Equus gets its latest bad guy when the planet is at its most hectic. And unlike the other baddies that the world has had to face, this one isn't going anytime soon...
[hiatus for now, this project is far bigger than I originally planned and I need to rethink some things regarding the story!] The planet known as Equus is home to many magical and unique creatures. Has the planet had its ups and downs? Yes, with countless challenges that threaten to shake the harmony of the world. However, where there are those who seek to destroy the harmony and peace of the land, there are also those who seek to preserve it. Good has always come out on top, battling against impossible odds and overcoming difficult challenges not through strength, but with wit and kindness.
But now a new change has come to this world, one alien and different then some might like. For Arceus, the creator of all Pokémon, has brought to Equus himself and his people. Can these two different worlds coexist and work to continue a future filled with hope and peace?
For now an old evil awakens, and with him comes about a plan set in motion long before the Princesses of Equestria or many of the other kingdoms that exist in the world. This baddie is back and he's looking to stay, and it is unlikely that he will go down as easy as the other villains the heroes of Equus have had to face.
"A New World, An Old God" is also inspired by World Of Warcraft's "Old Gods", Gravity Falls "Bill Cipher", and H.P. Lovecraft's "Outer Gods". Also defined as Eldritch Abominations , these creatures are not of our world nor any other, and are unfathomable in their own regard.
While these creatures are terrifying in their own regard, the story shall take the creatures in a lighter tone, following more along with Adorable Abominations trope. So, don't let this deter you from taking a peak at the story!
Editors: The Ever Fabulous Glitchhunter5000! Glitch helps out a lot, so I want to thank him for pitching in!
In the beginning, there was nothing...at least, this is what we have come to believe. Both our science and magic researchers constantly find new outlooks on the beginning of the universe and, while we are able to constantly learn about its workings, we will probably never truly comprehend it. Right now, we have come to the conclusion of a powerful entity that sparked the light to lead to all life. Through both history and what magical readings we have come up with, we estimate that this powerful being had a massive impact with the creation and development of our world.
One of our oldest chroniclers of both magical and historical workings of the world, Star Swirl the Bearded, came to the shocking discovery of the major cooperation between this divine being and her first creations: The Draconequui and Alicorns. With barely any of these creatures alive around this time, Star Swirl set out to the Kingdom of Forgotten Souls, old ruins of an ancient kingdom.
It was there that he met the first Draconequus sighted in centuries. This Draconequus went by the name of Discord. While he never answered questions on how many of his race were left, Discord was able to provide very reliable material on the story of a ‘Goddess’ who lead to the creation of our world and its further existence.
Discord told of the darkness that was the universe, how it and only it existed. But suddenly, something new sprouted from the nothingness, that something came to be known simply as ‘God’ or ‘Goddess’ since the draconequus was sure that this divine being was female. Once she came to this empty void, she sparked light and life that spread all across the universe. Planet after planet was created, how many is unsure, and when ours came to be is unclear. But we do know that once she had finished with the celestial bodies and worlds, she went to work on one particular planet.
Ours.
Discord went into detail at the brilliance of this creator, how she chose to use the world we live on now as an experiment, one that still runs to this day. She set to work terrascaping Equus. After she saw her masterpiece complete, she quickly became bored and moved onto filling the empty world with all kinds of life. The first two being the Alicorns and Draconequui.
Under her, these two powerful races set out to shape the world in her image. They modified areas to hold certain types of life and where many different kinds of animals could live, grow, and die. It was after this that the two species started to create more sentient creatures. The Alicorns brought about the three pony tribes, minotaurs, donkeys, camels, and many other four legged mammals.
While these new creatures worked with each other in an orderly manner, the Draconequui took a more...chaotic approach to their own creations. Dragons, Griffons, Gargoyles, and other strange species. All of this took place in a relatively close time period, so the quick pace in which this went lead to certain conflicts. Who would go where, what land would they have.
This was when the unity of both the Alicorns and Draconequui began to slip. Unfortunately for Equus, even Goddess and Gods have their own flaws and faults. The one who guarded the peace was no different, and her mistake was more dangerous to all of the races. This mistake would lead to a temporary alliance of all races and the death of thousands.
The creation of Tartarus.
It was originally set to stow away all of the mistakes and failures that the Goddess had created when exploring other planets. One planet in particular held some of the most vile creations that she had ever created. On a desert-like world known as ‘Hell’s Gate’, the divine being had miscalculated how much the environment who affect those she placed on it. When she created a portal to both worlds she and Equus were not met with the docile inhabitants of the other planet, but demonic creatures that attacked the surrounding area.
Now, Star Swirl noted that the young draconequus went into something of a rant about these monster. Calling them “mistakes”, and how “they should never have survived the conditions of that planet”.
When Star Swirl was interviewing him, he was shocked to see the mood of the cheery Draconequus change into one of terror. He had asked Discord on how the planet had done such a thing to these creatures.
All he got in response was this, “It was the water...no, what dwelled in the water. That was what took their freedom...their sanity.”
Exactly what this ‘it’ was that dwelled in the water was never explained by the Draconequus, but Star Swirl later got a clear idea on what ‘it’ may be.
Discord went on to explain the terrible war between the Goddess, Alicorns, Draconequui, and all other races of Equus and these invaders. Land was reshaped and twisted, dark trees sprung up until it created a massive forest, and the oceans below became riddled with volcanos and cracks. Finally, the Goddess and her forces were able to drive the demons back to Tartarus, the gate she had made, and as to never allow the monsters to return, she created an elaborate prison that would entrap monsters that saw to enter that way.
After the horrible event had ended, this left scars upon all life on Equus. They had fought with each other, and this war was probably the only reason that they themselves had not fought amongst each other. This fear of war would last for countless centuries, leaving them in a state of peace...but also a state of absolute dread.
However, old feelings of unity soon died out as kingdoms began to form. With the Goddess of Equus withdrawn from her people, for she feared what her power had done, the many species of the planet looked for leaders. Naturally, the Alicorns whom had formed a powerful monarchy and the Draconequui who had constructed a democracy of sorts where the two choices.
The Draconequus had expressed to the old unicorn that while their people had been at odds with each other for countless millennium, both sides had agreed on a avoiding a full out world war. It was not until the destruction of an entire species that this agreement was shattered. While the exact nature of this dead race is unknown to Discord, he does say that their sudden end came under skeptical circumstances and when the Draconequui and Alicorns performed a joint investigations, the Draconequui revealed to the public that the species came to an end by a strange poison that had contaminated their crops.
However, on who was responsible for the poisoning became clear to both the Draconequui and Alicorns. Star Swirl does not mention exactly who Discord said caused the extinction, but he went into great detail on how this tore apart what little harmony the Alicorns and Draconequui had. New hatred for each other lead to an age out event, one that had rattled the very soul of the world since its first arrival.
