//------------------------------// // Who he is: Confused, Monster, Hero // Story: Trials of Vladamir // by Rennoc215 //------------------------------// It has been said that the Haemomagics have existed ever since the founding of Equestria. There were a few earth ponies, disillusioned by the alliance, who broke off and began praying to any spirit who would listen. Finally, the spirit of vengeance, Ultio, came to them with promises of power. Eager to show their others that the Earth ponies were trully better than the others, they quickly agreed. Ulti is also known for his crimes against ponykind, and being banished to tartarus by the twin princess sisters. Now, seeking followers to increase his strength, he gave them magic. Now, being the spirit of vengeance, his magic was focused on providing his followers the thing they sought: Using the life of their foes as weapons. He built the foundations of one of the triad of dark magics (See chapter 43 for the other two), blood magic. He gave them the tools for immortality, at the price of the lives of others. By killing, they could kill more. They sat and brooded, feeding themselves on animals and wandering travelers. Finally, decades after the original pact was made, the first transfusion was completed. It was on a young colt, who was a mass murdurer. He had exiled himself instead of being executed. He met the evil gazes with vigor, and was accepted. However, at this time, Ulti had been banished to Tartarus, and was unable to impart the blessing. So, sitting on their decades of knowledge, the eldest, Victor, designed the transfusion. The pony sliced his own arteries, nearly bleeding to death. Victor sank into the pool, and using his magic, pushed the blood back into the arteries. Once inside, he sealed the entry wounds, and allowed himself to settle in the blood. over time, the two stopped being seperate entities, and after a month, the others checked him and found no more traces of Victor. The newcomer, Markus, had absorbed him completely. When asked to demonstrate that he had absorbed Victor, Markus recalled a private memory from Victor's perspective, and displayed Victor's capability in blood magic. Thus, the blood ritual was born. And it even had a failsafe. During one of the processes, the reciever was actually an undercover agent from Nightmare Moon's DMD (Dark Magic Division). When the soldier absorbed the old magician, he exploded after a few hours. From the bloody remains stepped the old mage, who had read the agents mind during the process. He explained to his fellows that the agent had planned to give the power to one of the princesses; one of those who had helped banish their lord. So he destroyed the body, instead of allowing that to pass. After the banishment of Nightmare Moon, the Haemomages stepped forth, generations of accumulated knowledge gathered into thirty warriors of death. They launched a crusade into northern Equestria, to reclaim ancestral Earth Pony lands. They left a a bloody swath in their wake, killing all who didn't bow to the invaders. Due to nopony leaving the lands they conquered, the news of their invasion spread slowly. The only reason an investigation was launched was because no goods were sent out. By this point, the Blood Lords (This was their new title) had settled down, having reclaimed a serious portion of old earth pony lands, including the old capital. At this time, the Blood Lords had set up formidable defenses, mainly traps designed to maul and maim. That way, they could easily finish off any injured soldiers who came by. What they didn't count on was the sheer might of the solar princess. She came in with a resolute fury, and utilized the power of the sun to burn the poor mages to a crisp (Possible origin to vampony myths: See chapter 62). Under the withering assault of the sun godess, the empire they had carved out withered away, and the imprisoned were freed. To this day, rumors of one or two surviving blood lords still persist, but most are unfounded. The burned husks that remained were too destroyed to be counted, but we are certain that none remained. Knock, knock, knock. Twilight lowered her copy of Denizens of Equis and looked up. Knock, knock, knock. There it is again, she thought. "Coming," She called, as she began to descend the stairs. She opened the door to see Rainbow Dash in a state of alarm. "What is it, Rainbow Dash?" "Twilight! I was practicing my newest trick when I saw Rarity chattin it up with some stranger." At this, Twilight raised an eyebrow. This only panicked Rainbow further. "No, when I mean stranger, I mean STRANGE. He was all pale, with this really creepy old-fashioned red cloak." The more Rainbow described this character, the farther Twilight's expression fell. Finally, she said. "Lets go. I don't like the sound of this pony." -+-+-+-+-+- Rarity smiled at him. "Really. I must do something! After all, it's the least I could do. Maybe a new cloak? I hate to say it darling, but red is an autumn color." Vladimir raised an eyebrow. "And?" He asked blankly. Rarity motioned around. "It's spring." "So I noticed." He deadpanned. She sighed. "Well, I see there's no talking you out of that cloak. Well, I haven't seen you around. Are you new?" He nodded his head. "Well, do have a place to stay?" He shook his head no. "I guess it wouldn't be too much of a burden to take you in, Vladamir." He smiled, and bowed. "You have my immense gratitude, Miss Rarity." She beckoned for him to follow, and the two fell into step together. After a few minutes of a slow pace, Rarity turned to him. "So, Vlad, tell me about yourself." Vlad leaned his head back and tapped his hoof to his chin. I've got a good thing going. Let's try to not screw this up. he thought to himself. "Well, I'm nothing big. I am a scientist... a doctor actually." He smiled