Night faded and gave way to morning. At the gates of High Peak Castle, Cliff Jumper and Speeding Bullet stood alone, their guards having returned to their posts elsewhere. The pair of ponies were free to roam anywhere in the city, but would not be allowed to go beyond it. Or, at least, that was what they had been told...
“Who knew High Peak would turn out to be this world’s Canterlot?” Cliff asked.
Speed nodded.
“I guess it makes sense, if you think about it. Pretty convenient, in any case.”
After another few seconds of taking in the view from the gates, Cliff and Speed headed into the city.
“So,” Speed began, “what’s the plan?”
“I was thinking we ask around about The Book.”
“And Omni?”
“Well, maybe we’ll bump into him. Or, maybe we won’t. Who knows? We’ll just see what happens.”
“I guess…”
As they headed into the city, the pair of earth ponies were completely unaware that they were being followed. As they moved through the crowded streets, they completely failed to notice that they were being tailed. A little way behind, but never losing sight of the two, was a griffin. Her black and orange hue wasn’t exactly subtle, but no-one made any attempt to bother her, or even block her path. Not after the last time. No sane pony wants to be decapitated in the middle of the street.
Meanwhile, not too far away, the bat pony known as Omni Chrome wasn’t having any luck in his search for information. With each unhelpful response from the locals, he grew more and more frustrated.
“How on Earth did those two idiots think they would get anywhere with this?”
‘They clearly know something you don’t.’
“I had hoped I had seen enough of them, but it seems fate insists I go to them once more.”
Slipping into the shadows, Omni went back in the direction of the castle. He suspected the pair were, by now, somewhere in the city. Maybe he could track them down.
“Like I told the bat pony before you, we ain’t heard of no Book.”
“Sorry to waste your time, ma’am.”
Cliff and Speed continued down the road.
“That’s the fourth resident who brought up Omni. You’re sure we never mentioned our quest to him, right?”
“Quite sure… So, how’d he hear about it?”
The question garnered no response. Neither of them knew the answer. Speed shrugged.
“Guess it doesn’t matter,” he said, breaking the awkward silence.
“True.”
“Should we start asking if there’s an asylum around here? Maybe they’ll know something there?”
“Next griffin we come across, we’ll ask.”
“What about the one behind us?”
“Finally noticed that one, eh?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I noticed her following us not long after we got let out. A lot of the citizens gave her odd yet subtle looks. Seems she’s known around here, which isn’t surprising considering the regal attire.”
“So are we going to ask her?”
“Nah. The others must’ve had good reason not to bother her. Not sure I want to find out what the reason might be.”
“Ok, I guess.”
And so, Cliff, Speed and their mystery stalker continued through the city.
It hadn’t been hard for Omni to locate his quarry. They weren’t exactly trying to hide. Now, Omni watched them enter some medical facility. Judging by the sounds coming from it, the place was an asylum for the mentally insane. The griffin (who, in his opinion, was awful at hiding the fact she was following Cliff and Speed) entered soon after. Whoever she was, she was definitely important.
“It is unlikely those two have not noticed their new friend.”
‘If they haven’t I’ll eat my hat.’
“We do not have a hat.”
‘I know.’
Omni made sure the coast was clear before slipping inside the asylum. He eventually caught sight of Cliff again, who was talking to the receptionist.
“…The Book?”
“Hmmm… no one currently residing here is like that. Let me check our records for any previous patients.”
Moving closer, Omni came within touching distance of the caped stalker. Speed was checking out some pamphlets, he noted. A minute or so later, the desk clerk produced a file.
“This pony was said to mention ‘The Book’ in his ranting. That help?”
Cliff gave the file a quick glance.
“Yep. Any idea where he came from?”
“No one who treated him works here anymore. It was a very long time ago, after all. If I recall, one of them is still alive. Would you like an address?”
“That would be lovely, thanks.”
“Anything to further your research. I must say, wearing that jacket is quite the idea.”
“Oh, this?”
It must have only then occurred to Cliff that she was still wearing the modified straight jacket. She was lucky it didn’t ruin whatever lies she was telling to get this information.
“It must make the patients feel more comfortable around you.”