War.
Discord went into great detail on how both sides had committed horrible acts. The monsters they created, the dark and forbidden powers they unleashed, and the death that followed their struggle. Population numbers dropped drastically, leaders on both side had changed so much that all knowledge on the exact reason for the war faded into mystery. Nothing could break the struggle; the Draconequui would obliterate an invading army of the Alicorns and their allies with their superior magic, only to enter the Alicorn’s kingdom to be outmatched by their superior magic. This endless cycle seemed unstoppable.
Chaos magic sprung various independent environments, ones that did not rely on the magic of order or harmony, but by thriving solely on time itself. All things lived, died, and evolved at random intervals. These areas would become the bane of future pony efforts to bring everything under one order. To counter the creeping chaos that infected their lands, the Alicorns created a tree. A tree of great power, one that radiated with magic. This tree would strike the land around it, keeping the Draconequui’s magic at bay.
Star Swirl also mentions the various conversations he and Discord had on the matter, but what matters is what officially ended the conflict. For while these species had been lead under the two ‘Alphas’, their regard for the great creator existed above all others. When the Goddess made her sudden return, she quickly diffused the terrible conflict.
With a strong leadership once again returning to the world, the once fractured and warlike states that had strung up across the continent dissipated. Incredibly, the unity that had died and was torn asunder had been healed. Some speculate that the Goddess had used her power to calm or even warp the mind of her creations. While neither of these hypotheses can be confirmed, the creator of Equus went to work creating a new, stable, government.
Taking the position of a Queen, she employed a multitude of races to take part in the governing of all life. This was decided through the candidates’ purity and knowledge, and only those worthy of the position were chosen, no matter the race.
With a new government created, the Goddess went to work on repairing the world that was torn apart during the great war. While it is unknown on the certain destruction that came with the battle, with both Discord’s information and what we’ve gathered from geological research, we can put into perspective that the island of the Griffon Kingdoms had been severed from the continent of Equus.
As time passed by, so did the dark feelings the Draconequui felt for one another. Now seeking to further the sense of unity among her people, this Goddess gathered together an army of unimaginable numbers and power. With this army, she sought to finally end the threat that Tartarus posed upon her world. Leading an expedition through the prison, the Goddess and her army laid waste to the hoards of demons that stood in their way.
But this attack was not as simple as the first assumed it would be. For these demons had somehow expanded from simple ravaging monsters into a society. The monsters themselves had become united under the rulership of ‘The Red King’. He himself would be considered a fellow God by the creator of Equus, commanding vast numbers of demons and his own set of hellish power. He would provide a great challenge to our Goddess, and in the end his rule would still exist even after defeat.
Slowly but surely, Equus had become the ravaging invaders. Ironic since this role had once been held by the demons, and even more so when they seemingly fled in terror from the forces of harmony. These successful campaigns only furthered a group mentality that had been rekindled. But the demons had a secret weapon that they had unleashed during the ‘Hot War’ as it is called. This weapon was magic: blood magic.
While he was famous for his magical research, Star Swirl was never able to solve the secrets of demonic magic, as he so profusely explains in his journal. He attempted to convince Discord to help him out with such foul magic, but the draconequus denied assistance in such matters.
But getting back on track with the ‘Hot War’, it is later detailed that the forces of the Goddess seemed to make their way to the capital of the demonic people. While it would seem unwise to make such a bold move, it seemed to shatter the demons’ moral. The battle for the demons’ home lasted 12 days and 12 nights, eventually ending with the breach of the king’s citadel.
It had been many years since the people of the planet had seen their creator, and still remembered her leaving them there. Maybe the conflict had been born out of jealousy for the care the Goddess had put into the people of Equus or it was their need to be free from their hellish home, but what had become clear to the Goddess was that with this defeat came a new era.
In this new era, this Goddess chose the path of peace and forgiveness. In the defeat of the demonic kingdom, the creator of both those of Equus and those of the newly conquered set out to restore the demons and bring them under a rule that focused on peace. It is unknown how exactly she did this or if she succeeded.
What had become clear was the stage that this Goddess had created. She had taken more direct interaction with her creations, applying roles like they were actors in a play…
Even to me, this concept seems unbelievable. That such a being existed. That my home had such a past. And yet here I am, taking the knowledge of my mentor and parents and bringing it to this book. Whoever is reading this will one day come and look for guidance, and I hope this can provided the information needed to conquer such challenges.
There is still more to what my parents, ancestors, and mentor has spoken of the past...there is a much darker evil that lurks below us, watching our every action. I have seen it first hand...it is the reason I believe the tales, the stories meant to frighten children of the Alicorns and Draconequui. While I was able to succeed, to momentarily drive him back, I could feel that his return was...premature. And when he does finally return, I fear that I will not be able to stop him.
I urge you...no, beg you to finish this story. If you are reading this, than I have released this because I have been left with no choice. I wish to keep such secrets like these to keep them from panicking...but I know that one day I will have no choice but to inform the world of probably our greatest threat.
-Celestia Transcript, written by Princess Celestia, ruler and patron to Equestria.
No one exactly knows where they came from. They were recorded to have possessed unfathomable power that would put them above all others in our galaxy. Even the Red King and his demonic legions feared them. It required multiple Draconequui and Alicorns to even confront one of them…to kill them.
Only one remains, rooted into the heart of Equus, the last of these powerful beings remaining dormant. They sought to corrupt our land and rule the minds and bodies of its inhabitants, and all but one were slain. He was imprisoned for thousands of years, locked beneath our oceans till the end of times. But he has not remained idle, and I fear that he will soon reawaken to put into action the plans set into motion long ago.
They are known as the Old Gods...but do not mistake such a title and compare them to the Goddess of Equus, for them being similar couldn’t be farther from the truth. The location of the one imprisoned remains unknown, and their identities are shrouded in mystery. What little we do know comes from legend: tales that tell us of these nightmarish creatures.
These Old Gods came and infected our world, bringing with them unstable elements that were once under the control of those of Equus. These elements battled each other on behalf of their new masters, the bloody conflict ending in the deaths of thousands of all other races. It would takes years to control these unstable elements, devaluing the control over things such as the weather or sea and leaving us with the ability to only manipulate these things, but not create them. Later, several of these immeasurable creatures have been carved into Equus’ history, some fearing their name while others worshiped them.
There are four that we know of: Izuidhig…“The One Who Sees All”, Yvhyndutl…“The Beast Of Time”, Z'erra…“The One Who Tempts All”, and the one who survived the war between the Old Gods and Equus...Nthoggom, a mystery unlike any other.
