity asked.
“Well…that is a different matter. Thanks and all but we demand answers!” The mare continued.
“Currently y’r the one making demands.” Applejack stepped in.
“Oh come on AJ, out of everypony I thought you’d back me up.”
The pegasus was cut short by the stranger. “I am Klastnar. Captain of the Omega squadron of the united protoss military, one of the few surviving defenders of Auir and a veteran from the front lines, of the war on Shakuras.” He said with a little bit of anger in his tone. “Any more questions I can answer for you?” He asked.
“Did you really have to kill that thing?” Fluttershy asked as she the person with her special stare.
“More than you can possibly imagine!”
“But..why?” The yellow mare continued.
“I feel there is a back story to this, which you aren’t telling us, Klastanar?” Twilight asked.
Klastanar sighted. As they were walking he began what seemed a lesson in history.
“Many millennia ago my people - the Protoss were discovered by the Xel’Naga. A race that was incredibly developed, they had the knowledge to create entire species via genetic engineering. We worshiped them as gods. The Protoss at that time were separated in many tribes. We were a warrious species, and we were born with many talents. A protoss can not die of age, but that mattered little because of the constant wars between the tribes. We were also very gifted when it came to our minds, but bothered not with it. That changed after the gods found us. They took great interest in our abilities and began living beside us. The wars ended, they shared some of their technology and knowledge with us. Eventually though, we strayed away from their teachings, and they decided to abandon us. We did not take that lightly, and used the technology they gave us to fight them. Many of the gods fell, but much more managed to escape. The fate of our people turned for the worst, until a prophet began teaching us once more to use the power of our minds, both for control and to accomplish our goals. Soon after, the way of the Khala was made. To use our powers we extracted energies, enhanced them and eventually perfected them. Still there were those who believed the Khala strayed us away from the old ways, they protested against it, and discovered the older power the protoss had wielded. Thus was the beginning of the way of the Void. The long lock of hair as you see on my head is our devotion to the Khala, and because the protestants rebelled against it, and followed a different path they cut off theirs. That’s how the protoss people were once more devided. The followers of the Khala were superior in number and they took on the control of our home world of Aiur. A council was formed, by the oldest and wisest of our people. Some were about fifty thousand years in age.”
That astounded the mares. It was hard to believe that there were beings older than even the Princesses.
“Eventually the Council decided that the protestants were becoming a problem for the control over the populace, so they ordered Executor Adun to wipe them all out. He however was noble beyond imagining. He could not bear killing his kinsmen. So instead he gathered the survivors, boarded them on their few remaining ships and allowed them to escape in to the cosmos. Eventually they found a shadowy world known as Shakuras, which they made their home and continued their development by the way of the Void. That day they became known as the Dark Templars, and soon after were forgotten by the populace of Auir. Eventually the protoss began to follow in the footsteps of the gods. They had gone from world to world, observing and protecting local species. We began the same campaign until we created an empire. Like the Xel’Naga to us, may other cultures worshiped us as their gods and protectors. In the recent century a new civilization came to the sector of the galaxy where we observed. They called themselves Terrans. You can say history repeated itself. They too had, even if not like ours, quite the psyonic potential. We began to study them from a distance, not allowing them to even know we existed. Until one day our observers detected some kind of virus had infested the populace of the world of Char Sara. After a close study we found out what had happened to the gods.”
Twilight’s eyes opened as she was nervously exited to hear what had happened.
“Once they left us, they had found another “jewel” to adore – the Zerg, a highly adaptive form of parasites. They did not want to make the mistake of making the species too smart for them to handle, so instead they created the Overmind. A gigantic hive mind that was probably the size of a city. Its purpose was to think for every single organism with zerg DNA. The Xel’Naga observed the advance of their new protégé’s as the parasites wiped out and assimilated everything the Overmind thought would bring better genes to the colony, and by so doing, the zerg became the dominant species on the planet. That however did not satisfy the thirty for knowledge Overmind, as it turned its gaze to the stars. When it found a kind of creatures that lived and thrived in the cold of space, it lured them, to be consumed. Thus the Zerg could venture to other worlds. That day the Overmind discovered the Xel’Naga who remained a secret to him. As millions of zerg swarmed at their ships the gods tried, but could not repel them, even with their advanced technology. When they were consumed, the knowledge for so many other worlds, with so many other life forms that would add so much useful genes to theirs. And for our people. A threat we did not even know existed. For some reason the Overmind could not find a way for the zerg to consume us. We were the only race that posed a threat to them. So it decided to sweep across the galaxy, assimilate various species until it could find a solution. Thousands of worlds were devoured. And the zerg swarm was created. One day the swarm discovered the Terrans. With their psyonic potential, the Overmind found out, that if it could consume them, its abominations could finally assimilate the protoss.”
