//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 A Monsters Power // Story: Heroes Of The Realms // by Ninyn //------------------------------// Nightwalker looked around the castle and the body of the King he had slain. The Onimak realm still had many undiscovered locations and he had just so happened to have found a kingdom far to the east of the main continent Nightshade's allies had restored. This kingdom was small but it was obvious it wasn't well fortified. Nightwalker had slain all of the castle's inhabitants except The Princess. She wasn't any threat and Nightwalker needed a chip to gamble. The monster was bored and just lazed about on the throne he had claimed. Nightwalker had issued an idol threat to the town claiming if anybody sent help to other lands he would destroy them. The town had been mistreated and brutally broken when he had arrived and no one dared oppose him. The Princess whimpered and moaned above chained up to the chandelier, "Let me down!" she squeaked. Nightwalker laughed, "Not on your life," he said irritated. The Princess continued to whine. A figure walked into the throne room with a spear held tightly, "Be gone from these lands!" the figure yelled. Nightwalker stood and looked to the warrior, "It looks like I might actually have some entertainment," he said. The warrior charged Nightwalker and swung her spear at him. Nightwalker easily dodged the attack and kneed the warrior in the gut causing them to drop to their knees. Night-walker removed the warrior's helmet to reveal a redheaded woman with sapphire blue eyes, "A woman?!" he yelled back handing her across the room. The woman coughed up blood and rose to her feet holding her side, "My name is Tank Shield! I am here to defeat you!" she yelled. Nightwalker smirked, "I'm sorry my dear but I will not fight you. You're not worthy enough to fight me," he said snapping his fingers. A portal opened below Tank sending her to the entrance gate to her town. Nightwalker sighed and let the princess down, "I'm tired of your whining!" he yelled causing the castle to shake violently. The Princess fell to the floor, "Stop that! If you do that again the whole castle will fall apart!" she yelled. Nightwalker rolled his eyes, "As if I care. If that happened then I'd just destroy the town," he said. The Princess puffed out her chest angrily but sighed and headed towards the gates. Nightwalker turned and caused a dark matter barrier to block her path, "You're not free from my imprisonment. Go to your tower," he commanded. The Princess stuck out her tongue and ran to her tower. Nightwalker waited and watched from afar as she entered her tower. With a wave of his hand her tower was surrounded by another barrier so she could not leave the room and no one could enter, "Now I can rest in peace," he said laying in the throne. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tank was resting against the towns wall unable to move, her injuries from Nightwalker's mere blow taking its toll on her. She noticed several men and women enter town with crates and trunks. Tank raised an eyebrow and saw a man covered by a midnight cloak, "Why has no one tended to your wounds?" he asked. Tank didn't reply and frowned a little frightened. The warrior nodded, "I see," he said placing his hands above her, "Hold still," he said. Tank didn't reply again but obeyed his command. A white light emitted from the man's hands and slowly but surely Tank's wounds began to heal. Soon enough the light receded and the warrior stood, "Now tell me what happened," he said helping her up. Tank got to her feet and stared at the cloaked warrior, "A monster came. It came with terrible power and destroyed half of our town and killed the entire royal court excluding the princess… I tried to fight him… But he easily defeated me…" she said. The warrior began to nod and looked around at the desolation that Nightwalker had caused, "He threatened all of you not to call for aid I suppose as well correct?" he asked. Tank looked down sadly and nodded, "He said he'd kill the princess then us…" she said. The warrior sighed, "Not to worry. My allies and I have arrived to help restore balance to your town and land. As for this monster… His name is Nightwalker. A manifestation of the darkest evils of the realms," he said pulling off his cloak. Tank's eyes widened observing the warriors features. The Warrior had semi-long black hair, hazel eyes, and a well built physique. He had two sabre's strapped to his back and a satchel over his right shoulder with a spiraling black dragon tattoo on his left shoulder. "My name is Nightshade. I'm a protector of the realms. I'm also known as the sentient king. I originate from the Onimak Archipelago. My home is the Isle of Stars. I can sense a great power in you Tank shield. I think we can put it to good use. I will help you cleanse this land of Nightwalkers darkness," Nightshade said. Tank bowed, "Thank you Lord Nightshade, but… How do you plan to help me? I don't