The plan for Comicon was simple. Hang out with friends, see booth babes, buy cool merch, get transported to magical pony land... wait what?
Comicon, One of the foremost places for fan boys ever. When my friends drag me from my anti-social cave to partake in it's wonders, I was actually rather excited... but, now well let's just say I won't be eating a good pizza anytime soon... and to anyone else who ended up in this situation...
Rated Mature for innuendos, swearing, use of tobacco and alcohol, as well as sexual themes, depraved anthro succubi and various bouts of violence, sexuality, and perversity associated with being the Lord of a Netherworld... though I will try to remain from being overly descriptive... but, I make no promises.
Chapter 1: Awaken from sleep! Paint the moon red my lord Nocturne?! *Edited but, not proofread*
Present Day, Canterlot Gardens... Around Midnight - Overlord Nocturne's Perspective
The Canterlot Gardens were quiet, the fillies and colts, the mares, and the stallions, they had all gone home beyond a few patrolling guards as the moon hung high in the sky, illuminating several of the statues in an eerie light. One most of all, as it seemed to be much more colorful than the rest, a large black coffin with a golden bat etched upon the lid. This allowed light into the coffin and disturbed me from my supposedly endless slumber.
I had to admit that it's a lot easier to be sealed in stone when you're actually asleep for the whole thing. Not to mention that Luna seemed to have developed quite a bit while I was sealed in stone if the fact she was rocking size E tits was anything to go on, I think it was her vacation to the moon, everyone knows moon cheese makes you grow. Oh and yes before you ask I'm not afraid to tell you that this is gonna get dirty, I mean I'm a demon it's what I do. Overlord to be precise, though that was kind of handed to me after I got here... didn't put me on good terms with Her royal virgin prudishness and her sister. We'll get to that later I promise.
As I slid the coffin open it showed that it was still mostly stone I quickly realized something. "Apparently Larharl had it figured out with these uber naps, I grew like two feet." While a startling revelation that my height was altered to be more grown, and my body more toned even though I had likely been sleeping a very long time... I mean the only reason I woke up was because I felt something huge pass through my sleeping coffin like a wave of pure harmonious energy that begged me to come back.
The fact that I had been able to open the coffin completely and toss it to the ground with a large thud before getting any sort of attention made me more than a bit curious. How much time could have passed that the sisters were so lax in their guarding of a known threat? So I decided to spend a minute examining my 'Prison'. It would at least be worth a look after all they'd done for me before I was stabbed in the back.
The podium the coffin rested contained a slab that was very grim for most of the statues held no true clue that they were actually a prison, but this one was a special case as having your king held in plain sight alive yet imprisoned meant you could not wage war. Here sleeps Nocturne, The Blood Moon Musician, and Overlord of the Netherworld Tartarus. May he rest peacefully in his eternal dream. The epitaph must have been written by Luna, as we both shared a connection to the moon and the night, mine accidental her's deliberate it was like saying goodbye to a part of herself.
But, then again after what they did to me I'm not sure that she actually cared enough to even remember that bit. "Guess it's time to give them a reminder, say O face Moonie!" I called out with a smile as I sent a pulse of my power towards the moon, it definitely wasn't the equivalent of 9,999 levels anymore but, it was enough to turn the moon a bloody netherworld red and likely gave a very decent orgasm to the bringer of two moons.
Canterlot Castle Throne Room
Luna was bored, well and truly bored. The hope that he had given up trying to petition her sister for actions against the bearers of harmony and a newly crowned princess was a false one. As Blueblood now stood before her and began the song and dance once more, only now he had more fuel in his personal fire from the sounds of how he went on about how a 'peasant' was unworthy to ascend to alicornhood.
That did scratch a bit too deep and her building fury would have been unleashed upon him in full if not for the fact that her entire body warmed to it's core as if her estrus had come early, the feeling of something enveloping her moon and it's connection to her was worrying enough, as was the effects on her from the way she squirmed. "I-I'm afraid I must cut this meeting short as it seems there is other matters that require my attention, guards please alert my sister that I will require her assistance with this in my chambers... a-and that she should have someone search for 'the coffin' to make sure it remains sealed." her voice wavered as the last of her self control did and she teleported to her chambers and her body from any clothing as she tried to relieve her growing need. Though the look on Blueblood's face did make it slightly more worth it in her opinion.
This was the magic of Nocturne, she was sure of it she was happy to see he was back. Well, less likely to remain that way after his magic's effects wore off but, for now she was wrapped in pleasure like the soft embrace of a lover's kiss across her very soul one she welcome fully as it brought pleasure to her body and encouraged her fingers to dance and as she hit her limit and couldn't contain the cry of ecstasy the netherworld magic had forced from her. She blushed and panted heavily as she looked to the Moon and couldn't help but, feel giddy.
"Guess you're back then?" Was all she could think to say as sleep claimed her.
Skies outside Canterlot
The sound of her cry of ecstasy was music to my ears, sure it likely woke up everyone from Canterlot to the Moon itself but, that spell only really did one thing, release pent up sexual urges. The netherworld magic isn't inherently evil nor is it good. It's the most flexible magic there is as in a world where fighting and surviving another day means getting creative, and since everything in the Netherworld thrives on magic.
Well you get the idea though I kinda wish I could have seen the look on her face when she realized it was me, but sadly I had plans to make and a netherworld to check on, so I drove my coffin away with a lovely tune played upon a conjured violin.
The magic of the moon granting me power and giving me a rather lovely thought when entertained, so I decided to play a musical number to thank the sky and it's mistress for such a lovely night... and I couldn't think of one more fitting than this as I began to play and the magic of the instrument I held created the full instrumental tune to which I sang, it sounded like something you'd hear in a tavern in stalliongrad... and that was fine with me. And that was fine with me~
"On this moonlit night I ride on high on wings of song and ash~ I sing at night and also day, with evil I shall clash~ With Evil I shall clash~ For demon I may be, but I still seek harmony~ And if it be Harmony's wish, I call those who would fight by me~ Those who would fight by me~ The name of Nocturne follows me, a trap of my design~ Though to all those who follow me, Tyler works just fine~ Tyler works just fine~
As I finished singing the moon pulsed with energy carrying my words across the multiverse, allowing those who would call me friend and foe alike to know that I was returned to life from a supposed eternity in stone. Sure I was like to be invaded by the less credible denizens of the multiverse but, alas there was no cure for blood lust beyond the primal response.
So with my song complete I bowed to the moon and as if in parting it glowed brilliantly sending a pulse of energy to both myself and the other connected to it a spell to hide me away from those who would pursue me, and a mention of my safety to the warden of the night. With the final notes of my melody fully fading I vanished to my realm of darkness, just as the moon had intended.
Chapter 2: Welcome to Equestria my lord!? The new overlord of the Netherworld?
The image of my face appears in front of several of the newer demons who were born or created recently. "Alright, I think you've all waited long enough to know who I am and how I got here. it's story time. ROLL THE FILE FOOTAGE!" I called out and a mare in the back turned on the projector.
I just kinda stared at the screen for several seconds before face palming. "WRONG FILE FOOTAGE SANDY! USE THE RED ONE QUICKLY PLEASE!" I shouted and she squeaked out an apology before swapping the reels and starting the proper one. Crap now I was gonna be thinking about owls for the rest of the night.
Earth, Milky Way Galaxy 1,025 years ago
Comicon... it was a fanboy's dream. Sure I wasn't exactly that fan-boy but, when your friend pony's up for your ticket you shut up, grin and bear it. Ah right you're still wondering about me huh? Well my name is Tyler Black, or it used to be back then. My friends I'd arrived at the con were a tall thickly built, Samoan looking man named John and his brothers Dorian and Austin as well as my friend Alex.
John was the only one of us not wearing a costume besides Austin which I'll explain shoutly... or so we thought as he took off his shirt to reveal he looked a lot like the lifeguard who you met originally from Dead Island fake tattoo and all.
