The Shuriman guardian is again transported to a new and even stranger world.
Twilight loved visiting Canterlot castle's royal library. The library received new books often, making every visit like a new adventure in her literary mind. She was almost jumping with joy when she saw the tall book cases containing the latest information written from many of the highly intellectual individuals in Equestria. In a matter of minutes, she had a cart full of books that sparked her never-ending interest. Turning the corner to the next shelf, she froze.
Standing in front of the shelf was a tall creature with piercing blue eyes, battle-aged gold armor, and a large, worn out halberd leaning against the shelf. It was reading a book intently. The creature sensed the frozen pony's presence, and turned its head. Its eyes locked on to Twilight's.
"Hello. How do you do?"
Cover art credit to Raptorbane's deviantART Big thanks to my editor, Word Worthy.
Strange, I thought I was in a match. Am I in the Institute?
I sat up and looked around.
Shelves. Books. I was in a library.
Am I in the Institutes library?
The room was much larger than what the Institute's room looked like. Perhaps they renovated it? I got up and looked around. My halberd was near my side. I picked it up.
Strange.
I looked behind me to see a large window reaching near the ceiling, covered by a curtain. I walked towards it, and opened the curtain slowly, letting a thin beam of light into the dimly lit room.
Oh?
A vast town stretched far. Many of the houses were pristine enough to be fit for a noble. The architecture underneath the colorful blue sky was something I’ve never seen before. Figures walked about on the clean streets. I could not make out what the figures looked like, but it almost looked like they were walking on all fours. I quickly closed the curtain.
Where am I? I know this is not a land familiar to Runeterra. I have read no such things like this in the towns of Valoran. I need information.
I thought.
Ah yes, I am in a library.
I walked towards the nearby shelf.
Now if this strange place follows the Dewey Decimal System, the Encyclopedia section would be...here!
Walking towards the shelf full of encyclopedias, I searched for the most useful one.
Let us see...ah! Encyclopedia of the World. How simple of a title.
I reached for the heavy tome and opened it.
Our world is called Equestria. Two sisters...
Twilight Sparkle stood in front of the doors of the Royal Canterlot Library. She could hardly contain her excitement.
"Oh this is just so fantastic! I've been waiting all week for this moment since Princess Celestia sent me a letter about the huge arrival of new books. Isn't this so fantastic, Spike?"
She turned towards where her assistant would've been and realized she might've been so excited that she raced ahead, knocking Spike off her back. Feeling a little bit guilty but determined to read, she knew that Spike knew where to go. Twilight headed inside though the large doors. She loves entering the library. With all the books just waiting to be read, it brought joy to her heart. She grabbed a nearby cart with her magic and trailed along the shelves, picking up the latest books on new discoveries in Equestria. By the end of a mere three minutes, her cart was full.
"Maybe one more book wouldn't hurt." She happily said.
She walked with the cart towards the last shelf in the corner of the library near the windows. Rounding the corner, she saw an encyclopedia tome that interested her and placed it in her cart. She looked down the aisle and back to her cart. Then she froze.
What was that?
She slowly turned around and saw it. At first she thought it was a minotaur that was a special guest in the castle but looking closer, the creature had glowing blue eyes. Rays of light struck its strangely patterned golden armor covered with marks of conflict. His face resembled what looked like a dog. What frightened Twilight the most was how large it was. It was maybe three times as large as her. She also spotted an even larger halberd next to it, leaning against the shelf. But what made her curious was how intently it was reading the book it was holding.
Maybe he is friendly? He could just be a weird looking minotaur after all.
Before Twilight could think of anything else, the creature turned towards her. The piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. Twilight froze in fear as she stared. The creature then spoke in a deep, baritone, and almost unworldly voice.
"Um...ah..., good! Eh heh. Are you a...are you a guest of Princess Celestia?"
The creatures shook its head. "I am afraid not. I do not know how I ended up here."
Twilight kept flinching at the voice of the creature, but felt no evil intent from it. It sounded very...intellectual.
"I...I see. Well um, I'm Twilight Sparkle, student of Princess Celestia. How long have you been here? How did you wander into the castle?"
"A long time. I-" The creature stopped himself and thought.
I can not just say I came from another world. From what that book told me, this kind of thing is not usual. I will keep it a secret for now.
"I am from a faraway land in Equestria called Runeterra. Many do not know of that land. I have come from my people to represent ourselves. I asked the guards for access and they were escorting me until one of the guards was interrupted by another group of guards. They spoke of private matters and I may have wandered off a bit too far."
Twilight's eyes widened. A new race! And I thought it was a rogue, ugly minotaur or something or even an alien. Ha! No, that's something Pinkie would think of.
"Oh my! It's so nice to meet you mister..?"
"Just Nasus is fine. Apologies for not introducing myself earlier."
"Oh no it's okay, Nasus! Here let me take you to the Princess. She'd love to meet with your hand of diplomacy!"
"I'd love to as well."
As Nasus and Twilight walked down the large spacious halls lined with marble, passerby's gave many different glances. Some of surprise, some of terror, some of awe, some of spite. Guards passing by were prepared for any sudden action by the curator. Though with the presence of Twilight nearby, the guards trusted her to settle the abnormal situation of the large creature before them. After a few minutes, the two arrived at a very large set of double doors. The guards at either side blocked Nasus with their halberds and demanded Nasus's own halberd. The curator calmly obliged and put forward his weapon. The halberd was captured in the magic of one of the guards only for him to topple down onto the ground along with a gasp.
"It is heavy." Nasus said.
The guard grunted agreeably and took it down the hall, sweating and struggling the whole way. The other guard took his position again and nodded. The doors started to swing slowly open. The doors revealed a very large room lined with large stained glass windows that illuminated the bright white marble walls. Nasus confirmed what the stained glass depicted as to what he read in the tome.
