Chapter 6
Debris crumbled down from the newly formed hole in the celler's ceiling. Derpy sneezed, causing some of the dust to stir around in the air, and as she reopened her eyes The Doctor had to stifle a giggle as he saw that her eyes had taken drastic positions, her right iris was facing her upper right, and her left iris was facing the lower left.
The gray mare shook her head and blinked a few times, remedying the issue of her eyes back to their normal degree.
"What was that?" Derpy asked in a concerned voice.
The Doctor frowned in thought over the question. The creature looked for the most part human, aside from the glowing green eyes, long ears and eyebrows, and the abnormally fair skin and hair. The strange being even spoke the human language, but one thing stuck out more than the others, It knew somehow he was a time traveler. But what was that it had said about magic?
"I'm not sure. It is similar to, but does not look like anything I have seen before..." The brown stallion said walking under the hole and trying to get a glimpse of the stranger.
A peculiar sound filled the air, as if wind was swirling and churning around a specific point. The sound grew in intensity until a dull hum sounded out and ended as abruptly as it began. The Doctor strained his ears in an attempt to hear what had happened, but was only greeted by the sound of feet meeting the ground, armored feet.
"Uh oh..." The Doctor said with a panicked look.
Derpy gave The Doctor a look of concern, "What's the matter?"
"Get behind me, I think we made it mad..." The stallion said as he stepped in front of Derpy, standing between the mare and the stairs.
Two sets of feet could be heard making their way towards, and then down the stairs. The Doctor scratched off his theory that the being had put on armor, realizing now that it had somehow called for assistance and gotten it transported directly to it.
The first being came into view, and nearly gave one of the Doctor's hearts an attack. It was a Fel Guard from the Legion's forces. The Legion was a known scourge that rampaged across the galaxies, destroying planets and consuming their inhabitants. They had strange technologies, and an even stranger, unexplained power if The Doctor remembered what he had heard correctly. The demon matched the description perfectly however, Tall with blue skin, wearing red and gold armor that left its muscular chest exposed, and a large vicious axe.
The demon stopped several feet from the two ponies, and waited as the other one descended the stairs. The doctor could see he had been bleeding quite profusely from his head, but the wound seemed to be missing now, the blood on his face coming from seemingly nothing.
"Do that again and my minion here will personally see that it never happens a third time." The stranger said with a frown.
"You are part of the legion, aren't you?" The Doctor asked in an accusing tone.
"What? You know of the legion?" The being said in an amazed tone as he looked at the demon, who merely shrugged.
"Is this planet next on their agenda for conquest?" The stallion asked as he slowly backed up and looked into Derpy's fear filled eyes.
"Wait, you think I..." The stranger said with a baffled expression as he looked from the demon, and then back to the stallion before bursting into a fit of laughter.
The Doctor gave a confused look to the being, but in the back of his mind he sighed at the notion that this creature was not with the legion. But why was it with a Fel Guard then? There was no mistaking what the demon was, its kind was infamous across the galaxy and easily identifiable even to someone that had never seen one before.
"The demon here is my minion, bound to my magic to serve me when summoned. Now, I am intrigued however. This is further proof you are not from this world." The stranger smiled.
"What do you want with me then?" The Doctor asked, not sure what to think of the word magic.
"Just to ask a few questions, and if you would be so kind as to answer them, I may even answer some of your own..." The stranger explained.
The Doctor considered this for a moment, not taking his eyes off the large blue skinned demon who stood still, as if waiting for an order. How was it possible that someone could command such a terrifying being?
"Get rid of the demon first, there is a filly in this house and I do not want it scaring her if she wakes up and comes downstairs..." The Doctor said with an even tone.
"Fair enough, but you also need to put away that... Thing, that made my gear set off." The stranger said, pointing to the sonic screwdriver.
The stallion then returned his device into his saddlebag and stared at the stranger. With a motion of his hand the demon seemed to collapse on itself as it faded from existence.
"Your kind has the science to pull localized wormholes off?!" The Doctor exclaimed, wide eyed at the notion.
"That was not science, it was magic. Much like the unicorns here use." The stranger argued.
"I haven't seen any unicorns showing the ability to do that, short distance teleportation yes, but that?" The Doctor muttered, "What are you?"