The story was making each of the ponies nervous.
“In order to stop the infestation of the terrans we had no other choice. We destroyed the world of Char Sara.”
A shocked, grim expression was seen on everypony’s face.
“Destroyed it? How can you possibly destroy an entire world?” Twilight asked with regret.
“Five of our capital ships concentrated their full fire power at the surface, that made the core to overheat until the planed exploded, scattering in to pieces.”
The situation got stranger by the minute.
“And because that was the first contact the Terrans had made with both us and the Zertg they went to war against both races.”
“Not so surprising, I mean one of you infected all of the people on a world, and you blew it up! I think everypony in that situation would go to drastic measures.” Rainbow Dash was being REALLY serious.
“Fortunately some of the Terrans accepted us as allies. We really needed their help, when the Zerg found out the location of our home world. Most of our fleet was in the far corners of the sector. So when the damned parasites attacked at full force, there was no way for us to repel them. Even with the help of the Terrans, we we’re forced to evacuate. Many of our finest warriors fell, defending the civilians. They became known as the defenders of Aiur, I was one of the few who survived. During their onslaught, the Overmind embedded itself on the surface of our world. We had made contact with the Dark Templars not too long ago, and began evacuating to their world – Shakuras. A great warrior known as Zeratul had thought our Executor – Tassadar how to use the power of the Void. That way he was able to wield both powers.”
“Wait a minute. While you were fighting with that thing you shouted the name Tassadar, why?” Rarity wondered.
“He was the strongest amongst us. A true GOD. He combined both powers of the Khala and the Void, and transformed his flag ship in to pure energy, rammed it in to the accursed Overmind and killed it.”
“Was his ship as big as the ones you used to blow up a planet?” Pinkie wondered.
“Even bigger.”
Everypony’s jaw dropped.
“He must have been really strong.” Twilight gasped.
“Even with that done, and the evacuation complete, the Zerg followed us to Shakuras. There I stood at the front lines. After we used two crystals in a Xel’Naga temple, all of the Zerg on the planet were vaporized. After that we began fighting them back, in order to save the galaxy. You see now why I had to kill that thing. If it was left alive, it would have began to infect your world, and who knows what would have had to be done in order to stop it.”
Ten minutes in silent thinking passed, until Rainbow spotted a big golden structure in the distance.
“That your ship?” She asked.
“Yes. A phoenix, the pride and joy of protoss engineering.” Klastanar answered.
He went inside, and the mares tried to peek in, but could not comprehend any of the machinery they found. The protoss began pressing buttons in front of some kind of screen.
“What are you doing?” Twilight asked.
“I’m trying to send a distress signal. Also I am scanning the forest for any more Zerg life forms.” He replied.
“Ya think there’s more of ‘em critters out there?” Applejack got worried.
“Klastanar, what exactly happened to you? How did you get to Equestria?” The purple unicorn was trying to squeeze out more information, which she could think over.
He sighted. “I was in a fleet that transported several Zerg sub species to a deserted world. While we were transporting them, we were attacked by a hybrid, which self-destructed and created a space-time anomaly through which my ship, and the specimens it carried, fell.”
“Why in the buck were you transporting Zerg?” Rainbow asked with a suspicious tone.
“On that world we made controlled colonies, on which we experimented so we could find more efficient ways to deal with them.”
“So you give them time and environment to grow in, and then you kill them, just so you can kill others like them.” Fluttershy sighted, as she was looking blankly in the sky.
All of the ponies had very mixed thoughts after all that had happened, and all Klastanar told them. They had not even imagined war, so its concept was completely unknown to them.
“Well…we should be going. Thank you for helping us.” Rarity tried her best to be as mannered as possible.
“Would you like to come to town? I can lend ya the barn to have some sleep if ya want?” Applejack offered.
“Thank you, but I will have to decline. I still have much work to do, and should be getting to it.”
The six mares took their goodbyes and headed for Ponyville. After such a long and exhausting day, Rarity promised she would pay for a full procedure for everypony at the Ponyville spa.
As they walked through the dark forest, they could yet again hear crows. Their constant cawing added to the stressed situation. All of a sudden Applejack heard something like a voice that came from a nearby bush. The farm pony got out her lasso, and threw it. At the other end, something was definitely caught. When she pulled the catch, her heart stopped for a second. Rainbow Dash was shocked as well.
