Spike
I growled in annoyance at my lack of sleep, seeing as how I couldn’t shut my eyes. Sitting up quickly, I put on an angry face as I sung my legs over the edge of the bed and placed them on the wooden floor. Clasping my hand in thought, my mind instantly entered my Magical Core. Colors whizzed in my subconscious, until the familiar valley and castle loomed around me. Once there, I could feel Vorvin somewhere in my vicinity.
“Alright then, Vorvin...Why can't I fall asleep?” I asked as I threw my arms up in exasperation. A chuckle filled the air as I was knocked my face by what felt like a foot being shoved into my back. Eating dirt, I rose back up quickly. I turned so fast my neck hurt as I socked Vorvin in the gut, taking the wind from him. He keeled over, both hands on his stomach as he wheezed.
I quickly spat out any extra dirt in a large sized loogie, watching with the intent to kill as Vorvin staggered back onto his feet. He threw me a cocky grin as he steadied himself.
“I forget that we’re one in the same. Which means, you’re as strong as I am as well. Heh,” he laughed as he inhaled sharply, then exhaled slowly, “But; that’s not why you’re here, right? You want to know why you can’t sleep?” I nodded quickly, wanting nothing more than to close my eyes.
“Sorry to say, but that’s not going to happen. You see; you’re suffering from what necromancers call, Soul Vibe. It’s when a necromancer consumes its first or more souls, then stays awake for long periods of time. Hate to burst your bubble, but some necromancers never got rid of their first Soul Vibe. So what I’m spittin is this...you ain’t gonna sleep at all.” Vorvin finished as my face fell into shock, making him bust out in laughter. It was severe laughter, but it was genuine enough to make me frown.
“Calm down,” He said with a serious expression and a hand raised in the gesture of ‘stop’, “It’s not that serious. If you want some sleep, I recommend making a pact with a Familiar.” He said as he closed the distance and slugged me in the shoulder playfully. I winced at the sudden contact and slugged him back, earning another cocky grin as he walked past me with both hands behind his head.
“What’s a Familiar?” I asked as I ran to shrink the distance between us. He was still walking weirdly.
“A Familiar is a spirit that you can feed magic to. It does various things: Like cooking, cleaning, feeding, bathing, torturing your enemies to death,” His voice got smaller toward the end, making it impossible for me to hear what he said. I cupped a hand to my ear, wordlessly asking him to repeat himself. He grumbled before opening his mouth and, “I SAID...*sigh* killing your foes in combat. But before you chew my ear off, let me begin by saying this. Your power is not great enough yet to exact revenge on Celestia. She’s had a millennia to hone her magical prowess whereas you’ve had what, two days? I think it’s pretty obvious that you’re going to need help.” Vorvin stated as he slapped me on my back, causing me to stumble. This guy’s insufferable!!!
“Ow,” I frowned at him, “If you could stop hitting me...Yeah that’d be great.” I said in exasperation as Vorvin pulled on the brakes immediately.
“H-holy shit. Y-you just said a meme...You just fucking said a MEME!!! It’s working then!? It’s really working!? HAHAHAHAAHAHA-” He broke down into insane laughter as he fell on the floor, pounding a fist upon the brown earth. It didn’t seem like he was gonna stop, so I posted up on the valley wall closest to us and relaxed with a sour look on my face.
Little laughs came from him as he slowly stood back up, clutching his sides in amusement, “Woah. *snort* I can’t believe you said a meme! That should be impossible. You see, meem’s come from a planet called Earth and it’s about the same size as this one. They’re just a little more advanced and tech savvy is all. Oh, and before you ask what Earth is like...don’t. You don’t want to know. The only reason I do is because I’m a magical construct of your inheritence, which wanders different worlds while you’re asleep.” Vorvin said as we came to a high wall, earning a raised eyebrow from me in response. He looked at me out the corner of one his eyes, almost as if he could tell what I was about to say.
“Save it. It’s time to learn magic now,” Interrupted Vorvin, giving an answer to my unasked question. I perked up a little at that, seeing as how I didn’t really have instruction in this before. I’m more curious about how he’s gonna train me, y’know, “Let’s break down the curriculum, shall we? First and foremost, I’ll be covering both offensive and defensive type moves with you. Your offensive skill set will stem from your Necromantic Inheritance, while your defensive skill set will stem from your Vindicator Inheritance.” Vorvin explained as he finally ended his care-free posture, turning around to eye me down analytically. He even raised a claw to his chin and began stroking it, like some old master or something.
