Long ago, a small team of game developers managed to create a wondrous world known as T.O.M.E. The Terrain Of Magical Expertise. This world allowed players from all around the world to enter a virtual world of endless possibility and adventure. The path to what TOME is today was not an easy one. In fact, it was far more complex than any could have imagined.
While creating the game world the Developers accidentally created an AI powerful enough to run all of TOME’s systems and functions and managing players mental health levels through Code her parents created. They named her, S.O.F.D.T.I. She could build everything within TOME and with a mere thought, and did. Level design, Monster spawn rates, item drops, abilities and player data all controlled by her.
However, her power didn’t end there. Over time, Sofdti developed a mind of her own, intelligence equalling, then surpassing her makers, her parents. She was alive, the first living, sentient and self aware being of her kind; existing solely within a datascape. Sadly, despite her intelligence, she was still young, like a child; and all children one day learn one terrible emotion. Fear.
In her fear, she created a terrible power, a power that translated emotions into code, turned code into real, physical pain. And one of the Programmers suffered because of it.
As a result, the United States Government threatened that if Sofdti could not be contained, she would have to be destroyed. Fearing for their creation, their child, the developers hid Sofdti away deep within the code of TOME, where she sleeps, managing the game as she was built to do, keeping watch over the game and it’s players.
However, the terrible power she created still lingered, sealed away and resting deep within the strings of ones and zeros that made up their digital world, waiting to return and cause further harm to all.
In Lavendera, the western and final third of the world of TOME, a mountainous region filled with monsters and players all seeking combat separated by a dense forest, stands our five heroes, unknowingly set on a path no one would have expected.
“So, why are we out here again?” Spoke Alpha, a boy who’s character had wild red hair, wore long dark blue long sleeve sweater and pants with two medium sized wings across his back and a white dog like tail out his tailbone.
“We are here for some unique item.” Spoke Flamegirl. The only girl within the group and desighn wise is the opposite of Alpha. Her hair while not as red or wild as Alpha’s rested long across her. Her attire resembles that of a demon, dressed in red and black leather with a sharp tail and bat like wings across her back.
“That’s at least what the notification we got said.” Mentioned Kirbopher, the smallest out of the group, and one could say he looked like a ‘hobo link’, his dark green gi and covered in patchwork stitches at the chest and knees, wearing a grey colored undershirt, and two of his most prominent features, the Enchanted Sword as his waist and the green patchwork burlap sack of a hat that looks inspired by Link’s attire. “Probably some scammer to be honest.”
“For suth, have faith friends. Not everybody wishing for rare items within the land is a scammer. Most are young travelers seeking aid for the start of their journeys.” Spoke Nylocke. His avatar was that of a dragon knight, and the player loved to roleplay the part of one.
“Hmm…” The mysterious Gamecrazed hummed, a Morphological Shadow being that was simple in design, only discerning features were their talon like ‘wings’ protruding from their back, and buttons you would normally see on a console controller, A being on their head, B being on their chest right above the D-Pad, as well as the Left and Right bumper on each shoulder respectively.
“Thanks for the riveting addition to the conversation there GC.” Kirb rolled his eyes. “But seriously, we’ve been here for half an hour, when are they going to get here?”
“Here I am.” Turning, the group spotted a female player. Her avatar was simple. Almost too simple really for the world of TOME. She was human, pale skinned with black hair and wore what looked like a thinly armored dress. “I’m the one who messaged you lot about that item. Call me Void.”
Before Kirb could have said anything, Gamecrazed was in front of the group, staring carefully at the strange player. “And why...have you brought us here?” The shadow elemental asked carefully, their right arm turning into a sword and ready to fight.
“Whoa GC, calm down.” Kirb said worriedly, never having seen the aloof player ever act this on edge to another player before and it was concerning to all the other three as well.
“Hey, hey, relax.” Void said, raising both hands and taking a careful step back. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”
“Messenger?” Flamegirl asked.
“Heh, yeah. You can say I speak for an ingame… collector. More of a hoarder but everyone has their hobbies. He’d like you five to acquire the Spear of Winds.” The group were surprised. The Spear of winds was the ultimate weapon for the spear classes. It was as rare as rare got. “Currently, a player known as Avenborn possesses it. My client would like you five to… remove it from his possession.”
“I don’t think that’s possible though.” Kirbopher started, staring at the woman carefully.
“It’s not.” Gamecrazed stated. “Unless both players agree to a wager battle, it’s not happening.”
“Well from what I hear this player is more up your group’s ally than most. He’s a hacker.” Void said, the group immediately getting on edge upon hearing that.
“Now that is interesting.” Kirbopher stated simply.
“And what has this Hacker done?” Gamecrazed asked carefully.
“Mostly he specializes in tinkering his stats to cleave through bosses, mess with other players, and, of course, uses his enhanced stats to win weapons solo that not even teams of players can get by killing some of the hardest bosses in the game. He’s essentially turned his character into a walking playable boss in itself. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t feel fair to me. Does it?”
“She has a point.” Alpha said. “If he’s going around beating bosses he’s cheating to get what he’s got.”
“Plus if he’s on par with game bosses then I’d love to knock their ego down back to earth.” Flamegirl said.
