//------------------------------// // The Chaos Sewer King // Story: Okage: In the Shadow of Discord // by Final Resistance //------------------------------// The Chaos Sewer King “I told you we should have taken a left back there.” Discord is holding a map upside-down while he wears bottlecap sunglasses. “Don’t you start that shit with me! This is your fault in the first place!” Ari shouts to his companion. They barrel through the sewers trying to avoid the minions of the sewer chaos king. Ari peeks over his shoulder to see the sizable rats closing in. His head whips forward and kicks it into high gear. “Why does this happen to me?” -An hour earlier- “I don’t see her, Discord.” Ari and Discord have been searching high and low for Rainbow Dash for the better part of an hour. “Any luck?” Discord retracts from the sky. “Not even a feather. You sure this girl is worth all this trouble? You know we’re here to defeat the Chaos Sewer King and get my powers back, right?” “I just want to thank her properly. You know, like some kind of reward?” Ari lifts a trash can lid and peers inside. He is greeted with the smell of rotting fruits and old baby diapers. He quickly closes the lids when he feels his last meal wanting to make a second appearance. “Ugh.” “You already said thanks, what more could you do?” Discord summons up a shadowy easy chair. “Well I don’t really have anything I can give her, so I guess, a meal.” “Well good luck to you my scrawny friend, but first we have to-“ “Hey you!” A young voice calls out. Ari looks around but sees nothing. “Did you hear something?” With a snap of his talons a book appears in Discord’s hands. “Yeah, it sounded annoying. Let’s ignore it.” Ari continues his search, but the voice calls out again. “Hey! I’m talking to you!” The voice calls out again. With a sigh Ari turns to look for the owner of that voice. In front of him stood a small colt Pegasus with dark hair and a light gray coat. Next to him, another Pegasus--this one much skinnier, and around his neck sat a camera. “Can I help you two?” Ari asks. “The names Rumble and this here is Featherweight. We were watching you look for something and we think we can help. Of course, we need something done in return.” Rumble offers. “What exactly do you want?” “Well as you know in this town there are two levels: upper and lower. I run the gang on the bottom level but those snobs on top made a gang in retaliation. We always have territorial wars with them, but they have taken it too far this time. They have started to sneak into our turf and have been putting up their marks all around.” Rumble explains. “Where do I come in?” Ari asks. “Simple, I want you to be a member of my gang and help us get them off our ground.” Rumble sticks out his hand. Ari shakes his head. “Thanks but no thanks. I’ll find another way.” He turns to leave. Featherweight gives Rumble a concerned look. “What do we do now, boss? The upper class has a new member and we don’t stand a chance against her. She’ll hit us with that umbrella if we get too close.” Ari stops in his tracks. “Did you say umbrella?” “Yeah, a rainbow colored umbrella. Don’t know why she’s carrying one--it’s not hot out today.” Rumble answers. Ari spins around. “You know what, I changed my mind. I will help you with your problem.” Rumble gives a questioning look. “What’s with the sudden change of heart?” “Well if they got a new member then you guys need a new one too. It’s only fair.” Ari uses kindergarten logic. “Hmmm…all right then let’s go!” Rumble motions for his two companions to follow. “You dragged us into another annoying situation.” A voice hisses from Ari’s shadow. Ari just smiles and keeps on walking. ******** In an old warehouse Rumble gathers the members of his gang and plan how to take back their turf from the upper gang. Rumble stands on a makeshift stage with Ari behind curtains to hide his presence. “All right, ponies, time to get serious. The upper class has been coming down here putting up graffiti to cover ours and a new member is on their side. The new girl looks strong but we have a new member of our own. Please, let’s welcome Ari!” Applause erupts as Ari walks out of the shadows to reveal himself. The room is filled with colts and fillies from all across the bottom level. “He may not look as strong as the new girl, but I feel he will still be useful.” Rumble says, crushing some of the confidence Ari felt. The back door to the warehouse flies open, revealing two young earth fillies. One had a pink fur and a tiara sitting on top of her head, she was clearly the leader. The other has glasses and silver hair. Around her neck sit some pearls. “Another strategy meeting, Rumble? Aren’t you tired of losing to me?” The pink filly says. “Diamond Tiara and Silver spoon? What are you doing in here?” Rumble demands. “Isn’t it obvious? We’re here to claim it for the upper gang. Now all you need to do is surrender.” Diamond Tiara offers. Rumble slams a fist on his podium. “Never! The bottom gang will never surrender to you upper snobs!” Rumble raises a fist and all members of the gang cheer him on. All except Ari who does not like where this is going. “Humph very well then, you leave me no choice but to bring out our newest member. Come on out newbie!” Diamond motions the shadows. Out steps a very depressed looking Rainbow Dash. Her shoulders are slumped and her fiery spirit seems to be cold. “Did you need something boss?” Rainbow asks dejectedly. “Yes I want you to show these low lives whose boss.” Diamond says and points to the bottom gang. Rainbow looks out at all the children looking