“Guys what is it?” Twilight was worried.
Applejack barely managed to answer.
“That…that’s the exact same scarecrow…we saw on our way to you guys.”
“How in the hay did it get here?” The blue pegasus added.
“Hmm it looks…weird.” Pinkie Pie said as she began poking it in the eye.
“Would you stop that?!” The scarecrow said aloud.
All of the ponies backed up with terrified expressions.
“Oh boy…” The piece of wood and cloth sighted.
--
It was a very awkward situation. Grim was coloring the faces of the ponies. Fiddlestick decided to break the silence.
“Uh…Hello.”
“Y-y-you can talk?” Rainbow Dash stuttered.
“Of course I can talk. You can talk, so what’s the problem with me talking?” He replied, a little frustrated.
Twilight coughed to attract everyone’s attention. She then proceeded to speak with the most classy manner she could use.
“I am sorry for the…misbehavior of my friends sir. My name is Twilight Sparcle.” She reached her hoof to help him get up.
“Pleasure to meet you miss Sparcle, I am Fiddlesticks.”
As he got up, he shook her hoof. Afterwards he yelled in the distance.
“Annie, come out, their friendly.”
“Calling more of your scarecrow buddies?” Rainbow Dash pickled with him.
Both the sack of hay and Twilight looked at her with disapproving eyes. Out of the bushes a small filly came out, holding its plushy bear. It wore a dress Rarity adored, a lot.
“My dear,… where did you get this lovely outfit?” The white mare asked with excitement.
Annie blushed and stayed silent, with a nervous expression on her face.
“Come now Annie, be polite and answer the good lady.” Her uncle chuckled.
“Well…my mommy made it for me.” The girl fought off the feeling of mistrust.
“I didn’t catch your name madam?” Fiddlesticks addressed the glamorous unicorn.
“Rarity, Mister Sticks.” She modestly replied.
“Just Fiddlesticks Miss Rarity, or Fiddle if you prefer.” He continued.
“Well there is no need to address me as Miss, Rarity will do just fine my good jentlecolt.”
Formalities were exchanged. Soon after the scarecrow found himself shaken completely by the pink mare.
“Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie. Where are you from? How can you talk? Do you like parties?” Pinkie was the pure meaning of hyperactive in that moment.
“Alright Pinkie, let the good stallion take his breath.” Twilight smiled and put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder.
When the party thirsting earth pony allowed Fiddlesticks to regain consciousness, AJ made an introduction.
“Howdy Mr. Fiddle. We didn’t get to talk ‘lot on our first meetin’. Mah name’s Applejack. That yellow ball of sweetness there is Fluttershy.” She pointed in the curbed, behind Twilight pegasus. “The sour puss over there is Rainbow Dash.” The orange mare turned her eyes towards the other pegasus, who was still looking with an angerish grin at the scarecrow.
“Rainbow Dash, huh? Your name doesn’t quite suit your persona.” He remarked.
What was given in return was but a huff.
“Oh, don’t mind her. She can get a little grumpy from time to time, but she sure’s a nice pony.” AJ reassured him.
Fiddlesticks felt kind of loosened out by the warm welcome he had not anticipated and decided to officially introduce his little companion.
“This here cutie is Annie. Now I suppose you have many questions, so I will be glad to answer them, over a drink.”
“Oh, ooh, we can go to Sugarcube corner! I bet Mr. and Mss. Cake can wip us something reall yummy.” Pinkie shot her good mood out, trying to cheer Annie up.
“What kind of food is there at this..Sugarcube corner?” The purple maned filly asked.
Pinkie gasped with terror! ”You have never tried any of Mr. and Mss. Cake’s cupcakes???” She grabbed Annie, put her on her back and charged forward!
“Pinkie! Ponyville is in the other direction!” Twilight shouted.
The whirlwind blew them again as the pink mare charged in the opposite direction. The others simply followed.
Once in Ponyville, many stared at the group. Not at the rushing Pinkie with the small filly on her back, no that was something pretty usual. The living scarecrow that walked beside the 5 mares put the residents in uncomforting mood. Twilight had to cough at several, so they would turn around their creeped out stares.
“I am so sorry for the inconvenience Fiddle. It’s just not every day that a living scarecrow visits town.” The purple unicorn apologized.
“It’s not much of a problem really. From where I’m from, people in large masses stared with fear at me. I am pretty used to it.” He said.
“No pony should be used to this.” Applejack tried to cheer their guest up.
