//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 The Collector // Story: Heroes Of The Realms // by Ninyn //------------------------------// The air was cold and shifted throughout the night. A man of renown legend, known only as "The Collector" to those who knew of him, was sailing for adventure. The Collector went to his cabin and looked at his vast collection of artifacts from other realms. His most prized possession was broken spear with a silver tip blade that resisted dark energy. Days went by and The Collector had found an island with a vast variety of plants of legendary quality not found on the main land. The Collector explored the island and found people that inhabited the island. This intrigued him to an extent of course for there was obviously not things to explore. After collecting different samples of herbs, fruits, and flowers The Collector returned to his ship waving goodbye to the inhabitants who enjoyed his tales of other lands and adventures. The Collector sighed wishing he could've stayed longer but he knew his time must be kept short for there was an adventure ahead just waiting to be explored. After a couple more islands The Collector found a temple with peculiar markings of the ancients. The Collector laughed and enjoyed the challenge of deciphering its mysteries and so he stayed a couple of nights at this temple. Finally one night when the moon was full and high the temple open after The Collector read a peculiar word. Inside the temple was great pants and treasures of raw imagination. Gold never interested The Collector. He was a man of genius and standard. Gold was for those who had nothing worth doing in their lives except hunt. At the back of the temples chamber sat a grave. The Collector tapped his chin intrigued with the fact that no traps nor opponents came forth to bring the collector harm but he thought back to when the door opened and a couple of clicks and whirs has taken place. This made the collector smile, "You were a man of respect. You also held high aspects for the world didn't you?" The Collector said aloud. The Collector smiled and opened the grave and found the body of a man completely untouched by decay or time. Then he noticed the large wound in the middle of the man's stomach and frowned. "You poor man.... "The Collector said bowing before the man's grave. Inside the grave a sheathed blade sat next to him with a ice chrome colored hilt. Picking up the sword he noticed that the blade was a long sword and he smiled and pulled the sword out of its sheath. The blade has a very light violet hue and it radiated with power. The Collector stung the blade and it sent forth a wave of ice that hit the ground. The Collector nodded, "Interesting... It needs some modifications but-" he stopped talking when he noticed that the ice began to morph into ice Golems with their own weapon in hand. The Collector nodded and smiled, "Now that is interesting," he said watching the Golems kneel before him. The Collector nodded and sheathed the blade, "I am your new owner. My name is Ozrick Arunsune. The Collector by trade and title. I will honor this blade with my utmost respect," he said turning towards the dead man. "You have my condolences dear sir. May your spirit always rest peacefully within the other world," he said. Rising to his feet Ozrick turned to see the Golems had disappeared and smiled, "Time to head home. My friend need me and The future is as dangerous than before. May luck guide us to a better tomorrow!" He said heading back to his ship setting sail into the sunset where the real journey was waiting to begin. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The crest of the freshly fallen snow gave off a reflection of light throughout the continents hazardous blizzards. Nightshade hated Odion's realm but knew that if the force sentient had sent him on this mission it was for a good reason. Nightshade kept his cloak tight as he roamed the frozen tundra. *This thing is called an immortalis. Whatever this is I hope it's friendly.*Nightshade thought as he approached a frozen ravine. Figures began to form under the ravine and Nightshade quickly drew forth his dual sabers. Shin Ryu's green aura stood out magnificently through the storm. Tundra Yeti's broke through the ice and charged at Nightshade. Nightshade smiled slyly and focused his energy as he stomped on the ravine sending an ice shard through the first yeti coming from his right as he slid under the second yeti and skimmed the yeti's groin with his blade. The first yeti fell through the ice as the ice shard pierced through its spine and the second yeti yelped in pain as Shin Ryu's attack coursed through its body. Shin Ryu held electrical and fire damage in its core crystal. The second yeti quickly regained its footing and launched itself over Nightshade. Nightshade quickly turned and brought Shiekatsu Ryu forward as the yeti lunged forward. Nightshade had vaulted under