So it is true.
At the far end of the room was a throne. The throne was guarded by two other grey guards, contrasting these ones from the white ones Nasus saw earlier.
Different ranks perhaps?
Twilight started forward and Nasus trailed behind. The princess smiled at the sight of her protege but it faltered a bit when she saw the large intimidating creature near her. A curious expression took her face as they drew near. She looked to her student for an explanation. Twilight bowed. Nasus followed.
"Princess Celestia, I want to introduce you to a representative of a new race that traveled far from his homeland to establish diplomatic relations with us."
Nasus spoke. "Greetings Princess Celestia. I am Nasus, the Curator of the Sands and I represent my people of Runeterra. I hope you shall accept us well, your highness."
The princess, surprise on her face at first, grew a warm smile.
"Hello Mr. Nasus. I will gladly accept your race with open hooves. I...was not aware that there were still unknown races in Equestria."
"It is a large land, your highness, and please, just Nasus is fine."
"Indeed it is Nasus." Celestia smiled. "I hope to get to know you and your race better through time."
"Of course. May I say that I read a great deal about you but I never knew how beautiful you looked with only looking at illustrated pictures."
Celestia laughed heartily. "Charming! I hope to be good friends Nasus."
"As do I, Princess Celestia."
"Well then, it's getting late. I insist you stay for the night and talk about each others race over dinner!"
"I shall accept that offer, thank you very much, your highness."
"I'll have somepony to escort you. And please, Celestia is fine with me."
"Wow that went great Nasus! I never knew you were this knowledgeable about diplomacy!" Twilight happily said.
"Diplomacy is just a fancy word for showing respect to other kinds and establishing a friendship with them. All should act like this"
"You're also very philosophical! I'd love to get to know what your people are like!"
Nasus blinked. "All in due time Ms. Sparkle."
"Just Twilight is fine with me Nasus. Consider us friends!" She smiled.
"A pleasure, Twilight."
The servant in front of them stopped after a few minutes.
"Here we are dearies! This will be Mr. Nasus's room. Now I know how hard it is to get to the dining hall from here so take this map." The servant held out a stretched hoof with a piece of paper on it. Nasus carefully took it with his large hands.
"Thank you Miss..?"
"Just call me Honeydew dear! Now ring the bell near your door inside if you need me, okay?"
"Yes of course, thank you very much Miss Honeydew."
"Oh you must drop the formalities! You are our special guest! Okay I need to go now! Ta-ta!"
As Honeydew was walking away, Nasus spoke.
"Would it be alright if I could check out some books from here Twilight?"
"I'm sure it'd be fine with the Princesses."
"Ah yes, princesses. Where are the other two? I have not seen them at all."
"Well Princess Luna is asleep. I'm sure you know why, but she should be waking up for dinner, er, her breakfast. Princess Cadance is out on a trip. I'm sure you'll meet them eventually. Well, after dinner let's go to the library!"
Then it struck Twilight.
"SPIKE! I gotta go! See you at dinner!"
Twilight raced away. Nasus tried to say something but it was unheard.
Honeydew must have given me the incorrect directions.
The curator calmly looked down the hall to the right of him and then the left.
"Hmm." He pondered.
Nasus started walking left. To his regret, he found the halls getting darker and darker. What illuminated the darkness was the ray of moonlight shining from the windows. He stopped to take a look outside.
How beautiful. Almost as if crafted perfectly by hand. He thought whilst looking at the moon surrounded by the perfectly arranged stars, shining with all its splendor.
He continued towards the corner after another glance, only to bump into someone. Nasus, being extremely large, did not falter. The same wasn't said for the one who was now on the floor. He looked down to see a dazed alicorn with dark blue fur and an ethereal, flowing blue mane. Nasus recognized the alicorn from his recent studies of this world.
"Deepest apologies. You must be Princess Luna."
The lunar princess shook her head rapidly and quickly stood up, bracing her chest out proudly, eyes closed with dignity.
"Intruder! I shall take thou myself! Come at-"
"Princes-"
"I will destroy thee!"
"Didyounothearfromyoursisteraboutaguestinyourcastle." Nasus was not someone who likes to rush his speech, but it was inevitable.
Princess Luna froze and opened an eye. She lowered her battle stance and coughed.
"Sincerest apologies! I thought thou was an enemy! You must be Sir Nasus!"
"Nasus is just fine, Princess Luna."
"I see! Good to meet thee! I mean you!"
"The pleasure is mine."
"I heard you were eating with us tonight! Why are you not at the dining hall? This place is opposite of the side where we dine!"
"I've seem to have mistook which hallway to take."
"Did you not receive directions from one of our servers?"
"Yes, I did. I must have read it wrong."
"Mistakes happen. Then let us go, Nasus! To the dining hall!"
"Of course, Princess Luna."
As Nasus followed behind the lunar princess, he did not notice her embarrassed expression.
Oh good job, Luna. What a perfect way to meet a new guest from a new race. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"If I may ask, you are the princess of the night, correct?"
"Hm? Ah, yes!"
"I see. I must say you crafted the night sky beautifully, Princess Luna."
"R-really?" Not many compliment the night besides ones who were close to her, and for a complete stranger to say that was a delightful surprise to the princess.
"I-I do work hard on it."
Nasus knew. He knew about the spite and darkness that formed in Luna's heart. The darkness that resulted from the citizens rest throughout the night and ignorance of the sky was all known to him. With so much work put into it, Nasus could tell why anger was formed and why it began to affect her state of mind. He knew someone else who experienced a similar change in their own mental state. Yet unlike Luna, he knows that there is no cure for that one. The emotion consumed everything. What's left is only a shadow of whom he once knew.
"Nasus?"
Nasus snapped out of thought. Luna was looking up at him with concern written on her face.