I give you their names, but the physical forms of these creatures are so terrible that even I dare not learn of them, for it would drive me mad. Their kind has been labeled long ago, before our world even existed, and the species go by the name “Eldritch Abominations”. As mentioned before, we have no true answer to their origin. Some speculate that they came from the cosmos, a place simply know as the “Void”.
The goals of these ancient creatures are usually unknown, but it seems that most of the ones who came to Equus seeked armies, other knowledge, some to play with our world as if it were a mere toy. But Nthoggom was much different...he did not seek such trivial things. No, his sights were set on control, to take Equus as his own. This ambition would lead to his survival while his fellow Old Gods would die. For while the Goddess of Equus and her forces were able to combat these monsters and even kill them, they stumbled upon a horrifying truth, told to them by Izuidhig.
Izuidhig had settled himself in the East, and his armies were buried with him in the sandy regions that are now the homeland of the Zebras. This was the first of the four Old Gods that Equus would fight, and it was through him that they learned dark secrets...ones that would shape our world. For while each of these Eldritch beings had come for their separate reasons, each one would have a powerful impact on the world should they die. When Izuidhig came to Equus, he brought with him knowledge of dark magic and powers. He twisted this world to apply to this knowledge, and when he died, this dangerous insight dispersed across the world. In his last breathes, he spoke of the affects each Old God would have on our planet.
Here are his words on the nature of the Old Gods’ deaths:
My death will bring dark learnings and abilities. This who learn even a fraction of what I know will become twisted and greedy, ambitious and cruel…
He who manipulates your time, when dead, will take away your control over such matters like destiny and time. Each event will create a ripple, one that will bar your Goddess influence over, choices of mortals shall affect the world.
The death of the tempter will bring upon you emotions unlike any other. Magic will act on these emotions: fear, ambition, hatred, and some many other malevolent thoughts. They shall manifest into physical creatures, and they shall take away what you love.
While the others sought lesser things from your world, this one seeks the highest of things: Control. He has rooted himself deep within the heart of Equus, and with his death he shall bring upon the end of this world. Yes...to kill him is to forfeit all that you hope to secure. Only imprisonment can stop him, and even then this world is susceptible to his influence…
This of course frightened our Goddess, that these creatures could have such an impact upon death. Each battle lead to the deaths of countless Draconequui and Alicorns, so many that my race along with Discord’s would become scarce. Each confrontation lead to the defeat of one of these powerful beings, until the only two left were Yvhyndutl and Nthoggom. And near his end, Yvhyndutl gave the Goddess a prophecy of his own:
Time flows free with my death, its events will no longer be altered through your power. This world’s very inhabitants shall tear themselves apart! Ambition will lead to the consumption of all magic! A bell will toll and a kingdom shall be lost! The madness of chaos shall cause strife upon your lands! Darkness shall enslave love! Blood shall fight blood and the moon will rise against the sun! Six shall use the power of one and vanquish all their foes…
And when all of this has come to pass, the horse of 17 plates will come with his brood. In doing this, he who sleeps in the depths below shall awaken, and his champion, a Draconequus of old, shall bring about the End of Times...
Deciphering this prophecy has been tricky and nearly impossible to those before me. Even the Goddess was not sure as to the nature of these events, but I believe that I have found some answers. But I must first tell of the last Old God and the sole survivor of his kind. As was told by Izuidhig, Nthoggom has fused himself with our world, making his death end all life. To avoid this, the Goddess need to set a trap for the powerful being, one that would lock him deep within the world. While the exact location of this place is unknown, I have come to the discovery that they locked him within the ocean of Equus.
Description of his form is vague, and for good reason. It is said that he is a beast of a thousand maws, with an octopus like body that allows it to traverse through the seas. It should also be noted that while these creatures came to this world in grotesque bodies, it seemed that Nthoggom has encountered a side effect when joining himself with the planet. Our world’s reality is somewhat...cartoonish if what I’ve been told is correct.
This had seemed to affect the appearance of this Old God. While he was still quite terrifying, it seemed that Equus had warped his body…making his appearance less disgusting. Of course, this only worsened the problem. For the planet to make such an effect on something so powerful, that would mean that it had already fused with him, thus ensuring his survival.
And yet, even with a more...cutesy body, the Old God was still a force to be reckoned with. He obliterated large numbers of the Goddess’s warriors, and had even managed to directly harm the creator herself. All had seemed lost for the dwindling numbers of the world’s last hopes, but it is said that the Alicorns brought with them sevenlights and a great power had descended from the sky and joined in the assault of the Nthoggom.
Discord is probably the only one who exists that could give an accurate description of the sevenlights , but all he would say was that it had been a last ditch effort of the Goddess part. That is was some ancient power created by the Alicorns during their war with the Draconequui. It was through this and the remaining warriors of Equus that the Old God was imprisoned, much of his power being stripped away.
Thus leading to the end of elder beings...at least, this is what was assumed.
As I had mentioned earlier, the prophecy that was spoken by Yvhyndutl was a foretelling of the future. This had only really connected under the rule of my sister and I.
This ‘Ambition’ that would consume all magic has lead me to believe that the Old God was talking about Tirek, who currently sits in Tartarus after being banished because he attempted to devour our magic. This ‘bell’ that was mentioned and the lost kingdom may have to do with an old story told of a powerful goat whose magic bell, upon its destruction, sent him and his kingdom to a dark realm.
The ‘Madness of Chaos’ definitely describes Discord and his chaotic reign over most of the known world. This ‘Darkness’ that would enslave love is probably describing Sombra’s takeover of the Crystal Empire…The next vision of the future is of my sisters rebellion against me, where we battled each other and she attempted to raise the moon against the sun.
But the last of these visions of the future have yet to happen. And while these unknown factors frighten me, what terrifies me even more was my confrontation with...him. I do not know why or how, but in the Zebra Kingdoms a cult had appeared and started to perform dark rituals. It was there that I had gone and destroyed the cult, but not before a manifestation of the Old God Nthoggom had arrived. While his appearance was no longer the monstrous creature of old, the mere image of him would stop the heart of even the bravest souls.
We battled for five days and four nights, with no end in sight. Truly he had been weakened by his first defeat, for I, a single alicorn, was able to battle him alone. When the fifth and final day came, I had gained the advantage to seemingly balanced struggle, and I struck him down with all of my might. I watched as his body shimmered out of existence, his voice barely a whisper spoke to me with cool contemplation. He told me that this was but just a fraction of what was to come, and that when he rose again, it would be his world, not mine.
I am unsure of when he will return, nor do I think that I alone can battle him again. His interactions with this world are unknown, but he has definitely played his part in many terrible events, this I am sure of. Discord’s descent into madness and Star Swirl’s disappearance came only after the two went to research more on this Old God. I had also assumed that this ‘champion’ of Nthoggom was Discord, but this seems far from the case. For while Discord had brought chaos to the world, he had made no attempted in destroying it.
