A story about two hilarious universe travelers who happen to be badasses who happen to love bacon. Hope you guys enjoy and get a couple good yuks out of it!
There have been many debates among men whether the multi-verse theory is true or not, but there are some who know the truth. Aquila Cuore, an Assassin from the 19th century. He discovered the hard way the truth of this theory, not even knowing it existed yet. After a traumatic event that would've eventually led to his death, he awoke from unconsciousness in a dark void. Redik Dheavan an aspiring wizard from the world of Dominaria found himself in the same predicament after having a rather one sided battle with a mysterious dark wizard. Little did they know, this would change their lives in a mind wrecking way forever.
This is very much a story going under constant evolution by its writer and accomplices. If you feel that you are not patient enough to last until at least half way through the story. Then this is not the story for you.
1854, September 15. That's when it happened, the day that Aquila Cuore discovered what he truly was...
1854, September 8.
Rome, a large city bustling with life, the perfect place for an Assassin to call home. Aquila found himself chasing his current target, down the alleyways and through the streets. Avoiding the guards and climbing the obstacles, he chased after the one named Leonardo Rossi. A man sentenced to death by Aquila's brotherhood for forming a conspiracy and leading a Mafia of men who control much of the international trading business.
They both finally reach a dead end, after about an hour of cat and mouse. An alleyway with a brick wall too high to climb. Leonardo turns around to face Aquila. Aquila standing there, his hidden blade ready to be revealed when it needs to.
Leonardo then calls out as if he was giving a command..."Ora gli uomini! Abbiamo di lui esattamente dove lo vogliamo!" (Now men! We have him right where we want him!)
Suddenly, more than 10 men appear from the rooftops and windows, all holding rifles aimed at Aquila's head. He looks around at his surroundings, though his hood keeping them from being able to see his facial expressions.
They could tell he was nervous to some degree.
Leonardo simply walks forward and says, "Alleviare voi delle vostre armi. Non avrete bisogno di loro dove stiamo andando." (Relieve yourself of your weapons. You will not need them where we are going.).
Aquila complies and puts both hands together in front of him. Meanwhile, Leonardo is pulling out bindings from his back pocket. Aquila spits in his face and says, "Bastardo, si pagherà per quello che hai fatto!" (Bastard, you will pay for what you've done!).
Leonardo gains a look of anger on his face, "Si osi parlare così a me figlio di puttana, ti ammazzo! Lentamente e faticosamente!" (You dare speak like that to me you son of a whore, I will kill you! Slowly and painfully!). He then punches Aquila to the ground, he then stepped on his head to knock him out.
*Two Hours Later*
Aquila woke up in a dizzy haze, not able to see yet, everything is still a blur. Once his vision clears, he finds himself in a dark cellar, the ceiling appearing to be worn down, cracks in the wood and cobwebs hanging from it. It smelled like death and feces. A dead rat lay in the far corner, nearly half rotted and flies surrounding it, eating away the flesh of the dead animal.
Aquila found himself with his hands bound above him and keeping his feet off the floor. His feet is inside a tub full of ice cold water, and himself stripped to nothing but his now torn pants.
The two men looked filthy, covered in dirt and their teeth appear like they have almost fallen out. One is writing something down on some paper, the other walks up to Aquila and says, "Siamo pronti per iniziare, ora che sei sveglio. Anche se, devi essere un uomo molto pigro, hai dormito per circa due ore prima si svegliò. Oppure che Leonardo ti ha colpito troppo duro. Chi se ne frega? Il dolore più si sente più ho pagato. Ora, andremo attraverso una serie di tecniche di tortura per tutta la settimana, uno diverso ogni giorno. Oggi è elettrocuzione. Sembra divertente eh?" (We are ready to begin, now that you are awake. Though, you must be a very lazy man, you slept for about two hours before you awoke. Either that, or Leonardo hit you too hard... Who cares? The more pain you feel the more I get paid. Now, we will be going through a series of torture techniques throughout the week, a different one every day. Today's is electrocution. Sounds fun eh?)
Aquila thrashed around in his bindings, trying desprately to get out, but with no success. "RRRRRAAAAAAAHHHH! Nessun uomo merita questo tipo di morte! Nemmeno chi, come Leonardo, i Borgia, o anche il Spainiard!" (RRRRRAAAAAAAHHHH!!! No man deserves this kind of death! Not even those like Leonardo, the Borgias, or even the Spainiard!).
The man growled, "Tutti loro, uomini grandi. Perché si merita nemmeno una morte come questa? No, è feccia come te che lo fanno. Iniziamo!" (All of them, great men. Why would they even deserve a death like this? No, it's scum like you who do. Lets begin! ). He then attaches the wire to the water and flips the switch.
Aquila then felt the excruciating pain flow through his body, he couldn't even let out a yell, he could only thrash around and bare through it....this was going to be a long day.
Throughout the week, it only got worse. Day two, hot coals spread among the body and burning the skin. Day 3, whipping on both the back and chest, leaving both sides a absolute train wreck. Day 4, slow cutting of flesh. A dagger cutting slices of skin from the body, slowly and painfully. Day 5, Cutting open the skin on the back to reveal the spinal cord and doing many things to it without killing the subject. Day 6, A poison from a snake that stimulates all nerves to feel pain. Day 7, The removal of body parts....