His brother and one of my best friend's Dorian was dressed as Andrew Ryan wearing a rather smart suit and had expertly grown and groomed his facial hair for the role, while Alex was dressed as... I don't remember but, he'd explained it to me once and I'd forgotten but it was a costume based around what people believed one of the other characters from the four horsemen looked like in Dark Siders.
John and Dorian's youngest brother Austin was a tag along having hidden away in the car and we didn't want to spend the time to bring him back, so their mom just said to watch him while she came and picked him up from the hotel and they relegated me to babysit the guy near the merch booths.
I was dressed as an omage to Disgaea having blended elements of three characters together. A suit tailored to my build which was mainly inspired by King Krichevskoy, a long flowing cape that looked raggedy and tattered though split into two like a flowing scarf was inspired by Laharl, and the fact I'd died my hair red for the occasion was meant to refer to Etna. Though the fact I was wearing steel toed boots and gloves that seemed to be meant for fighting didn't let anyone who thought that I was trying to have a flash of Adell in there too... what the guy was a total badass?
Austin however was... wearing a pony costume, now I'm not going to trash them, I've enjoyed the songs, show, even the fandom on occasion. But, that doesn't mean I condone wearing that outfit to a holy site for geeks and nerds like myself everywhere and from the look of sympathy I got from Alex as I led him around showed he didn't either.
This however didn't stop a few girls from fawning over me and my pastel covered ward whenever they got the chance, I still never understood why but... eh what happens happens. Who was I to let the fact someone in the cosmos threw me a bone go dissapointed and talked with her while holding a firm grip on the tail of the pony costume that Austin wore. Poor kid wanted to run like a pony so damn bad, made me feel for him.
Now I wasn't exactly built like a superstar, hell I was a twig who played Violin, so much so people would confuse me for the bow sometimes. But, I wasn't unfit either I did a bit of working out but, mainly so I didn't ever start running myself ragged if I had to run away from a bully or escape some other nastiness of living in the city. I was... for lack of a better word, cute. Like that one guy in anime that gets girls fawning over him because he looked more like a kind kitten than anything.
Sadly this lack of any kind of major upper body strength meant that the second he kicked me in the balls and started hauling ass he got away from me. People were confused as to what I was dressed as but, after I explained it I got some polite head nods. This was because I wanted to play around with the idea that I'd gotten during the scene in Disgaea three where Laharl and Etna try to dissuade Mao from fighting them by pretending to be his parents and decided to run with it. So now I walked through the booths looking at stuff while searching for Austin dressed as my made up Overlord Nocturne.
"Why hello there my lord." Came the voice of a strange woman that practically dripped lust as she looked at me from behind the booth and the items thereon. "See anything you like?" She asked giving me a flirtatious wink.
Though of all the various objects, weapons, and trinkets on display the one thing that caught my attention was the strange glowing medal object it looked strangely like the Imperial Seal that all the main characters of the Disgaea seemed to have. "How much for the medal?" I asked as I reached for it.
"For you cutie?" She pursed her lips and put a finger on her cheek in thought. "A kiss and a promise, that you'll treasure it always. Well that and fifty dollars." She said with a giggle before forcibly kissing me which caused me to stumble back and wiping my mouth off, oh god she used tongue.
"W-What was that for?" I asked looking at her confused before I noticed the medal was pinned to my suit jacket.
"Well, I wanted to make sure you wouldn't forget me. See you soon cutie~" She called out as I felt dizzy the fifty dollars taken from me waved in her hand and then... I started to fall.
Field outside what will be Canterlot 1,025 - 3rd Person
Celestia was not having a good day. First of all Luna was complaining about the kitchen being out of cake again, which she tried her best to deny responsibility but, was unable to as she had a bit of fluffy cream on her upper lip which she had forgotten about. This had caused Luna to rage and literally chase her around the castle and into the fields around the mountain just outside the forest she and Luna called home where she was hit by some random falling figure with massive red bat wings which got it's head stuck between her cleavage for several minutes.
After finally prying itself free and staggering back a bit to reveal that it was a demon one of the few creatures of Tartarus that did leave their netherworld. Though they had to be strong to circumvent the barrier and from the looks of the seal pinned to it's his chest... she had just been groped and molested by their new overlord the act of which could incite a full blown war between her ponies and the demons. Yeah her day was going just swimmingly...
Same Dark Cave in the undisclosed location. Present - Nocturne's perspective
A few demons let out cries of "OH COME ON!" as the projector faded out which caused me to smile slightly.
"Sorry about that but, the rest of the story will have to wait. You all wanna hear happens next I know but, first I need to actually spread my wings a bit, I mean it's morning already and it shouldn't be hard for her royal virginity to realize that I haven't been caught or found yet so... open the gate and head home for now, I'm going to familiarize myself with the locals. Sandy you're coming with me." I said in an authoritative tone to which all the demons gathered replied with a cheer and swarmed past me.
Most of them passed just giving me well wishes on my return while a few of the succubi gave my ass a pinch or my groin a rub as if asking me for a good time before they faded out of sight beyond the gates of Tartarus, which was as much my home as theirs since I arrived here. Though Sandy was another case entirely, she was a pony mare who willingly submitted herself to my service even though she knew she'd stay that way until I either died or freed her.
Her full name was Sandy Beaches and she was a pegasus pony who felt the need to serve me forever. She never seemed to mind it due to the circumstances of how we met, which I will likely explain when the rest of the demons get their story time.
"Y-You called for me sir?" She asked with her usual shy tone she was a cutie through and through, not overly developed like the royal tits but, definitely a good looker. She was a soft creme yellow with a soft green mane and tail with C sized breasts, but wide hips and the stature of a woman who was a mother at one point. She had a fondness for wearing green clothing that matched her mane and was a ridiculously good shot with a rifle. Strictly speaking she was my best friend and likely the only mare I ever slept with... which would be awkward if what I heard a rumor about was true.
"O-Oh if we're going out should I bring the book?" She asked holding up an ancient tool, the Book of Summoning. It was my answer to several meetings that I will once again extrapolate on later. The names of those who were summonable or able to summon would glow either white or gold, based on which they were. Likewise the book would record those who interfered in my version of happenings as red or grey, when a name was not available it merely was normal black ink.
"Yes good work Sandy, by the way have you managed to find if you ever had any descendants?" I asked kindly, sure the world looked at me and labeled me a monster because of my nature, but you know what. Screw them I'm good to my friends, allies, and family, and that's what matters. Though the fact she nodded kinda threw me for a loop meaning I had a blood tie to this world after all, which was likely the cause of that harmony thing waking me up.
"Gonna need to add them to safe list. Got a name?" I asked and she nodded and handed it to me, what I saw kinda shocked me but I'm not gonna deny that fate had a way of messing with me. "Oh that's gonna cause an issue down the line I can tell."
The name she handed me was one I didn't recognize but, the fact that the closest settlement to here and where I was going to meet the locals and bring about some more brazen notice to my return was one and the same.
"Well then, time to meet the family, next stop. Ponyville." I said before chuckling slightly at the pun, they just never did get better.
Chapter 3: Almost to Ponyville! What's changed during the Epic Nap?
"This... forest... sucks...." was my rather eloquent dictation on the state of the forest myself and Sandy traversed. For such a timid mare she really had a backbone when I was not doing my job of acting overlord enough.
"Tyler! What would all the newly created Demon's say if they heard you moaning like a foal about a little walk through a forest that is practically a haven for demon kind?" She said taking a tone one would usually hear from their mother when they had done something said mother disapproved of.
Which... I must admit always intimidated me. "Um... well... yeah you're right, sorry Sandy." I said before I was suddenly pulled into a hug by the mare, who... still eclipsed my rather meager height of five foot seven enough to smother my face between her breasts.
The screen turns grey for a minute as a pair of succubi appear on screen behind a news desk. "We interrupt your program for a special news bulletin courtesy of Overlord Info dump dot hell."