contentedly. "A first responder. I like to know I'm helping ponies. Although sometimes, I feel like it would be fun to be a hero... you know? Fighting the forces of evil and all." Rarity smiled. "You have no idea..." She mumbled to herself. He did a light hoof-pump. Good job, you hit a note that rings pretty clearly with her, He thought. "So, what do you do, Rarity?" "That," She pointed to the building before her, "Is what I do." The boutique standing before them was certainly impressive, standing at least two stories tall and decorated in bright, cheery colors. Rarity turned and looked at her guest, who was clearly bemused by its appearance. She smiled knowingly. After all, that was the reason she bought this building in the first place. He tore his gaze from the building to see her smiling at his face, and so he smiled back. This broke her daydream, and she turned back to the door. "This is my boutique. I must admit, I do think it is a little imposing, but it helps set the feel. After all," She said, flipping her hair back, "I do make some of the best dresses in Equestria." Vlad smiled. "I believe I may have seen some of your work. Very impressive." Rarity smiled as she pushed the door open, to reveal a similarly colored filly standing there. "Hi Rarity. I was wondering if I could go out and... Who's this?" It was if her brain failed halfway through the thought, distracted by Vlad. He smiled at her, and she shivered. Fillies... Why does it have to be them who can tell who I am? Vlad smiled the thought away, hoping she would be as distracted by her sister. Rarities grin never faltered as she adressed her sister. "Sweetie Bell, this is Vladamir. He is a doctor, and will be staying with us until he finds a home of his own. And yes, you can go out with the crusaders." Vladamir cocked an eyebrow, and Rarity waved it away dismissively. Sweetie's gaze lingered on Vlad for a while longer, before tearing it away to look her sister in the eyes. "Okay... Thanks!" Once her eyes were off Vlad, her demeanor bloomed. She trotted past the two elders with a smile on her face, and walked off into town. Rarity, meanwhile, was motioning for him to come inside, to which he obliged. "Now, darling, where were we?" She scratched her chin for a moment, before a light came to her eyes. "Ah yes, you were going to tell me about yourself. Lets start from the beginning, shall we?" "If you say so," Vlad said with a shrug. He laid down on the couch before beginning his tale. "I come from the far north of Equestria, along the Spire mountains. It was a time when the days were colder than the nights, and weather was always snowing. I was in paradise. I felt more at home outside than I did in, and being wrapped by so many layers was like an eternal reassuring hug." He sighed. "But technology moved on, and so did the town. During my time there, I watched my home transform from a quaint little snow-bound town into a completely united building. They built a building conjoining all of the others, and so then you never had to leave the indoors. Everypony else loved it. For me, it was a living nightmare." As he spoke, Rarity listened raptly. Maybe he's not the monster, Rarity silently hoped. Just a sad pony with a lonely life. Maybe some comfort is all he need. Rarity spoke up at his momentary pause. "Well, how did you cope?" "Simple, dear. I broke the rules." She inhaled sharply, but quietly, causing Vlad to chuckle. "No, nothing serious. I went outside during the days. We weren't supposed to leave, unless we were leaving to go somewhere else. After a few weeks of paying attention to the door times, one day I forgot. I came late, and they had locked the doors. I was trapped in the cold, hungry and alone." "For some reason, I was drawn to wander, which took me to a serene temple. I was chilled to the bone when I got there, and the lone monk inside took me in. For some reason, I never thought to return home. I spent numerous years training with the monk, becoming resistant to the icy wastes. I was happy, spending time with this monk. He was one of my few true friends." His expression fell, and Rarities' expression moved to sympathetic. Good, she bought it, Vlad thought before continuing. "He died after I completed my training. I am the last monk of his temple. Without purpose, I decided to wander the lands. I beame a first responder, so I could save ponies in danger. My journey has led me here," he motions about the room. "And soon beyond," He ended, with a smile. Rarity motioned wiping a tear from her eye. "That was... Quite a story, Mister Vladamir." She said, after a few moments of silence. She stood, asking "Would you like some tea?" Vladamir only nodded, quite deep in thought. Whew. I didn't technically lie, I just witheld some truth. Well done, Vladamir. Well done. He thought with a smile. This may actually work out in the end, after all. Rarity left for the kitchen, and a few minutes later a knocking at the door. "I'll get it." He called out, broken from his thoughts. He stood, and walked quietly towards the door. He opened the door, to find a Cyan Pegasus and a Lavender Unicorn, both with worried faces. "Can I help you ladies?" They looked at each other, then back to him. The Lavender one spoke first. "Is Rarity here?" She asked curtly. Rarities voice called from the back. "I'm in the back, darling. Would you like some tea as well?" The Cyan pegasus spoke up this time. "Make that two more." Vlad motioned for them to come in, which they did, albiet keeping themselves as far away from him as possible and giving him a suspicious glare the whole time. He could only sigh. These two are going to give me trouble, arent they? Vlad thought, sadly. -+-+-+-+-+- AN: This is my first time really attempting to capture the thoughts of characters. so how do you think I did? Well? Poorly?