"Sorry, I was daydreaming. Speaking of daydreaming, does the princess of the night also enter daydreams?"
Delighted about Nasus's interest of the princess, she forgot Nasus's episode and spoke excitedly.
"I can actually! It is more difficult with how the dreamer is actually in what you would call a light sleep..."
The conversation continued all the way to the dining hall, Nasus listening intently with Luna talking happily.
Princess Celestia, Twilight, and Spike were seated around the long table in the middle of the dining hall. Celestia was seated at the long end, while Twilight and Spike were seated to the right side of her. A nervous Honeydew was waiting near the door of the kitchen.
"Honeydew dear." Princess Celestia said. "Where is Nasus?"
"O-ohhh you know! Heh heh!"
Princess Celestia pondered. Then she spoke up.
"Oh, I sure do wish I had a map to the dining hall!"
"I have it right here, Princess!" Honeydew happily waved out a map to the dining hall. She froze in fear and dropped the map.
Princess Celestia pointed a mischievous smile towards Honeydew.
Honeydew sighed. "Please forgive me, your highness! I'm so sorry!"
Princess Celestia smiled warmly and stood up.
"It's quite alright dear, but I should go and look for him."
Before Princess Celestia could move away from her seat, the large doors opened. The curator and lunar princess walked in, Luna happily chatting away.
"-And that's why I will never go into Tia's daydream every again! I would never like swimming in a pool of ice cream!"
Princess Celestia's eyes widened and spoke in a stern voice with a hint of pink on her cheeks.
"You seem very into the conversation with our guest, don't you sister?"
Luna froze and slowly turned her head towards her sister. She smiled sheepishly.
"Heh heh. Oops."
"Take a seat Nasus, Luna."
Nasus and Luna, both smiling at the embarrassment of Celestia, took a seat to the left of the sun princess.
"Whoa he's so big, Twilight!" Spike said.
"Shh!"
"A-ah great everyone's here. Let's bring out the food!" Honeydew rang the bell near the kitchen doors.
In an instant, waiters bursted out through the doors, carrying plates of food covered with a silver cloche. While everyone was being served, Celestia spoke up.
"So Nasus, you must tell us about your people. I'm sure we all are very curious."
Everyone nodded, especially Twilight who took out a notepad and a pencil, ready to jot down notes. Spike rolled his eyes.
"Oh brother."
Nasus had already planned beforehand what to exactly say.
"My people do not all resemble me. We have many different species and groups. Species such as the yordles and people of different factions like the Ionians, Demacians, and Noxians. Unfortunately, we had many collateral-damaging conflicts in the past, especially the conflicts between the Demacians and the Noxians. Our homeland of Runeterra was being destroyed, so the highest ranking magicians formed the League of Legends. The League of Legends allowed us to resolve our conflicts in a controlled and safe way. Champions are chosen to fight and represent their faction on the Fields of Justice."
"Awesomeeeeee!" Spike shouted with a mouthful of gems.
"Shhhhhh!" Twilight said.
"Whoever wins these fights in the League get the say in the outcome of the conflict. Although there are still some fighting outside the League, it has been minimized the damage to Runeterra greatly. Not only was it also a more civilized way to settle conflicts with no death existing in matches, it also provided a very entertaining sport to the people. I myself am a champion. I fight for no faction but the people. I was summoned here from my home world by very powerful magic users to help fight in the League."
Everyone was stunned. After a moment of silence, Celestia spoke up.
"It seems very odd that I do not know of something this large happening in Equestria..."
Nasus nodded. "Please forgive me. I did not tell the whole truth of the story."
Celestia nodded with a focused expression. "How did you get here, exactly?"
"This is not my world. It seems I may have been transported here while I was in a match. Most likely a problem with the summoning magic in the fields that teleported me here."
"Well, at least most of your story was true."
"I deeply apologize for deceiving you all. I feared it would cause problems if I told you everything at once."
"Nonsense, Nasus." Luna said. "We ponies love and tolerate all who approach us as gently as you did."
"That is right." Celestia said. "We will attempt to bring you back to your homeworld. Though it's not easy for magic to be powerful enough to send you to another world."
"Mages in my world were very skilled and knowledgeable. Their summoning skills would be capable of transporting individuals far across the land, even extending to other worlds."
Celestia nodded. "It will be difficult but we will try to help you."
Nasus stood up and bowed his head.
"I can not thank you enough. I do wonder what is happening back in my home world though..."
Minutes after Nasus's transportation.
"Explain exactly what happened." A woman in purple robes and a gold belt and necklace with red gems paced back and forth.
A younger man with the same purple robes but only bright gold and blue accents indicating his rank stood before her. "I put way too much power into the summoning! I threw him very far, I'm sorry!"
"You are supposed to be a top tier summoner! How can you let an accident like that happen?!" The woman scolded.
"I-I-"
"Save it! We need to get him back. Do you at least remember how much force you put into the summoning spell?"
"I-I do actually!"
"Get me Councilor Kiersta Mandrake. Now!"
"Yes High Councilor Vessaria Kolminye!"
The man ran out of the room.
"I sure do hope you're doing okay, Shuriman." Vessaria sighed.
This was the prime trait of the Institute of War dungeons.
Faint, magically-induced torches lit the murky cells, housing the most vicious criminals known to Runeterra. These criminals were not like the mischievous Jinx, who only strives to cause harmless chaos. Pure evil was what composed these monsters. Brand, once a human, has been possessed by an unknown force that only wishes to bring death with his destructive pyromancy. Nocturne, the living entity of a nightmare, who was confined by the summoners of the League that he wanted nothing more but to slice. Shaco, a demon disguised as a jester with a twisted past, laughs at the cries of his helpless victims.
These were the wicked beings of the League of Legends.
In one particular cell, laid a monster akin to these beings. Glowing orange eyes, green scaly skin, and destructive looking teeth.