The doors of the Sugarcube corner opened violently as Pinkie charged inside, carrying the little filly and shouted.
“Mr. and Mss. CAKE EMERGENCY!”
“What is it Pinkie? Is something wrong?” The yellow stallion asked worriedly.
“This little girl has never tried any of your pastries!” The rampant pony continued.
“Hello, can you please tell her to let me go?” Annie asked calmly.
“Honey I think you need to let her go, you’re making her uncomfortable.” Miss Cake stepped in.
“Alright…” Pinkie sighted.
The couple’s jaws dropped as Fiddlesticks entered. Twilight quickly told them that it was okay, and they shouldn’t be worried. Afterwards everypony ordered.
On the table a lively conversation was being started.
“So where exactly are you two from? I’ve heard that there were some experiments with life giving magics going on in Manehaton, but I never knew there was something to it.” The purple mare began.
“I think that we’re from not so close around. See we come from a world known as Runeterra.” He chuckled.
“Yer’from another world? Boy has this been quite the day for you folks.” The orange earth pony giggled.
As he began to sip from his drink Fluttershy asked.
“I didn’t know scarecrows could drink?” And then squealed, expecting him to be angry.
“Exactly how did you come to life?” Twilight dug deeper in to the subject.
Fiddlesticks tried to answer them both. “In my world there was once a powerful mage. He wanted to make himself immortal so he tried linking his spirit to a body that could not age. Both fortunately and unfortunately something went wrong. When he tried to put his soul in to the body standing before you, it was overcome by power. Thus once it was inside its new host all the memory of the mage was gone. And a new living being was created – me. My own mind, my own consciousness, filled by the power of the mage. Eventually I came across a field of dying crows, thousands. I decided to put them out of their misery and they were…thankful, so to say. Then all of their souls and the magical essence they possessed took refuge in my body. So you can see, that life has taken root in my very being, and life needs to be fed. Every meal or drink I consume is completely absorbed by my spirit, and there are no side effects from it. That’s how I got the title of one of the best drinkers in Valoran.” He laughed.
A laugh that made Fluttershy curb in to a ball.
“Wow this is delicious!” Annie stated with a big smile as she ate a cupcake.
“Told ya’ didn’t I?” Pinkie laughed too.
“So I take it you two are magicians?” Celestia’s student continued.
“Pretty skilled too. Well this little one needs to master a few more things. She is a natural though. By her teen years she will probably rival the power of the elite summoners.” A smile colored both of the stranger’s faces.
“What are these…summoners of which you speak darling?” Rarity wondered.
Fiddlesticks felt that he had made a wrong step. He decided to say the truth, but cover some of it.
“There is an…Institute in our world, where the finest of mages, warriors and other creatures, like myself show their talents. They are assisted by other very strong sorcerers who run the place. They are known as summoners, and the most elite of them are extremely powerful.”
“It’s pretty fun there.” Annie giggled. “Especially the bedtime game, everyone plays there.”
Fiddlesticks barely managed not to spit out the liquid in his mouth.
“What’s this “bed time” game?” Rainbow Dash took interest.
“It’s sort of a competition.” The scarecrow tried to fix the little girl’s mistake. “There are two teams. Each has a building which they must get to before the other team. During that time players put opponents “to sleep” for some time, so they have time to press forward.”
He looked at Annie with his right eye, and she understood not to talk about the game more than that.
“So Annie, who teaches you to use magic?” Twilight asked nicely with a smile on her face.
“Oh, at first no one, I just randomly used it. That’s how I got Tibbers.” She showed them her teddy bear. “When I was a little older my mom and dad taught me a little, but when I was six and I went to live in the Institute, uncle Fiddle has been helping me with studying.” The little filly giggled as she snuggled in the scarecrow.
“Oh, I did not know you are a tutor, uncle Fiddle.” The purple unicorn giggled as well.
As the others smiled, he put on a nice face himself and replied.
“Yes, you can say that this little one is my protégé of a sort. She is my pride and joy!” He said as he ruffled Annie’s hair with his hoof.
Seeing how the two enjoyed each other’s company, warm memories of her and her teacher almost made Twilight shed a tear of happiness.
“Very interesting place yer’ from. Wonder what sort of talents people there have?” Applejack thought.
“Well talents there are many, but I can’t say they are all good. For example mine isn’t something much to behold.” Fiddlesticks smile somewhat disappeared.
“And what sort of talent do you have?” The pink typhoon asked.
He sighted. “I can… scare anyone, or anything out of their pants, so to say.”
“Yeah, everyone but Pinkie here.” Rainbow Dash mocked him.