the beast and jumped onto its back. The Yeti scrambled trying to force Nightshade off its back but Nightshade held on. With a mighty swing Nightshade brought Shiekatsu Ryu into the beasts back and started to stab it in rapid succession. The yeti howled in pain as Shin Ryu's abilities bit into its flesh and as Shiekatsu Ryu drained the life force from its body and transferred it into Nightshade. The yeti finally gave a great groan after the thrashing and fell to the ground in a heap of muscle and fur. Nightshade regained his bearings and continued on through the tundra. Finally he came upon what looked like a mansion made of obsidian. "This must be the place," Nightshade said aloud. As Nightshade approached the building a ship landed sending him sprawling on the ground. Several men came out of the ship kicked in the buildings door. Out they came with a peculiar looking man that looked no older than Nightshade himself. Quickly the men ducked back into the ship and started to take off but Nightshade was quick and he used a grappling hook and caught onto the ship's blast door before the ship blasted into the wind. The wind and snow was vicious and kept coming at Nightshade with everything it had. Nightshade used his psionic blade and = cut a hole into the door and crawled through into the cargo area. Nightshade kept silent as he explored the ship's cargo hold until he came upon the young man again. Three men surrounded the boy and started shouting at him. The boy laughed and spat in their faces; two spats per man. The man in the middle drew a pistol charged with fire essence and readied to fire. Nightshade quickly jumped over the men and threw his psionic blade at the man with the blaster. The man doubled over in pain as the blade sent a volt of energy throughout his body knocking him unconscious. The other two men lunged at Nightshade but before they could catch him Nightshade pushed them into some crates. He then turned towards them once and summoned psionic pikes to pierce through each man killing them on the spot. Nightshades attention then turned towards the boy, “I take it you’re the "immortalis",” Nightshade said as he untied the boy's bindings. The boy smirked, "The Immortalis is just what "they" call me. My name is Vladimir and yes I am an immortalis. I’m the last survivor of my race. I may look like a regular man but I can assure you I have seen more then you could ever imagine." he said as he dusted the snow from his clothing. Nightshade frowned, "And what exactly is an immortalis?" he asked. Vladimir smiled evilly, "We are a cursed race burdened with the memories of sins from the past, I have seen every age ever known surviving on my wits alone. My race may be able to live forever but we lose much in our lives. I am forever cursed till my journey is complete," he said. Nightshade smiled, "Well Vladimir I have come to ask for you to aid in restoring peace to carious places. I know you can travel the realms through secret tunnels hidden within each realm and we could use your help, and together I bet we can end this dark curse and you can finally live in peace,” he said. Vladimir frowned, "I have no intentions on fighting in anymore wars. I have been through to many to count and have no wish to see any more bloodshed. Is that clear?" he asked. Nightshade sighed, "You'll change your mind after this is all over. Guaranteed!" he said giving Vlad a thumbs up as more men began to enter the cargo hold. The men turned and saw Nightshade with Vladimir released from his bindings and they charged at them, "Need a weapon?" Nightshade asked Vladimir smiled and drew a peculiar looking knife, "I’ve got all I need." he said. Nightshade smiled and grabbed Vladimir by the arm and launched him at the oncoming men. The men did not know what to think at first but all they realized was that they were horribly outmatched by the two men. Nightshade dodged and parried every strike from the men and kept up his assault till he reached the doorway. Vladimir was doing quite well himself. As more men surrounded him more bodies hit the floor in a heap of gore, “They’re making this too easy," he said aloud to himself. An enormous burly man approached Vladimir and launched himself onto Vladimir. Vladimir fell and lost grip of his knife and it skittered across the ground into the hands of another man. Vladimir’s face paled as he realized his dupe, *I have nothing else on me,* he thought darkly. Then Vlad saw that the man atop him had metal buttons on his shirt. Vlad quickly removed the buttons (8) and flicked 3 of them through the burly man's heart. Then Vlad sent the remaining five flying at the man with his knife. The man was quick and dodged each with ease and lunged at Vlad with tremendous speed. Nightshade turned to see the last man holding Vladimir against some crates and held the knife to Vladimir’s throat. Vlad was extremely pale, Nightshade sensed great fear in Vlad at that moment and