“It does and it doesn’t. The more lucid patients don’t trust it.”
‘Wow,’ commented the voice in Omni’s head. ‘Someone’s clearly had a lot of practice.’
The clerk handed a piece of paper to Cliff and smiled.
“Nothing’s ever perfect.”
“Of that I’m painfully aware. Thanks for your help, Mister…?”
“Bull. Gully Bull.”
“Ah. Many thanks, Mister Bull.”
With that, Speed put down his reading material and joined Cliff as they headed back out. They almost walked right past their “stalker” without so much as a glance. Sadly, Cliff just couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
She said to the griffin, “You know, you’re the worst stalker ever. You may as well just walk alongside us.”
In the blink of an eye, the griffin had a katana in claw, aiming for the mare’s neck. Just as fast, Omni was between weapon and victim. He raised a hoof which took the blow. The blade only managed to go a centimetre deep before stopping.
“Omni!?” the earth ponies exclaimed simultaneously.
The griffin grinned.
“So, you’re the one making me feel watched. Did you feel it, too?” she queried.
A grunt was Omni’s only reply as he used his other forehoof to knock the assailant away. She slid into the wall behind her. The weapon vanished and the griffin raised her claws up.
“Now that I’ve found you, there’s no need for violence. I just want to talk with you. Mind accompanying me to the castle?” Her request was met with a glare. “Alright, here will have to do.” Sitting down in the empty waiting area, the griffin introduced herself, “My name is Tiger Princess. I come from the lost tribe of Heavenly Flowers.”
While Omni remained standing, Cliff and Speed decided to sit across from Tiger.
Speed asked, “What’s with your interest in Omni?”
“He makes me feel weird, like I should know him. That or we have some other kind of connection. All I know for sure is that he isn’t some long lost lover. Even if he was, I’d never leave Gilda.”
Cliff scoffed.
“You and the Empress are an item?”
“Oh, we’re deeply in love with each other. I helped her get over a loss some time ago.”
“And you’re sure you’re not a rebound?”
An axe found its way into the wall behind Cliff, a little to the side of her head.
In a deep, threatening voice, Tiger replied, “We'll be together forever.”
A tiny bead of sweat trickled down Cliff’s face. She got out of her seat and pulled Speed from his.
“Speed and I need to discuss private matters. I’m sure you two can sort out whatever this ‘connection’ is while we wait outside.”
‘Well, they’re gonna run away.’
Omni and Tiger were left with an awkward silence.
Contrary to popular belief, Cliff and Speed did not run away, and did in fact discuss private matters while stood outside.
“You really have a death wish, don’t you?”
“So I have a bad habit from my less mortal days. Sue me.”
Speed rolled his eyes.
“That’s not important though. Please tell me I’m not the only one getting a bad vibe from that Tiger lady.”
“I’m going to assume you aren’t referring to her casual murderous nature.”
“That can be included. I’m talking about everything about her.” Cliff began to count out a list on imaginary fingers. “The locals humour her almost without batting an eyelid. Weapons just appear in her claws. Her name and home. Her ridiculous appearance. Even the way she talked about her relationship with Gilda.”
Realisation dawned upon Speed’s face as he spoke, “Kind of like some foal’s homemade character for a comic or book they like. Centre of attention, with an air of subconscious self-importance.”
“She feels something around Omni. Omni’s pretty kick ass, and a foal would want their character to be just as impressive if not more so.”
“We need to go see Gilda. Ask her about Tiger.”
Cliff nodded and lead the way as the pair of ponies galloped castle-wards.
Minutes went by without a sound. Omni continued to glare at Tiger, who stared back, calmness having returned upon the departure of the other two.
‘You know you’re gonna have to talk to her eventually, right?’
Maintaining his glare, Omni moved into the chair opposite to Tiger, ignoring the hole where an axe had been moments earlier.
‘Maybe you could mention the weather. I mean, she’s clearly struggling to think of a conversation starter. She’d compliment your hat if you had one. You should get a hat.’
Tiger enquired, “Who are you?”
‘You gonna be honest or make something up?’
“I am Omni Chrome.”
“Not very colourful.”