The red headed Succubi nods and reads from her pamphlet. "Overlord Nocturne is actually the third smallest known overlord due to appearing at a regular human's height of five foot seven. As well as the youngest living overlord to date. Though the fact that Equestrian Anthros grow to around Seven Feet tall on a regular basis with Alicorns capping at the height of Twelve feet and two inches (Celestia), it's easy to see how he'd feel the shortest."
This causes the blue haired Succubi to giggle. "No wonder all the mares treat him with so much affection it's because they think he's a little colt half the time isn't it?"
The red head starts laughing. "Y-Yeah just don't tell the Overlord that, he thinks it's all because of his stud factor." With that both succubi start laughing till the fall out of their chairs and vanish causing the screen to return to normal.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.
I couldn't help but, blush from the hug as she cooed softly in that weird almost motherly fashion she always did. "S-Sandy can't breathe!" I said suddenly realizing that I still needed oxygen though to her it just came out as an unintelligent blabbering because of how deeply his head was pressed to her chest.
"Shh, just calm down Tyler, I'll carry you the rest of the way okay?" She said softly with a bit of a demonic glint in her eyes, while it wouldn't have been possible for the mare to survive this long she had the aid of a partial conversion into a demon to thanks to the contract she'd entered with me.
"You... bitch..." Was all I could manage to say as I left unable to breath and passed out from the lack of air, though this didn't seem to bother Sandy any as she simply removed me from between her breasts and carried me over the shoulder.
If I was conscious I'd realize that her plan was to use my unconsciousness as an excuse to enter the town with me without the need to restrain me, for which I'd likely commend her... she was always a better forward thinker than I was when it came to the ponies. Though from what my subconscious mind had picked up, I didn't exactly like what I heard.
The red haired succubus appeared again as the screen greyed. "Sorry got more info to dump. Just gonna be a second."
"Our Esteemed Overlord unlike most Overlords isn't an especially talented fighter, instead his power comes from his massive draw of beneficial and detrimental music which he uses to control the battlefield like a true maestro. This also grants him the ability to control his subconscious mind be able to hear things he normally wouldn't be, as a musician of his caliber must be able to find new inspiration even while asleep." She bowed and vanished.
"Sorry about that, back to the show~"
Demons like myself were not exactly welcome in Equestria, the whys are unknown to me because until I woke up from a power nap that was supposed to last a few hours which suddenly turned into at a nap of epic dragon scale meaning I slept for 1,000 years, my species was on good terms with the ponies.
This was mainly due to the fact that under my rule the demons basically played watchdogs to keep other worlds from meddling with each other in exchange for a steady supply of Mana the building blocks of magic and the source of life for demon kind.
Sandy sighed. "At least he didn't gain any weight sleeping so long, though I have to admit I wonder how he'll take being a very distant ancestor to a unicorn mare?" She asked with a giggle as she walked into the town of Ponyville to relative confusion at her passenger as she asked where she could find a medical professional that specialized in humans.
Chapter 4: A typical day in Ponyville! OR. To meet the Descendent!
A mint green Unicorn mare reached the center of town and hopped up onto the fountain, sitting down and starting to gently strum her lyre, a kind of small harp and creating a soothing melody. She had some time before she was expected to show up for rehearsal with the orchestra which as it made quite a bit of money per show so she decided to get some more practice in.
Lyra was a rather well proportioned mare and as she played her lyre while wearing her work attire, a ball gown designed to hug her curves and make her seem sensual yet stately during affairs at the orchestra, she definitely managed to attract the attention of several stallions and more than a few mares.
Her cutie mark was that of a Golden Lyre her signature instrument and her hair color was a soft green with a white stripe going through it giving her mane and tail the appearance of a mint toothpaste, which was one of the reasons some ponies asked if she was related to the town's dentist Colgate. To which she could only chuckle and say no, though she would admit she could see the upside to it.
She had a modest yet still sizable chest and her curves would be able to put any model to shame as she matured and 'came into her own' as it were. Though she usually wore outfits that hid this about her as she didn't really like that kind of attention from anyone but her marefriend Bonbon
Lyra's Perspective
"Ah, today is a great day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, Bonnie promised me that we get to have some 'special cuddling' time after I got home from work tonight. Yeah today just feels like one of those days nothing's gonna go wrong!" I said with a happy tone that quickly soured as I realized what I'd just done.
Ever since I was just a filly I'd had this unusual ability to predict a disaster or wide spread panic inducing event like the Flower Sisters causing a riot over a butterfly landing on each of their muzzles simultaneously. I always wondered if it had something to do with the fact that unlike most ponies, I had the same kind of teeth as an omnivore like a monkey or those Human's I'd read so much about? My mom never explained it, and dad just looked looked really nervous when I'd bring it up so I never really pressed it out of respect for my parents, I was raised in Canterlot after all.
Thought getting back to the topic at hand it seemed that this week's disaster was well... it was a demon being brought into town on the shoulder of a mare nopony had seen before, though she felt familiar to me, I couldn't quite place it but, there was this feeling like I should know them.
"THE HORROR, THE HORROR!" Yep... Daisy just triggered another town wide panic attack with that now nearly trademarked line of hers. Something that I could only sigh about as I glared at the sisters slightly as I continued to play my Lyre. It just came naturally to me, like some kind of instinctual coping mechanism that prevented me from wanting to needlessly panic.
The music seemed to rouse the demon who began to stir and as he raised his head to looked at me with his bright golden eyes, I remembered a discussion I'd had with the at the time unicorn librarian Twilight Sparkle. She'd said that golden eyes were a sign of my family meeting with the demon's for some reason generations ago.
It was likely during the rule of Overlord Nocturne, as even though even as it ended with his eternal imprisonment in stone, it was a relatively prosperous time for the ponies as Tartarus was kept under constant watch by it's own people in exchange for the ability for the demons to be allowed to harvest unused magic or Mana as they called it, their source of life.
My thoughts were snapped to attention as the demon and the mare he traveled with approached me the mare actually hugging me tightly. The feeling was odd as it didn't feel like the hug of a stranger, and more like the hugs I got from my mom and dad...
wait...
"W-Who are you two?" I asked unable to hold the curiosity back even though I may not like the answer... especially with all of Ponyville now standing around the square with Twilight and her five friends rushing into view.
"Well..." the sand colored mare said and looked to the demon who simply nodded. "I'm Sandy Breeze, and he's Tyler Black." That name sent shivers down my spine, it was the other name used by Overlord Nocturne on occasion with his close friends, allies and-
"And we're your grandparents my little Lyra." She said happily as she kissed my cheek which got several ponies to gasp at this startling news though all I could do was put it together as I was passing out.
We regret to inform you that we are about to take a break from current events to further explain what happened when Tyler first arrived in Equestria. So let's begin...
I was a bit startled to say the least, the first thing I saw upon appearing from, whatever that place was... was a woman standing 12 feet tall and a body that could put most supermodels to shame. She looked to be on the precipice of a mental breakdown, and not to mention... covered in really soft fur. My personal experience of a few seconds ago at least determined it was extremely soft.
She appeared to be looking at me for some kind of response or answer to what was going on, though sadly before I could process the request and retaliate with a valiant 'beats me', I was blasted by something. Only to wake up in the middle of a room full of creatures of all shapes and sizes. All looking me expectantly though one of them approached me and examined the medal pinned to my outfit.
"He's here!" A creature that looked like a succubus said with a happy smile before tackling me in a hug that made me think of far too many anime shows, mainly with the fact she had over-sized breasts and they were currently the only thing I could see or hear. "He's really here! Our new Overlord!" She cried out to which all of the various creatures, started cheering happily.
The succubus pulled away to reveal that she had stunning red hair and blue eyes and was wearing what looked like a secretary's outfit. "Now then my king... well, potential king, we need to see if you're capable of defeating our current overlord to take the throne... he's an impersonator playing king, so it shouldn't be too hard for someone who actually has the rights to an Imperial Seal." She explained with no small amount of anger at this other person.