Which arises many questions. Like where this other Draconequus is, who it is, and where it will strike next. Is this creature who once served the Goddess responsible for the cult? Was it seeking to awaken its master? What parts will the other evils my sister and I faced play in this game? Can we assume they would join something that threatens the entire world? With my sister trapped on the moon, I feel even more alone than I have ever felt before. My only hope is that this ‘horse with seventeen plates’ will never come, or that if he does, Equus will be at its greatest strength.
- Princess Celestia, ruler and patron of Equestria
The vast seas of Equus shimmered under the harsh sunlight, giving off a beautiful sight to any creature that was in the sky or on the water. Coral reefs filled with countless colors accompanied the edges of this part of the ocean and small islands pocketed these great waters. The sight itself would entrance those who passed it, luring them to use this great divide as a means of transport. Equines, or ponies if you prefer, constructed ships of wood and steel with magic and hoof. Griffons, hybrids of cat and bird, constructed great machines that would sail the skies, thus bringing them over the seas in faster ways that none ever imagined possible.
Other races of the planet soon followed suit, using these great waters as a way to bring both their people and trade to other parts of the world. For these seas would bring unity to races who have had stressed histories with one another, as there were many things that would require cooperation such as the protection for pirates and the construction of routes that would prove to be safe and efficient.
However, what lie beneath this seemingly peaceful sea exists something both dark and powerful. For while the light is able to breach some parts of the ocean, it is weak and easy to destroy, thus allowing the darkness of the ocean depths to keep ancient powers and dark mysteries secret and secure from those who seek to eliminate them.
Nevertheless, there were those who lived in both the dark and light, using each one to their advantage. These creatures were fish-like equines, also known as hippocampi, would bask in the rays of the sun that managed to break through the surface of the ocean while also hiding their dangerous secrets from the prying eyes of those who walk upon the land. These creatures of the sea secluded themselves from the matters of the great ocean kingdoms and those that live on the land, creating their own fiefdom that lived near a great drop that would bring one to the darkest part of the ocean.
These equines of the sea swam around a coral-like village, gathering together in various locations, such as markets with stalls of sand or stadiums with large shellfish providing their services as stages. This undersea paradise also contained serpents of great size and power, sirens whose world memorized those who heard their songs, and predatory creatures with sharp fins and teeth.
The village also contained a palace made of a magical sand-like substance that was enchanted down to the very last grain of sand. This structure provided a home to the ruler and the local officials that governed the people, while a separate place was made to practice the people's’ religion; a temple of sorts. These two places were the centers of importance, where the leaders of the community gathered together to work out the orders of their puzzling deity.
This deity, also known as ‘He who whispers a thousands words’ among many other glorified titles is somewhat of an enigma to the population. It was during the first migration when they sought to create their own kingdom under their leader, King Froth, that they heard the whispers of the caverns below. They originally chose to ignore the voices and continued on wards and set up somewhere not to far away. It was then that the predators of the sea attacked them, chasing the hippocampi away from their homes and continued so until they would catch them.
Despite the hopelessness of their flight, the people persisted in escaping their inevitable demise. However, upon reaching the place where the voices were heard, the vicious predators cried in fear and fled back to wherever they came, thus leaving a confused and scared group of settlers wondering what had saved them. Upon realizing that the whispers they heard may have had some part in their salvation, they chose to go into the dark depths where the voices were strongest.
As they continued to find their unknown savior, the voices increased in sound and the words became clearer. While they felt unsure, King Froth lead on wards to at least give thanks to whoever helped them. They soon found themselves at the entrance of a dark cavern, and a cold chill ran through their bodies upon entering the caves. As the walked along the stone walls, they saw drawings of various bizarre creatures with illlegible writing, probably due to the the powerful water currents that went in and out of the tunnels.
Finally after what seemed like hours, the group found themselves within a wide room within the deeper parts of the cavern. In the center sat a statue of gold with all sorts of algae and barnacles attached to it. The body of the creature was a blob of sorts, with eight octopus arms extending outwards from its equally octopus-like body. It had a great maw, and it seemed as though its four eyes were also small versions of its terrifying mouth.
As they approached the statue, the whispers finally became clear, and it was revealed to them the truth of their world and the secrets behind the statue. Through the urging of the dark voices, the hippocampi settled close to the caverns, building a large village and palace to house their new kingdom. A small religion soon formed over time for the statue, and what lied within it. And as more creatures passed by, they soon became tempted by the voices to join the community. This continued for a great number of years and the people of the kingdom were able to create their own little world, free from the pressures of outsiders.
Another thing these creatures of the sea did was obey the orders of their new god. He instructed them both from the caverns and in their dreams, giving them certain tasks like secretly recording much information of key players in the world. He also had them connect with land dwellers, building powerful relationships and spreading his words to those who would follow him. In years to come, these new members of the once small and remote village elevated the power in which the kingdom had. Each day was simply like the other, working together in cohesion to build a better lives for themselves.
Today, however, would be much different. For these creatures had waited years for their mysterious master to come to them, to break free from his imprisonment and enact his plans to further the elevation in the world. As time went by, each generation at one point gathered that his time would not come during their lives, and so this hope would be passed onto the next generation. Many generations passed, and this present one was convinced that, like the others, they would not be able to meet their deity in this life.
That assumption was dashed this very day. And while all of these things were normal and nothing new was expected to come of it, a great wave of change had just hit the planet. One of the last pieces of the prophecy told long ago had arrived, for a horse with seventeen plates had brought to Equus his people in search of refuge.
While the markets remained busy and loud, and the stadiums were filled with actors and spectators, the recent leaders of the community were down in those dark caverns to pay homage to their God, something they would do every year. The king, a great serpent-like creature with powerful arms and legs that were webbed and a head with powerful jaws and horns adorned on his heald. Sharp orange spikes ran down his long back and to the tip of his tail. With him were two hippocampi, each with a dolphin-like body with two front hooves and an equine head with a curved horn coming from the seaweed green mane that flowed downed their head. With him also was a manta ray, a beaming smile upon her face as she did the final touches to the tribute for their deity.
“Do you believe he will ever return...Spout?” The King grumbled, asking the manta ray while his great body attempted to fill the space of the room. He was the first of his kind to gain the title of King, each one before him being chosen through the prophets by the words of the God they worshiped. Each one like him ruled fairly and dutifully, their actions contributing to the happiness of their subjects.
“That is a question that each generation before us has faced, King Tidal...” The priestess sighed, but continued cheerfully with her duties. Out of every other living being on this planet, it was only the priests of the Old God that have ever had full conversations with the ancient creature. Spout herself had communicated directly with her deity, enjoying the...unique attitude the creature had. “Imagine how he feels, being trapped for centuries and unable to interact with the world.” The ruler rubbed his head in embarrassment, feeling somewhat petty now for feeling such things.