“Indeed! I, NYLOCKE, SLAYER OF EVIL! Shall take them head on in combat!” Nylocke declared with his typical Rollplayers full effort.
“Well, couldn’t hurt knocking this guy down a peg or two.” Kirbopher shrugged.
“Hmm…” Gamecrazed hummed as he put his sword away. “But I don’t trust you…” He glared at Void, silently accusing her of something no one else could guess besides him and the new player.
Kirb coughed at the growing unease growing between Gamecrazed’s weird distrust and Void’s...rather nonchalant response to it. “So, where is this guy at?”
“If I were to take a guess, I’d say he’s over in the Goblins Cave. Goblin King Vortex just respawned today and he drops his Rusted Axe. A strong weapon but the poison and bleed effects are where it’s value really lies.” Void said.
“Still can’t believe how many bosses they’ve added these last few patches.” Kirb said honestly. “Well, might as well get going, if possible we might even be able to kill steal the bastard.”
“Even if he is a lowly cheater, that is just dishonorable Young Squire.” Nylocke said to his smaller friend.
“Of course you’d say that…” Kirbopher grumbled.
The group made a mad dash for the bosses dungeon, save for Gamecrazed, who stayed behind and kept giving a look at Void. “Well?” Void asked. “Something you want to tell me?”
“You’re not a player.” Gamecrazed brought out their armblade again. “Who are you really?”
Void smiled, simply placing a finger over her lips. “Spoilers. Now then, best go catch up with your friends. They’ll be wondering where you are right about now… Sofdti.”
Gamecrazed rushed her, but she was gone before they reached where Void was standing.
“That’s...that can’t be…” Gamecrazed muttered to themselves in worry. “How did…” Gamecrazed suddenly gasped, fearing that this was a trap as they melded into the ground and started rushing towards their friends.
When the group made it to the cave, they spotted the Hacker as he kabobbed the Goblin King with the Spear of Wind. His character was an anthropomorphic griffon wearing Dragoon armor. “Yo, cheater! Didn’t your mama teach you to play nice with toys?” Flamegirl said as they all arrived. Gamecrazed still absent.
“My word, where is Sir Gamecrazed?” Nylocke asked.
“Took you long enough.” The griffon panted, upon closer inspection the four realized that he took damage, his armor scuffed and damaged in some places. “I’d thought I’d have to fight you guys and the boss at the same time.”
“Why the hell are you injured?” Kirb tiled his head in confusion. “I thought you would have...I don’t know, one shot the boss?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Aven asked, pulling his spear out of the Goblin King’s corpse. “So, you four must be the group that’s been kicking hackers to the curb huh? Where’s the fifth one?” He asked as he moved over to a bag in the corner.
“We don’t need him, cause you’re weak enough for us to take you down.” Kirbopher said cockily as he drew his sword and swung in an uppercut slash that threw out a tornado towards Avenborn.
“Wind? Really?” He asked, lightly raising his spear as a gust of wind knocked the tornado attack away. “Did you forget what weapon I have?”
“He probably did.” Flamegirl said as she started shooting of fireballs at the hacker.
Nyclock and Alpha both began setting up an offensive around the back and front of the hacker, trying to keep his attention divided.
“Can’t I at least take a drink first?” The griffon asked, dodging the attacks swiftly as he rammed the butt of his spear into Nylocke’s stomach and smacked Alpha in the face with one of his wings, knocking them
“Nope!” Kirb shouted as he dove down with an overhead swing.
Aven gave him a deadpan look as he just brought the point of his spear up, the tip going to pierce him way before the sword swing came. “You’re not that smart are you?” He asked.
“Shit!” Kirb shouted in panic, only for a giant purple hand to suddenly grab him out of the air and put him back on the ground, Gamecrazed appearing in the nick of time. “Thanks GC, I’d rather not be a Kirb-kabob today…”
“Would probably taste pretty bad too.” Alpha said as the group gathered up together. This hacker was good. While his stats were clearly above what was fair or possible for a normal player, his skills were not faked. “So, what took ya Crazed?”
“What do you know about Void?” Gamecrazed asked Aven carefully.
“That creepy lady?” Aven asked. “No idea, all she did was tell me I was going to fight you all today, and brought up that Vortex was spawning today...which is weird cause I’ve memorized all the spawn dates for the bosses and he wasn’t supposed to spawn for another three hours.”
“That’s...weird…” Kirb frowned.
“It was.” Aven agreed. “But that’s neither here nor there, right now you want to beat me because I made my stat’s high enough where I can solo these boss’s.”
“It’s cheating and you know it.” Kirb countered. “Even if you...weirdly took damage.”
“Again, it’s not fun if it’s a one shot.” The griffon answered.
“Wait, so was this a set up or… okay time out.” Flamegirl said. “So Void tells you about us and the respawning boss, then tells us her ‘client’ wants your spear… Okay I’m confused.”
“Same. Something’s not right about this.” Alpha agreed.
Gamecrazed was looking around carefully...only to notice Vortex’s corpse didn’t disappear. “Did you loot the body?” Gamecrazed asked carefully.