"He's even using my sister as his personal sex toy! Just because we're succubi doesn't mean we like being used!" She said handing me a odd looking form that looked like some kind of contract. Which I read over.
To Ye who accept the terms listed here, be ye of strong constitution or will shall be made known as a contender for Overlord, and be appointed to the noble rank of Lord. As thus made founder of thine own house to which to bear the weight of the crown thought seeks to carry.
Ye will also be granted the services of any number of vassals ye can support and treat them however thou desires, thine Vassal must also sign this document to declare ye a true lord of demons, and accept you as their king.
Ye will gain land and title, as well as a set of seven Prinny servants to begin your reign, as well as any number of demons who willingly serve ye. So if ye accept the following terms then sign ye name at the bottom.
1: Thou may not relinquish thine title to another until ye be slain or to frail to fight. 2: If thou art crowned overlord thou must take responsibility over all of the Netherworld as thine lordship. 3: Thou may never marry as marriage is a sacred act of angels and hast no place within these dark walls. 4: Thou must kill or be killed, to accept this role is to accept a life of constant battle. Though thou must never allow one who is not willing to be injured during thine battles, a true overlord does not involve the innocent in the affairs of demons. "Doth ye accept this role?" Yes/No.
I could swear I actually saw a dialog box with the choices, yes/no and a cursor like from Disgaea for a minute as I nodded and signed the paper and noticed that the name of the succubus who handed me the sheet was already on it. "Abigail?" I asked looking up at her and handing her the form which she'd noticed I'd signed using my real name.
This caused her to nod. "Yes my lord? Oh... um, sorry to say this but, Black doesn't really sound like a name for an Overlord's house, do you have anything else we can use?"
"Yeah, called me Nocturne. Now then, on to business... where's this guy who I need to fight?" I asked feeling, oddly confident in my fighting ability for someone who didn't even understand what was going on.
"Oh yes, let me show you... it's right this way." She said before flying ahead of me and leading me towards our destination.
The Red Castle
I sighed as we had been walking for several hours, Abigail's wings giving up their flight after several minutes of continuous flight. Apparently when a Vassal is given a new master it reset's their strength down to the first level. Thus reincarnating them in a sense. I could see the relief on her face as we reached our destination. A massive structure of red bricks that looked like they were made from clay that was treated with blood.
The walk had passed by in relative ease after I'd asked about the current overlord, what was expected of me if I beat him, and what I was supposed to do in the case I didn't beat him?
The basic gist of it was he was a huge crocodile creature named Nox with an insatiable appetite for women... in more ways then one, ever since he rose to power they'd had reports of demons being reincarnated, all of which were females that were brought to his throne room... and apparently Abigail's sister is the most recent... they didn't know what he did to them as reincarnation messes with your memories a bit, but they assumed it's bad.
If I won, I'd be crowned Overlord, ruler of the netherworld... if I'd lost, well I died and then I wouldn't have to worry about what happened after.
"So, since we're at the castle anything else on this guy? Or your sister's name for that matter?" I asked looking at Abigail, who turned to me and smiled before pushing me towards the gates.
"Nothing too much besides what I've already told you my lord." She said with a grin that told me she really didn't care if I lived or died as long as I saved her sister waving at me as I passed through them, which caused me to feel odd. Passing through the gates made the world around me turn white and gave me a feeling of weightlessness for a moment before I found myself in the throne room of the castle.
Red Castle Throne Room
"Okay... what the hell? I was just at the front gates." I said before noticing the scene before me. Bent over in front of the throne was a naked succubus with blue hair and red eyes, Abigail's twin sister I was told about and from the looks of it she was currently being 'used' by the current Overlord a huge creature that looked like what would happen if you fuzed soloman grundy and killer croc from batman. That was likely Nox.
"Hmm? Who's this... a little bug that think's he's worthy of the title of Overlord... well wait your turn little bug, I'm in the middle of prepping my meal." The large creature said with a very deep voice that seemed to rumble in the air.
"H-Help! H-He's gonna eat us!" The blue haired succubus cried out. As I thought about it I really should have asked for her name. Though the fact she seemed so panicked bothered me.
"Wait... us?" I asked before noticing something I'd overlooked, hanging from the ceiling in a birdcage built for her was another woman like the white furred one, though she was shorter and lacked the horn. Not to mention she was covered in a sandy colored coat of fur.
That's when it happened, I heard a voice in my head... it actually sounded a lot like Etna's from Disgaea though much older than she sounded in the games.
"That's a pony..." "What? Who's there?" This was getting weird it was quiet at first but, it seemed to get louder. "She's an innocent, you have to save her." "I don't even know how to fight!" My panicked mental state made me question this conversation and wonder if I'd just finally hit the breaking point on whatever saintly tolerance I had. "Yes you do! Demons make do with whatever skills they have!" "All I can do is play instruments! I'm a musician not a fighter!" Was my response only to receive a rather odd gift in the form of something flowing from the medal on my chest, a violin made of extremely well crafted wood, that seemed to be a deep ominous red. "Who says you can't be both? Now play us a song and wreck his ass, the world is watching."
Before I could even think about responding I heard a loud scream as the succubus was pulled from Nox's... girth and was pulled towards his mouth she was begging me for help from what I could tell as my hearing refocused. "Please let this work..." I prayed in my head as I drew the bow of the violin across it's strings gaining a satiating sound that seemed to actually stop the gator.
"Hey fat ass!" I called out as I held the bow out like a blade pointed at him. "Dinner is cancelled." I said before I began to play, my music flowing through the room towards the larger being with a visible weight from how it looked, as lines of blood red music notes crossed the gap and flowed around him dancing around him in a circle.
He looked at the notes for a moment, then to me, then back to the notes. As he drew a sword the size of my body I began to sing.
"I am a musician traveling worlds, my gift of song on my breath.~ But, if you harm an innocent, My gift of song shall bring death~ Allow me a moment to destroy your desires, before I rend you in two.~ For when they ask who the overlord is, there is only one answer true~ The answer I say and I shall speak plain, is a resounding NOT YOU!
And with those last two words the notes exploded sending the blue haired Succubus flying from the blast and freeing the other woman from her cage. I continued to play as something in the back of my head compelled me to do so until I was sure Nox was well and truly dead.
I received this confirmation when the smoke cleared revealing that the massive gator had been reduced to nothing more than an ethereal jelly on the floor. Allowing me to finally stop playing as the fight was over, though from what I could hear, there was a massive uproar as the blue haired succubus cheered and was reunited with Abigail.
"All hail the new overlord! All hail Lord Nocturne!"
Chapter 6: Unleash the book of summoning? Let co-oppertaions commence!
BACK TO THE FUTURE! Okay well it's more of the present... "Hurry up already!" Okay okay sorry... Lyra's House, Ponyville
With the aid of someone who was apparently my prospective Granddaughter in law a Cream colored mare named Sweetie Drops, though she said her friends and family called her Bon-Bon or Bonnie if affectionate. We managed to get Lyra to her home relatively undisturbed, well beyond the very kind wall eyed mare who offered us a muffin for Lyra when she woke up, and told her some mare named Pinkie Pie was planning to host a and I shit you not.
She called it a "Glad you found out that you're a half demon and still not a meanie mean pants" party. After that near brain numbing insult to my intelligence stats I decided that after we dumped Lyra on the couch I would allow myself the comfort of liquid aneurysm prevention. A.K.A. Really hard booze. Which was were we now find ourselves.
"Are you sure you should be drinking that much?" Bon-Bon asked as she noticed the seven empty bottles of SAA* hard cider that had filled her rubbish bin as well as the one currently emptying it's contents into my stomach.