“So it has been said.”
“… What are you?”
Omni knew what the griffin truly meant by this.
“I am formerly an apprenticed guardian of the Multiverse, but having failed two worlds since I began, it has become painfully clear to me that I am not suited for such a role.”
Tiger’s eyes widened with glee.
“And I can sense that in you! That must mean I’m like you! Or maybe I’m your replacement! I knew I was meant for great things!”
“Have you ever met Thunder?”
“Thunder? Wait, you said apprentice… is Thunder the one who trained you? Did he approach in some kind of disguise? Maybe I have met him but he didn’t have time to reveal himself.”
“He saved me when my home reality ceased to exist. He offered to either send me to a new world to live in peace, or assist him in his job of eliminating the beings that ended my world. I was told that there were others like me, being offered the same deal. Unless he has come to you directly, you are not one of us.”
“But I’m gifted! My origin is mysterious!”
“It is true I sense something peculiar when in your presence, but it is likely something to do with this reality. The walls separating it from the rest of the Multiverse are thin.”
“So I’m still special, right? I could be destined for greatness?”
“I doubt it. You may have something over others, but beyond that, you are nothing special.”
‘Way to let her down gently.’
The griffin’s face went blank, and her whole body shook. Seeing this as a good time to end the conversation, Omni got up and left. He needed to catch up with the earth ponies.
As Omni began tracking down the Cliff and Speed once again, the pair of ponies in question were being escorted back into the throne room, having requested an audience with the Empress. Upon reaching the great doors, a group of caped griffins were seen exiting, faces sharing disapproving frowns.
The group glanced at the new arrivals and shook their heads, frowns worsening.
“What’s their problem?” Cliff wondered aloud, entering the throne room.
“The old farts don’t like how their precious tradition appointed me as their Empress,” Gilda explained with some exasperation. “Didn’t realise that a survivor of the Crown’s Trial might want to, you know, do their own thing rather than listen to wrinkled has-beens who think they know everything.”
All Cliff could think to say in response was, “Huh.”
“So you found Omni, I presume?”
“The fact that your lover isn’t following us anymore tell you that?”
“Ugh, that idiot can’t control herself, can she?”
“Nope,” said Speed. “We’re guessing that she’s the reason why you wanted us to find Omni.”
“Yes.”
Cliff smiled. “Good, because we left them together. Seeing as we’re free ponies now, mind telling us about Tiger? We’re curious as to how she became an important member of your military, if the cape is anything to go by.”
“You’ve heard about curiosity and the cat, right?”
This time, Speed smiled, albeit sarcastically. “Death’s more of a concept to us.”
“Well, I see no harm in telling you. It’s no secret.”
“So we could’ve asked anyone? We went through the trouble of getting back here for something any old griffin knows?”
“Yes.” Gilda signalled a couple of guards. “Prepare my meeting room. I don’t see the point in telling this story here.”
Down at the gates, Omni didn’t bother hiding himself, walking straight through. The guards would have moved to stop him, but they found this difficult with their heads separated from their bodies.
“Omni Chrome! I challenge you! We shall fight to the death!” Tiger screamed, bloodied double edged swords in her claws.
The bat pony stopped in his tracks, not looking at the griffin.
Calmly, he asked, “Are you sure you want to do this? Normally, I would offer to spare your life once you are clearly defeated, but I have not been feeling generous as of late.”
“YOU WILL DIE BY MY CLAW FOR SLIGHTING MY HONOUR!”
Omni spun round, slowly. He took in the two undeserving victims of the griffin’s rage. It was his fault they were dead. For some reason, he did not care. The only thing that bothered him was this naive female before him, who had the insulting delusion that she could be better than him.
‘What’s she got that makes her so high and mighty?’ said the ever present voice in Omni’s head. ‘She can summon an assortment of bladed weaponry, huh? That pales in comparison to the power of an Everto. She is weak and bigheaded. Beat her down! Make her suffer! BLEED HER DRY!!!’
“What honour would that be?” taunted Omni, dark essence spreading to his limbs.
Tiger performed some kind of griffin battle cry and flew at Omni, forelegs crossed over, ready to slice and dice.