“I...never really thought about it like that,” he admitted hesitantly, becoming curious on how their deity actually was. Was he kind and wise, or dark and cruel? The orders given to the kingdom had always been large jumps from acts of kindness to cold and harsh decisions. “How is he like...if you can tell me that is.”
Spout turned around in surprise, but then gave her king a warm smile. “That is not something that anyone has ever asked me...probably because some may be afraid of the exact nature of something they hold dear,” The manta ray responded. She then waved one of her fins at the serpent with an excited look on her face. “Well...he’s not all ‘high and mighty’ as some may expect from a god. In a matter of fact, he’s attitude seems somewhat humble and he can also be...silly.”
Tidal raised an eyebrow at the priestess words, for it was not everyday one described a god as ‘silly’.
“‘Silly?’ How so?” Tidal questioned, somewhat relieved that their deity might not be the ‘smiting all those before him’ kind of god.
Spout looked towards the statue, processing on how to best describe what she meant. It was then that she heard a single whisper, and she laughed.
“Old Ezger, the one who held this job before me, was somewhat of a comedian during his time, often telling awful jokes,” The priestess said, smiling at the memories of her old mentor. “The one we worship would have many conversations, and learned many of Ezger’s jokes. Now he greets me everyday with one of the terrible things.”
Tidal looked somewhat shocked at the confession, but smiled at the thought of such a thing.
“Jokes huh?” The king questioned, looking up at the smiling fangs of the statue, wondering even more about the mysterious creature. “Is there anything else I should watch out for, besides his joke telling?” He chuckled, imaging the old one that those few who remembered feared, attacking his enemies with terrible puns.
“He’s a little wacky as well,” She said, thinking back to all the times the creature had communicated with her through the Dreamscape, this went on until the return of the Mare in the Moon. “But, I don’t think you have much to worry about if he were to ever return. But him breaking free in our lifetime is highly unlikely--”
Before the manta ray could finish her sentence, she was cut off with loud tremors that shook the cavern. Outside the caves the entire sea shook and volcanos that remained dormant for centuries sprung to life, filling the dark parts of the ocean with fire. The waters churned as new and odd creatures appeared out of nowhere. While many in the kingdom were surprised, if not worried, about this sudden event, what was happening was destined to come true. For the llama, or horse, with seventeen..no, sevenplates had arrived to Equus, bringing with him his people in search of refuge. And it would be through his people that Equus would become a better world in many regards.
However, with this great change came the troubles that would follow it. Particularly what lie within the caverns, that trouble may be more than what its worth. As the ocean shook, so did the ancient magic that bounded the golden statue, the shell slowly breaking apart.
King Tidal, his two guards, and Priestess Spout watched in both horror and amazement as they saw the statue that stood in that single place for so long slowly crumble. The things that were once whispers that emanated from the statue started to become loud and clear words. The single voice was filled with cheer and excitement as more and more of the statue dissipated, a blush fleshy creature emerging from the shell.
“Hoohehehahahaha...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” The creature laughed, its many maws opening wide and the octopus-like arms waving all around with happiness. The four followers of the creature looked in disbelief, if not somewhat afraid, at the maniacally laughing creature.
“I know that it may seem somewhat fishy that such a thing hasoccurred after such a long time,” It joked, the creatures eight arms wrapping around the base of the once complete statue. “But surely this is close to what you expected!?!” After asking this, the four came to the sudden realization on exactly who floated before them. The Beast with a Thousand Maws, He Who Walked in Dreams, The Great Schemer, The Old God of The Ocean...Nthoggom.
The four before the Old God dropped down and bowed before the creature the so feverishly worshiped. In return, Nthoggom gave them a looked of surprise, for it had been a long time since anyone could fully relish in his living for. But he did not need them to bow before him, for these people had proven long ago that their loyalty knew no bounds. Such followers were above bowing before him.
“Those lesser than you would have to bow, but you and your ancestors have served me long enough for such formalities to not stand between us!” He said, the neverending smile upon his multiple faces somewhat comforted the audience before him. “King Tidal, Priestess Spout, it has been centuries since I have been able to move freely, and amongst friends no less!” While the manta ray was not completely shocked at the creatures dismissal of such formal gestures, the event in itself seemed to overtake her.
“Lord Nthoggom!” Spout cried in both surprise and wonder, a smile beaming from her face. Her excitement could not be contained, and she swam towards the creature that had provided great comfort for her and people for so long and hugged him. “You--you’re free!” The Old God, along with the King and his guards, were startled by the priestess’s actions, but Nthoggom did not strike her down or shame her.
“Well of course,” He said, raising a single arm in triumph. “Do you think a mere goddess could keep me down for long!?! So what if it took a few millennium, for it is I who now roams the world, free and unchallenged.” While his boast heightened the spirits of his followers, his words were not exactly true. For he was still weakened, and would need time to replenish his power.
“What shall you have us do, your Lordship?” King Tidal questioned, his head bowed and ready for any command his god may give him. “Will you leave the caves, conquer the other kingdoms of the sea?”
In response, Nthoggom wrapped his tentacles around the four in the room, and with a flash of light transported them out of the caverns. “I think that I shall take a swim and see these ‘other kingdoms’ for myself!” The Old God chortaled, taking off from the bewildered and dazed group. They anxiously watched their deity take off and towards to boundaries of the kingdom.
“You did tell him about the ‘clause’ you found out about his imprisonment...right Spout?” The serpent questioned the manta ray skeptically. She let out a nervous laugh, giving the king a good idea on how she had not broken the news to the deity.
Before anything else could be said, a loud cry sounded out from where the Old God was headed. Turning around, they saw the ancient being crash head first into an invisible bubble, slowly sliding down the unseeable wall.
“WHAT!?!?”Nthoggom shouted in anger, getting up and touching the area in front of him, only for a ripple effect to occur that showed him that a large bubble had been created around the town. Stroking his non existent chin with one of his tentacles, he hummed in annoyance. “This may be more difficult than I originally thought…
“Another barrier?” The Old God questioned, sprawled along a large chair inside the palace of King Tidal. The sand-like walls was adorned with bountiful colorful corals and shells. After his initial failure on exploring outside the kingdom, Nthoggom went with his followers back to the palace through a secret route, as to avoid the public for now.
“It seems as though the Goddess was not happy with just your petrified state,” Spout said, giving the Eldritch Abomination an apologetic smile. “So...what’s the plan now, oh Great One?”
King Tidal sat down near the two, fidgeting with nervousness at the prospect that it may take just as long to break down this imprisonment as the next.