This was met with a mighty belch that earned me a smack across the head from Sandy. "Ouch... that hurts." I said voicing my complaint to the sand colored pegasus. "Heh, I just realized." I pointed to all three mares one after the other as I spoke. "Pegasus, Earth Pony, Unicorn." I said before smiling softly and quickly teleporting to Sandy where I hugged her, I swear it was the booze that made me affectionate.
This caused Sandy to blush and her wings to fan out as I ended up pressing my face between her breasts and nuzzling there for a few minutes. The booze making me shamelessly affectionate at this point which quickly increased the awkward levels in the room, especially after my wings spread to rub her ass.
I am what is known as a Loving Drunk, you know the kind who starts spouting 'I love you man' and hugging you? Yeah that guy is me. "Ah lurvs you Sandy, we has such good childrins." Was the words from my mouth, which actually caused the mares in the room to laugh... awkward laughing probably but, I was tanked and could care less.
A light cough and then a sudden tingling sensation rendered me sensible again as I felt mana flow into my veins restoring me to peak help, it had a minty taste to it... and I could see it was coming from Lyra who had obviously seen enough from the way she glared at me and Sandy.
"Okay... I think we all need an explanation as to how YOU are my grandparents." She said with an indignent huff as she motioned for us all to sit down. To which Sandy complied and drug me along with her, Demon Strength given to a pegasus makes them much more buff then their svelte stature would imply, trust me on this.
So as we sat the arrangement of our positions was me sitting on Sandy's lap like a child in a chair that was across from the couch which held Lyra and Bon-Bon who looked like they were trying not to laugh... to which I replied...
"Well, when a demon and she-devil love each other very much, the demon sticks his..." And then I proceeded to explain in extremely excruciating detail of everything that likely led up to Lyra's father's conception... It was sooo worth it from the looks on their faces, because my girl was a queen of kink. Lyra had that look that basically begged for death, you know that one that people get when they are in the presence of embarrassing parental figures?
Yeah that one, and Bon-Bon had turned a shade of green so vivid I thought she was gonna throw up right then and there. Though I did spare a few details as my suit was dirty enough currently and I doubt they were going to last that much longer if I had continued.
"H-How could you do things like that? I-I mean that shouldn't be possible!" Bon-Bon exclaimed. Sandy's response actually brought some news to my ears about happenings in the Netherworld. Sandy had apparently been promoted to a Queen Succubus while I was encased in stone and it honestly didn't surprise me. She knew sex like I knew music, hell the entire reason she had been in Tartarus when I'd first met her was because she was supposedly being judged for sins of adultery and lust.
But, enough about that, let's skip ahead some shall we?
3 Hours of unnecessary talking later!
"So... I guess that means you want me to move in with you or something?" Lyra asked with a soft sigh, hoping beyond hope we wouldn't take her with us to keep tabs on her because of her powers likely awakening sometime soon.
"Well, no not really, we just need you to make sure you have a full length body mirror in your home that you can cover with a tarp or something." Sandy explained which I nodded too.
"That's correct, you see Mirrors and Reflections are a very easy way to focus demonic magic especially doorway magics. In fact we were hoping you'd allow us to lock a mirror down as a gateway from our resident gatekeeper." I explained to which Lyra and Bon-Bon looked rather surprised.
"That's it? Just make sure we have a full body mirror?" Bon-Bon asked skeptical. "What about the magical surges, the desire to steal souls all of that?" She asked looking slightly worried about her lover, more so about the fact that Lyra would have to deal with this because of something she couldn't change.
This... actually got me and Sandy to start laughing like children. "W-Where'd you hear something that stupid? Stealing souls, what are we supposed to be vampires?" I'd asked with a chuckle but, the answer I'd gotten really, well it pissed me off.
"It's in the official demonology tomes printed on Orders of Princess Celestia. She said that Demons steal souls leaving Ponies and other species as broken husks." Lyra said hoping that what she said didn't hit a nerve, especially after I'd divulged what had transpired between myself and the royal backstabbers.
Abigail showed up on screen for a half second holding a sign stating "Look forwards to that by the way." And with that she was gone and time resumed.
"What?! That's a lie! We don't take souls! Mana maybe, but never someone's soul! Those are sacred even to us!" I shouted as Sandy held me against her so I didn't rocket across the room to strangle someone in my blind rage. To which I responded by charging up a teleportation spell, I needed to hurt something.
"Tyler, calm down... we don't need a... and he's gone." Sandy said with a sigh as she felt me fade from her grip and sank into her chair. "Do you girls have a mirror I could use? I think Lyra's grandfather needs a chance to get away from this world for a bit, especially since I can feel the blood lust coming from him.
This prompted Lyra and Bon-Bon to exchange glances before quickly leading Sandy to a full body mirror they kept in their bedroom.
"Alright then, stand back girls while momma works her magic." She said a giggle at realizing she had achieved super M.I.L..F. Status in the eyes of ponies who still saw succubi as sex symbols.
Sandy pulled the book I had requested her to bring and tossed it towards the mirror where it actually sunk into the reflection and exploded on the other side pages scattering to the winds of the multiverse before the tomb returned to her empty of pages, except more of a way to check on those who were summoned.
"All Channels open a bit of a message to all worlds please Gatekeeper." She spoke to the mirror and received a confirmation.
"Yes Lady Beaches, you are free to address the Multiverse." Natasha our Gatekeeper demon responded, she was always a very quiet demon, never really said much unless you talked to her first and then she really sounded more like a robot class one than anything.
"Residents of the Multiverse, on behalf of Lord Nocturne Overlord of Tartarus I bid you welcome and pledge the support of any who would stand against the stagnant status of the world. For as darkness and shadows may not exist without light, so too can light not exist without shadows. So if you ever have need of a demon to bolster your skills, an ally that will be there whenever you call simply find a reflective surface and call us. We will answer." Sandy said with a very official tone before she placed a hand on the mirror. Only to hear my voice echo across all of time and space, using the established connection.
"If you ever need help, just remember this phrase. Take a look in a mirror to see a choice made clearer, invite a demon to dinner and become the fight's winner."
I smiled as my summoning essence could be felt scattering allowing my people, my warriors, archers, trolls, and prinnys, to scatter across all of space and time, to find and harvest mana from those who were defeated. Be they invaders or invaded, it didn't matter. Mana was Mana after all.
"And it looks like business just started booming."
Chapter 7: A week of rest from a fight across worlds over? Or, Shades of red... promise of batle!
A week has passed since my trip to Newvale and completion of my first summoning contract since being released. To say I was conflicted would be to say a man who won the lottery was just amused by the results. It felt good... really good, but it made me a bit sad at the same time.
Apparently peace had caused Ponies to lose what fighting instincts they had, not that there was many to begin with being herd animals, but that's also where they shined. Ponies were stronger as a group, which was why my battle style was to always wage full scale battles wherever they occurred like a magical chess game, much like the game my powers originated from.
Sadly this posed a problem, as with a weakening fighting spirit the purity of the species Mana would degrade as well. This was due to Mana being the run off or blank magic left behind during hostile encounters, like the shell left behind when a gun is fired. No confrontations meant that less Mana would be produced, less Mana means my people would starve.
How to change that was another matter. Sure I could easily use more war torn worlds as a source of Mana, which was the purpose of tossing the pages of the summoning book far into the Rift and scattering them so that allies, and enemies of mine alike would find them easily. When a page is recovered I would know exactly where their world was in the vast span of the rift and could accurately appear there with the assistance of the Gatekeeper.
It wasn't a perfect system, as it allowed others to find my world rather easily but, at least that meant conflict as I returned them whence they came, meaning more Mana for my people. All rewards come with risk as they say.
I was woken from my trance like brooding by Sandy rushing into the Throne room. "Tyler! We've got trouble... well, it's more like the Pony's have trouble but... you know what I mean, another one of THEM has shown up in Ponyville!" the emotion in her voice told me more than I needed to know as I grabbed my new weapon. A battleaxe crossed with a Guitar I decided to partake in after reincarnating Myself with the Perfect stat bonus of 100 extra points to start with thanks to the generous contribution of that Omega fellow's invasion.