This was Renekton, the Butcher of the Sands.
The ascended crocodile sat in the corner of his cell, which was fit for his large size, awaiting a call to the fields. Eyes closed, he perked up from the noises in the hallway outside. Two summoners had started to converse near his cell, talking about their recent matches. At first, Renekton ignored the ones he considered nothing but something to kill, until he heard the name.
“Nasus.”
Renekton strained his hearing significantly to listen to the conversation.
“Did you hear? Rumors say that one of the Challenger summoners accidentally summoned that champion Nasus to another realm!”
“What?! What’s the council gonna do?”
“I heard they might try to chase after him and bring him back!”
“I hope it goes well. Nasus is my main champion after all.”
“Psh, you’re Bronze. Bronze don’t have mains.”
“Hey!...”
Renekton ignored the two summoners’ humorful banter at the end and began to snicker quietly.
“Oh, brother.”
Renekton’s eyes shot open. His orange eyes began to glow red.
“Such trouble you are causing.”
With dinner finished, Nasus, Spike, and Twilight bid goodnight to the princesses and began to head for the library. Celestia, before leaving, suggested they would all discuss how to handle the situation tomorrow in the afternoon. During their walk towards the library, Twilight and Spike asked Nasus many questions.
“So,” Spike excitedly said “What types of champions are there? Is there one who fires laser beams?!”
“Ah, yes actually, there is. Many in fact, such as Viktor and Vel’koz. They all utilize what you would determine as a laser.”
“Oh my Celestia. It’s like the comics!” Spike shouted to Nasus’s amusement.
“Can you explain some of the magic that concerns the League?” Twilight asked.
“Well besides the summoning magic, certain champions use magic for offensive and defensive purposes.”
“Please explain!” Twilight pleaded.
“Hmm, a good example would be Luxanna Crownguard of Demacia. Miss Crownguard is very adept in the field of light magic and she can alter it in any way. For example, if she wishes to bring harm, she can send out circles of twisted light that explodes on command. She can also use the light to create a barrier that protects her fellow comrades.”
“Eh, Viktor and Vel’koz sound cooler.” Spike crossed his arms.
“She also fires lasers.”
Spike’s right eye twitched.
“Light magic! The varieties must be so extensive! Wait, you mentioned Demacia. What is Demacia like?”
“Demacia is a human city-state that strives for justice. They have a very long past, but they’ve always done what is right for the people.”
Very nationalistic as well. Nasus thought as he recalled a certain spinning man wielding a large greatsword shouting his homeland’s name.
“You emphasized before about the conflicts between mainly Demacia and Noxus?”
“Yes, unfortunately. A former Noxian is a friend of mine who told me of the flaws of Noxus. They were once a proud city-state that advocated physical and mental strength. Though that view has begun to become corrupt, and so they began to use any means necessary to be victorious. My friend was a victim to this corruption as she was harmed by a fatal poison issued by the Noxus High Command along with Demacians and fellow Noxians. This destruction of morality was a contradiction to Demacia, resulting in numerous conflicts.”
“Oh my...that’s terrible…” Twilight said looking down, Spike looking at Nasus with frightened eyes.
Nasus understood from the history of Equestria that destruction was of not to the caliber of Runeterra’s. Though he is not too fazed by this destruction, he understood the shock it must be to Twilight and Spike. He slowly knelt to where they stood, looking slightly down at them.
“Twilight, Spike.”
They both looked up into the soft, glowing blue eyes of Nasus.
“I’m afraid to say that destruction in Runeterra is unlike any conflict in Equestria. I know the thoughts of such terrible things happening in other worlds is frightening, but know also that there are people like me and the summoners in the League who strive to minimize conflict as much as possible. Summoners who strive for ways to reduce death and suffering by confining these conflicts under rule. In the end, even if times are difficult, hope shall always remain.”
With Nasus’s lecture done, Twilight and Spike smiled and looked to each other before looking back at Nasus.
“Thank you, Nasus.” Twilight said. Spike nodded.
Nasus nodded.
“Shall we move on?”
Studying long into the night, Twilight and Spike eventually went to sleep, leaving Nasus alone. Instead of checking out books, he concluded that he would stay and try to collect as much information on Equestria as he could find throughout the night. As he read far into the night, his ears twitched under his gold armor to the door of the silent and dim library. Surprisingly, Celestia’s head popped through the doorway, smiling as she spotted Nasus looking towards her.
“Hello, Celestia. Is there something you need?”
The princess began to walk towards the closed curtain windows.
“No, but I just wanted to let you know that your weapon is in the barracks. I assure you that the guard will hoof it back safely to you in best of condition.”
“I am deeply grateful, Princess.” Nasus stood up slowly and bowed. He then sat back down on the chair to continue reading. “I shall retrieve it in the morning.”
“But Nasus” Celestia pushed aside the curtain, revealing bright light while giggling slightly. “It is morning.”
Nasus’s ear twitched, his grip on the book faltering slightly.
“Oh.”
Using the directions Celestia gave him, Nasus soon found himself near the barracks. The barracks were located right along the bottom outer walls of the castle, blocked from public view by a castle wall. As he walked through, Nasus heard murmurs from all around him. Not wanting to attract too much attention, though he may already have, he quickly spotted a stern looking alabaster pegasus with a golden mane and tail standing at the barrack exit who also conveniently spotted him. The officers walked up to Nasus and looked up at him with stoic blue eyes and a military-like face underneath his golden helmet.
“You are Nasus, correct?”
“Yes sir.”
“Come with me. I’ll take you to where your weapon is. I also want to advise you that her highness suggested to not let you become visible to the public just yet, so do not stray too far near the gates, or there will be consequences.”
“I understand sir.”
“Good, now will you come with-”
Suddenly, a grey hoof smacked the back of the guards helmet, causing it to spin around and cover his face.