“Nope, her included.” He replied, not showing any effect of the small insult, and drank from his cup.
“Right. I am ready to bet fifty bits that no one can make this pony scared!” The pegasus continued.
“Yes that is right, I am just too positive for fear.” Pinkie giggled.
The scarecrow put down his cup.
“Who else is ready to make that bet?” He gathered confused looks, from everypony but Annie, who was still munching on a muffin.
“Sorry mister, but Ah have to go with Dash on this one. There ain’t nopony out there that can make her afraid. So yeah, I would be willing to make that bet as well.” The mare with the cowboy hat chuckled.
“Well you seem to forget the fact…that I am not a pony.” A small giggle came out.
“Really? All right girls, everypony put up fifty bits right here.” Dash laughed and began collecting bits.
After a few minutes of hesitation five of the mares had put down money, just for the sake of fun.
“Let’s see how you fare Fiddle.” The blue pegasus mockingly said to the drinking scarecrow.
“Yeah, it’s impossible to scare me!” Pinkie jumped on the table right in front him.
Fiddlesticks just finished his drink, and slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. The very next moment the pink mare was on the floor, curbed in to a ball, hugging her tail with a terrified expression and stuttered.
“Th-th-that w-w-wasn’t fun-n.”
Everypony, the owners of the establishment as well, could not believe their eyes.
“Ho-how did-how did you do that? You merely looked at her?” Rainbow Dash felt her brain “itching”.
Annie couldn’t keep herself from laughing.
“Barman, I’d like another drink. I’m paying for everything.” Fiddlesticks raised his cup.
“What did you do to her?” Rarity forced herself to ask, even if she did not really wish to know.
“Like I said, special talent. She wasn’t prepared for it, and I didn’t use the full capacity of the skill so I recon she’ll be back to normal in an hour or so.”
After the bets were collected, and the payment for the meal was done with, Fiddlesticks turned towards Twilight.
“Do you happen to know if there are musical instruments sold in town? I am looking to purchase…a fiddle.”
As the group made their way through trough the streets of Ponyville, Dash and AJ were carrying the still stressed out Pinkie.
“Here we are, Octavia’s house.” The purple unicorn stated.
Octavia went downstairs to open the door. Upon doing so she saw a big scarecrow and immediately shut it closed, pressed her back on it and began panting. Afterwards she heard a familiar voice calling to her from behind.
“Octavia, it’s me Twilight. Don’t worry he’s friendly. Open up.” The door opened slowly.
“Where did you find…him?”
“Yeah…that kind of a long story.” She cleared her thought.
“Octavia I would like you to meet Mr. Fiddlesticks. Mr. Fiddlestick – Octavia.”
“Pleasure.” He reached out a hoof.
Insecure she shook it, put on a broken smile and asked.
“Hello, what can I *gulp* help you with?”
“Twi here, told me you had quite the collection of musical instruments, and I was wondering if you could sell me a fiddle? I am not looking for anything that looks too much on the outside, it’s ok as long as it does what it was made to do, for about one hundred and twenty bits.” The scarecrow explained modestly.
“Ookay, follow me and browse around…I guess.” The gray mare invited them in.
Fiddlesticks and Annie went ahead to look upstairs where Octavia had told them to look. The others who stayed a little bit behind were interrogated by her.
“Ok now can anyone explain to me what exactly is going on? You went to the Everfree to look for meteors and you come back with that.”
“Well, those weren’t meteors, for starters. It turned out to be a spaceship carrying something else.” The purple unicorn said.
“So this…Fiddlesticks thingie came from the ship?”
“No, the ship belonged to another alien called Klastanar, we found Fiddle following us around with that girl, which also came with him.”
“Uh-huh.” Octavia did not even pretend she comprehended the situation.
“Can you just sell that stupid hay bag something to play with so we can ditch him back in the forest?” Rainbow Dash sighted grimly.
“Dash, we are not ditching anyone anywhere. These people are our guests and we should treat them like so.” Twilight objected.
“Oh yeah? That “PROtoss” guy brought these what not zerg here, Celestia knows what those two brought after them!”
“Enough! Both of you.” Applejack stepped in. “Ah say let’s just get him a fiddle, report to the Princes and see what she has to say, how ‘bout that?”
“Fine.” The colorful flyer muttered.
Then everypony joined the two on the second floor. Annie was sitting on a chair and Fiddlesticks was already checking out an instrument.
“Miss Octavia, would you mind if I try this one out?”
“Not at all, let me just get you a bow.”
“No need.”