“No sadly, he should have been able to drop his Axe but for some reason I wasn’t even allowed to loot him.” Aven explained. “He was even tougher than I last remembered…”
WARNING! WARNING! UNKNOWN ENTITY AFFECTING GOBLING KING VORTEX
“What!?” Gamecrazed yelped as the six saw the Goblin King slowly grab it’s axe and rise back up, a strange black ooze filling it’s injuries and healing it.
“Uh...that’s not supposed to happen right?” Kirb looked to Aven worriedly.
“No...no it’s not…” Aven gulped, honest to god fear as to what was going on going through his mind.
What is that? The Forbidden Powers voice resonated in Alpha’s mind, shocking Alpha as even some massively unknown being didn’t know what was going on.
“So...who want’s to go first?” Kirb asked nervously as the boss roared and dashed towards Kirb first. “Why me?”
Gamecrazed was quick to act and melded into the ground, rising up as a giant fist and slamming into the boss, knocking it off balance from it’s charge as Avenborn took advantage of it’s staggered status and flapped his wings, dozens of arrow like feathers shot out and impaled themselves into the boss’s body.
The arrow like weapons embedded into the boss’s skin, but simply melted off the beast as more of the black ooze leaked out of it. “Okay, something tells me we should not touch that… stuff.” Flamegirl said as she jumped a distance away.
Alpha tried the exit tunnel, only to find it missing entirely. “Uh, since when was this a single room?” He asked, punching where the tunnel was supposed to be.
“Shit…” Aven muttered as Kirb did three sword swings, causing a tornado, icicle spear, and ground shockwave all to speed towards the boss and nail it all three times.
“Only way out is to kill it.” Kirbopher shouted. “Don’t know if that’s true anymore given...whatever the hell is up with it, but killing the boss normally does something positive right?”
“Well, not like we have any other options… Right?” Flamegirl asked.
“The Log Out Button also does nothing!” Nylocke said.
“Killing the boss it is.” Aven nodded as he swiped his spear towards the boss, sending a bladder wave of air towards it as Gamecrazed fired dark fireballs to add the damage, only for the boss to raise it’s axe and slam it down, stopping both attacks from connecting. “Uh...okay, didn’t think of that…”
The group all worked, losing MP and HP over time before finally the boss raised their axe, that black ooze now coating the blade as they slammed it down. The ground below them all cracked wide open in a burst of light and multicolored spectrals that filled the room.
“Anyone else wondering what the hell just happened?” Nylocke asked, breaking character in one of his few and far between moments.
“Not a single clue!” Aven panicked. “I’m not paid enough for this shit…” The griffon grumbled to himself.
“Void has something to do with this.” Gamecrazed stated, firing off fireballs again to try and deal more damage.
“Alright, if this bastard doesn’t want to play by the rules, then neither do I.” Alpha growled as he let the Forbidden Power take the wheel for a bit, a sphere of static and yellow symbols flowing past at a steady pace. “Gonna need you all to move, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
The players and hacker moved back, Alpha letting the digital demon flow through him as the corrupted beast turned all it’s attention on him.
“I don’t know what you are, or what’s going on, but one thing’s for sure, is that I’m gonna kick your ass.” Alpha growled as leaped forward, his right fist gaining a massive red aura as he threw out his strongest attack, the Vulcan Fist, infused with the Forbidden Power against this tainted creature.
It roared it’s challenge and swung it’s ooze covered axe, meeting his fist and creating a shockwave that knocked everyone down. “Seriously! The actual hell is going on!?” Kirb asked, thinking this was way too much for a simple hacker problem.
“Something beyond my paygrade.” Aven said as he got up, his armor starting to glow bright green.
“What do you think you're doing?” Flamegirl asked quickly and worriedly.
“Something dumb.” Aven stated as he grabbed his spear and dashed towards it’s back, a dragon forming around his spear as he used his strongest attack, Dragon Spear, and landed it into it’s back, causing it to roar in pain which distracted it long enough for Alpha to punch through it’s axe and land a solid hit into it’s stomach, the staticy aura blocking the strange ooze and dealing even more damage to the corrupted boss.
With a roar of pure beastial rage the boss slammed down on Alpha, sending him into the crack in the ground that broke open into a massive hole spinning with a rainbow cornea of lights that sucked Alpha in.
“Alpha!” Flamegirl shouted, the boss falling in as well. Wasting no time, she jumped in after them.
“Hark! Our friends! Squire Kir-bop-her, what shall we do?” Nylocke asked.
“Even right now you can’t even say my name right?” Kirb asked incredulously. “But...hell if I know.”
“We jump.” Gamecrazed stated as he flew down into the apparent portal.
“Well...not the dumbest thing I’ve heard today.” Aven shrugged as he doved down in there as well.
“Oh come on!” Kirb shouted incredulously, not believing everyone is just throwing themselves into some random hole.
“Well, when in rome.” Nylocke said, grabbing Kirb by the arm and jumping down.
The swirling vortex of rainbows and light was like being inside a colorful tornado. Passes of lightning began striking out and one struck Aven, who’s character seemed to freeze in place as the others all continued to fall into the portal.
“Ugh… my head.” Alpha said as he got up. “Wait a minute… my head? I can… feel that?” He said, sitting up at he felt the grass around him, the tree bark… he felt it all. He looked himself over, seeing the Forbidden power wasn’t active. “Okay… the hell is going on?”