“Gah! Who goes there?!” The pegasus said with his muffled voice, looking around frantically.
“You really need to stop being such a hard-ass all the time, Cloud.” A female voice said.
“Midnight?! What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be asleep for the night shift!”
A grey pony with bat-like wings, purple mane and tail, and stunning golden eyes grinned mischievously at the pony referred to as Cloud, who was struggling to remove the now stuck helmet off his head.
“Thought I’d stop by, buddy. Serious as ever, I see.” The grey pony smiled as she slapped Cloud on the flank, eliciting a yelp out of him.
The grey pony turned around and nodded towards Nasus.
“Apologies for my partner here, his ego is the size of the moon.”
“Um, no, it’s no problem at all.” Nasus said. “What were your names again?”
“Ah, I am Nasus, partners you said, but aren’t you in different guards?” Nasus asked.
“Yeah we get that a lot. Not to sound egoistic like this guy, but we’re pretty up there in both our guards. What better way is there to pair the two elite guards together, right?”
Nasus nodded in understanding. “I see. Opposites attract I suppose. Your partner was just saying that he would escort me to where my weapon was?”
“Right, c’mon Cloud!” Midnight smacked Cloud’s helmet again and it spun back around. “Let’s go!”
The dazed Cloud groaned and stumbled behind Midnight, Nasus following while chuckling under his breath.
Midnight had entered the armory, leaving Cloud and the Curator waiting outside. Cloud mumbled to himself for a second and looked up towards Nasus, expression stoic again.
“Apologies if I had come off rude. Formality in the guard is essential and a stern attitude is no exception.” Then Cloud sighed. “Then there are ponies like Midnight.”
“I believe it is what comes with partnership. Informality, that is.” Nasus replied.
“You speak the truth.”
“Truth about what?” Midnight walked out of the armory, somehow holding the Curator’s halberd in her one hoof due to some unknown logic.
“N-nothing! Nothing.” Cloud stammered as Midnight handed Nasus his halberd.
Gripping the halberd comfortably, Nasus noticed the blade was slightly sharpened to his convenience, and the blue jewel embedded in the blade was polished.
“Thank you Mister Skipper, Miss Blossom.”
“Ugh, don’t call us that.” Midnight said. “Makes me sound kinda old. Just Midnight is fine, and I’m sure Cloud is fine with Cloud.”
Cloud nodded. “Did her highness tell you where to go before she sent you here?”
“She told me she would meet me here later in the afternoon.”
“So you got time to kill?” Midnight asked.
“Midnight, what are you thinking right now?” Cloud suddenly became nervous.
Midnight had a beaming grin.
“That weapon of yours ain’t just for show, is it?”
Not much is known about the past of Nasus. The High Council of the Institute of War only know of the curator to be once a human who had gone through what is known as an ascension. Thus, Nasus became a member of the Ascendants, a group of anthropomorphic beings with the power of immortality and supernatural abilities. The Ascendants were tasked with the job to protect Shurima, an old empire that lasted over a thousand years. Whether the curator trained himself in the art of Shuriman battle techniques or gained combat prowess through his ascension, Nasus was good at fighting. In regards to his powers, immortality was not entirely true. Specifically, it only concerned his age. He would not be able to take a beating without pain and risks of death, though he can stand longer than others.
Despite his extensive knowledge in combat, Nasus chose to battle in a simplistic way. Wielding a large, specially-made halberd, he swung it well in the throes of conflict, albeit simply. There were no unnecessary spinning around the back or flashy tosses of the weapon in the air…
...and so Midnight was a tad bit underwhelmed. Sure, she acknowledged his strength due to his visually detailed muscles lining under his short dark fur, but she did still expect to see something more...exciting. Nasus, Midnight, and Cloud were in a semi-secluded courtyard by the barracks, slowly gaining attention by other guards as they gathered around the edge of the fence. Whilst Midnight looked at Nasus practicing swings through the air, Cloud was staring intently at the form of the curator. Cloud was interested in the unique handling of the weapon similar to his own, the spear. While Cloud had to use his weapon through the direction and momentum of moving his wings, Nasus seemed to be able to freely utilize the weapon in a more swift manner.
Cloud’s thoughts were interrupted by a voice from one of the members of the guard that were beginning to gather more and more attention.
“Hey! Don’t mean to be rude, but that ain’t all you can do, right?”
Nasus blinked towards the crowd. “There is some, but I do not think it is necessary…”
“Come on!” A different guard said.
Midnight then spoke up. “It’ll be fine, Nasus! You might as well since you’ve gathered such a big crowd. Give us a show.”
“Midnight!” Cloud admonished. “I really don’t think this is a good idea. We shouldn’t attract so much attention.”
Midnight sighed. “You’re right.” She paused then grinned. “Then let’s consider making this look like training.”
“Good.” Cloud began to turn away. “Now let’s go take- wait, what?”
Cloud spun around and before he could say anything, Midnight had hopped over the fence and faced the curator.
“Nasus! Let’s have a little sparring match! No magic, no weapons, just plain ole’ fists!”
Nasus raised his his eyebrows, and shook his head slightly.
“Is that what you truly wish? I may risk harming you.”
The crowd began to murmur progressively louder.
“Don’t underestimate me, please. Size doesn’t mean everything.”
Nasus smirked at the familiar phrase.
“Then.” Nasus set his halberd aside and slowly took a fighting stance, arms bent and raised in front of him.
“Shall we begin?”
A knock on the door.
“Who is it?” Princess Celestia asked.
“It’s Twilight, Princess Celestia.”
“Come in, Twilight dear.”
The purple unicorn trudged through the doors of Celestia’s luxurious room. Filled with high quality fabrics and furniture, it was certainly a room fit for a princess. As Princess Celestia looked up from the book she was previously reading, she gasped at the unicorn before her. The look of Twilight with baggy eyes and an added tired yawn signified the obvious lack of sleep.