have any powers," she said. Nightshade smiled, "We'll see. Take my hand. We'll leave the village to my friends," he said. A man with a phidora and an eye patch walked up and grabbed Nightshade's shoulder and asked a couple questions about the village. Nightshade nodded to each of the questions, "No sentinels. No experiments. Drinks all around. Put it on my tab. Cure the sick, help the needy. Make sure this place is in tip top shape by the time we return," he said. The man nodded and walked away with a tip of his hat. Nightshade chuckled, "Always trying something new," he said laughing. Tank tilted her head confused, "Who was that?" she asked. Nightshade chuckled, "A friend," he said as they teleported. Tank fell on her butt and looked around herself to find that they were in a large throne room, "W-Where are we?!" she asked. Nightshade smiled, "We are in the sentient palace. It’s the domain for the guardians of the Realms. They have scattered right now to help their own realms with the problems they are facing," he said. Nightshade led Tank to a larger chamber with metal walls and no obstacles, "This is where your training will begin," he said. Tank looked around the chamber and felt very small at that moment. Nightshade walked up to her and put two fingers to her forehead. Tank blushed and backed away, "W-What are you doing?" she stammered. Nightshade sighed, "I'm trying to awaken your zodiac ability," he said. Tank turned pale and frowned, "Z-Zodiac ability?" she asked. Nightshade sighed, "Your Zodiac Mode. When I was healing you I felt a twinge of energy spark from your inner self. You have a zodiac style locked inside of you," he said. Tank nodded, "Will this help me fight Nightwalker?" she asked. Nightshade looked up and tapped his chin, "Most likely," he said. Tank made a pouty face, "What do you mean "most" likely?" she asked. Nightshade smiled, "I'm not exactly sure what your ability is. I won't know its full capabilities until it's awakened," he said. Tank sighed and shook her head, "Alright. Go ahead," she said. Nightshade smiled putting his finger back on her forehead. Nightshade's aura turned blue as he started to pull on her inner self. A great surge of energy poured forth from her body that sent Nightshade flying far into a wall. Tank felt the sensation of the energy and she felt terrified, "What have you done to me?!" she screamed as she released another wave of energy. Nightshade put up his hands and a barrier appeared in front of him rebounding the energy. Tank saw the energy coming back and dodged the energy. Nightshade caught her, "Calm down! It's just your power. It's been dormant for a long time. A longer time than it should've been. You've gotta take a deep breath and focus on that sensation your feeling," he said. Tank felt tears fill her eyes but she nodded and started to relax her nerves. Nightshade sighed, "Alright let us begin," he said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nightwalker woke the next morning quite famished and brought forth himself a great platter of a variety of food, "Not my favorite but it'll do… for now," he said smiling darkly. He remembered the girl and got up from the table and pounded on her door, "Get up!" he yelled. The Princess jumped awake startled by his voice remembering the past day not be a nightmare. Nightwalker knocked her door in and she shrieked, "Food. Now," he growled. The Princess blushed a deep red, "I'm a woman you know!" she screeched. Nightwalker scowled obviously not caring. The Princess threw a pillow at him but he caught it and ripped it in half, "Have it your way," he said pulling the door back waiting for her outside. The Princess scowled and mumbled under her breath annoyed and sad. Quickly she put on a great gown and golden lip stick obviously still caring about her complexion and standards as a princess. The princess opened the door and Nightwalkers eyes turned black, "Get back in there and change," he growled. The Princess glared at him, "Why should I? I'm a princess and I deserve to look the best," she said. Nightwalker looked like he was ready to destroy her, "I AM NOT HERE TO BE YOUR BABY SITTER!! I AM YOUR CAPTOR AND I COMMAND YOU TO CHANGE INTO SOMETHING NOT SO FLASHY! YOU ARE A SPOILED ROYAL BRAT WITH NO PROPER MANNERS AT ALL! CHANGE NOW!" he roared. The Princess began to tear up and slammed the door in his face and quickly changed into something less flashy and removed the lipstick. Nightwalker had steam radiating off of his body as he waited, "Spoiled rotten no good woman…." He snarled quietly. The Princess opened the door and stormed past Nightwalker down the stairwell. This made Nightwalker more angry. When she reached the bottom of the stairs and headed into the main hall The Princess found to her surprise a great table fit enough to feed the entire village. "Why are you doing this?!" The Princess asked. Nightwalker rolled his eyes, "You are my prisoner not my enemy. Even I have standards regarding certain