"Right, I'll be back in an hour or so. Same drill as always." The smile on my face at fighting another of THEM never got any less creepy after the first time I defeated one. They felt pain, they bled, they even cursed me at times. But when slain all they did was fade and smile. I loved them for their countless attempts to invade and thanks to them I was as high level as I was, now I only really reincarnated to try out different ways of fighting as I'd discovered something unique about myself.
Maybe it was due to the way this world was different, or the Mana in Equestria or something. But, instead of all my weapon skills and abilities remaining the same I'd always have a random weapon stat set value from F to S and a Musical Instrument/Weapon attuned to the S rank stat.
This time the lucky weapon was the Axe... kind of my favorite as it was a badass guitar that shredded like the devil himself was playing it and a Battleaxe all in one. Which I gave a quick strum producing a lick of flame before holstering the weapon into a few straps on my back between my cape wings.
With my weapon now tucked into it's holder on my back and a quick kiss to Sandy as I ran past her and leapt into a mirror I was off, and it was gonna be AWESOME!
Ponyville Town Square, Seventeen minutes earlier. Sandy's perspective
Today was a great day in Ponyville, after a... rather sloppy introduction a week ago to my Granddaughter I had been trying to get to know her over a series of... well let's just call them speed runs. I mean with it known publicly that I was a demon I wasn't exactly welcome in the town thanks to the less than tactful grudge propaganda by Celestia.
This was doubly true thanks to the fact her Faithful Pet, and newest Princess of Equestria. Twilight Sparkle happened to reside in said town, I was told her accession into Alicorn Princess was recent, like... just a few weeks ago recent. Which brings me to the conversation we're currently involved in.
"So... you're saying that she was crowned Princess for creating new magic and yet refuses to see that Demons are pretty much magic personified?" I asked my granddaughter and her 'Companion' see what I did there? Sweetie Drops a.k.a. Bon-Bon getting a nervous smile from the earth mare while Lyra just nodded.
"Y-Yes ma'am. She supposedly created a spell that harnesses the energy of friendship in it's purest form and as such gained ascendance." Bon-Bon explained with a nervous tone. It was probably the fact that I sort of growled when I asked the question, and from what I could tell she was a gossip nut.
"I don't understand it, I mean it's like nopony even cared that she practically destroyed her friend's lives before fixing it and making the spell work." Lyra said with a sigh. "I mean if I had been just a little bit pushier with keeping in touch when we were kids I could have been in that gaggle of destiny swapped parallel ponies."
This caused both me and Bon-Bon to turn and look at her with something that seemed to be programed into everypony, the 'are you serious right now?' eyebrow raise. Sadly before I could actually voice the question I heard a noise... it was a dreadful noise that ensured fighting was going to be on the horizon.
"Girls, you need to get home right now and find a full body mirror I can use to go see Nocturne. There's about to be trouble." I said a bit worried by Lyra's almost happy expression. Oh sweet Mana she's just like her Grandfather, crazy and fight hungry.
"But, Grandma we could help... I'm not sure how but, we could!" Lyra said as she looked for the source of the sound her grin only growing as her horn lit up with a golden aura calling her instrument to her. Yep, just like her grandfather.
Before I could try to dissuade her any further, the message ripped through my being making me pray that after I managed to get the message to Nocturne there would still be a Ponyville to save.
Toxic_To_Touch Has Invaded!
The message blinked three times as the red letters sprawled across the bottom portion of my vision, one of THEM had appeared.
Chapter 8: Let battle be joined. Or, Tidings of the Future, a warning remembered.
Outside of Ponyville Town Limits, Empty Field. 3rd Person PoV
The sound of weapons clanging against each other could be heard easily, though with each swing of the Demon Lord's axe the air seemed to hum with the sound of a guitar riff, allowing Nocturne's musical magic to flow freely without having to stop and actually play a song.
They had been fighting for the better part of thirty minutes, ever since the Phantom had appeared and tried to cause havoc, only to be kicked in the face by the overlord when he had tried to attack a young filly. The cry of "DYNAMIC ENTRY!" ringing in the ears of the ponies as the stunned phantom was justly booted out of town before the overlord gave chase.
Phantoms were oddities in that they could have come from anywhere, other worlds, video games, or even come through holes in the void that allowed game character avatars through. The third type were especially destructive as they usually acted accordingly to game logic, if it's not a known ally attack and kill it for loot as the player at the helm might have thought they'd downloaded a mod or rom hack without realizing it.
This brought us to the current situation. Where Nocturne was currently in a weapon lock with the Avatar before him, it wore black the armor of the Black Knights of Anor Londo yet didn't weild their sword or shield, instead having the Quelag's Furysword and The grass crest shield. Cheap weapons to be sure but, they were effective.
"You need to leave... you are not welcome here!" Nocturne called out as he trusted forwards spinning his axe for a combo strike which caused the Armor Break status effect causing the chest piece of the Avatar to shatter to which he was answered with a seven strike combo setting him ablaze. Much to the concern of the ponies who had started to watch the battle.
Their presence seemed to stir something in the Overlord as energy sparked off him in glowing motes. "Oh... it's on. Chaotic Concerto!" With a spin of his weapon Nocturne dashed backwards several paces before rushing at the Phantom for a brief flash... a song seeming to flow into the air as he did so. Though as the Phantom seemed to think the Demon had fled he quickly reappeared in several brief moments only to strike at him from every angle and position with various weapons. All of them appearing to be half weapon half instrument.
A sword and shield shaped like a cello and it's bow, a Bow that folded to and from a harp, the axe mixed with a guitar, a pistol that was also an ocarina, and finally an absolutely massive samurai sword that had a keyboard in it's reverse. Each strike causing the music to grow louder and louder as the Phantom reeled in what appeared to be agony. The weapons staying buried in it's body before suddenly erupting in light, causing the music to end as suddenly as it appeared and the phantom to fall to the ground and begin to fade though as he did so he seemed to laugh, a long and ringing laugh like he knew he wasn't going to be gone forever.
"And that's that." The demon said with a sigh as he spun the axe in his hand as the dust flowed into his body as shades of each of the various weapons flowed into his body.
That same field. Nocturne's Perspective
Phantom: Toxic_To_Touch has been Vanquished.
Those words always made me happy to see scrawl across the bottom of my vision. Though I was slightly worried about what the hell just happened. "D-Did... I just do a limit break?" Was the most prevalent question on my mind. Usually I got weird moments like that when I gained enough power that my body just, well it went and pulled references to video games out of nowhere.
These usually happened right before a large fight as some kind of ominous warning. Like, hey here's some new power that you're gonna need to fight this next guy, have fun with that. I hated these, because whenever I got them I nearly die. Though usually I got a clue as to what was going to happen bef-
Thunk. Ow... Okay, maybe next time it would be better without the large glowing mcguffen smacking me in the face.
The glowing orb seemed to radiate malice, madness and just an all around unnerving feeling as I picked it up. "Well, this must belong to someone... but, who?" Was the question, the answer came from what my most recent acquaintance said. There were three beings who were basically madness personified. Though the question of the hour came as... which one?
The smirk that spread across my face would scare anyone as I waved to Sandy who just shrugged knowingly as I gave a push of my energy into the orb.
"Only one way to find out... Prepare yourself from a visit from an Overlord!!" I cried out with a psychotic laugh as I felt a Phantom rip from my form and flow through the orb before my world faded to black.
Chapter 9: Crossover Madness: Power through Nothingness, the Prince of Power summons the Demon King!
I could feel myself return to my Equestria before any of my other senses registered. Slowly the returned with my sight being last, in time to see the last traces of white light fade away.
Taking in a comforting breath of air, enjoying the familiar, unique ‘taste’ of my Equestria and its magic, I teleported back to my home not too far from the Cullis Gate.