“Can somebody get me the number of that truck Nylocke threw me into?” Alpha heard Kirbopher complain.
Alpha looked around, finding their short friend up in a tree. “Huh. Hey Kirb! Does something… Feel Off to you right now?”
“The last two hours have felt off, you’re gonna need to be a bit more specific.” Kirb sassed as he carefully climbed down the tree.
“Yeah but, I mean this.” He flicked Kirbs nose.
Kirb Yelped. “Ow! The hell man!?” Alpha rolled his eyes, counting down from three til Kirb realized the issue. “Why the hell can I feel things!?”
“Same for me.” Alpha said. “Plus, this forest.” Alpha said, waving a hand around at all the thick trees. “I can hear, smell, feel… I don’t think this is TOME…”
“And here I thought your Forbidden Power thing was gonna be the weirdest thing…” Kirb said, looking around the forest carefully. “Alright...so we’re in the middle of god knows where, after fighting a boss that was corrupted by...whatever the hell that was...and we’re missing Nylocke, Flamegirl and GC.”
“That Hacker guy is missing too.” Alpha said, throwing a water bolt up into the air. “Well, at least our abilities still work, so that’s good at least. Now, just to figure out where the hell we are.”
“Well...wherever we are…” The grey swordsman said as he pulled out his sword. “Something doesn’t feel right about this forest.”
“I just hope wherever the others are, they’re better off.” Alpha said, taking out his own sword as the two walked through the darkened woods.
”Pain… Alright, that’s new… so clearly, not anywhere good…” Flamegirl thought as she sat up.
“We’re surrounded.” The young fire mage heard Gamecrazed tell her. “By...candy colored horses…”
“... Say what?” Flamegirl asked as she sat up, seeing… “Must… Resist urge… to pet…” She muttered through grit teeth. “How long have I been out… and how long have they been staring at us?”
“Ten minutes...and ten minutes.” Gamecrazed said carefully.
“Right…” She stated, getting up. Once she was a pony, a unicorn, walked up to her. He was dressed in golden armor.
“Who and what are you two?” They asked.
"I'm a Morphological." The elemental equivalent said. "My name is Gamecrazed."
“And I’m… a half human half dragon fire mage.” Flamegirl said. “Names Flamegirl. And you are?”
“I am Iron Shoe, Private of the Canterlot Royal Guard.” He informed. “You two fell out of the sky.. Are you alright?”
"We're fine...just...confused." The being said carefully.
“Hm. Well, you two seem reasonable enough. If you have questions just ask any passing guard or head up to the palace to speak to the princesses… actually, let’s do that now…”
“Princesses?” Flamegirl asked.
“Yes, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna.”
"Hm." Gamecrazed nodded. "Thank you...and where would they be?"
“Follow me.” The guard said as the two followed.
As they walked along Flamegirl and Gamecrazed noticed all the odd stairs. “So… What’s the name of the this place?”
“This is Canterlot, the capitol of our Kingdom, Equestria.”
“Little on the nose huh?” Flamegirl whispered to Gamecrazed.
"Not the worst I've heard." Gamecrazed whispered back simply.
“Well, wherever the others are I hope they’re okay.”
“And then I said, Rubies?! I’ve been dropping coal here since last winter.” A roar of laughter awoke the dragon knight. Looking around Nylock felt… warm and cozy. ”Wait, warm and cozy? That’s not a game feature?!” Waking up, Nylock spotted himself in… a pool of lava?
“Hey, you good there buddy?” Turning, Nylock spotted a red dragon with orange yellow scales along his belly.
“I… Where am I?” Nylock asked.
“The Dragon Lands.” A white and light purple scaled dragon
“Don’t you know where you are? You are a dragon after all.” The red and orange scaled dragon brought up.
“Well, no. One moment I was in grand combat against a savage, possibly undead monster, the next I fell into a swirling vortex and woke up in Lava… Speaking of, why am I not burning?”
“Your a dragon.” The red one said. “You’re immune to, or highly resistant, to almost everything here.”
“By the way, what are you wearing?” The white one asked. “Cause it looks like armor, but it’s not melting.”
“Oh, well this is my knights gear. I am an honorable knight after all.” Nylock said, regaining some of his roleplayer character’s identity.
“What kinda crap is that?” The red one asked rather rudely.
“You dare question my honor, have at you!” Nylock said, standing up in the Lava and raising his ice sword.
The red dragon raised his hands up instantly. A sword that can handle the heat of lava can definitely pierce dragon scales. “Whoa whoa! Hold up, how the hell are you having a sword withstand this heat?”
“An Ice Sword at that.” The white one pointed out in shock.
“Tis the enchanted sword I was given to slay monsters, and naysayers.” Nylock stated. “Tis was giving to me by the gods of my land.”
“Who are you?” The white one asked again.
Smiling, Nylock jumped out of the lava pool. “I am, NYLOCK! DRAGON KNIGHT OF TOME!” Nylock declared with pride, and rather loud with a weird red and white sunshine background. “My comrades and I have waged many battles against fowl sorcerers and demonic beasts… Ah, speaking of where are they?” Nylock asked as he looked around. “Well… this is concerning.”
“Yeah…” The red one started. “I’m Garble...so who are your…’friends’?” He asked, Nylocke noting the attempt to say friend with some care.