“You have no need to worry about the barrier,” Nthoggom laughed, stretching his limbs and waving them around randomly. “For while my last imprisonment was meant for a longer stay, this one is far weaker and it shall take mere days for me to breach it. The main issue is my weakened state.” The two officials gave sighs with relief, happy that their deity’s plans would remain the same.
“For now, we keep my return a secret,” The Eldritch Abomination said, not wanting to spread word of his freedom prematurely. “We must keeps this hidden, so that our enemies may not catch wind of what has happened.”
The two nodded in agreement, but it was Tidal that chose to question one thing about the Old God’s plan.
“But what of the other six members of our inner circle, your prime servants?” The serpent asked, catching Nthoggom’s attention. For many years ago, when his influence started to seep out of the ocean that he formed an organization. An organization with eight members, each given a great power by the Old God, that went by the name ‘The Arms of Nthoggom’. The members varied in race, two of its members being Spout and Tidal, and were scattered all around the world.
“King Tidal is correct, your Greatness,” Spout added, agreeing with the serpent. Each member of the organization were Nthoggom’s top lieutenants that have served faithfully and without question whenever the ancient creature gave them orders. “They should at least hear directly from you so that they can carry out your words.” The gibbering mouths on Nthoggom constantly opened as though they were speaking, the main maw of the Old God hung open as he considered his followers’ words.
“I had already sent them a telepathic message, informing them of a meeting, but I did not plan on revealing myself to them yet,” The Elder Being mused, thinking on if his other top followers truly need to know of his return. While he needed to keep his freedom secret from the rest of the world, for his foes would attack quickly if they learned that he was free, he came to the conclusion that no harm would come in directly addressing his lieutenants. “But this may improve moral, to know that the first step of my plan has now come to pass. Very well, I shall formally greet them within two days...but for now, we have more urgent issue to discuss.” The priestess and king looked at him with confusion, confused on what could be so problematic for their deity.
“What would that be, Lord Nthoggom?” Spout questioned, giving a look of worry that their may be even more danger to their plan than expected.
“As was spoken by one of my late...acquaintances,” The Eldritch creature said, reminding them of the prophecy that one of the other Old Gods had spoken to the Goddess. “The llama with sevenplates--”
“I thought it was a horse with seventeen plates…” The manta ray interrupted, recalling that the prophecy spoke of a four legged animal that was different from a llama.
“While I applauded you for your diligence, Priestess, I believe that I would know what exactly cause my freedom!” Nthoggom snorted, for if anyone remembered what his ancient brother had said, surely it was him. Spout shrugged, there was a lot of history to remember, so she probably did miss one small detail.
“But that matters little,” He declared, and red holographic globe of the world appearing out of thin air in one of the Elder Beings tentacle. “What does matter and is of great concern is the new residents of Equus, those that go by the name...Pokémon. Po-ke-mon, I think that’s how you say it…” The serpent king looked at the Old God with surprise, for in all his years as king, not once did he hear of such a species.
“Pokémon, my Lord?” Tidal echoed with curiosity, his head tilting in interest as to the exact origin of these mysterious creatures. “What are Pokémon, and what do they have to do with this creature that caused your freedom?”
Taking the globe, white shapes formed on it that displayed the continents and other landmasses of the world. Then waving one of his octopus arms over it, the globe zoomed in and showed an image of a strange, equine-like creature with a strange cross-like wheel attached to its body by its abdomen.
“While I do not know his name, nor what he is like, this is the Pokémon’s supposed ‘God’,” Nthoggom said, quoting the last word with two of his tentacles. “I have little to no information about these creatures, but what I do know is that this puny deity seeks refuge for both his pokemon and another race called humans, whom he has also turned into Pokémon.”
“I assume that these creatures will oppose us,” The king sighed, giving an annoyed look towards the red projection of this new god. “Unless you know of another way to deal with them, great one?” He questioned, really hoping that the Old God has an answer. Nothing was more dangerous than an unknown enemy added into an equation that never considered them.
“Yes and no---” The Eldritch Abomination said. He then started the wiggle about and started coughing heavily. His two followers gave him looks of worry, but he held an arm out as they approached him, stopping them with the gesture. He started the hack out things, these objects flying out of his great mouth. Some were glowing swords, flaming wands, some kind of cylinder like tube with a handle of some kind, a golden ring that had strange writing etched into it, and finally a red and black horn.
The horn of King Sombra.
How the horn ended up in the gullet instead of an Old God that’s been trapped in a golden statue for centuries instead of the Canterlot Museum is beyond Tidal and Spout, but it seemed that the creature's power was on par with the Lord of Chaos, Discord. And this was when the creature was not at his full power...to even imagine what he could do when he regains his strength is somewhat frightening to the two followers.
“What are you going to do with that horn?” The manta ray asked nervously, for Sombra’s reputation had traveled all around the world. He was known for his horrible enslavement of the Crystal ponies and his attempt to take over Equestria.
“I need someone to test the will power of these Pokémon; to see how easy it is to manipulate and control them,” Nthoggom said cooly, dark energy surrounding the floating horn. “But if I were to do it myself, I risk being discovered. So, good old Sombra is the next best choice. He’s ambitious, so this makes him susceptible to deals that will give him power. He is arrogant, so he is likely to believe that he is the one in control, when it will really be me.” The Old God chuckled evilly, while Tidal and Spout gave him looks of worry.
“What?” The creature questioned, seeing the conflicted looks on his followers face. “You don’t actually care so much for these creatures and the other nations of the world, do you?” All of his followers knew of his history, and his goals for world domination.
“It’s not that, Lord Nthoggom…” The serpent king said, giving his deity a look of sadness. “But...you never said anything about us becoming slavers. You promised us a world of freedom, ruled under one power that would only govern if we were in trouble, and that a united people would lead the world.”
Nthoggom gave the serpent a confused look, his smile never fading. He was aware of the promise, and he would make good on his word...so how had he endangered that promise? It was looking back at the horn that he saw the problem.
“Some may consider me evil, probably the greatest evil of all,” The Old God stated, somewhat miffed at the assumption his two followers had come to. “But such titles and concepts like good and bad mean little to me...however, I am no slaver! Slavery is installed by weak and pathetic beings, hoping to feel some sense of superiority by crushing those who are not as powerful.” He swam around the water, his limbs whipping out angrily.
“I am far stronger than most of the other inhabitants of this world,” Nthoggom laughed, giving his loyal followers a toothy grin. “And as such, I do not need to destroy those weaker than me, for it is both a waste of my time and their potential. I have the power to influence others, to convince them through words of truth and logic that will lead them to joining me. Sombra will be just a tool for me to use...and when his use runs out, so will his existence.”