In the privacy of a sound proofed meeting room, Gilda Stork told the tale of her meeting Tiger Princess.
“Four years ago, the griffins of High Peak fought with the minotaurs of Labirinti. Previously, we had worked side by side, conquering a crystal covered territory that we both desired. Our Emperor at the time secretly desired complete ownership. He suffered from Sombratitis, a mental illness where one becomes obsessed over crystals, gems and the like. The minotaurs caught wind of our leader’s desire, misinterpreting it as the desire of our entire species. They invaded our half of the territory and continued toward High Peak.
“At the time, I was a young warrior chief for a newly formed clan. I was one of many clan leaders who plotted and succeeded in overthrowing the Emperor. While I took part in the Crown’s Trial, which is the method of choosing our leader, my current lover at the time and second in command lead my clan to defend our land which the minotaur army threatened in its march for the capital. By the time I was in a position to negotiate peace, my clan was reduced to me alone.
“I was heartbroken, but managed to get the truth across to the enemy leaders. They assisted in repairs. During this process, they found Tiger. She was like me, the last of her clan. The brief war had taken everything of hers, like it had mine. It wasn’t long until we became lovers.”
Cliff interjected, “This clan you’ve both mentioned, Heavenly Flowers. Are you sure it was there beforehand?”
“There don’t appear to be any records of it. However, the battle in my clan’s former territory had ended abruptly when many soldiers, including most of the clan, disappeared.”
“But surely the minotaurs could tell you if it happened with her clan, too?”
“… Why are you questioning Tiger’s history?”
“Before I say anything, is there anything else special about her?”
“… She did tell me that, before the battle that wiped her clan off the map, she was a scrawny weakling who her father, the chief, was going to marry off to the first clan that would take her.”
Speed finally said, “Well that just confirms it, right Cliff?”
This confused Gilda more so.
“Confirms what?”
“Tiger is what we’d call a Character.”
Something in Gilda’s eyes told the ponies that she knew what they were talking about.
“A what?” she lied.
“A creation of The Writer.”
“The who?”
Speed sighed audibly, stating, “You know what we’re talking about. We can tell by your eyes.”
There was a pause.
“How do you know about these things?”
Cliff brushed off the question, “That’s not important. What is important is that Tiger is the product of a corrupt individual and needs to be put down.”
“You can’t!”
Speed tried to explain, “Her continued existence messes with the Multiverse. She’s not meant to be.”
“But I love her!”
Cliff’s voice began to increase in volume to match Gilda’s, “Think about it, Gilda! She’s written in such a way that you would fall for her, not long after losing your clan and previous lover! You were ripe for the taking!”
A gentle hoof from Speed came to rest on the griffin’s wings, which were spread out in the heat of the debate.
“She was a rebound.”
“… No…”
An assault of hurried knocks sounded through the door, followed by a soldier abruptly opening said door, out of breath.
“Empress! Tiger Princess! She’s fighting the bat pony! Several guards have been killed or injured!”
“Th-then clear the area!”
“We have now, Empress, but the fight continues!”
Standing proud, emotions thrown to one side, the griffin leader demanded, “Take us to it!”
The battle was incredibly intense. Tiger Princess was a formidable opponent, to say the least. She could not be disarmed, thanks to her talent for summoning weapons. Her griffin body allowed for better movement than even a pegasus, her limbs being more flexible. Even with all this, though, Omni fought on, determined to prove his supremacy.
Gilda, Cliff and Speed came out of the castle to bear witness to the conflict. Catching sight of the empress, Tiger seemed to put even more into the fight. They were level pegging. The only advantage Omni still had was the dark essence acting as an extreme defense as well as offense.
“With my love watching me, you shall fall beneath my blades!” Tiger screamed, failing to intimidate the bat pony.
“You may have unlimited blades, but you still only have two claws to wield them!”
Down below, while many necks craned to watch the fight, Gilda heard Omni’s words and frowned with concern.
“He shouldn’t have said that.”
After knocking Omni away for the umpteenth time, Tiger clasped her claws together and the air around the pair of them began to blur.
“Face my Fanged Fury, and FEAR!”