“Twilight! Oh my, what happened?!”
“Well” She drawled out. “I was about to go to bed last night, but I’ve been really thinking long and hard about the situation on Nasus.”
“And that is?”
“I think Nasus should come with me back to Ponyville.”
Celestia’s eyes widened. “Twilight, would that really be a good idea?”
Twilight lazily nodded. “I have a theory concerning the solution to Nasus’s problem. A great deal of magic must have been used to transport him to a different world right? Such magic would be very difficult to harness even for you, Princess Celestia. We would have to gather magic from the strongest source in Equestria. One that can be used even to fight against nightmares.”
Princess Celestia nodded, a concentrated look in her eyes. “The Elements of Harmony.”
The purple unicorn nodded more firmly this time. “That’s right. I think if I work on a portal that used the powerful magic of the Elements of Harmony, it just might be strong enough to send Nasus back to his homeworld.”
“That may be the best solution. Though we also have to look at the citizens of Ponyville. I’ll do what I can, but they may not take Nasus’s arrival well. Better than how the nobles of Canterlot would act, but it’ll nonetheless cause a lot of trepidation in both parties.”
Twilight smiled a weak, but genuine smile. “Princess, after all this time of studying friendship, I know that Nasus will easily get along with everypony eventually. That’s what happened to me, after all.”
Celestia beamed at her protege. “Very admirable, Twilight. I’m proud.”
The purple unicorn smiled with a bit more vigor as Celestia spoke up again. “We’ll explain this to everyone at the meeting. We have a bit more time for now. I suggest you take a quick nap before we begin, my student.”
Twilight nodded and began to stretch herself like a cat. “Glad I got that off my che-”
Suddenly, there was a frantic knock on the door.
“P-princess Celestia!” It was Honeydew. “In the barracks!”
Celestia walked over and opened the door. She looked to Honeydew to see awe written on her face, causing confusion and concern to grow on the alicorn’s face.
The crowd began to quickly place bets as the two opponents circled each other. Cloud examined closely, attempting to predict an outcome.
They both seem to have equal strength, but they both have contradicting attributes. Nasus is big, Midnight is small. This is going to be interesting. Cloud analyzed.
Midnight acted quickly. Nasus barely had enough time to block the blow to his chest as she lunged towards him with the momentum of her wings. It didn’t help that the curator was slow to begin with as Midnight quickly retracted her front left hoof before he could counterattack. He attempted to grab her hanging hoof, but it was futile as she quickly flew back from his grasp. Leaving an opening, Nasus grunted as Midnight hooved the ground to launch and spin herself into his stomach. He quickly recovered and was able to grab her by the hoof that hit him, though he quickly lost hold of it as his chin was hit upwards by her other hoof. The guards shouted in support of the grey pony, but some had begun to encourage the curator. Dazed, Nasus began to sprint towards the grey batpony. Eyebrows raised at the reckless move, Midnight prepared for a counter. The curator abruptly halted his charge.
“What are you-” Cloud said.
Suddenly, the curator broke through the ground with the palm of his hand. Keeping his arm rigid in order to carry the force to the ground, the shock caused the hardened dirt to break and erupt around Nasus, causing Midnight to stumble. Though the stumble was small, it was enough time for Nasus to throw a point blank range punch toward Midnight’s face. The grey batpony shut her eyes, waiting for the blow. Nothing came, and she slowly opened her eyes. The curator silently stared down at her, causing a slight chill to come up her spine. He spoke.
“It seems that victory is mine.”
“How did you...?”
“I mimicked a move that a monk I know uses.” Nasus looked at his bruised palm. “Though mine was stronger, the recoil was as well.”
The crowd was buzzing with surprise. Suddenly, the commotion was cut down as the crowd began to separate in the middle. There, both mouths slightly open, stood Twilight and Celestia.
“Ah.” Nasus said. “Hello, Celestia, Twilight.”
“I must say, Nasus.” The white alicorn said. “You’ve caught quite the attention.”
Nasus, Celestia, Twilight, and the pair of elite guards had now gathered at the meeting room in the castle.
“I apologize, your highness!” Cloud explained. “We did not mean to cause this much disturbance.”
“I apologize too, your highness.” Midnight spoke up. “I am fully responsible for my act. I will accept any punishment.”
The princess eyed them sternly and closed her eyes as she sighed. “Though I’ve let everypony in the castle know of our guest’s presence, I did not wish for you to use him for your training, let alone in public. That was very reckless.”
“If I may interrupt, Princess.”
Celestia looked over to Nasus as he spoke again.
“I would like it to be known that I voluntarily participated, and would rather me taking full blame for their actions.”
Celestia, Midnight, and Cloud raised an eyebrow. The alicorn sighed. “That is very humble of you, Nasus. I was planning on fully announcing your presence to the public soon anyway, so I suppose there is no harm.”
Midnight and Cloud silently breathed a sigh of relief.
“You two are dismissed. Be cautious next time, you two.”
Midnight and Cloud both saluted. “Yes, your highness!”
Midnight discreetly mouthed the words, “thank you”, and winked towards Nasus as the pair of guards left the room. Nasus nodded.
“Now.” Celestia said. “Let us explain the plan for you, Nasus.”
Nasus nodded and listened intently.
“Twilight and I have decided it would be best to relocate you to the town where Twilight resides, Ponyville. Tell me Nasus, do you know what the Elements of Harmony is?”
“I do recall the name being mentioned in one of the books I’ve read.”
The alicorn nodded. “It’s a very powerful magic that was secured by me and Luna to use against Discord, a spirit of chaos. I believe it may be the most powerful magic we have. We may be able to use it to send you back to your homeworld.”
“I see. Then the Elements of Harmony are located in Ponyville?”