situations," he said. The Princess frowned at his answer and seated herself after grabbing a plate full of food. The Princess began to eat slowly with a knife and fork like she had been taught but for higher standards as well. Nightwalker sighed, "You're in the company of a slovenly demon thing. Eat to your heart's content. No one will know or care," he said. The Princess looked up at Nightwalker, "Why aren't you eating?" she asked. Nightwalker rolled his eyes, "Because I can't," he said. The Princess gasped, "Are you sick?!" she asked. Nightwalker growled and glared at her, "No you moron it's because I have no bodily intestines! I am a mere creation of darkness itself! I have no need for food. I only eat when I see fit or when I need actual needs! EAT!" he yelled. The Princess sighed and thought to herself, *This is going to be a very long day,* she thought. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tank was breathing heavily and sweating hard. Nightshade was barely moving and had hardly broken a sweat while training her. Tank had gotten used to the energy her Zodiac mode was giving her but the power was hard for her to steer and control while fighting. During their training Nightshade had deducted that her zodiac style was similar to that of his brother Ninyn's forbidden zodiac style. At first Nightshade tried to help her create her zodiac weapon like Ninyn could into her favored spear but it seemed that the spear was not her actual weapon. After countless times of trying Tank had formed and energy bow with her zodiac mode. Nightshade knew exactly how to train her then and forced her to attack not only with her normal spear but with the bow as well. "How much longer?!" Tank asked wearily. Nightshade looked her up and down, "Not much longer," he said. Tank sighed and looked around her. The training had felt like at least a week had gone by but Nightshade seemed to think otherwise, but Tank knew that Nightshade was a hardened warrior and time seemed to be of no concern to him. After a small meal and some rest there training began again except this time Nightshade pushed Tank even harder. Tank was hit a couple times on her rump with the flat of Nightshade's blade and by accident Nightshade actually smacked her across the face with it causing her to become truly enraged. Tank's energy began to over flow as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she began to fire her arrows repeatedly at Nightshade, "Not good!" he said as arrows missed him by a hair. Nightshade couldn't hurt tank while her energy was fluctuating like this but he was able to hold her arrows off for a long while till they started to split his barrier down to size hitting Nightshade multiple times. Tanks arrows began to diminish in quantity and began to fly less and less, *Now's my chance,* Nightshade thought as he jumped off the wall towards Tank. Tank fired one very large arrow at Nightshade, who had a fiery red aura surrounding his left hand, which grazed the of his left leg, "I'm sorry Tank!" he said as his hand made contact with her body knocking her out. Nightshade landed on his feet and fell immediately after as the pain from his injuries took their toll on his body. Hours passed and Nightshade's wounds healed themselves. Tank awoke from her slumber to see a very red and concerned Nightshade, "Sleep well?" he asked. Tank nodded noticing the stiffness in her limbs, "What happened?" she asked. Nightshade sighed, "I accidently triggered a very sensitive nerve when I last hit you. You blacked out and went crazy with your arrows," he said trying to hide his blush. Tank noticed his torn clothing, "Did I do that?" she asked. Nightshade nodded, "Trust me it looked a lot worse before you woke up," he said chuckling. Tank frowned and walked up to him as her clothes start to shred apart as well. Nightshade's eyes widened as he turned dark red as he turned away from her, "What's wrong?" she asked. Nightshade coughed, "Why don't you look at yourself," he said nervously. Tank looked at herself and noticed her clothes were in a far more devastating condition than Nightshade's and she blushed, "Oh… You don't have to be so nervous about this," she said. Nightshade shook his head, "Come on. Let's get you some clothes!," he said. Tank giggled and followed him. Nightshade brought her to a girly looking room that had a large closet. While still looking away from her Nightshade pointed into the closet, "Pick out whatever you like…." He said. Tank hugged him tightly and Nightshade nearly fell over from being embarrassed, "Thank you sir Nightshade!" she said. Nightshade growled, "I told you to just call me Nightshade!" he said. Tank rolled her eyes and ignored him as she went into the closet and changed. Hours later Tank came out of the closet to find a changed and sleeping Nightshade, "Hey wake up sleepy head!" she said. Nightshade opened his eyes slowly and got up and looked at her. "What do you think?" she asked gesturing towards her apparel. Nightshade looked her up and down. Tank wore olive green cargo pants with a black tank top with red wristbands around her shoulders and a brown cloak tied to her. Nightshade nodded, "Alright. I think you're ready," he said. Tank tilted her head, "Ready?" she asked. Nightshade nodded, "We're going to confront Nightwalker," he said standing up. Tank's expression hardened as they walked out to the throne room, "Let's go then!" she said. Nightshade nodded and teleported them back to the village. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nightshade and tank appeared where they had their first encounter at the village entrance. Tank looked around and noticed that it seemed like nothing had changed since they had left, "It's still the same night we left?!" she screeched. Nightshade nodded, "The Sentient Palace's time frame runs faster than our realms do. We got 3 weeks of training in six hours," he said as he started towards the castle. Tank sighed, "I was hoping there's be a bit more of a change than this…" she said. Night-shade smiled, "I promise everything's going to be fine," he said. Tank nodded, "I hope you're right," she said. Tank began to walk alongside him heading to the castle with her spear over her shoulder " I'm gonna kill him if he's touched her...." she said. Nightshade looked to her, "Now don't get to hasty. We're not exactly prepared to fight him you know," he said. Tank frowned " B-But ... We did all that training!" Nightshade smiled, "Your emotions get in the way of your fights though," he said. Tank raised a brow "What are you getting at!?" she yelled. Nightshade shook his head, "All I'm saying is to focus more on the objective than your friend. Fight for what you know is right," he said. Tank nodded and took a breath, "Alright… I understand, " she said as they entered the castle. Nightwalker sat on his throne with the princess in front of him again, "You should wait there... You're going to love this next moment!" he said smiling. Tank looked up at him and tried to wiggle her hands free "P-Please don't hurt her," she said. Nightwalker looked to Tank and smiled, "I see you came with company and you have a new ability," he said. Roark let the princess free, "Stand up," he said to her. Nightshade glared, " Nightwalker!" he yelled. Nightwalker smiled, "Your time will come Sentient King. First I must deal with the ladies," he said smiling as his eyes turned red. The princess stood and looked scared and ran to tank. Tank hugged her close and held her spear out pointing at him, "If you have touched her in any way you are DEAD!!" she yelled darkly. Nightwalker smiled darkly as his energy pushed Tank back causing her to let go of the princess and pulled the princess back, "Is that so?" He asked as he put up a barrier around him and the princess. Nightwalker smiled as tendrils shot out from his hand and they wrapped around the princess all over, "Watch!" He said. Nightshade's eyes widened, "Don't touch that barrier!" He yelled at Tank. Tank cried out in anger, "Get your filthy hands off of her!" She screamed as she hit the barrier hard trying to break through. Tank was furious, she ignored Nightshade's call. The princess blushed looking down scared and tried to wiggle free " L-let go of me! What is this!?" she whimpered. Nightwalker smiled drool coming out of his mouth, "DIE!!!" He yelled as his tendrils penetrated the princesses skin and they curled their way through her intestines and they began to burn inside of her. A dark shock wave hit tank hard forcing her to watch. Tank screamed out in horror as the princess began to bleed and shake. Tears filled her sapphire eyes as she watched her friend die. She gave a smile trying to let her friend know it wasn’t her fault, "Don't forget…" she said Tank screamed in rage and started beating on the barrier desperate to get to herm " I'LL KILL YOU!!!" Nightwalker laughed darkly as he pulled on his tendrils and the tendrils lit the princess on fire. Nightwalker pulled hard on his tendrils once more and absorbed the princess whole and began to laugh psychotically, "Mwahahahahahaha!!! WHAT A DELICIOUS MEAL!!! Mwahahahahahaha!!!" He yelled. Tank glared darkly at him and a red aura began to steam off her. Nightwalker smiled, "Another pawn enters the play," he said smiling sadistically. With her spear pulled together with her zodiac ability Nightshade had awakened and she stabbed into the barrier shattering it. Nightshade's one eye turned blue the other scarlet red, "Enough!!!!" He screamed and punched Tank into a wall knocking her powers out, leaving her conscious to watch the fight. Nightshade's hair turned white, his eyes turned red, his armor now blue, You're going to pay Nightwalker," he said as his energy flared to life, "I'm going to end you!!!" He said charging at him. Nightwalker smiled and blocked Nightshade's strike sending forth a massive shockwave throughout the castle, "Is this your full power?" He asked moving Nightshade. Tank was stunned that nightshade