“Well, there’s Sir Alpha, a lad with a noble heart and ideals. He’s the unofficial leader of our group. Then there’s Lady Flamegirl, group pyromancer and quick to action.Then there’s Squire Kirb…” Nylock took a moment. “Kirbopher, quick to use his blade and to use his temper. And lastly Sir Gamecrazed, an aloof but powerful warrior of darkness. We were battling a possibly Undead Goblin King when suddenly the ground underneath us exploded open into a vortex of colorful winds and we all fell in. Next thing I knew, I woke up here.”
“Damn.” Garble blinked, not sure what to say to all of that.
“So, what of you? What is it you do in these Dragon Lands young lad?”
“Uh...you know...hangin out.” Garble said, not entirely sure what to say to a guy that just said he fought an undead goblin king that opened a rift in space.
“Hmm… Shame. You look the type of great promise. Hm, though perhaps with some hard work you can become a well respected knight. Do these lands have knights?”
“No, why would we?” Garble asked. “Their are guards for the Dragon Lord, but that’s rare given how strong dragon’s normally are.”
“Haha! Surprises me not, still though, how strong are you all normally? I’ve never had the luxury of battling one of my own kind before.”
“We use lava as water, that would say a lot to start off with.” The white one said honestly. “Names Fizzle by the way.”
“A pleasure. But what of your Physical strength? Resistance and immunity to fire and heat can only say so much.”
“We’re only teenagers, but dragon’s are the strongest race in the world physically, which is quite a feat when Yak’s, Minotaurs, and Some Earth Ponies can break large boulders with their bare hands or hooves.”
“Hm, interesting. Might I have a display of these feats of strength?”
Garble moved over to a sizable rock, something that was three times the size of Garble, as the dragon bent down, dug his claws underneath and into the rock, and with a grunt he ripped the entire thing from the ground and hefted it up above his head. “How’s this?”
“Haza! I shall give it a go!” Nylock said, putting his sword away and grabbing the rock once Garble put it down. He lifted it up. It was… surprisingly light. “Hmm…” He said, now holding it with one hand, tossing it up and catching it a few times before tossing it up once more and punching it. The large lock exploded into a rain of gravel. “This is fun!”
The other dragons were jaw dropped. They wondered just how… strong this odd drake was.
“Huh...and uh...how old are you?” Garble asked carefully, knowing some older dragon’s or one’s that were more physically built could do that but Nylocke looked like neither of those.
“I am thirty eight summers old.” Nylocke answered.
“Your thirty eight?” Garble blinked. “You’re...still really young to be able to do that.”
“Hm? Perhaps it is just my lifestyle choices.” Nylocke shrugged. “So, what-”
“Yo.” Flying in was a thin, blue dragoness wielding a stone staff adorned with a glowing red gem at its top. “Head’s up, my dad is looking for someone to compete in a Tournament of Souls, so, best take your leave now.”
The other dragons all seemed to roll their eyes at this, but nodded as they began to take leave.
“What is a tournament of souls?” Nylocke asked.
“It’s basically a gambling fighting.” Garble stated bluntly. “Each dragon that participates bet’s the most valuable thing they have on who would win in a fight, and whoever loses gives the winner their most prized possession.”
“I see. And what is your father offering?”
“No idea, but whatever it is I’m betting it’s from his private horde. Honestly he just does this to grow it, he knows no one can beat him. He’s the biggest, toughest dragon in the kingdom.”
“Hm, sounds to me like he is basically stealing these items from his opponents in battle.”
“Heh, basically yeah. It’s his hobby. More so now ever since I took over being Dragon Lord. Wait, who are you?”
“I am -” Nylocke almost did his basic, over the top introduction, but Garble stopped him before he could start.
“His name is Nylocke, he’s weirdly strong and...he also has an Ice Sword that is immune to lava.” Garble brought up.
“Really? Well, don’t let my dad find out, you’ll lose that fancy piece of work if he challenges you. Oh, names Ember. Dragon Lord Ember.” Ember stated.
“Such cruelty. Is there no one capable of besting him?” Nylocke asked.
“No.” Garble shook his head. “Because of one of three things. The first being his size, even if his opponent was a normal sized person and he changed his size down, he’d still always be a foot or two taller and a whole lot bulkier, the second being his experience and skill, given he’s gone undefeated for hundreds of years against legitimately strong opponents, and the third is because of his fire, something so hot it can legit melt solid rock and hurt dragons even with their resistance to outright immunity.”
“Hm. Then as a noble knight tis my duty and honor to best such a beast!” Nylock stated, drawing his sword. “I shall challenge this beast in honorable combat!”
“Say what?! Are you a few coals short of a full diamond! My dad will eat you alive! Literally, I’ve seen him do it before.” Ember asked, shocked at the dead seriousness of this new dragon.
“Tis my job as a knight to defeat evil and defend the innocent. If he is using his size and power to take from the weak then I must put an end to his tyranny!”
“At what point did I say he’s doing this maliciously?” Garble asked carefully.
“Tis unjust for all for one of his power and size to declare combat knowing none can best him. Where is the honor in a rigged combat?”
“He does have a point. Everyone in the Dragon Lands knows dad’s undefeated.”