A loud thumping noise emanated from the horn as a skeleton of a pony stemmed from the horns base, muscles and other flesh growing over the bones, and the fur and mane of the former tyrant soon came after there was flesh. The pony groaned as he attempted to stand or even open his eyes. Spout placed a waterbreathing spell on the unicorn in order to ensure he would not drown.
“Good evening, friend!” Nthoggom said cheerfully, moving over to the struggling king. He waved one of his eight arms at his two followers, informing them to leave. The gray unicorn finally managed to open his eyes, giving the strange creature before him a look of shock. The Old God held out one of his tentacles as a gesture for a handshake, a blue fire alighting the small end of his octopus arm. “My name’s Nthoggom! What’s yours, pal?”
“What’s your name, pal?” The strange octopus creature asked the fallen king, his abrupt friendliness throwing the dark unicorn off guard.
Sombra looked around the room, seeing a sand-like structure all around the place. As he attempted to get up, he felt himself start to float. “I’m...underwater?” Sombra mumbled to himself, unsure on how to feel about his predicament. He remembered his supposed final seconds: how close he was to reclaiming his throne...then he blew up.
Into thousands of pieces
“Okay, so you may feel a little...dazed,” The creature said, his cheery attitude lighting up the room. “But, you get the gist of what happened. You went boom and long story short, the Crystal Empire lived happily ever after!”
Sombra flinched slightly, put off by the sheer glee in which the creature had explained the events that had transpired. Even more so was that if he truly ‘went boom’, then he had died…
And yet here he was
“What...what did you do, and how am I still alive!?!” The dark unicorn demanded, increasingly worried on the exact nature of his revival. There were many kinds of magic that could do the task, but most of them ended up with horrifying results such as slow zombification or loss of one’s personality.
“Well, that’s not how most thank their savior…” The octopus snorted behind the king, somehow changing location in a matter of seconds. This only increased the tension of the room, the tyrant charging a red glow from his horn.
Rolling his non-existent eyes at the ex-king’s action, one of his tentacles lashed out and swiped the horn from the unicorn’s head. Sombra stared in shock as his more valuable tool was taken from him in mere seconds, clean off as though it didn’t exist. There were no broken pieces, no lasting pain...it was as though it never existed to begin with.
“Sombra, Sombra, Sombra,” The creature sang, wrapping the king up in one of his large arms and squeezing him to his squish side. “We’re all friends here, so no need to get hostile.” With a flick of one of his other seven arms, a holographic image appeared, showing the fallen unicorn his old kingdom. “You see, Sombra, you and I are looking for the same thing. Control!”
The creature dropped the king and played a clip of Sombra’s defeat at the hooves of the two sisters and his later death. Sombra let out an audible growl at the two scenes, glaring daggers at the monster next to him.
“Unfortunately for you, your plans never succeeded...” The strange being said, his ever-smiling face forming a smug smirk. “But this time--” Another clip played, this time with the unicorn actually ruling over the Crystal Empire, with both ponies and some new odd creatures all holding an empty stare with the king’s fear magic clearly influencing them, “--there’s something new! And all you need is a little help in using them to finally get what you deserve.”
“Is that what this is!?!” Sombra barked, grinding his teeth together as the creature spoke honeyed words to him. “You’re going to ‘offer’ your help to me, help me enslave these new animals so that I may rule of my empire!?!”
While the existence of these new beings was interesting, and maybe he could manipulate them to his own advantage, Sombra was no fool. He knew a deal when he saw one, but this deal would have a catch. This creature brought him back to life not out of the goodwill, but in order to use him as some kind of pawn.
“Come now, Sombra old boy,” The creature said with hurt, raising his arms up in mock defense. “Here I am--” he said dramatically, bringing three of his arms up into the air, “--trying to just help a bro out! Can’t a villain just want for one of his peers to succeed?”
“Does this help entitle some sort of ‘equal benefit’ for both parties?” Sombra sneered, his experience with these kinds of ‘wish dealers’ had always ended with some sort of negative for him.
“Well of course!” The creature laughed, shaking his head at the king’s words. “Why would I bring you back for nothing? No, I have plans, my dear friend...but in order for them to succeed, I need you to successfully cause strife and terror in the Crystal Empire.” He once again played the clip of a victorious king while also holding out a tentacle with blue fire alighting from it.
“We can’t win alone...” he said, his many mouths starting to whisper many promises to the tyrannical unicorn. Offering him power, wisdom, and control over others. “But together, we can make them kneel to their true leaders!”
Sombra stared at the extend arm, multiple thoughts on both the pros and cons of this arrangement swarmed his mind. While the monster was correct that together they would have a chance, his wish to rule along with the creature was non-existent. He’d probably take care of the octopus after all was done...but even then, he risked a lot working with an unknown.
Letting out a sigh, the reluctant unicorn reached out his hoof and shook with the strange animal before him. “I assume it would be for the best if we...team up,” Sombra said, struggling to say the last part of his sentence. The creature’s mouth open even wider with a smile at the king’s words, giving the unicorn a firm shake.
“However, when all is done...I never want to see your grotesque form ever again,” Sombra growled, his brow furrowed into a scowl. “The further apart the both of us are, the better.”
“I couldn’t agree more, you egotistical jerkass,” The octopus laughed, his many maws gibbering in the madness of his laughter. “Truth be told, my hope is to never set foot in that crystal candy land! Such a place is only worthy of someone of your standard.” The creature laughed more at the king’s expression, withdrawing his tentacle and clapping four of the eight arms together, a black void appearing behind Sombra.
“See you around...what was your name again?” The unicorn sneered, not really caring on the exact identity of the abomination before him.
“Nthoggom...Old God of the Sea, and soon to be all of Equus!” Nthoggom chortled madly, one of his arms lashing out and smacking the bewildered king into the back portal. “See you soon, buddy...oh, and try not to die too soon!”
And with those final words, the ex-king began to fall through the blackness of a seemingly never ending void. The last sounds of the creatures laughter echoed throughout this strange world. And upon looking down, Sombra saw a ground covered in snow heading towards him, or in his case, he was heading towards it.
With impact inevitable, the unicorn growled at the sight of the drop. His form slowly oozed with black mist and as he left the tube-like void shoot the shadows launched towards the ground, allowing him to safely descended to the cold ground.
“I can’t wait to kill that guy…” Sombra huffed, using his returned horn to once again activate his shadow magic and sink into the ground.
Noggin was waving as the evil king departed from the Old God’s underwater palace, his smile never wavering as Sombra dropped down into the void. As the portal closed, Noggin chuckled at the interaction he had with Sombra.
“Oh, I take it all back,” Noggin sighed happily, clearly pleased on his decision to bring back the tyrant of the crystal ponies. “He will prove most entertaining...when he dies of course. Right now, all that he is is one big countdown to when he gets iced!” The Old God said his last word aloud, hoping for anyone to hear his pun.