He opened a casing on his left arm, just under the blade of the scythe, and a bow attached to it was found. The scarecrow sat, fixed the grief and began his display. A slow classical sound began pouring out. It was somewhat of a melancholy tune, which became a little faster. Octavia gazed with anticipation, as if observing one of the master fiddlers in the Canterlot music academy. He opened his eyes. After seeing he had gotten the attention of his viewers he stood up, fixed the grief and continued his concerto. A quick country rock poured out. His scythe had moved fast and precise on the strings, making music that boiled up everypony’s blood. Applejack barely held herself not to show off some dancing skills her granny Smith had taught her. Pinkie was a different story. The frightened grin on her face was gone and she was back to her hyperactive self and danced all around the room, or maybe even the house. The scarecrow and the little filly themselves were rocking out as well. After another uber solo, he decided to finish. The rhythm began to slow down until he finished the concerto with a sudden stroke of the bow. Everypony was gawking with amazement. He bowed to his public, and received a slow stomp from Octavia and Applejack, which eventually build up from every other pony in the room.
“Thank you, you were wonderful Ponyville!” He laughed out with a smile.
“Yaaay!” Annie cheered for him.
“I think I’ll take it miss Octavia. How much do I owe you?”
The stunned gray mare barely managed to stutter. “Um-u-aa- eighty bits.”
“Splendid.” He paid up and left with the others.
“Wow, where did you learn to play so well mister Fiddle?” Rarity asked.
“When feared and strayed away from, one finds companionship in different things. A fiddle I found in the halls of the Institute was that thing for me.”
“What are you planning to use your eighty bits left for?” Pinkie wondered.
“Well if there are ponies who are in the fashion business, I do need someone to stitch this old thing up a bit.” He referred to his body, which had scratches, rips and holes almost everywhere.
“Might even get Annie a new dress for a change.” He chuckled.
“Say no more!” Rarity’s eyes glowed. “As the greatest fashionista in Ponyville I will take that order.”
“Thank you, you are very generous.”
A small giggle came out of her.
“In the mean time, where will you two sleep?” Applejack decided to throw that as a subject. “My little sister and her friends will be having a sleepover tonight, if you want Annie can come, to meet other fillies her age.”
“How does that sound to you Annie?” Her uncle nudged her.
After some thought she spoke. “Will it be a problem if I go?”
“Not at all, just mind your tongue in front of the other kids, ok?” Behind his smile was a message which the little girl got.
“I promise I will!”
“Alright then, you can go.”
“Aight, see you guys tomorrow.”
The filly and the mare headed towards the Sweet Apple Acres farm. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had already said their goodbyes and left.
“Ok, you better get a good nigh sleep, cuss tomorrow you are invited to a Pinkie Party!” The mare was really excited.
“I’d be honored to come.”
And she went home too.
“You could take residence in my library if you want. I want to ask you so much questions about the magic people from your world use. Or you would rather go to Rarity’s boutique so she can fix you up.” Twilight suggested.
“I don’t see the problem in doing both. But we’ll have to go to this boutique so I can leave what needs to be fixed.”
Both mares looked at him with confusion. When they arrived at the boutique, the body of the scarecrow dropped lifeless on the ground as a spirit in the more humanoid form of Fiddlesticks came out. His companions squealed.
“Do not worry, I’ve been doing this for a while.” He smirked. “I am putting myself in your hooves, literally. Can I count on you to make it a little more, decent to look at?”
“Yes, yes you can my good sir.” Afterwards they separated.
On the way to the library Twilight couldn’t hold it in to ask.
“So is this what you actually look like?”
“Surprised much?”
“Well kind of. Such body type only comes close to the one of minotaurs, but it's still different.”
A shot walk later they arrived at the library.
“Spike, I’m home.” Twilight called her assistant.
“Did you get any rocks from spaee-“ Spike gasped at the sight of the ghost.
As he turned around to run, he slammed into a bookshelf. When the little dragon came to, the purple mare assured him that their guest won’t hurt them.
“Spike this is Fiddlesticks. Fiddle, this is my assistant – Spike.” She introduced them to each other.
The scarecrow looked with surprised eyes at the magical reptile.
“You look so different from dragons on my world.”
“Well I am still growing.” He chuckled. “Still once I became a full sized dragon for a day and nearly wrecked the whole town.”
The apparition gave out a laugh. “You guys know how to have fun around here!”
Twilight looked at him with grim eyes. “It was an accident, and I wouldn’t call handling it … fun.”
“Sorry for pulling a wrong sting.” He apologized.