"I am a warlock, and now it's my turn. What are you?" The stranger asked raising an eyebrow.
Dizastrous groaned as he rubbed his eyes and sat up from the nest of pillows he had collapsed within. Casting his emerald eyes around the room the happenings of before he slept came back to him. Glancing at his legs he noticed the dried blood that flaked as he moved from where the bones had jutted before his healing.
Dizastrous was still a little surprised by the appearance of the astral bear. The last time he had seen a creature such as that was when he fought Algalon in Ulduar. This celestial bear however seemed to be an inhabitant of this planet, something Dizastrous found most peculiar.
As he stood the Blood Knight was wracked with pain and gripped his head as he stumbled toward where his armor lay. Dizastrous started to rummage through one of the enchanted bags he carried with him, searching desperately for what he craved.
"Is everything alright?" A changeling asked as it opened the door, having heard the grunt of pain and rustling from within.
Dizastrous leaped to his feet as he pulled a small bottle out of one of the bags. A crazed look adorned his face as he crushed the glass flask between his fingers, cutting his palm and releasing the elemental that was trapped inside.
The fiery being grew in size as it began to rampage around the room, setting the tapestries and pillows alight. As it raged it stared with hate filled eyes at the Blood Elf that had held it captive.
"Talah Andora Ann'da..." Dizastrous mumbled as he began approaching the raging elemental.
The fiery being lashed out at the approaching Blood Knight, but could do little actual harm to the veteran in its weakened state. After the attack proved nigh useless, Dizastrous opened his palms and his arm muscles strained as he drew the magical essence from the life force of the elemental.
A garbled shriek filled the air as the Elemental shrunk slowly as its essence was pulled away form it into the floating blue orb between the Blood Knight's hands. Dizastrous smiled in triumph as he finished gathering the last of the magical energy. The blue orb that floated now over his right palm pulsated with power as he eyed it with a hunger that was fit only for a starving man.
Chrysalis walked inside having heard the commotion in her hive, arriving in time to see Dizastrous standing in front of a pile of ashes with an orb of energy in his hand. She gasped as she watched the Blood Knight slowly absorb the energies, his skin and hair regaining a luster as if he had been sick and was now healthy.
Dizastrous sighed in relief as his thirst was quenched, and glanced over toward the door where the Changeling Queen and one of her drones stood with wide eyes.
"How long was I asleep?" The Blood Knight asked as he walked over to his armor.
"Only about a day or so..." Chrysalis said eyeing him warily.
"That would explain that, been a little while since I last slaked my thirst..." Dizastrous said with a wry tone.
"So... That is how you feed on magic then?" Chrysalis said with uncertainty.
"Taking the magic straight from the life force of a being that contains natural magic, sounds a lot like a vampire doesn't it? My kind has been mocked for it before, called monsters and the like." Dizastrous said bitterly as he equipped his gear.
"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say monster. Surprising that you are able to take your feeding so far yes, but it is very similar to how us changelings feed upon love. We drain the energy and leave the victim weak. Very rarely can we take enough love to kill though, they have to love you more than their own life for you to even attempt it..." Chrysalis offered
Dizastrous frowned as he considered this, and put the crown in place over his head where it locked magically into place and floated in the air. Perhaps he had something in common with the Queen after all, except that his was merely an addiction and hers was an actual need to live.
"What do your people do when you are unable to find love?" Dizastrous asked as he eyed his sword that needed to be cleaned.
Chrysalis was taken off guard by the question, and took a moment to think over her answer, "Well, we starve. It was that desperation that caused me to attack Canterlot in hopes of ruling over the ponies to take all that we needed. We failed and it is harder than ever, we have to send drones out across the entirety of the land in order to fill our needs."
"Our kind tried something similar..." Dizastrous said thinking once more of Kael'thas throwing his lot in with the demons and attacking Outland to harvest the magical energies there.
"How did it turn out for your people?" Chrysalis asked, intrigued at the notion that his race had done something similar.
"We had a civil war, the one I told you of before. You may want to keep an eye over your shoulder, the same may still happen to you..." Dizastrous warned.
Chrysalis eyed the bloodied sword and motioned at the drone who silently obeyed and went to fetch a basin of water.