Realizing that no one was around, he chose to slunk around and find his two followers. Passing along the long hallways, the ancient being reminiscing in his imprisonment and failures.
Well, he did have his shining moments. Moments where plans went accordingly and the right pieces had been set in the perfect place...but looking back on all that had happened, Noggin just couldn’t help but feel disappointed with himself.
“Thousands of years sure do a lot of damage on my moral,” The Elder Being grumbled, drifting through the dark and empty halls.
Even now he felt trapped because of that damn Goddess and her last resort spell...those sevenlights that had appeared before him and used to entrap his body in a shiny statue, casted deep within the sea. His forces were scattered and his original eight lieutenants were destroyed while he lay alone on the seafloor bed.
“But I could never replace them, my dear children, who led my armies and were intrusted with my plans,” Noggin thought, smiling at his last play before his defeat. “One that would ensure my future...to create the next generations of my followers!”
For while the Goddess and her warriors were powerful, they could not simply destroy his children. With his final breath before it too became trapped in gold, Noggin laid a powerful spell on his most loyal of servants. This spell binded them to his life force and power, so that even if they were to ‘die’, they could come back in a new body.
Reincarnation after reincarnation, this cycle lasted for many years, some living to this day, and each one as powerful as the other. His magic seeped into each one of their souls, revealing them their purpose at a young age. Well, except that they were reincarnations...he wanted them to be their own person and not feel the pressure of the past mistakes. But nevertheless, he was there with them since the beginning.
“These sort of feelings are beneath me,” He recited, thinking back to what he had learned countless years ago. “And it is unbecoming for me to even view those I created as something more than mere tools…”
“Lord Noggin?” A voice called out, catching the tired creatures attention. Swimming up was King Tidal, his blue scales gleaming with what little light remained in the palace. “Did all go according to your plan, Boss?” The sea serpent questioned, still skeptical of the Old God’s plan.
“Do you doubt that my plan not work?” Noggin questioned, giving the now nervous serpent a smirk. “That somehow, through my countless centuries of planning, that convincing a sniveling god-wannabe would be my undoing?” He asked jokingly.
“Of course not!” Tidal proclaimed, relieved that his leader was able to succeed, but also quick to assure the Old God that he did not doubt Nthoggom’s intellect. “I was simply worried that Sombra, through his great stubbornness, would attempt something rash or work against us.”
“Do not mistake our partnership for friendship,” Noggin laughed, using his magic once again to display a live feed of the ex-tyrant. “Sombra will attempt to betray us once he feels confident enough to do so, and in the process he will ultimately fall to one of these new creatures.”
The king gave a shrug, not really caring on the fate of the arrogant unicorn. But his concern of their pact with him still made Tidal uneasy, for the idea was to keep Nthoggom’s return secret...and reviving the tyrant of the Crystal Empire would raise eyebrows. But the deed had been done, and the likelihood that anyone would consider that a giant octopus monster from the ocean revived Sombra over the king’s own stubborn need to survive is far fetched.
“So...what now?” The serpent asked, realizing that they never truly discussed what the Old God’s plan was.
“Sombra was but the first in a long line of scrapes that have littered this world,” Nthoggom said, using his magic to switch the feed to an imprisoned insect-like pony. Her long, dark, cerulean mane hung down, almost completely obscuring her face. She laid on a stone floor, tired and alone.
“For I have had plans,” The feed changed once again, focusing on a cloaked individual who aimlessly traversed on a muddy road as rain and wind battered the figures rags. “Ones that have begun since the beginning of my imprisonment. Plans that have been spearheaded by the predecessors of ‘The Eight Arms’ since my voice could be heard from the dark caverns of the sea.”
“But now I must make alterations...” Noggin mused, somewhat scowling while still keeping his eerie smile. For while he had many pieces in play, and some that would come in later, operating them would become extremely more difficult.
“And yet...I can’t help but feel more enthusiastic than I originally was about this whole ‘world domination’ thing,” The eldritch abomination laughed heartly, his many mouths joining in and making the laughter even more bone-chilling. “I mean, I was almost ready to quit, but things are different now, I promise you that!”
“Well, I’m happy to hear that a couple of centuries of not being able to do anything physical didn’t dampen your mood,” The king said, giving a genuine smile as he said those words. “But I do have to ask then...what was it that inspired you to continue after being released, what new thing has come that drives you to be so jovel?” For while Tidal was happy that their efforts were not in vain, he was unsure of what could have brought the Old God’s groove back.
Nthoggom seemed to ponder on a proper answer of those words. For it is difficult to explain the reasoning about going against a powerful deity and her creations, and to fight on their home turf to boot. It was then that it came to the creature, the true reasoning of his excitement.
“Because, loyal Tidal,” Nthoggom laughed bitterly, giving the sea serpent a tired look, as though he was sick. “Countless ‘ancient villains’ have come and gone before and after me. They’ll pop in when no one expects it, have this world’s inhabitants on the edge of defeat, and then get stopped at the last moment by this world’s ‘current generation’ of heroes...this cycle repeats and repeats...it gets depressing after awhile.”
“This isn’t the only place I’ve seen it too, you know…” The Old God said, swimming out of the hallway and continuing to an unknown location. Tidal turned and followed him, desperately wanting to ask one important question that only the alien creature could answer. “I’ve been to other places, not like this one mind you, that got boring far too quickly. That’s why I came here, to find something new...for something to change…”
“Pardon my abruptness then, Lord Nthoggom,” Tidal said impatiently, his head swarming with dozens of questions that he had wanted since he was young to ask the Old God. “But if you’ve done this song and dance before...if this world is truly in this neverending cycle...why not get to the point!?!” His last words caught the creature by surprise, the ferocity and determination that flowed from the serpent. “Why not end this game of cat and mouse, like you have done for the other worlds you’ve spoken of? What is to stop you once you regain your power and simply win? No heroic quests, no mind games, just one fell swoop!?!”
It was then that Nthoggom began to laugh once again. But not out of bitterness or to mock Tidal, but in pure joy.
“Because now...” The eldritch monster chortled, the top of his body stretching upwards and more razor toothed maws appeared on his lower body. Soon, a red light started to emanate from the mouths, displaying hundreds of strange creatures acting in different ways. Some working alongside the inhabitants of Equus, while others causing mindless havoc. Each one of these strange and fascinating creatures and expressions of lostness and confusion.
The feeds of these creatures whizzed by until it ended upon the familiar form of Arceus. With the strange equine were countless others of his supposed kind, each different in almost every way and yet displayed a sign of power and an aura of superiority to the other monsters that had previously been shown.