I quickly made my way through to my personal quarters, located in one of the rooms with a door that responded to Will, rather than conventional magic.
Almost as soon as I reached it, I felt the Void... ‘shift’. I knew another was soon to come to my Equestria, and within an instant, I used my connection to the void to find where.
Hurrying back through the corridors to the Cullis Gate, I sent myself though to the one outside the Border-Town ruins and waited, keeping an eye out for my ‘visitor’.
Skies Above Equestria, Nocturne’s Perspective
The Void, the Rift, the Space between, these words all speak of a place that is home for Demons as much as any netherworld. A universal constant demons exist across all worlds and as such can use that knowledge to travel the Rift as if it was just an afternoon stroll. Though this also meant that for token wielders a demon would appear where it chose unless convenience said otherwise.
“Hmm… the mana here is thick with raw power. Definitely a sign that whoever left that orb’s got gas to spare.” I said from my perch upon a wayward cloud high above the town of Ponyville, chosen simply for its central location in relevance to all the potential areas the orb’s creator could possibly be.
Nocturne’s ears twitch twice as he looks towards the everfree. “Hmm, well that’s odd. Foreign magic near the old prude’s castle? Bet that’s a clue if I’ve ever seen one.” He said as he pulled the weapon from his back and allowed his wings to unfurl from their hidden space in his cape. Soon taking flight for the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.
As he flew though he felt a tug from the energy that brought him here and simply let himself go, to answer the tug and allowed himself to travel to it’s creator as he vanished in specks of crimson light via teleportation, he was being a rude guest after all.
-Jack-
I could feel the shift in the air around me. My guest had arrived, but I ‘couldn't recognise this one’s energy. Moving from my position near the Cullis Gate I walked slowly towards the centre of the ruins,keeping a hand on the hilt of my sword.
Despite having a clear awareness of the presence of the other, I couldn’t see him, or her around, and they most definitely weren’t underground, the town had been built almost directly over a field of bed-rock. That left me with one solution: up.
Closing my eyes, I entered the mindscape and found him, apparently, on a cloud almost directly above me.
“I consider it discourteous to not know the face of a being I’m playing host to. If you would be so kind?” I said, gesturing to the ground in front of me.
“Yeah, be right down.” The figure replied as he slipped off the cloud and landed in a position that put him on one knee in a symbol of respect. He looked young, very young. His long red hair was the color of blood and framed his face well, he wore a suit and cape that fit well with his role as a high class demon Overlord, based on the medal on his suit’s vest.
Shifting into a straighter position, I tightened my grip on the Sword of Aeons and asked, “Tell me, since you are quite clearly an entity of a less-than-holy disposition, exactly what you are doing here?”
“Answering your summons, sir.” He said with little hesitation or without breaking eye contact, his blood red eyes staring deeply into the amber-eyed mask. “You called me with that orb of yours.”
Still maintaining my straightened posture, I lowered my arm.
“I see. You seem to have found one of MANY Orbs in the multiverse. But that does not interest me. What does is what YOUR world is like. I would rather not find myself in other-worldly conflicts, yet again, for some time as of now.”
“The world I come from is peaceful, it’s inhabitants kind. Mainly due to my species being their guard-dogs in a way. Unlike most demons you would have heard of, my kind does not murder and kill without reason, and as we rely on magic’s base component for sustenance we have become protectors for the Ponykind. Even if they shun us for our… less than idyllic methods of doing so,” he explained without hesitation.
Fully relaxing my posture, I asked two last questions. “Can you contact your home, and how many of you are there?”
Nocturne's Perspective
I blinked twice at that, he wanted to know that? Of all things? Well, it couldn’t hurt. “I can, as long as I have a reflective surface the size of a full bodied mirror, and to answer your second question, we are ever growing in population in response to Demonkind being born and fed on magic. Until that energy fades completely, we shall continue to expand and seek it.”
After a few tense seconds he said, “If you would be so kind as to follow me, I may have use of you for the moment,” and started walking away.
I couldn’t help thinking how creepy this guy was. Then again I remembered that Auric said that a few of the people that were brought here weren’t exactly… sane anymore. “Alright, after you sir,” I said as I stood and followed him, my boots leaving little to no evidence I had even walked behind him.
He led me to what appeared to be a cluster of small stone columns, some crumbling, in a semi-circle around a slightly convex gold plate. With the smallest of motions, he gestured for me to step on the plate, roughly two feet in diameter.
I was a bit nervous about what he wanted but, as I was summoned to do what he required by the orb’s pull I moved onto the plate with light and careful steps.
“I’ll be right behind you,” he said as his hands started to glow, soon followed by a glowing mist rising from the plate.
I felt nervous, this was definitely some kind of teleportation, or… gate like construct but, it felt… wrong. Like there wasn’t magic fueling it, or anything there at all. Like a nothingness permeated the air as the device began to come to life.
The feeling of nothingness soon became physical and started spreading up my body following the mist, which was rising at an alarming rate.
My eyes widened as I felt the sensation nearing my waist, the mist starting to obscure my vision as I was practically bathed in it, “H-Hey what’re you doing?!” I couldn’t help but, call out in panic.
He never answered, but as soon as my vision was completely obscured, I felt the comfortable familiarity of solid ground beneath my feet and was soon followed by the pressure on them from their adjoining limbs.
To say I was confused as to what had occurred would have been an understatement, moments ago I felt as if my body was being pulled from existence and now I’m just here… wherever here is.
As the rest of my body became ‘whole’ again and the mist cleared, I saw I was in an average sized room standing on another of those gold plates, which I quickly stepped off of, not wanting to experience the feeling of becoming nothing again anytime soon.
Not long after doing so, my host appeared in a flash of light on the very same plate, and casually stepped off, like it was as common as going into your own kitchen.
“What was that?” were the first words out of my mouth, though honestly I doubt many wouldn’t be tempted to say the same had they just experienced that for the first time.
With barely a glance at me, he said, “That was a Cullis Gate, as was used in the Old Kingdom of Albion,” and continued straight past to a set of double-doors.
Pushing them open he announced, “And THIS is my home.”
I quickly fell in step behind him and gawked at the sight before me, I’d never seen a place like this before, and doubted I ever would again unless dealing with this figure once more..
His ‘home’ was practically a temple. A temple devoted to him, I might add. There was an omnipresent buzzing noise that my large ears picked up, perhaps belonging to whoever worshipped this masked man beside me. As the statues and idols appeared to be reverently maintained, and showed no sign of wearing through the ages.
My eyes caught several shapes flittering too and fro as I watched someone or something maintain a statue. “Okay… I really have to ask this and forgive me for not doing so earlier. But, I believe I need to know your name before we proceed any further.”
There was a slight pause as he stopped a few paces ahead and turned to face me.
“I am Jack of Blades. Wielder of the Sword of Aeons, also known as the blade of Power to those who know of the four Weapons of Madness. And now I believe I am at a loss, Lord...”
-Jack-
“Nocturne, Overlord of the Netherworld Tartarus. It is an honor to meet you Jack of Blades.”
‘Overlord? I would have expected someone taller,’ I thought to myself as I gestured for him to follow again.
I struggled to accept that someone who was at least five inches shorter than me was the all-damned Overlord.
I led him through the main hall towards the weapons room and down into it, before gesturing to the flat, polished metal that broke the curve of the rotunda.
Nocturne walked quickly towards the polished metal and pressed his right hand flat to it’s surface, the reflection of his body seeming to waver and distort like when a rock was tossed into a completely still pond. He then spoke a few imperceptible words to the reflective surface and was rewarded with a feminine voice that seemed to fill the entire room. “At once my lord, Master Jack of Blades has now been recognised as a summoner and shall have access to our ranks whenever he chooses.”
As Nocturne spoke his affirmative and turned back, I said, “I have a favor to ask of you and your… underlings.”