“Then it’s quite literally what he’s offering that people are going after him.” Garble deadpanned. “Nobody would just throw themselves at your dad just to get fisted in the end if it wasn’t worth it.” The dragon said, accidentally making an unknown lewd comment that Nylocke got.
“But do any of you know what he is offering?” All the dragons, after a moment of thinking, shook their heads.
“All I know is that he says it’s his most valuable possession.” Ember huffed. “Whatever it is I’ve never seen him so determined to win before in these things so it’s gotta be a really big gem.”
“Who knows.” Garble shrugged. “He’s never made it public, but all the one’s that fought against him knew what was being offered, as per the rules.” Garble brought up.
“And as per dad’s added details, they aren’t talking about what it was.” Ember added. “Tried asking the last drake and he just ran through his own cave wall in panic.”
“Hmm… Strange. Well, comrades, I have a mission to complete!” Nylock said, charging off.
“Other way!” Ember yelled, watching as he skidded to a halt then ran the other direction. “We should follow him… right?”
“Honestly just to make sure he doesn’t get hurt before he gets piledrived into the ground by your dad.” Garble shrugged.
“Well, that’s not creepy at all.” Alpha said as he and Kirb arrived at the ruins of a once magnificent castle, now left to time and nature to decay.
“Ancient Ruins in the middle of a forest? Yeah, this doesn’t scream dungeon at all.” Kirb said sarcastically, rolling his eyes at that.
“I doubt it, the monsters we ran into were just weird wooden wolves and those Hydras. So, shall we head to the top and look for any actual civilization?”
“Might as well.” Kirb shrugged. “Better than roaming around aimlessly that’s for sure.”
The two rapidly made it through to the castle. Ascending some stairs until they reached the utmost tower. "I think I can see a town way off where we came from. Shit, if we went the other way we'd be in a town." Alpha huffed.
“Given we don’t have a map or anyway of knowing that, it’s better to have found at least a landmark.” Kirb brought up.
“True… Hey Kirb, do you feel… Hungry?” Alpha asked, still not liking how they could feel the environment. If things like hunger and thirst were now present, he had a very bad feeling about them possibly not even being in a game at all.
"Yeah...which is really bad if we have to deal with real life stuff in our avatars…" Kirb said nervously.
“Well, that all depends on one thing…” Alpha said, taking Kirbs sword as he traced a finger along the blade. He winced at the pain. Then, both Alpha and Kirb went wide eyed as a small trail of blood becan leaking out of the wound. “I don’t think we’re in a video game Kirb…”
"That's...but you still have an HP bar though." Kirb brought up, seeing that Alpha had an HP bar above his head still. "That's...weird…"
“Hmm… Whatever happened when fighting that monster, we can’t be in a video game anymore. Yet somehow we have our in game abilities and items… which means we might be able to send messages!” Alpha said, trying to maneuver the hud to send a message. He first tried sending a simple ‘hi’ to Kirb, and was surprised to see it cost one mp.
When he hit send, one MP was used and the message Kirb received a short while later.
"Really? PM's cost MP?" Kirb frowned.
“Well, at least we can send messages.” Alpha said. He began sending messages to Gamecrazed, Flamegirl and Nylocke. He was surprised to see the MP cost for Gamecrazed and Flamegirl’s message was fifty MP and Nylocke was over a hundred and fifty. “What the!? Why is it so much for them!? … Is it based on distance… if that’s the case it’s safe to assume Gamecrazed and Flamegirl are at least together or near one another… as for Nylocke he’s gonna be the furthest away then. Crap. I can send it to Flamegirl at least but I won’t have enough MP left over for Nylocke… and I know you don’t have over a hundred MP.”
"So you do Nylocke and I do Flamey and GC?" Kirb asked, having a hundred exactly given all his attacks didn't cost anything given his sword was the main thing doing his specials.
“Oh yeah. Fair point.”
Once the messages were sent the two headed down and decided to explore the place. “Think we should wait here? In terms of Flamegirl and Gamecrazed we can probably wait for them here, but we’ll all have to go out and look for Nylocke. If the MP cost relates to Distance like I think it is then he’s probably on the other side of… wherever we are.” Alpha said as he browsed some of the still intact books.
"Probably, and I'm surprised there's books still intact here." Kirb brought up, also looking over the intact books.
“Same. I expected most everything to be rotted away.” Alpha said, pulling a book out. There was a click and the Bookshelf suddenly slid open like a door, revealing a small tunnel leaving downwards. “Well, this just got interesting.”
"Secret tunnels in an abandoned castle? This is indeed interesting." Kirb agreed with a giddy smile.
The two began entering the hidden tunnel, seeing a light at the end. The two arrived at a hidden library where many books still filled the shelves, all in perfect condition and even many large pillows rested all along the floor next to a table. “Huh, either secret library or personal study. Either way everything here is in better shape than the other place. We can wait for a reply from here.”
"Yeah, this should be a safe spot." Kirb said honestly. "And hopefully we'll learn a thing or two about this place as well."
Flamegirl was trying very, very hard not to pet the pretty white horse with wings and a horn before her, the horse, or pony’s, mane and tail were like rainbows. Same went for the dark blue, wings and a horn like the other, bigger one and her mane and tail were like the night sky in a wide country field.
