//------------------------------// // The Mad Whispers // Story: Cross-Realm Raiding // by Bishibosh the Shaman //------------------------------// Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Ten The sun was not up, but Bishibosh was. He had tried to sleep but something kept him awake, some unnatural vibe that filled the air around him. They had just left the forest filled with all kinds of strange creatures, but they didn't give off this same feeling. It had Bishibosh on edge. He trotted out of his tent and examined the dark landscape, trying to discover the source of this strange feeling. He just barely saw a dim light coming from a bush across the clearing, right between Rarity's and Rainbow's tents. It could have been a fire fly, but something urged him to investigate. Be it known, Bishibosh still had a fear of the dark that came from his childhood, so this event was all the more terrifying for the shaman. He stepped forward and considered lighting the area with a lightning bolt, but didn't want to alert the rest of the camp until he knew it this was a threat. As he moved closer the light got brighter, making it a little easier to move forward more. Finally he made it to the bush, and he knelt down his head to peer into what would be this strange light. Reaching his hoof into the bush, he felt a solid object. It was cold to the touch but when he pulled it out he knew exactly what it was. He found a Twilight ember. Many years ago, Bishibosh was sent to the region of Mount Hyjal. There was conflict with the Twilight's Hammer he was meaning to stomp out. One particular instance he was sent to gather ingredients for a tonic to cure the madness many lives were claimed to. One such ingredient was a twilight ember. A stone cold to the touch but bathed in purple flames, said never to extinguish on their own. These were signs of a twilight encampment. Seeing as how Bishi found this in a bush led him to believe it was hidden for a reason. He wanted to crush the stone but felt the need to keep it. He stowed it in his vestments and went back to his tent. He never got to sleep. Hearing the commotion outside his tent, the shaman crawled out into the light. It hurt his eyes, but he squinted the pain away. Everypony was packing their tents back up and getting ready to head out again. Bishi pulled the string on his tent and it collapsed. Gathering all the sticks and cloth into one bundle, he then strapped it to his back. He thought about telling the others about the ember but kept it to himself. The embers alone were never known to cause harm. "Darling, you look sick. Here, let me take that for you, I have plently of room in my wagon." Rarity offered. "Thank you, but it's fine. I just didn't get a good night's rest." Bishi explained. "Well regardless, I must take it off your back. Lack or rest is a viable excuse after all." Rarity winked. She had been trying to suck up to Bishibosh so that he may teach her some of his magic. He had considered it. "Ok, you convinced me." Bishibosh chuckled. Once everypony was ready they began to move out, Bishibosh drifted in and out of consciousnesses occasionally but stayed on track with the others. Everypony moved as one group with exception of the pegasai who flew ahead to scout. Rainbow and Korin were the ones doing most the scouting. Fluttershy stayed back, keeping an eye on Bishi. She noticed him dosing off and felt like she needed to watch over in case he passed out. The sun rose to the top of the sky when finally Bishibosh fell over. Everypony stopped and rushed over to check on him. Twilight and Rarity felt a strange aura coming off of Bishibosh, in fact they could almost see it! The air was thick with energy, the other ponies seemed un-phased. "Whats wrong with him?" Rainbow asked. "I don't know, he just... collapsed..." Fluttershy commented, shaking in shock. "Well, we can't just leave him here, let's get him on the wagon." Applejack suggested. "Wait! let us try something." Twilight said with Rarity by her side. Both the unicorns began using their magic to try and find the source of the aura they felt. They had no luck until Rarity managed to pull a shining gem from Bishi's vestments. The gem shone like a star but radiated the foul energy that was undoubtedly making the shaman sick, but for some reason Rarity couldn't just get rid of it. The gem called out to her, it seemed to whisper into her ear. Rarity, you don't need these peasants... you could be a queen, just take me and runnnn.... Rarity stood there in a blank trance, enthralled by the gem and it's dark whispers. She drew it closer and raised a hoof to grab onto it but it was ripped from her magic by Twilight. She could hear the whispers as well... Don't you want to impress your teacher? Don't you want to be her equal? or even perhaps... surpass her... As the gem drew closer to Twilight, it was once again in the magic of Rarity. Both unicorns began to mindlessly tug at the gem. This went on for several minutes before the gem was grabbed from the air by Bishibosh, feeling well enough to break both ponies magic hold. He pulled out a box that also whispered, but it's whispers were not captivating but frightening. The silent, sleeping, staring houses in the backwoods always dream. It would be merciful to tear them down. You will all be alone in the end. Beneath the shadow of the darkened spire, there is no light, no mercy, only void, and the chaos within. As Bishibosh held the gem close to the box, the whispers went silent. The aura faded and the two unicorns were left baffled. "What... what happened? And why does my head hurt." Rarity dazed around. "I... I almost..." Twilight knelt down and cowered. "Do not worry you two, the call of an old god is difficult to resist. They promise everything you could possibly want, and the overwhelm your mind with mad whispers." Bishibosh said as he knelt down with Twilight to help her back up. "But I almost gave it, I almost took it..." Twilight cried. "It's all right Twilight, don't worry about it. Very few can say they heard a promise to an old god and lived." "Now wait just a minute, once second those two are frisking you with their magic, the next they are playing tug-o-war with a rock. Now you you are talking all this old god stuff and the rest of us are lost!" Applejack ranted. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful but if this... old god thing can do that to Twilight and Rarity with just a little rock, I want to know what exactly it is!" "It's sounds scary..." Flutttershy added. "You have no idea... Lets get back on the road, I'll fill you all in on the way." Bishibosh stated. Once again they were on the road, and Bishibosh told the stories of Yogg-Saron and C'thun. Two of the most terrifying monsters he had ever dealt with. Everypony was in agreement that they wanted nothing to do with these old gods...