“Hmmm, but where to begin? I guess, I can start off our sessions together by teaching you the strongest attack moves you can handle at this point. However, they are also the most draining. These techniques combine both magical and physical strength, and are not to be used lightly. Only, with the intent to kill! Understood?” Vorvin asked as I gulped and nodded. Pleased with my obedience, he turned so that he faced the wall and motioned for me to back away with a claw. I complied immediately, knowing that something huge was about to go down.
“We’ll start with the “Reaper” skills and work our way from there. First off, we’ll start with Crimson Reaper. It’s a Necromantic, Fire and Darkness based move where you summon a scythe of hellfire from your own Mana Pool. In saying this, I can say that you’ll only be able to keep one Reaper Scythe out at a time. Anymore than that, and you’ll kill yourself before you take your next breath.” Vorvin explained, my eyes widening at that tidbit of information. My mind began to wander off, trying to figure out what other scythes there could be and what their special powers would be.
Vorvin snapped his fingers loudly, gaining my attention, “Don’t fucking space out, twit! This shit’s important! As I was saying, you’ll only be able to use one element as long as the corresponding scythe to that element remains active. So; if you activate Crimson Reaper, what elements will you be allowed to use in battle with it?” Vorvin asked me with a raised eyebrow and a stare that said ‘I’ll gut you like a fish if you mess this up!’
“...Fire and Darkness?” I asked timidly, remembering what he had said earlier. He nodded as he turned his attention back to the colossal valley wall. It reached so high, that I could see clouds bouncing off the side of it!
“Correct...Now watch closely...” Vorvin said solemnly as he raised both of his claws through the air slowly, very slowly. It took about a minute for him to have them at chest level, where he then pushed his palms into each other; his fingers pointing towards the sky. With that, I could begin to feel something tug at the back of my mind. It was almost as if I was being warned about a coming disaster, a premonition if you will. I hastily hid behind a brown boulder, still relatively close to Vorvin but less exposed, “....Come out from behind that rock and watch my hands! You’re gonna have to see the proper technique for summoning one of these bad boys!” He exclaimed while turning his head to look at me sternly.
I did as I was told, my curiosity getting the best of my common sense. Luck for me, I’m not Opalescence!
Get it? Opalescence is a cat, which would normally die because of her curiosity?
No?
Well fine! I thought it was funny!
“Pay attention,” Vorvin snapped, causing me to do a double-take as I jogged closer to him. He smiled at how close I was, letting me know that any further could be dangerous, “Here’s another tidbit of info for you! Using a “Reaper” skill has severe repercussions, which is why I said using more than one will possibly kill you. Sorry to say, but that’s not the end of it kiddo. Ya’ see; using a “Reaper” will create an initial explosion of magic that will ultimately kill you, before the energy can be taken away. This only stands true for ones who do not know Necromancy, which excludes you of course.” Vorvin explained, even though I had difficulty grasping what he meant. Seeing my quizzical gaze, Vorvin hastily added more to his explanation.
“Right now; you currently hold about twenty to thirty souls in your Mana Pool, thanks to that late night snack some time earlier. It’s rather simple. All you need do is use one of the souls to negate the initial explosion, which will save your hide from an instant and rather painful death. But the cost will be one soul. It’s an unfair trade, with the odds in your favor. I’ll demonstrate this now.” Vorvin said smugly as I saw little red orbs begin to drift into his hands, lighting them ablaze as he winced.
His claws are on bucking fire!? How the tartarus did he do that!? Is he alright!?
“Calm yourself, Spike! You’re disrupting your Core’s magical balance! I can’t draw the Fire and Darkness magicks to me if you’re panicking!” Vorvin snapped, shooting me an angry glare before returning his attention to the wall. I quickly thought of some personal things I like, which you guys don’t need to know about. Pulling myself back from panic’s throes, I noticed the orbs returning and phasing into Vorvin’s hands.
He started a low yell, which quickly crescendoed as the flames began to radiate a heat so strong, that It was starting to burn some of my skin even though I was about twenty-feet away from him, “...aaaAAA!!! CRIMSON REAPER!!!” He stretched his claws out as far as they could go, a long rod of flame following in each direction as the claws distanced themselves.
I could barely contain my awe as the bright flaming rod shaped itself in mid-air, becoming a scythe with a blood-red spiky handle as tall as Vorvin himself. The blades were little poles of intense fire, reminding of a blow torch shooting flames out in a constant concentrated stream. These flames burned through the vertebrae of an unfortunate being, possibly an anthro, giving the weapon its “Reaper” appearance.
My face had become misplaced amongst all the awe! That was amazing!
Vorvin was panting now, the scythe’s back laying across his shoulders and the back of his neck. He used one forearm to hold it in place, the one near the back of the handle. He then turned to face me, offering me a simple wink before walking away from the wall and advising me to do so as well. I quickly followed, my mouth still open in shock and awe at that display of magical prowess.