“Yes. They will be able to help you more than what I can do.”
Nasus bowed his head. “Alright, then. I shall depart for Ponyville. When shall I take my leave?”
“I can give you a chariot ride to Ponyville tomorrow morning. Anything you need, just ask.”
“I am very thankful for all you have done for me.” The curator bowed again. “You as well, Twilight.”
Twilight perked up and smiled. “You’re our friend, Nasus.”
“Yes.” Nasus eyes beamed. “Friends, indeed.”
The sun was high in the sky as they were leaving the meeting room.
“Nasus, come with me.” Celestia asked. “I believe it’s the right time to formally introduce yourself to the public. I’ve already set up a public hearing.”
The ascendant nodded as he began to follow behind Celestia and Twilight.
After passing through the large hallways, they finally arrived outside on top of the castle wall, overlooking a clearing connected to the rest of Canterlot. The clearing was filled with a growing number of talking ponies. The guards had aligned themselves at the foundation of the wall. Nasus noticed Midnight and Cloud had stationed themselves in front of the guards, facing towards the crowd. The ascendant and Twilight had stayed behind as Celestia begun to walk forward, causing the noise of the crowd to quickly die down. Celestia cleared her throat.
“My little ponies! The reason why I have called everypony here today is because we have a guest. Our guest have treated me and my subjects with utmost respect and kindness. He comes from a far land, and represents a new race. I wish to have good relations with him and his representation in the future. Let me introduce, Nasus, the Curator of the Sands.”
Nasus was urged forward by Twilight and the crowd visually froze. The ascendant tried his best to seem modest as he bowed towards the crowd. The crowd then flinched as he spoke his loud, baritone, and spiritual-like voice.
“Hello. I am Nasus. I hope you all will treat me well.” The curator bowed.
The crowd whispered to themselves. Everypony had faces of awe, fear, disgust, and hospitality.
“Let us all welcome, Nasus!” Celestia announced.
Despite the mixed reactions, the crowd hoofed the ground in approval as they welcomed the new guest, though some were still suspicious at Nasus’s sudden appearance. Nonetheless, the crowd soon dissipated and the group began to walk back inside, not before Midnight gave Nasus a wave and Cloud a quick nod.
“That went great also! You’re a natural.” Twilight smiled.
“Yes, I-” The curator was cut short when he heard a faint voice. He looked around quickly.
“Nasus?” Celestia asked. “Are you alright?”
Nasus looked back to the princess. “Did one of you whisper something?”
Twilight and Celestia looked at each other with confused looks.
“No. Did you hear something?” Twilight asked.
“It,” The ascendant said. “It must’ve been from my head. Apologies.”
“No worries, Nasus.” Twilight said. “By the way, since there is still plenty of time before it gets dark, let’s look around Canterlot! Maybe it might get you more comfortable with the ponies. Is that alright with you, princess?”
“I think it’s a great idea. I recommend you come back before the sun completely sets.”
Twilight nodded. “We should pack first. Come with me, Nasus!”
“Yes, I shall see you later tonight, Celestia.” Nasus walked after Twilight, the faint voice suddenly emerging before fading again.
A unicorn was walking down the streets of the Canterlot shopping district. She resided in Ponyville, but had taken a vacation. It’s her vacation, but it’s also her roommates vacation as well. Considering the fact that this unicorn drives her roommate up the wall at times due to her obsession with a certain subject. This subject was anthropology.
Her name was Lyra Heartstrings.
Her mood was slightly sour from her exile by Bon-Bon, her roommate.
“She just doesn’t understand the beauty of anthropology! I mean you get like five more hooves ON A HOOF! That’s more than one!”
Ponies stared at the mint-green unicorn with the same colored mane and white streaks, which Lyra was oblivious to.
“Gah! I need some pie. Where to- oof!”
The unicorn had not looked where she was going and bumped into something large. She fell onto the ground, dizzy, as her mood worsened. Shaking her head, she prepared to scold the cause of her current state.
“Hey! I’m already in a bad mood so don’t mess-”
She cut herself off as she stared up with wide eyes at the creature before her. He was tall and large, with menacing but intelligent blue eyes, but that was not what caught her attention. It was the chest, the legs, and the arms. Her wides grew larger and her jaw dropped farther as the creature spoke.
“Sincerest apologies. I was not looking where I was going. Are you alright?” The ascendant said as he kneeled and extend a hand, which Lyra stared at.
It was big, hairy, and had sharp claws at the end of each lengthy, hoof-like stump. She took it carefully in with both her hooves as Nasus gently grabbed and pulled her back up.
“I will be on my way n-” The curator had looked back down to the unicorn that was now caressing his palm.
“Ah buh, ah buh.” Lyra began to mumble incoherent words as she was in her state of shock.
Nasus, curious, gently pulled his hand away but the unicorn held on tightly. She looked up towards the curator.
“Y-you’re an anthropomorphic.” Lyra stuttered. She had heard of anthropomorphic beings like minotaurs in Equestria, but she had never experienced seeing or even touching one.
“Ah, yes. That is one way of calling me what I am. I see that you are interested in the study of human characteristics?”
Lyra rapidly nodded with a now growing smile. As an avid researcher of human science, Lyra was overjoyed to find someone who seemed knowledgeable in the field, let alone resembling a human.
“An interesting field it is indeed. I’d like to talk to you more on the subject, miss…?”
“HEARTSTRINGS! L-lyra Heartstrings.”
“Miss Heartstrings, but I must wa-”
“Don’t go! Please! Come home with me!” Lyra shouted as she shut her eyes and hugged his hand tightly.
Nasus blinked. “I…”
“Lyra!” A familiar voice said.
“Twilight? Is that you?” Lyra opened her eyes to see the unicorn with a look of confusion.
“What are you doing in Canterlot?”