sent Shin Ryu flying through the air and cut off the man's arm's with excellent precision. Vlad choked back a gasp and pushed the man away as he toppled to the ground. Vlad turned to see Nightshade holding his knife, "I take it this is important to you." he said firmly. Vlad frowned, *Should I tell him?" he thought... *No… I don’t trust this man any more than the rest…*he thought nodding to the question. Nightshade smiled and handed him the knife. "Let’s go and find the leader of the mercenary band shall we?" Nightshade asked with a smile. Vlad hesitantly took the blade and nodded. The two ran through the ship tearing through mercenaries like old friends and together they made it to the brig. There a tall cloaked man stood at the observation deck. "Cyclone… Why am I not surprised." Nightshade said. Cyclone smiled coldly and lunged at Nightshade with a steel blade. Vladimir quickly blocked the strike and kicked Cyclone in the chest. Nightshade jumped over Vlad and came down with Shiekatsu Ryu in a deadly ark. Cyclone blocked the strike and threw Nightshade aside and lunged at Vladimir with two blades. Nightshade regained balance and sped in front of Vladimir and intercepted the strike sending Cyclone out wide. Vlad jumped over Nightshade and round housed kicked Cyclone in the face knocking him into a daze. Vladimir didn’t know what to think. No one had ever tried to save him before no one! "Why did you do that?!" he yelled. Nightshade laughed and turned towards Vlad healing his wounds, “Even though we haven’t known each other I know what it’s like to be looked at like a monster. I know the pain of loneliness. You are a good man and I trust you. Hurry up and get out of here; stay hidden," Nightshade said with a smile. Vlad smiled and patted Nightshade on the back as Cyclone got up and turned towards them. "Leave him alone," Vlad said darkly. Cyclone cackled and lunged at Vladimir but Vladimir was done being toyed with. As Cyclone's arm came within reach Vladimir grasped hold of it with all his might and threw Cyclone into the window. Cyclone stood back up and tried for another strike but Vlad stepped in close and pulled forth another knife and pierced both of his knives through Cyclone’s shoulders, pinning him to a wall. Cyclone grunted and spat avoiding the pain and glaring at Vlad with a menacing expression. Nightshade had regained his footing and summoned all his strength into one final attack. An orb of blue energy formed in Nightshade's hand and it changed to green as Nightshade absorbed energy from Vladimir’s knife forming a light orb of essence. Nightshade screamed as he lunged at Cyclone, "Take this... SAROMINAE NECAROSE-ZODIAC FORMATION: PAIN OF THE IMORTALIS!!!" he yelled as the orb made contact with Cyclone's ribs and he began to cry out in pain and was sent flying out of the ship with extreme force. Nightshade set the controls of the ship to crash into a ravine far from Vlad's home and teleported the two back to his lodge. Vlad looked at Nightshade in awe, "Thank you. You didn't have to do that for me you know and my answer still holds strong. I will not help you." he said. Nightshade smiled, "I may not have needed to but I still did Vlad. I protect the innocent. I don’t judge a man by his past. I judge them from acts. You act as in only to survive. I can see why you have no wish to help us… Just remember that you're not alone out here," Nightshade said with a smile. Vlad smiled back and saluted Nightshade. Nightshade saluted back and teleported Vladimir to his mansion. "See ya!" Nightshade called as he teleported away. Vlad felt a smile break onto his face, "Good Bye... my friend," he said. Vlad went into his pockets and felt an odd item he hadn't placed there before. Vlad pulled out a holo-disk slightly modified. Nightshade appeared in holo-message form, "I understand your decision and I fully accept. However, If you ever do change your mind click the blue button on the bottom of this disk and a portal to the Sentient Palace will open," the message said. Vlad opened his door and light faded out… ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ozrick's mind cried out in pain as more and more memories flooded through his mind while looking over his unconscious patient. The man had appeared outside the sentient garden in the lake which really startled him. Ozrick tried again to look in this… Vladimir's mind but only to fail miserably, "How and why did you end up like this?" he asked himself. Ozrick turned away from Vlad and headed back towards his chamber where he kept the man's blade. Ozrick smiled and looked to his own weapons, Phantom and Glacier. Both weapons were very peculiar. Shadow was created by Raven for Ozrick's studies on dark matter and other dark entities that were throughout the realms. Glacier still needed some work since Ozrick was its new partner. Ozrick picked up the blade he had found and looked it over cautiously, "Sigea…" he said