"By the way, I have a few friends I am also looking for. I need to meet up with them before I do anything else. I need you to help me get to the town Helix mentioned." Dizastrous said as he eyed the stained blade.
"I will honor my promise, but know that my kind are not welcome in the pony settlements, and the guards now have ways of detecting us as well..." Chrysalis sighed.
"Worry not, if it comes to it I will defend you." The Blood Knight said, waving it off.
Chrysalis gave the Blood Elf a questioning stare as she tilted her head to the side, "You do know if you do that you would be making yourself an enemy of the ponies right?"
Dizastrous grinned darkly as he eyed the changeling who brought in a rag and a basin of water. He scooped up the rag in his hand and dipped it into the clear liquid. As he set to wiping the odd colored blood from his great sword he replied, never taking his eyes off his work.
"We are not here for diplomacy, if the others wish to make friends so be it. I will not allow anything to stand in my way however, and you have actually agreed to helping me on my quest. The way I see it, if anything tries to harm you, it is hindering me." The blade gleamed after he finished cleaning it.
Dizastrous then set to wiping the blood off his leg guards and boots. After finishing cleaning his gear he cast the rag aside and lifted the basin with both hands, bringing it up to his face before plunging into the water. He withdrew his now soaked face, his silver hair clinging to it, and water dripping down his goatee.
"So, when will you be ready to lead me to where my friends will be waiting?" Dizastrous asked expectantly.
"I need to ready the hive for my departure, getting it prepped to run without me for a while. Then we can go to... Where did your friend say he was headed again?" Chrysalis asked.
"Ponyville, I think it was..." The Blood Knight said scratching his chin.
Chrysalis's face fell at the news, she knew of that town. The six mares that had saved Cadence and allowed the downfall of her siege lived there. Not only that, but they were also the bearers of the Elements of Harmony.
"Something wrong with that?" Dizastrous asked carefully.
"Six mares live there that fought my changelings in the siege. They bear ancient magic that can undo or bind me..." Chrysalis said with a frown.
Dizastrous took off his gauntlet and opened his right hand that had been cut and showed it to Chrysalis. The Changeling Queen stared at the wound that now only slowly dripped blood. In a flash of light however, the wound was gone, leaving only the blood that clung to his flesh.
"The power of the light serves my will, and as long as I stand no harm shall befall you. And if it does. it will not last. Healing wounds, and even resurrection is possible with my power if I can get to you in time. Be warned though, stay close to me at all times. If you are dead for more than a couple of minutes I will be unable to bring you back." Dizastrous said, before putting the gauntlet back on his hand.
"Where do you draw your power from? I have never heard of such magic, being able to instantly cure wounds and bring the dead back..." Chrysalis asked, eyes filled with wonder.
"I told you, the everlasting and holy light is my weapon and shield. Some choose to devote their life to serving the light, and in return they are granted great power. But while the light rewards devout servitude, it also respects those that are strong enough to command it. As a Blood Knight I do not follow the light like those foolish Paladins of the Silver Hand, I lead it." As Dizastrous spoke he played with a ball of light in his hands, letting it dance around his fingers, before grasping and crushing it in a fist.
Dizastrous opened his fist and golden dust drifted from his hand, glittering like gold as it fell and vanished into thin air.
"What are the odds it will come to blows if they find you?" The Blood Knight asked, changing the subject away from the preachings he pounded into the heads of new initiates.
"If they see me, I will be undoubtedly attacked, if I take the form of another however, I may go unnoticed as long as I d not bring the attention of the guards to myself." Chrysalis explained.
"Very well, do whatever it takes to avoid the conflict. No reason to fight if it is only going to waste my time." Dizastrous said with a sigh.
Chrysalis turned to leave the room, taking one last glance at the destruction that had been wrought into it. She shook her head as she smiled and exited the room. Dizastrous stuck his head out of the door and called after her down the hallway she walked through.
"Have them send me in something to eat, anything at this point I'm starving. Have them cut up and roast a piece of that big bear I killed if you have to." The Blood Knight said to the Changeling Queen.
Chrysalis raised an eyebrow at this and smiled. Her theory on the sharp teeth the elf had proved correct, "That should be fine, be ready to leave by nightfall however."