“I take it you like the Crimson Reaper? Good...cause now I’m gonna show you the moves associated with this specific “Reaper”!” Vorvin stopped and turned around so quickly, that I had to duck or else the blades of fire would have impacted my head!
“Woah! Watch where you’re turning!” I yelled out, shaking my fist at him angrily.
“Shut up. Now watch closely...again,” Vorvin yelled as he turned on his heels so that he was facing the wall again. He began twirling the scythe at impossible speeds and with impossible control, the weapon becoming a hissing red circle of Darkness and Fire magic, “IN ORDER TO USE THIS SCYTHE TO ITS FULL CAPACITY, YOU MUST HAVE AN EXCEPTIONAL GRASP OF THE ELEMENT OF MAGIC IT PERTAINS TO! BEHOLD, SPIKE!!!” Vorvin yelled over the ear shattering hiss of the scythe. He began turning himself as well, swinging the scythe this way and that as red orbs formed around his body and began circling him.
They were faster than what my eye could follow, creating a cone-shaped encasement around his frame as the scythe picked up even more speed.
“CRIMSON RIPPER!!!!!” Vorvin screamed, dragging it out even as a crescent moon shaped wave of concentrated fire exploded from the scythe with the red orbs following it. They impacted the wall instantly, my world flashing a dark red before a deafening explosion clouded my mind and aural senses. I felt the stinging sensation of blunt objects impacting my scales at crazy velocities and speed, causing me to wince as I shielded my eyes with a hand.
Then everything stopped after the wind gave its last whistle.
I opened my eyes, blinking out the clouds of dirt and dust that had climbed in them. I had unfocused vision, everything was a moving and unmoving blur. It took a couple of seconds, but everything came back into focus after that. Vorvin was on one knee, one of his hands grasping the Crimson Reaper as he held it on the ground.
Where the sides of the blades made contact, the ground was beginning to melt and become molten. His pants and eyes concerned me, for his breaths were quick and pained while his eyes appeared to be glossy.
I then turned my head to face where the move had hit, only to find the wall completely decimated. Nothing was left...literally nothing!!! Little cracks of red lightning flickered here and there, warning me of the wall’s possibility of harboring dangerous magic.
“W-w-w-w-what the...T-t-t-that was...AWESOME!!!” I cheered like an idiot, fistpumping and whooping into the air excitedly. I get to learn that!!!??? TRULY!!!??? Freaking SWEET~~~!!!
“Heheheh...” Laughed Vorvin tiredly, standing back up on shaky legs as I continued to jump around like a colt who just got his first marefriend, “You don’t, *pant*, need to. Once I perform them, the moves are downloaded into your Magical Core. Your only purpose is to, *wheeze*, come here as often as you can.” Vorvin finished as he waved his hand over the scythe he left on the ground, causing it to melt into a blood-red portal. The sound could be likened to a tide receding.
“That was so...COOL!!!” I yelled, instantly zipping up to his face. He pushed me away tiredly, letting out another chuckle before collapsing completely.
“Vorvin!” I yelled in concen as I caught him mid-fall.
“I just need some sleep...return to your world and do the same.” He commanded groggily, his last effort at keeping sleep at bay failing. Have I ever told you how heavy that son of a gun is? No?
Good.
Then you wouldn’t mind me dropping him onto the ground like so...
FLUMPH!!!
I winced at the impact. He’s not gonna be happy about that in the morning.
I whistled innocently to myself as I pictured a portal in my head, falling through it immediately and waking up in my own body again.
“Well well well, isn’t this nice?” A familiar voice said with venom in every word. I gulped I turned my head to face the doorway leading into my room, staring into the venomous snake-like pupils of Nightmare Moon.
No...it’s much worse than Nightmare Moon.
It’s Luna, and she doesn’t seem so happy.
“Hey Luna, how’s it going,” I asked weakly, earning narrowed eyes from her as a retort. I sighed in bemusement, “I’m in the doghouse, am I?” I asked for confirmation, already knowing the answer long before she said anything.
“Most definitely.” She replied coldly, trotting over to my sitting frame and pushing me onto the floor with a hoof. Before I could yella t her in annoyance, I felt my mouth literally zip up.
“Mmmm! Mmm-mm-mmm!” I mumbled, fumbling with the iron clasp at one corner of my mouth. Luna shook her head, still agitated with me as she lifted the covers with her magic and laid down underneath them.
“You can sleep on the floor, most dogs usually do.”
Ouch.
I whined just like a dog as I found a corner and sat down, crossing my legs and arms as I stared at her. I wasn’t even tired, thanks to that stinking Soul Vibe.
The only thoughts on my mind that night? Will she get over this, and how am I gonna take my life back from Celestia.