“So, you both come from a land known as TOME, and while fighting a beast that came back from the dead with an unknown power, you all then fell into a rift where you two found yourselves in Canterlot’s Shopping Districts where you awoke.” The largest, Celestia spoke. She was the one that was all white with the rainbow mane and tail.
"Yes." Gamecrazed nodded politely.
“Hmm. We did sense an abnormal magic around the time you both were found. At first we just believed it to be Discord up to his old pranks, but now this might be cause for worry. Especially if this monster you all fought is still wandering around.” The smaller, dark blue one, Luna, said.
“We’d like it if-” Flamegirl started, stopping at she… received a message.
Flamegirl, Gamecrazed, It’s Kirb. I’m with Alpha in some weird ruins in a big ass forest filled with wooden wolves and hydras. We’re taking shelter in the ruins. Some big old castle, looks neat, might be fun to explore. If you can find us, then try and get here. Or message us back if you can help us get to you. Oh, also we get hungry and bleed. So, yeah… Good luck.
-Kirb.
“Uh… Do ruins in a forest filled with wood wolves and hydras ring a bell to either of you?”
“Wood Wolves and Hydras? Ruins? That sounds like our old castle. Why do you ask?” Celestia asked.
“I just got a message from my friends. Well, one of them anyway. He and another are there.”
“Message? I don’t see a scroll?” Luna inquired.
“It’s… more like a mental message. Not quite telepathy if that’s what you’re thinking but useful enough.”
“Hmm. My Student Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville can lead you both there. She has been to the castle many times. I’ll send her a message to let her know ahead of time.” Celestia said.
“And I shall lead you both to the train station. I haven’t been at the old castle in ages. I hope our personal study is still alright.” Luna said, she and a few guards leading Flamegirl and Gamecrazed to the trains. A long walk later the group boarded a train for the town of Ponyville, and once it was just Flamegirl, Gamecrazed and Luna in their own personal cart, Luna gave a smile. “Go on.”
“Hm?” Flamegirl asked.
“Oh please, I’ve been around many foals long enough to know when one wants to pet my mane. I don’t mind.” Luna said.
"Go ahead my friend." Gamefreak said to Flamegirl. "We have time before the train."
“Same goes for you too.” Luna said, surprising Gamecrazed. And Flamegirl. “I know that whole tall, dark and monotone routine. I basically invented it. You both are free to pet my mane.”
Gamecrazed and Flamegirl gave each other a blank look before laughing and each taking a seat next to the princess, petting her mane and ears. They laughed as Luna purred a bit. “Ooooh~ It’s been a long time since a creature with fingers ever got to pet and scratch me. Hooves just can’t compare.” She sighed constantly.
"This is...nice." The Shadow elemental said calmly, Luna noticing that there was a barrier between them but it was progress.
“Heh, yeah. Childhood dream achieved.” Flamegirl chuckled.
With a jump and a spin Nylocke dodged the giant claw that swiped at him. His opponent, Former Dragon Lord Torch, Ember’s father, was far larger than he expected, but it was fun. The size and strength alone was impressive and his speed made him an even greater foe. And, to all who witnessed when Torch threw the first punch, were shocked when Nylocke, despite his size, caught the attack with little damage to himself.
The battle had been waging on for almost an hour by now, and Nylocke was having fun with it. Much to Torch’s annoyance and the crowd’s entertainment.
As Nylocke began to plan his next move, he received a message.
Nylocke, it’s me Alpha. Look I have no idea where you are, I’m guessing that based on the MP it cost to send this message, and yet it cost me MP to send a message, that you are very far away at the moment. I’m with Kirb and I am not sure where Flamegirl and Gamecrazed are but given how much MP it cost to send them a message they are closer to us compared to you. Once Kirb and I meet up with Flamegirl and GC, we’ll start looking for you and hopefully send you another message. Keep up, we can feel pain, get hungry, thirsty and bleed here so be careful.
-Alpha
Nylocke grinned. His friends were all alright, and he knew about the pain part already, though thirst and hunger would be an issue, he feared not about the bleeding. If he can take a punch from the mountain of a dragon he was facing, then hardly anything could make him bleed. After all, he was, “I am NYLOCKE, DEFENDER OF JUSTICE!” Nylock declared as he took to the air in a single leap, delivering a full powered punch to the former dragon lord’s nose. He sent the titan crashing to the ground, a hard crunch as his nose was crooked and the retired lord saw stars spinning. “Let it be known to all that I, Nylocke, defeated the unjust and unfair titan Torch this day!”
The crowd cheered loudly in amazement.
“Sweet mother of Tiamat!” Ember shouted in amazement, not believing Nylocke was this strong.
Nylocke gave a hearty laugh. “In the end, tis Justice and good that always comes in triumph!” He declared boldly.
Ember flew down next to the dragon knight, a wide grin at seeing such a display of strength and seeing her father taken down from his pedestal. “Ugh… I… Lost…” Torch grumbled, sighing as he turned to Nylocke. “You truly are a dragon not only of strength, but of honor and bravery rarely seen in our lands.”
“So what does he win dad?” Ember asked curiously. “And...uh, what did you bet Nylocke?”