Countless bladed weapons, swords, axes, spears, scythes and more appeared all around them. They began to move as if caught in the wind. This wind blew with purpose, directing the blades in different directions, every so often aiming for Omni. At first, he managed to dodge the attacks, but then he lost track of Tiger, who flanked him and cut his back. Stunned, the hordes of blades flew right into him. He roared in pain.
There was a point where all the blades gathered so closely around Omni that it was like he’d been swallowed up by a ball of steel, his pained cries the only indication of his continued survival. Eventually, his voice went silent.
“It is done!” Tiger announced. “I am the victor, as the case has always been and forever will be!”
Just then, the ball exploded, weapons scattering and vanishing. Omni was cut up beyond belief, but the blood leaking from his wounds were mere trickles, the essence already working to repair the damage. Tiger was furious.
“Why won’t you just die!?”
“My gift… is that… of the Everto… Death is but… a distant thought.”
At that moment, Tiger’s desire to end Omni’s life called forth a new blade. It was imbued with the need to get past this Everto power. The bat pony recognised it for what it truly was: The Everto Bane, Alastoru.
“But… but how?”
Tiger saw the recognition, and more importantly, the fear in Omni’s eyes. She smiled manically.
“Because I am destined for greatness.”
“This cannot be. Only one can wield that blade, and you are not him. He would never give that to anyone! He would destroy it over this!”
On the ground, both Gilda and Speed were a mite lost, having no idea what was so special about the weapon. All they saw was a double edged greatsword, with a singular jade embedded in either side. It seemed to spark with electricity. It’s presence managed to inspire awe in all who looked upon it, whether they knew of it or not.
“What is that thing?” Gilda enquired, the forced awe causing her to speak in whispers.
Cliff whispered back, “The most powerful anti Everto weapon to ever exist. It belongs to Thunder, Omni’s boss. The extent of a Character’s corruption is truly something to behold.”
“What does this mean for Omni?” Speed asked.
“Well, Tiger won’t likely know how to use it straight away, but I doubt it would take her long to figure it out.”
Gilda stopped watching the fight to look at the two ponies she stood with. They didn’t know it, but there were visibly fraught with worry. It was not worry for the stability of the reality, but for Omni Chrome. The empress looked within her heart, examining the love she felt for Tiger. Looking back up at the fight, still paused, Gilda saw the griffin wanting the bat pony to wallow in the fear.
A Character. That’s what Tiger was. These ponies were on some sort of mission, and it had to do with The Writer and their creations. Not only that, but she knew of the thin walls between worlds. It was the most logical cause for the loss of her clan. Something had to be done, and these ponies were the ones doing it.
Back in the air, Tiger was done waiting and charged. Omni barely succeeded in evading. With more swings of the sword, the batpony evaded over and over, not even trying to block. The griffin paused again, taking in more of Omni’s fear. He wouldn’t be so fearful if he could just get away with dodging. There was more to this weapon she had in her claws.
She noted the electrical sparks that appeared every so often. It occurred to Tiger to just swing at Omni from where she was, willing her attack to reach. Where the sword cut the air, a wave of electricity formed, flying at Omni. He dodged again, but that was to be expected from that range. Tiger’s manic smile grew larger.
Gilda’s voice shouted from below, “Tiger!”
“Yes, my love?” Tiger called back.
“I think we should break up!”
For the airborne griffin, the world ended. Her wings maintained her flight, but the rest of her body went limp. The sword fell away.
‘Catch the sword!’ the voice ordered. ‘End this NOW!’
Without a second thought, Omni dived for the weapon. The essence on one hoof formed a black claw to grab a hold of the hilt. The black speckles in the embedded jade seemed to pulsate. Now directly below Tiger, the bat pony flew straight up. Seconds later, the end of the sword was sticking out of Tiger’s back, nary a single bit of it free of blood.
Omni spun in the air, tossing the griffin down to Earth, immediately throwing Alastoru after her. There was a crack of breaking bones as the avian foe struck the ground, and then the sword caught up and embedded in the dirt where Tiger’s neck had been previously. The white head, somehow spared of blood, rolled a slight distance before stopping, eyes staring at the sky.