picking it up. The blade had a dark and eerie aura to it. The mere touch of the blade sent chills up Ozrick's spine, "An eerie weapon…. Truly remarkable," he said smiling. Vladimir began to wake up and he fell off the bed Ozrick had him on jolting him awake immediately. Vlad looked around and saw a man holding his blade and his eyes widened, "Put that down!" he yelled. Ozrick dropped the blade startled at the man's sudden awakening. Vlad walked up to the man and looked around at the room. Many different items lined the shelves including an indigo hilted sword, and a silver lined shield with a weird bird holding up a weird triangular sigil he didn't recognize. Ozrick sighed, "I thought we had lost you, but your memories revealed to me what you really are," he said. Vlad glared at the man, "Where am I?!" he growled. Ozrick closed his eyes and put a hand to his head sighing heavily, "You're in the sentient palace. Nightshade is away at the moment. I can call to him from the portal room if you follow me," he said. Vlad nodded and picked up his knife following the man cautiously. Ozrick felt the Vlad's uneasiness as he walked onto the terminal stand point. In the portal room Thyme and Gidget were pulling off the frames of each portal. Ozrick frowned, "Ms. Thyme… Please don't tell me it's time for that already!" he said a little distressed. Thyme looked to Ozrick, "I'm afraid so. Nightshade already went through the portal and closed it from the other side. Thankfully we haven’t extracted "that" piece or we'd be in serious trouble," she said. Ozrick shook his head, "Oy vey," he said rubbing his forehead. Vlad looked to the ponies a little irritated, "I've been to your realm… But only for a moment," he said. Thyme looked to Vlad and smiled, "I've never seen you before. Are you a new hero Nightshade or Glade found during their travels?" she asked. Vlad sighed and grinned a little, "My name is Vladimir Doughnut. Nightshade found me because of Lord Odion. He helped me when I was in a tight situation. I was a little ungrateful at first but I later learned he had good intentions. Though he gave up on me to help explore the realms he still came to visit and catch up on me," he said. Thyme smiled, "I can see why Nightshade kept visiting. You have a high spirit. You say you visited my realm before. What happened?" she asked. Vlad scowled and sighed, "I stumbled into your realm at the exact time there was what I heard called from a purple pony a "Goof off!" he said. Thyme giggled, "That must have been when Cheese Sandwich had come to Ponyville. I'm sorry you stumbled in on such a crazy moment. I promise your next visit if there ever is one it will be very pleasant," he said. Ozrick smiled watching Vlad as he turned towards the Gidget, "How are you Ms. Gidget?" he asked. Gidget was looking over a couple of schematics while using a strange tool that created a red like frame as she held down the button on it, "I'm quite alright Ozrick. Been busy helping create the frames for the new portals. Nightshade's on the other side fueling the connection so that the frames link exactly as needed. I'm hoping he doesn't hurt himself," she said. Ozrick nodded, "Do you need any help?" he asked. Gidget looked over her schematics as the frame set itself into place, "Actually I could use a bit of magic from your collection. The Ki Realm isn't very nice when it comes to alternative situations. The Sayains and other warriors there really don't pay attention either," she said. Ozrick nodded and went back to his collection gathering a couple of components for the portal. Thyme smiled. "So what brought you to the palace Vlad?" she asked. Vlad chuckled slightly, "Your kind are rather interesting. Are you all this upbeat for friendship?" he asked. Thyme giggled, "Only the ones who know to never give up. Ozrick seemed to be a little worried about you. I guess that's because you actually hold a bond with Nightshade. If he had let you die Nightshade would never have forgiven you. Regardless, you're here now and we're fixing the portals so they hold a better connection to everywhere else in the universe," she said. Gidget rolled her eyes as Ozrick returned with a couple of crystals, "There you go explaining everything in detail!" she said. Thyme blushed, "I-I did no such thing!" she said a little flustered. Vlad chuckled and looked at the trio with bright eyes, "You all are very admirable. I can see why Nightshade recruited you all to help with the realms," he said. Gidget didn't pay attention, "It's because he sees the good in all of us that he believes we can help. Even in the smallest of ways we all play our part in keeping peace between each of the realms. If the Sentients had never found Nightshade I doubt we'd be living the lives we're living today!" he smiling. Vlad nodded, "Makes sense. I've been living alone most of my life. I guess Nightshade played a larger role in our lives than we imagined. Anything I can