Soon after, both began to drain knowledge from each other. Fiddlesticks told more of his home world. He spoke how both magic and technology were combined to create things, neither could accomplish on their own. He explained to her about magic that could block the ability of using magic in others. On the other had she gave him a “brief” lesson in Equestrian history, some of their greatest achievements and the ones who achieved them.
As the moon rose in the sky, Twilight was writing a letter, to report what she had learned today to the
Princes.
Dear Princes Celestia,
Today we did not recover meteors from the Everfree, because there were none. The strange objects that fell from the sky were the ship of a being called a Protoss, that goes by the name of Klastanar and the cargo he was transferring. He shared some information about the place he came from. It was unnerving. His people are a warrior race which is currently in conflict with two other races. The cargo of his ship were specimens of one of those races. Me and my friends were unlucky enough to get attacked by one. Fortunately…at least I think so, he came to our rescue and…ended the creature. Currently he is at the wreck of his ship, trying to establish contact with his people so they can retrieve the remaining of the specimens and leave our world.
After wards we met another pare from another world. One was a little filly unicorn, and her “uncle”. He is a living scarecrow, which also exercises magic. For reasons unknown, unlike Klastanar the filly and the scarecrow have been transformed into ponies. Now the two are residing in Ponyville by my offer. If it could be possible to send me two more invitations to the Grand Galloping Gala tomorrow, I would like to invite them so they can meet you. I hope that we can help them return to their homes.
That is all I have to report for now.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparcle.
After sending the letter, Spike curled in his bed. Twilight found the ghostly Fiddlesticks deep asleep with a book on his face. That reminded her of her youth when she stayed up all night in order to study. She went to bed herself. Somewhere in the middle of the night she was woken up by the creeking of the front door. When she looked out of her window, she saw the glowing scarecrow going out into town. He had taken his fiddle and ghostly scythe. Usually Twilight would have immediately followed, but for a reason she had no knowledge of, she just looked away and fell asleep once more.
--
“Double kill!” The announcer informed everyone as the lifeless, ripped open bodies of Shaco and Kha’Zix fell before the living nightmare. Rengar stood up with a groan.
“I could have taken them.”
“Yes I saw how well you were handling it once I got here.” Nocturne replied with a scorn.
The Pridestalker lifted his blade and slowly walked towards his teammate, when victory was achieved by their team. Soon after everyone was teleported back to the Institute of War. There Nocturne, Leona and Heimerdinger were awaited by the High Council of Equinity.
“Congratulations on your victory.” Councilor Heywan Relivash praised them, but it was for nothing.
“Cut the sweet talk and go straight to business.” The darkling interrupted.
Vessaria Kolminye took it from there. She had experience when it came to dealing with him.
“The General Assembly has agreed to fund this little rescue mission. Also some of our head summoners have found a way to transport you to where the missing champions are.”
“Finally, you being useful for once.” Nocturne sighted.
Leona pushed him with a death stare, after which she asked. “It is ok if you can send us to where they are, but how are we to come back once we find them?”
“That is currently under research, but you will be briefed tonight when we’ll be ready to execute the procedure. Until then I suggest you find support from whoever you need for the trip.” Vessaria stated.
Leona was already set up with Heimerdinger. Caitlyn and Ezreal were assigned as his bodyguard for the whole thing, but Nocturne was yet to find allies. He had a few in mind though.
“So is that the case?” Malzahar spoke as his voidling’s thoughts transferred into his mind.
“Well I think we should help them with this expedition.” A chuckle came from him.
“Kha’Zix, you’ll follow the nightmare to the destination of the scarecrow. Try to prepare the world they’ll be sent on for consumption, or at the very least make sure those “rescuers” never return.” He ordered.
“Must I? I still have a hunt to finish!” The bug like creature tried to evade the task, for the sake of greater fun with his arch rival.
But when doing so, Malzahar’s burning eyes met his and he slowly spoke.
“Your petty little “hunt” can wait. The Void demands a greater service.”
Without a second thought the Voidreaver was forced to accept the order. Both however, did not realize that they were stalked like prey.
Nocturne opened the halls of a room. From inside the sounds of pulled guitar strings could be heard.
“Metalhead I need your help.” The screeching voice of the nightmarish creature went through the whole room.
“Huh, and what can I help you with?” Mordekaiser chuckled as he played another note.
“I’m gathering the Terrors of The League, in order to search for Fiddlesticks.”
“Ooh, is that it? I bet there is more to it.”
“I also need you to talk Hecarim into it.”