had struck her out and sat up holding her head her lip bleeding lightly. She saw Nightwalker marching on Nightshade and rose to her feet limping over with her spear ready to strike him from behind. Nightwalker back handed Tank and smiled, "You're not ready my dear," he said turning towards Nightshade. Nightshade drew his swords and attacked Nightwalker. Nightwalker easily blocked the strike and kicked Nightshade into the roof which collapsed on him. The stones barely scratched Nightshade but when he got out from under the rubble Nightwalker and Tank were gone. "NO!!!!!"Nightshade yelled. Nightwalker smiled as he reappeared with Tank at his side, "Well then that was fun," he said burping up some blonde hair. She sat up looking around confused but the stood up gripping her spear " what did you do with sir nightshade!? Did you kill him too!?" she yelled. Nightwalker laughed, "His time hasn't come yet. I promise you that. Your here as my guest. You have an intriguing power inside of you young shield. Didn't you think it odd that Nightshade didn't help you save your princess. How he wouldn't challenge me up front?" He asked her smiling. Tank snarled " He ....he wanted to help me! And you killed her! She was my friend!" She yelled trying to run him through with her spear. Nightwalker merely put his finger up and stopped it, "He didn't need help. You sensed it. I know you did. Tell me why an almighty king needed the hero of some girl against somebody like me? Think girl think!" He snarled. Tank pull turned to strike again, "You dog! I'll see you cut open and bled out for this! She was innocent and kind!" she yelled looking like she was ready to cry, "And now she's gone…" she sobbed falling to her knees. Nightwalker smiled, "And it's because the "hero" wouldn't help?" He asked pulling her spear away from her. She looked up surprised and then took a stance waiting for him to make a move not looking the least bit worried, "No… It's because you killed her," she growled. Nightwalker frowned and back handed her, "Then maybe the shadow dimension will change your mind!" He yelled snapping his fingers sending her into a box filled with negative energy that began to deep into her body. She screamed in pain as the energy seeped into her. Tank tried to fight it with her own energy trying to push it out. Tank curled up panting in effort to resist it "N-No I...I won't let you corrupt me!" she screamed. Nightwalkers voice laughed, "I'm sorry I'd rather have Nightshade fight another apprentice than absorb her!" He laughed. Tank shook her head crying," I won't... I won't let you in! My mind is my own! As is my heart! You won't change me!" she cried. Nightwalkers laughter echoed throughout the area. The negative energy forced its way in consuming Tanks entire form. An earthquake shook the shadow dimension and Nightwalker lost his balance. Tank no longer cried and her sobbing could no longer be heard. Nightwalker brought out her body from the shadow dimension. Tank's body radiated with negative energy, her hair no longer beautiful red now reflected an obsidian black. Tank rose to her feet eyes dark violet, "Do you know who I am?" Nightwalker asked. Tank smirked, "Lord Nightwalker The Abomination," she said. Nightwalker chuckled but it soon was silenced as Tank grabbed her spear trying to cut him open. Nightwalker frowned and caught the spear, "What is the meaning of this?!" he snarled. Tank frowned glaring at him, "I told you my heart is my own," she said. Nightwalker pushed her back and opened a mini portal above her town and readied an energy blast. Tank got up and saw the mini portal and Nightwalker's attack, "W-what are you doing?!" she cried. Nightwalkers eyes were completely black, "If you do not obey I will destroy your entire land. Even with its new repairs. It will all cease to exist if you do not obey!" he yelled. Tank's eyes filled with tears, "N-No! You can't! You wouldn't!" she cried. Nightwalkers expression told her other wise and she fell to her knees, "I-if… If I obey you…. Will you leave my village be?" she asked. Nightwalker closed the portal as his attack dissipated, "You have my word," he said smiling wickedly. "You will be my liege and my messenger of destruction. Your new name shall be…. Alyra… (Ah-Leer-Ah) Yes Alyra Shade," he said. Tank looked up sadly and nodded, "Yes… My master…" she said. Nightwalker helped her up and produced a picture of several ponies, "These are the Heroes Of Equestria. They shall be your first targets. Wipe them out… All of them. Do not hesitate, show no mercy. Make sure there is nothing left of these meddlesome ponies and return to me when the task is complete," he said. Tan-Alyra frowned, "As you wish my master…" she said grabbing her spear as Nightwalker led her to her new life. Nightwalker smiled, *All will fall to my power. Let fear grasp the realms as each light goes out one hero at a time…* he thought. Darkness was rising and no one could possibly imagine what would be coming next.