at her. Her pride as a hero would never allow her to hurt children even if it helps her further her goal. “Dream on Diamond Tiara! I have a new member of my own!” Rumble shoves Ari to emphasize his point. Ari is lost in a daze staring at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow’s eyes land on Ari and she remembers him well. She might have saved him before but now he stands in her way and he is not a child. She smiles at Ari. Ari returns her smile unaware that in her head she has decided if they fight she will take him down. “Then the challenge is accepted! May the sacred art of our fore fathers begin!” Tiara shouts. Rainbow cracks her knuckles and Ari’s eyes widen with the realization he has to fight Rainbow. He brings his fists up in a poor attempt to defend himself. “Ready?” Rumble says. Rainbow gets ready to tackle Ari. “Set?” Tiara replies. Ari shift his legs ready for impact. “ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!!!” They shout in unison. Rainbow trips over her feet, and Ari falls to the ground in relief. Rainbow grumbles something about wanting a fight. Both approach each other and stick out both hands. They each form a fist and place the other hand underneath with a flat palm. They stare into each other’s eyes before bringing their fists down on their palms in the first of three blows. They chant the first word of the ritual as the fists make contact. The first hit stings as the blood rushes to the area, but without a second thought, the fists rise once more to the height they were before. They come crashing down on the palms, still recovering from the first blow. The palm begins to numb the pain to keep the battle going. The second word is chanted before the fists rise one more time into the air for the final strike. Each pony has made their decision on which form their fists will take in this final impact. A second later the fists come down for the last time. Rainbow sticks out two fingers to take the form of her choice. Confidence swells inside her before she notices what her opponent has chosen. In his palm rests the form she feared most of all, the only one who could possible defeat her choice. His fist sits there without taking another shape signifying his choice and it is the correct one. He raises his fist and taps her hand to show he has one. The battle is over and its victor chosen. It only lasts a few seconds so here it is in real time. “Rock, paper, scissors!” Rainbow chooses scissors and Ari chooses rock. “Way to go, new guy!” Featherweight shouts from the crowd of cheering ponies. Tiara and Spoon looked shocked at the defeat. Ari and Rainbow stand there awkwardly, as the little ponies cheer around them over the amazing battle they just witnessed. “This isn’t over, Rumble! Come on, new girl!” Tiara and Spoon run out of the room while a very dejected Rainbow Dash plods after. “Oh no you don’t! After them, new guy!” Rumble and Featherweight give chase, and a very confused Ari follows. ******** “How far have I fallen as a hero to do this?” Rainbow Dash shoves another box into place. She looks at her handiwork before returning to the room where her two associates wait. Air and his two companions enter the room. “Curses! They used the box maze on us! We’ll never catch them now!” Rumble shouts. Ari looks at the simplicity of the maze. Just by pushing one box, he could easily make a path. He walks over to the box in question and with a simple shoe, moves the box, revealing a path. “There, let’s go.” Ari dashes to the next room. Rumble and Featherweight stare in amazement of his ability to get through the daunting maze. Ari bursts into the next room where the three girls try to get through a window. It seems they tried to get through the window all at once because all three were stuck in the frame. “Move it, new girl!” Tiara shouts. “Outta our way!” Spoon agrees. “Tell me where the entrance is and I would be happy to let you go!” Rainbow fires back. Ari stands there silently chuckling over the strange situation the hero and gang members have gotten themselves into. Ari then notices Rainbow’s jackets is up enough he can get a good look at the shorts clinging tightly to Rainbow’s butt. Her tail thrashes frantically and her wings flare in irritation unaware she has a stallion looking at her in a way she hates. Rumble and Featherweight enter the room. They look around the room ready to fight when they notice the situation. The both clamp their hands over their mouths to try and mask their presence. They enjoy this scene for a few moments more before they can no longer contain their enjoyment. They fall on the floor laughing and tears roll down their faces. “WHO’S THERE?!” All three girls demand. “Oh don’t mind us. You girls are putting on quite a show.” Ari says. Rainbow Dash thrashes even harder than before and shakes herself loose. She plops to the ground kicking up a small cloud of dust. She spins and glares at Ari, who now regrets ever speaking up. The two others brush the dirt from their clothing. “It’s over, Diamond Tiara. We won fair and square.” Rumble says. The smile never vanishes from his face and seeing the girls covered in dust makes his lips quiver with the threat of another round of giggles. Tiara looks like she’s about to cry. Her eyes become misty. “Why are you so mean Rumble? We played all the time before but now all we do is fight.” Rumble looks confused by her words. His speech becomes fast and stuttering. “Wa? I-I thought th-that…you challenged me! I-I-I won fair and square! Now you owe me territory!” Tiara’s tears now spill out of her eyes