“Um, vacation.”
Twilight sighed. “I see you met Nasus.”
Lyra nodded her head with a grin.
“And I was hoping I didn’t have to deal with your obsession until we got to Ponyville.” Twilight shook her head.
“It’s not an obsession! It’s a profession.” Lyra congratulated herself internally for the rhyme.
“Not if you give a death grip to his hand.” Twilight pointed her hoof towards Nasus’s trapped hand, who was looking at the two with amusement.
Lyra looked sadly at Nasus’s hand before reluctantly letting go. She rubbed the back of her head as she laughed sheepishly.
“Heh heh, sorry.”
“No need for apologies.” Nasus said.
Lyra smiled at his manners as Twilight spoke up.
“We should be going now, Nasus. I want to show you Celestia’s school before we go back.”
“That seems interesting. Let us depart, then.”
“WAIT! Let me go with you?” Lyra begged as she put herself in a praying position.
Twilight sighed again. “Don’t bring too much attention to us then, alright?”
Lyra nodded happily as she walked alongside Nasus’s left side, Twilight on the right.
During the stroll to the school, Nasus was asked many questions by Lyra. Some were understandable questions like where he was from or what was his home like. Not wanting to give away too much, Nasus made his answers as vague as possible, just as he told Twilight and Celestia when they first met. Lyra seemed to be a trusting pony, but he did not want to give away too much information at once. Before long, the three had arrived at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.
“Here it is! Before Celestia sent me to Ponyville, I went here!”
“This seems to be a very prestigious school. I am impressed by your talent, Twilight.” Nasus commented.
Twilight smiled abashly at the compliment. “Oh, it’s nothing.”
“Did you know about what Twilight did as a little filly? She was a magic prodigy! The princess was the one who took her in as a personal student, after all!” Lyra said.
“A student of Celestia, but why do you not reside within Canterlot? Surely this place is far closer to her than Ponyville?”
They turned the corner of the school, walking down a street filled with construction work. Celestia had asked to expand the size of the school. Likely in order to give more opportunities to aspiring unicorns that look up to the sun princess.
“Well” Twilight explained. “I did live here for a time, but Celestia sent me to Ponyville to make friends.”
“Interesting, but why? It seems slightly strange to not have an assignment as well.”
“There was, actually! She also sent me to study the aspects of friendship. I’m not sure if it’s known among your land, but friendship is a powerful form of magic. It also helps teach beneficial values like learning how to love and tolerate.”
“Hmm.” Nasus nodded his head as his eyes wandered up towards the ponies working on top of the elevated platform.
“Twilight was a real loner, though! I’ve known her back when she was in Canterlot and she barely ever hung out with me or anypony else.” Lyra commented.
“I was not a loner! I just thought my books were more important for a time.” Twilight at first pouted but then smiled. “Now because of friends, I don’t think there will be anything more important than that.”
Nasus smiled. “A fine view to ha-”
CRACK!
The ascendant’s head darted towards the source of the noise, followed by Lyra and Twilight.
Lyra gasped. “The platform! It’s-”
Before anypony could react, the platform gave way and began to fall rapidly down the side of the building it was attached to. To everypony’s horror, there were two construction workers still holding on to the platform. Shocked at the suddenness of the situation, Twilight and Lyra froze. Nasus rapidly began to think as he dashed under the falling platform. Twilight and Lyra flinched at his action and shouted.
“NASUS!”
CRASH!
Splinters, dust, and wood flew everywhere. Everypony expected the worst. Twilight shook herself from her shock and sprinted towards the wreckage.
“Nasus? Is everypony okay?” She shouted as she suddenly stopped at the familiar silhouette rising out of the pile of wood. Despite the dust, Twilight recognized the curator, to her relief.
“Nasus? Are you okay?” She asked with a deeply concerned look.
The ascendant nodded. “I am fine, but you must help me look for the other two.”
She nodded as she breathed deeply to calm her still beating heart. Lyra had finally gathered her bearings and was besides the purple unicorn.
The mint-green unicorn spotted the curator and also breathed a sigh of relief.
Twilight spoke. “No time to relax, Lyra! Help me look for any victims!”
Lyra nodded and they soon both began removing the wood with their magic.
After a few minutes, they found both of the construction workers. They were unharmed.
“I found them! They’re both alright!” Twilight announced.
“Is there anyone else hurt, Nasus?” Lyra asked.
“Here.”
Twilight, Lyra, and a couple ponies who had begun to help ran towards the curator with his back turned.
Twilight froze. The curator turned around. In his arms was an unconscious plum colored pony with a puffy, raspberry pink mane and tail. Twilight and Lyra gasped as they recognized the mare. It was Berry Punch.
Tears began to form in Lyra’s eyes. “Is she okay?!”
Nasus put the mare down and shook his head. “She has sustained numerous internal injuries. The blood to her heart grows weaker as we speak. She does not seem to have much time left.”
Twilight began to tear up as well. “We need to get help!”
Nasus shook his head again. “There is no time.”
“We can’t just give up on Berry!” Lyra sobbed.
Nasus knelt down. “We did not.”
Everypony froze as they observed the ascendant extending his hand towards the midsection of the fatally harmed mare. As he placed his hand, he closed his eyes. Everypony silently stared in awe as a green hue began to extract from the curator’s body. The hue started to absorb itself into the mare’s body. Before everypony realized, the earth pony’s shallow breathing had begun to sound more and more clear. She eventually was able to open her eyes slightly.
“Berry!” Lyra said before she held her up in a hug.
“Lyra?” The mare put a hoof on the back of the mint-green unicorn.
Twilight looked from the two to the curator.
“Nasus...you-”
Nasus raised a hand as his other hand held his head. “Forgive me, Twilight. I may need to rest a little bit…”
That was all he said, before collapsing to the ground.