Nocturne shook his head. “No sir, they aren’t my underlings. Every Demon is a member of my family, even if they are not by blood. That is why they follow me unconditionally. Because I treat them well and keep them healthy,” he smiled as he said those words.
With a short wave of my hand to dismiss the tangent, I said, “My apologies for the misunderstanding, but nonetheless, I require some help.”
The female voice spoke from behind the metal wall once more, “Of course, simply name your request and we shall dispatch the demons you require with all haste.”
Looking between both the metal and Nocturne, I explained, “Over a thousand years ago, when Princess Celestia imprisoned me between the planes of Life, Death and the Void, I lost my weapons. Each one contains a small portion of my power, and I know she had them scattered. I need help finding them.”
Nocturne looked at me for a moment before nodding. “Well that’s not that bad, I think we could handle that easy given enough time. Though we will need a sample of your power to work our tracking magics on, can’t find something without knowing where to go right?” his voice was filled with confidence that he and his kin could succeed.
“Before I do, you must know, the weapons I seek are a small curved dagger, and three, wire thin bladed hooks.”
The female voice spoke up once again. “I’ve added the description of our objective to our records and we shall begin searching as soon as we have our tracking magics running.”
Releasing a small sigh, I said, “Very well then. If you are confident in their abilities,” and held an armoured hand out, palm up and channeled a bit of will to form another Orb.
“More than confident, it may take a while but, we’ve never failed an objective given to us.” Nocturne said with a smile as he moved over to gently grasp the Orb, seeming to absorb it as he did so. “And that’s the sample we needed.” He spoke once more with that same grin etched on his face.
Bringing my hands closer together, I said, “I’m sure the Changelings will find the help invaluable,” and created another Orb.
Nocturne blinked twice. “Um, what’s this one for?” he asked confused before adopting a slightly shock expression as I crushed it between my hands, only to reveal a tiny, metallic object that re-shaped itself into a key.
“While there are many ways to reach me here, there are very few valid for me to reach others,” I explained and offered him the key.
“So, this is your summon token then I take it?” He asked as he gently grasped the key and placed it in his coat pocket before reaching into his chest and pulling free a bloody medallion which he offered in exchange.
Extending my hand to closer examine the medallion, I answered, “Indeed. One of the only two way I might be called to other worlds.”
The medallion had a symbol of a trio of musical notes in the shape of bats dancing about in front of the moon for the face, while the reverse had the symbol for a Hel the currency of the netherworld which showed that every dealing with demons usually resulted in a deal being made.
“That’s pretty cool, thank you Jack. I’ll be sure to call you only if it’s extremely important, you sound like quite the busy man,” Nocturne said with his seemingly trademark grin.
Reaching in under my cloak, I dropped the medallion into the pouch I had hidden. “If you do summon me, I would prefer there be a fight. I find it interesting to see how the varying versions have their ponies and such taught different styles of combat.”
“That’s definitely a request I plan to honor. Seeing as summoning you for anything less seems like a disservice.” He said with a smile as he spread his wings and started to float backwards into the reflective metal of the wall, seeming to sink into it as if slowly submerging himself in water.
“May your blades find their sheaths in your enemies, Overlord Nocturne,” I said, bowing my head slightly.
Nocturne smiled and bowed. “And may the grip of the Netherworld never find you, Jack of Blades.” And with that he vanished into the reflective metal, it’s rippling calming to show no trace he had ever been there to begin with.
Sub Chapter 1: Mourning a loss, Goodbye Golden Flames
The mirror room, Overlord's castle, Sandy's Perspective
Today seemed like it was going to be a good day. Nocturne was coming home from his most recent outing and apparently he had been successful, but what I heard and saw when me and several of his advisers entered the mirror room was different than anything we could have expected. Clutching a shield near as large as himself and weeping wasn't an all powerful overlord of Tartarus, it was a young man in pain... and the marks on the shield showed all too well what had caused it. It was Dullahan's shield.
"Tyler... w-where..." I couldn't get out more than that as he let out a hellish wail of pain that set everyone within seven thousand miles of the castle on edge and continued to spread, I didn't even need to ask what he did when I felt it... the overlord had sent a command, the netherworld would mourn a good soul this day.
Shrine of Heroes, Nocturne's perspective
The shrine had taken very little time to build considering what it now held upon it, a massive shield, a large book, and a coin. On the shrine was a picture taken by an opportunistic demon who figured having a photo op was a good idea in case of repeat customers. So the picture showed myself, Sandy, Dominic, The Shadow of Newvale Dullahan, Auric Fulcrum the Golden Sun's chosen, and his mare Measured Thought.
"We never did get to see how they ended up did we Sandy?" I asked with tears in my eyes, sure I was being sappy, but it hurt dammit... one minute I'm traveling through the multiverse on my way home and the next I'm smacked in the face by this lifeless shield belonging to one of the few people I've met that I'd likely call a friend that were once human like myself. Gripped in the shield's jaws was a folder of some kind but, it could wait till the ceremony was over.
Sandy walked up to the stand and spoke. "Now, I know none of us really knew Mr. Fulcrum and Dullahan much beyond our working relationship, and to hear this news means very little to some. But, to our Overlord it is the passing of one such as himself, one of the other people from a world not ours that were sent to a version of Equestria... one of the main reasons he restricted mirror travel in the first place. So today we honor these brave people and their world's passing so that we may remember them when no one else shall." She said brushing away a tear from her eyes as she stepped down and I stepped up, for the first time since entering Equestria looking... mortal.
"My fellow demons, children of darkness, sinners, whores, all around fun people." I say with my traditional smile, I wouldn't give up on that advice I have to Auric... never. "Today marks a sad day for the multiverse as a whole, a powerful ally and a friend has shuffled off the coil of mortals in it's entirety. Today we burn incense as we cannot commit a body to the ground, today we mourn a hero of his people, and an enemy of injustice, just as we are." I spoke with passion in my voice and from the looks I was getting it was conveyed quite well.
"Auric Fulcrum and his group's fate is unknown to me at this time, and it will likely remain this way for all eternity. Though I beg you all to take up a glass in the name of his world, in the name of a fallen hero, let us drink to the Golden Sun's chosen and cherish the gift of his memory for generations to come." I said as I held up a glass to several tearful roars from the more primal demons.
"To a Hero! To Auric Fulcrum! Lost but, never forgotten!" I cried out again before downing my drink and the entire netherworld drank with me. Cheers and prayers going out to his kin if any still existed, hopefully this powerful echo would reach across the void eternal to wherever he was now... that was when I heard it, my ears twitching twice as a soft frown graced my lips for the first time in years.
Hope.
That is what I hope to convey with this transmission: hope.
Though your world may be ending, though all things may be burning, take heart: it need not be the end.
My name is Auric Fulcrum, and I am one of the few immortals who knows what to do at the end of their world.
I cannot pass The Answer on, for all beings must come to ask The Question and Answer it in their own way.
But if you try, truly try, and manage to do so and are immortal, then there is hope for you.
Only an immortal who knows how can transcend the Multiverse's rules and laws can survive the End of All Things.
All worlds must end, it is the law of entropy. But if you are immortal, then such rules need not apply, and you can escape the bounds and confines of the Multiverse.
Beyond, what awaits is limitless potential. I stand here with six other immortal beings, aspects of Equus. First, we shall ensure that our old world is stable, so as to stabilize our existence here.
And from there? Who knows. Anything could happen. Nothing is forbidden.
This message is set to broadcast, repeatedly, eternally, with only a minute between transmission times. It will bring that one nugget of wisdom, that one truth, back into the Multiverse, to all that can and want to hear it, for as long as the Multiverse exists.
And that message is hope, for it will not be in vain.
Sandy came close enough to hear a very faint whisper leave my lips as I left the assembly. "Goodbye Auric. I Hope we meet again soon." She would handle the clean up, she knew I'd need the space right now... I needed to vent void hopping sounded good who knows, I had a new shield to try out after all.