and down her face, staining her dress. “You can be-be such an idiot!” she runs past the boys and out of the room with Spoon close behind. Ari and Rainbow stare after the poor girl with her heart broken by the thick head of a young male. “Yeah, we sure showed them, huh new guy?” Rumble says elbowing Ari. Ari just looks down at the young fool unaware of what he has done. Ari is about to say something before Rainbow Dash walks up to Rumble. She smacks Rumble across the face. “OW! Hey, what are you doing?” “You little idiot! How dare you treat a young girl like that! You should be ashamed!” She shouts her hands shaking with rage. “Bu-bu-“ Rumble is cut off by Ari. “You need to go apologize to her, Rumble. It’s not ok to hurt someone like that.” Rumble’s face contorts to a look of pain and he rushes out of the room after Tiara. Featherweight starts to follow but is stopped by Ari’s hand on his shoulder. “You promised me an entrance.” “Oh, right. In the previous room, there’s a door that leads to the underground. Follow that path for a little while and you will find another door. Go through that and you will find stairs leading to the sewer.” Featherweight chases after his friend. ******** Ari follows Featherweight’s instructions and soon finds himself in the sewers of Neighdrill. “Ooooooo spooky.” The King of Chaos spoke after such a long nap. “Nice of you to join me. Where were you back there?” Ari hisses. “Oh you know, watching and taking notes on your actions followed by a nap. So, got a good view of her behind huh?” The shadow says and nudges Ari’s shoulder. Ari swings his body away. “Knock it off. Let’s just get this guy and get your power back.” Ari peeks around another corner looking for their target. “Ah don’t be such a spoilsport. I’m sure you earned a few brownie points back there.” “Shut up. Are you even helping me look?” “Of course I am. I’m making a map so we know where we have been. By the way, you’ve come this way three times already.” Discord says looking over his map made of squiggles. “What? Why haven’t you told me?” “You didn’t ask.” Discord replies with a toothy grin. ******** In the depths of the sewer was a makeshift door leading into a maintenance room. Inside was a collection of junk to make a habitable room. The room had large and small rats scurrying across the ground, carrying out the tasks they have been assigned. They will gather garbage to make furniture, or steal food to feed the entire group. On an old beat-up couch sits a young griffon girl. She plays with her wings while waiting for the next candidate for her army to show up, or at least her first one. “Gah I’m so bored! Why isn’t anyone coming down here to join my army?” She shouts in frustration. For hours she has sat in her armor made from scrap metal, hoping to gather a sizeable force to start conquering the town above her, but so far, no one has approached her base. She is starting to lose her patience and her temper begins to flare. A rat approaches his master. “Madam please be patient. I’m sure plenty of creatures want to join your powerful army but they just can’t find our base.” He explains. She glares at him. “Why can’t they find it? I believe I told you to lead those who want to join to our base so they could sign up.” She shot back. “Well I uh…” The rat began to fade back into the crowd of rats. “Well something interesting better happen soon, or I’m gonna have to start making my own fun.” She leans back on her couch. “AHHHHHHH!!!” A scream comes out of the sewer. At first, the griffon is shocked by the scream but then a smile appears on her face. Finally, something interesting is happening. She stands from her couch and strikes a pose. “All right, minions. Time to go to work. Go out and bring me whoever screamed.” The rats salute and leave the room to find the source of the scream. ******** Rainbow Dash turns another corner hoping she will find the Sewer Chaos king but is sadly disappointed when she just finds more pipes. “Well this is just great. I follow that guy into the sewer and I lose sight of him almost immediately. Now I’m just wandering in circles, trying to find my way. This is so not awesome!” “AHHHHHHH!!!” A scream from within the sewer causes Rainbow’s fur to stand on end. Her knees shake a little, but soon she draws her sword. Her hero’s oath ringing loudly in her head, she rushes to the source of the noise. ******** “You got a nice set of lungs there, kid,” Discord says as he cleans one ear with his claw and it sticks out the other. Ari just continues to stop his way through the sewer, silently cursing his partner for his crazy personality and his own stupidity for agreeing to any of this in the first place. “Ah, come on, don’t be like that. Snow cone?” Ari is about to tell off Discord when he notices a small movement in a shadow ahead. “Did you see that?” “See what?” “There was something ahead of us.” Ari points to the shadow where he saw the movement. Discord focuses on the spot where Ari points but doesn’t see anything. “Probably just seeing things.” Discord looks back and sees a sight that makes him speechless. Ari still keeps focusing on the spot in front of them. “I know something was there--I just know it. We should be careful anyways, never know when the Chaos King or his minions will show up.” Discord places a paw on Ari’s head and turns him to see behind him. “Hello there, pony. You lost?” Says a large rat and behind him stands a huge mass of rats of various sizes staring at Ari and Discord. Ari motions Discord to lean down and he does. “Run?” Ari whispers. Discord nods. “Run.” Off they go.