The Master of metal stood up and went to the entrance of his room.
“Only one question. Why, should, I?”
“Because you remember who got you out of that deal with the bloody arachnid. And because I don’t ask you as a co-champion or anything like that. Noo, I come to you, as a friend.”
“Oh stop it you. You want me to help you or to get all warm and touchy by your words. Besides, if I can get that stubborn mule, who do you plan on recruiting the jester. Last I heard you two were at your throats on the subject.”
“Leave him to me. I know how to get him on board.”
Shaco was wandering through the halls of the Institute. All of a sudden all the torches went out. The Demon jester giggled.
“Have you come to show off in your victory?”
“No, I am not like you. At least, not in that aspect.”
“I know why you’re here. The answer is no! Why would I bother with that creepy doll?” Shaco said and began to walk away.
“Wow, you’ve really become so boring.”
That however, got his attention.
“Fear is what gives one his maniacal drive. And what point would the world have, if there was nothing in it for us to fear? Besides, you are the last person I expect to turn down the a suggestion to wreak havoc on another world. So what do you say, friends?” Nocturne reached out his hand.
After a few silent moments of thought, Shaco laughed and shook hands with the nightmare while shouting.
“Friends!”
Evening came, and the two groups gathered in the summoning hall. Councilor Vessaria Kolminye, several head summoners and the summoners who teleported the missing champions were waiting for them. The councilor began the briefing.
“We’ve managed to create these two runes.” She referred to two stones with strange markings on them. “They had collected the cosmic energy from when the summoning was at hand. Each group will take one and the summoners for the searched champions will cast the spell on them. We believe that with the runes you will be teleported to the lost champions. If not at their exact location, then in one, very close to them. As for your return, once you have found them, input some of your magic into the runes and they will emit an energy beam by which we will be able to summon you back here.” With that cleared both groups took a rune and stood at their appointed places.
Once the summoning spell began, however, without warning Kha’Zix leaped and grabbed hold onto Hecarim. From the other corner of the room, Rengar jumped and caught the Voidreaver. Not able to abort the spell, the summoners let both groups be sent to their given locations. What was left was a giant cloud of smoke, through which nothing could be seen.
At a moment one of the summoners saw movement inside the cloud. A creature, as big as a small bull, with wings, claws and limbs coming from its back, jumped in attack. It looked as if it came from the void. But before it could land, it was shot down by two beams of energy. Once the smoke cleared four creatures were revealed. Two seemed spider like in form. One was gray with a head coming out from the front of it. The other was some sort of being inside a tank filled with fluid, carried by a golden vehicle. The other two were more human like in form. One was in spiffy gold armor, with blue crystals and had long black hair. The other shared the same body type, but its hair was cut, and instead of armor it wore a cloak, held by several golden joint protectors, with green crystals in it. Vessaria and the other summoners were highly confused, until the gray spider creature turned to the one with the cloak, with a metallic voice.
“Prelate Zeratul, what happened? Where are we?”
“I don’t know, but I feel those terrans will explain it to us.” The second creature’s voice was a little echowy, but a lot deeper.
--
Fiddlesticks had made his way to the ruins they had passed by in the Everfree forest. He walked through the building that had yielded to time. Once he found himself a fine cliff he sat down and took out his fiddle and bow/scythe. He needed to think things over. And he had to do so by the best way he knew how. Alone in the dark, with a proper tune. He sang himself a song he had not used in a long time. He closed his eyes, and a slow gloomy melody accompanied his words.
“And it’s so easy when you’re evil. This is the life you see, the devil tips his hat to me. I do it all because I’m evil. And I do it all for free….your tears are all the pay I’ll ever need.”
‘Quite the interesting song you got there.’
The scarecrow immediately opened his eyes and strengthened his grip on the scythe.
‘Why all so hostile?’
He could feel that the voice came from his head, but it was leading him deep within the ruins, until he found himself in front of a big statue of pony with both wings and a horn. Something seemed off about it. It had a dark presence which he could feel. On its neck he saw a necklace with a dark purplish gem. Fiddlesticks could feel the energy it was emitting.
‘Now isn’t that a nice decoration. See, if you could bring it to me, I can help you out.’
The voice inside his head continued. As the scarecrow picked up the amulet, he ignored the voice and simply told him.
‘I think I can find a better use for this.’ A smirk colored his face as he heard the voice grunting.
“Soon, if not you, then somepony else will let me out, and receive quite the reward. I can already feel it. All of the newcomers. All of that chaos…” A maniacal laugh echoed from the dungeons beneath Canterlot.