do to help?" he asked standing up. Thyme looked to Vlad and nodded, "You can take these tools and help me prepare the portals to be taken down and set each of the new frames in front of the portals they are going to replace," she said. Vlad looked to each of the standing portals along the wall and noticed the dark framed mirror near the middle, "What's this mirror lead to? And why is it broken?" he asked. Thyme and Ozrick both turned, "That's the shadow dimension portal. It's where all things dark originate from. It was broken after the first sentient king sealed Roark Lindrake The Shadow Sentient inside the realm. Roark eventually returned and Nightshade alongside the heroes he united truly destroyed Roark. The mirror cracked again after they escaped the realm," he said. Vlad nodded, "What about this "Nightwalker" guy?" he asked. Thyme frowned, "Night-walker is the pure manifestation of evil. Nightshade pulled a shard of darkness from his heart before he confronted Roark and the shard took on its own life and absorbed Roark's powers before he was killed. The shard took on the opposite look of Nightshade and named itself Nightwalker after separating to travel the realms. We first encountered him in Equestria where Nightshade almost died. The heroes banished that part of Walker into another realm. Now we are hunting him and he is doing the same to us. Attempting to take hero after hero to stop the unity of many many realms," she said. Vlad absorbed every word, "Then that's why he attacked me. He's trying to get a hold of my knife," he said. They all stared at him, "My knife is literally indestructible. It has a god like ability called Phantom's Kiss. When my knife cut's into a limb it severs all nerve function throughout that limb completely and pulling whatever life it can out of the victim into the user," he said. Ozrick looked to the blade, "Have you not tried to hide it?" he asked. Vlad sighed and nodded, "The blade always returns to the elder of the immortalis. I am forever burdened with it till I am killed," he said. Ozrick frowned, "Well it makes me feel a lot better that you're on our side then Vladimir," he said activating the portal. Gidget pulled up a monitor that was equipped to the portal and looked over the energy flux, "Everything seems to be working properly. Nightshade should be coming through the portal in a few minutes," she said happily. Vlad and Ozrick smiled, "Alright then. Seems like we have everything working. Now we wait," Thyme said. After a couple of moments Nightshade appeared out of the portal looking rather exhausted, "Phew… I never knew how hard it would be to fight one handed against any of them," he said laughing. Thyme tackled Nightshade with a hug, "About time you got back," she said. Nightshade chuckled, "Sorry. Goku and Vegeta were both pressing me for training while holding the portal open," he said. Thyme smiled and then Nightshade noticed Vladimir, "Vlad? What are you doing here?" he asked. Vlad sighed, "Your pal Nightwalker decided to attack me. I used that disk you gave me many years ago," he said. Nightshade smiled, "Well then I guess we'll have to relocate you won't we?" he asked. Vlad shook his head helping Nightshade up, "No. "I've decided to join your friends and help them. If you don't mind my asking though I would enjoy to stay in the company of Ozrick here. I like his area and the atmosphere that he's created around the palace," he said. Ozrick looked Vlad up and down, "You sensed that?" he asked. Vlad nodded, "I most certainly did. I've been around many different terrains and yours is by far the most interesting and relaxing I've inhaled for a long time. I would also like to learn about the different realms if that is alright," he said. Ozrick smiled and nodded, "It would be my honor. If Nightshade will allow it, so be it," he said. Nightshade looked to the both of them, "What made you change your mind Vlad?" he asked. Vlad smiled, "I was tired of the quiet thoughts to myself. I finally made up my mind and wanted to start anew. I believed you were the person who could help me the most," he said. Nightshade chuckled, "You give me too much credit. I'm not in charge of any bodies decisions. I'm just here to make sure everyone's happy and safe," he said. Vlad chuckled, "Now don't try and play the modest act. How many times are you going to change that personality of yours?" he asked. Nightshade tried to count on his fingers, "Eh I've lost count. Can't stay the same for more than an hour. It's who I am," he said. Everyone except Gidget laughed at that. Vlad looked to Ozrick and smiled, "Shall we begin?" he asked. Ozrick smiled, "We'll begin as we finish the portals," he said. The two shook hands and chuckled. Nightshade waved to his friends and walked through another portal, "Let's see what these new bonds can do for the future," he said to himself. A new era was coming… An era where everything can change within an instant.