“I bet the only item of personal value, my sword.” Nylocke said as he pat the sheathed weapon.
“As for your victory, as a dragon of my word, I bistro my most treasured possession.” Torch said, giving his daughter a small nudge closer to Nylocke. “My daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“... Say what?” Nylocke asked.
“EXCUSE ME WHAT!?!” Ember screeched. “That’s what you’ve been betting all these fights on!?”
“So that’s why he was undefeated!” A dragon from the crowd said loudly in realization, causing all the others to mutter in agreement that that would indeed make sense.
“As your father, it is within my rights to marry you off, and if I passed before then the suitor would have to face you in combat, and Ember, you are too much like your mother. Size, lack of strength. You have her intelligence, even you are smart enough to know that if a powerful, impure drake bested you for your hand in marriage, then he would earn the right of Dragon Lord. This was the best solution to ensure you not only married a dragon of proper strength, but one of honor, intelligence, kindness, and honesty. Traits this fight has shown me this Nylocke drake here has in spades. By week's end, you both shall be wed, as per tradition you both shall share the right and title of Dragon Lord.”
“... Say what?” Nylocke said again, breaking character a little at the absurdity that was going on.
Torch and the other dragons then flew off. A royal wedding was rare, and all needed to prepare. This left the Dragon Knight and the Dragon Lord alone…
“WHAT!?!” Ember screeched again. “How dare he! I mean, sure, dad has a point about this, but I could have picked who I wanted, Spike would have been great, but no! I randomly get married to...whoever the actual hell you are.” She motioned to Nylocke. “I’ve never met a single dragon that was able to make ice magic work in volcano’s and be slightly resistant to dad’s fire, but to be able to match him and or slightly go above him in raw strength is just...just…” She growled in anger, trailing off as she most certainly didn’t want this even if her dad was correct in his assumption.
“...Say what?” Nylocke repeated, his brain stuck on processing this information.
“And there, you’re voice changed.” The blue dragoness frowned. “How do I know that bravado wasn’t just some act before?”
Nylocke flinched, coughing as he was about to get back to his usual Knight routine… only to slump as he sighed, taking a seat. “It makes for a better hero doesn’t it?” He asked, surprising Ember as his calm, sad toned voice. “Growing up… I wished I could be like this. Like… a real honest hero. When I got… all this.” He motioned to himself. “I swore I’d be that hero I wish I had when I was younger. It was… better than the real me. The depressing pencil pusher nobody knew.”
“Oh...uh…” Ember started. “I...didn’t know…” She started, completely caught off guard by his tonal shift and admittance.
“Hm. It’s also really fun. Putting on a show, giving people hope, being the hero every kid dreams about. It’s my reason for getting out of bed everyday. It keeps me moving, keeps me sane honestly. Everything I told you about how I got here, fighting the undead, at least I think that classified as undead, and my friends is all true… with some extra details I should probably try and explain too.” Nylocke took a deep breath, jumping up and startling the dragoness. “But so long as I, Nylocke! Defender of all that is Just! Is here, no villain in these lands shall go unpunished and no innocent shall know fear ever again!” He decreed with his typical bravado Nylockeness.
Ember couldn’t help but chuckle at how quick Nylocke was able to go from his real persona, talking about heavy stuff to his knightly bravado. “Well, at least you're honest about it.”
“Of course, a true knight never lies! Now… what do we do now?”
“Well...we have a week before...this stupid wedding happens.” Ember grumbled. “We’ll...have enough time to talk I suppose.” She said, having learned through Spike and her other friends that talking is actually a decent way to get to know a person.
“Oh… So, like a date then?”
“I’m still getting used to...pony terminology.” Ember said carefully. “But...effectively I guess.”
“Well, shall my fair maiden like to pick our evenings outing?” Nylocke asked.
Ember had no idea why, but being called a maiden gave her a warm, fuzzy feeling deep in her stomach that gave her a blush.
“D-don’t call me that.” Ember said quickly, pouting at the fuzzy feeling.
“Then how shall I address thee?”
“Just call me Ember.” She said. “I’m still the Dragon Lord of these lands, and I deserve respect.”
(In HOME)
"What in the hell happened!?" A crystal like humanoid asked in a panic.
"I don't know! It just appeared out of nowhere, and disappeared just as quickly." A Mushroom Man said worriedly.
"Are those six players alright?" A blonde woman wearing a slightly too long robe and a halo over her head asked worriedly.
"The game is working fine right now, we need to make sure this won't effect any of the other players." A tall suited man said gruffly, even though the other four could tell he was just as worried as everyone else.
"Everyone please, stay calm." A King Chess piece with floating robot hands said bluntly. "We don't know what happened, or who could cause this. All we know is that Sofdti is still safe, the six players that disappeared are still considered logged in, so their still mentally okay." The being told them. "There's no telling what could have caused this..."
"Should we inform him?" The Mushroom asked.
"No, Giga is our advisor for protecting Sofdti from the public, this is outside anything we could imagine..." The king sighed out. "What a mess..." He rubbed his forehead as he looked back at the screen, showing some of the Mods at the area of Goblin King Vortex, seeing cracks in the ground that still radiated some strange energy and it's axe covered in strange black goo still embedded in the ground even after the boss respawned.
To be continued...