The man left the cellar for a moment, his assistant was writing down everything in the background and a estimated level of pain each day. He returns with a hacksaw, spoon and a hammer. He laid them all next to him. Aquila was bound to a wooden table, all appendages facing outward, (except the you-know-what).
Aquila just lays there now, defeated, battered, broken, without hope. The man now grabs the spoon, and began to move it toward Aquila's right eye. Suddenly, everything slowed down for Aquila, he felt a strange feeling deep within his core. Then, a bright flash of light came from himself causing the torturer to fall back onto his butt and his assistant off his chair. When the light faded, there stands Aquila, his body healed, eyes glowing a bright yellow and a aura of power surrounding him.
He steps down from the table as the torturer stands up. In a desperate attempt to defend himself he pulled out a cleaver and had a cocky smile on his face.
Aquila simply stared at him, no emotion showing on his face at all.
The torturer charged Aquila, axe high in the air ready to be swung. Just as he got close he swung his axe down.
Aquila caught his wrist, with a light squeeze, he crushed the bone into bits. The man screams in intense pain. Just before he falls to his knees, Aquila grabs him by the neck and slams him into the ground, cracking the hard stone. Then he grabs the man's leg and spins, throwing him into the wall in front of himself.
He then makes his way to the nearly broken body of the torturer and picked him up, shoved him against the wall, and starts to push so hard, the bones begin to break and blood begins to leak from his mouth and ears. A loud *Crunch!* is heard and the man's body falls to the ground.
He then turns his head to the assistant, he begins to walk toward him as the assistant brings his fists up, having no weapons, this was all he could do.
He charged at Aquila, but Aquila ducks down and grabbed his crotch....he then tore it off, all of it. Along with the crotch of his pants too. Aquila then grabs the squealing man and lifted him above his head, some of the blood pouring onto his head, he didn't care. He then tore the assistant in half, blood pouring all over his body.
He drops the two halves and falls to his hands and knees, beginning to feel weak. "Arrrrgh! Che cosa è questo?!!" (What is this?!!) Then his body begins to fade, returning to normal, but becoming transparent. As the seconds go by, within a few seconds... he disappears off the face of the earth...
Meanwhile,
The Legion of The Sun, a large guild of Templars who worship the sun. That which is a chaotic ball of fire that provides light for Dominaria.
Redik a young man who recently joined their ranks was an aspiring wizard, well read in the art of magic but not well practiced, walks into the gates of Aneshe. The city of the sun, currently under rule of the Legion.
He walks through the streets of this medieval-like city. Eventually he reaches the guild hall and makes his way inside. The large wooden door creaks loudly as it opened.
He walks through the large hall, making a right turn into the meeting hall. All the members of the guild were there, conversing among each other. He reached the group and says "Greetings my brothers in arms! Your secret weapon has arrived!".
They all glared at him and returned to speaking with each other.
He shrugs and spots out the Headmaster speaking with another member. He sneaks his way up to the old man and says "Well, what daring and dangerous adventure do you have in store for me today?"
The Headmaster gives him a slightly annoyed look and says, "No. All i need you to do today is deliver a letter."
Redik throws back his head with a loud groan.
The Headmaster hands him a letter and instructs him to take it to a noble in the Garden District.
Redik takes the letter and grumbles while he walks back through the halls and out the main door. "Man! Being a novice sucks. If only I just had one chance to show them my awesome skills, then they'd make -me- headmaster. Then I could go around telling them to deliver their own stupid ass letters!"
As he walks around the city towards the Garden District, he notices clouds beginning to close in on the city. A thunderstorm will be here soon. So Redik picks up his pace and after about fifteen minutes of speed-walking he finally reaches his destination. He knocks on the door, but no one answers. He knocks again, still nothing. "Hey dumbass! I got a letter for you!" Still nothing...
"Fine..." then he shoves the letter under the door and turns around... "Shit!"
A cannon ball was heading straight for him. He didn't have any time to move, so he conjured up a magical shield in front of him, the cannon ball smashed through the shield and into the house. Redik manages to take minimal damage thanks to that shield, but it tires him out quite a bit.
He looks around to see cannon balls smashing into buildings all over the city. They were taking chunks out of the defensive wall set up around the city. "Finally! This is my chance to be the hero everyone needs!" So he begins to rush to the guild hall.
After a few minutes of running, things went straight to hell. Buildings burning, people dying, soldiers scrambling everywhere, he's played this scenario in his head hundreds of times and always came out victorious. So why wouldn't he now?
He forces open the door to see nothing but dead bodies in the halls..."Shhhhhhit." So he carefully walks through the halls, seeing all the other members dead, killed by something... or someone. He reaches the meeting hall to see the headmaster being burned to death in a magical fire by a strange robed man, he wore black robes with the symbol of death decorated on them.
Redik sends a bolt of magical energy at the dark wizard, but he swats it away like it was nothing.
He sends out a burst of lightning to Redik with a wave of his hand. Clearly this was like child's play to him.
Redik goes flying back into the wall behind him and falls to his stomach from the sheer force of the blast.
The black robed wizard begins to walk closer. His footsteps echoing through the dark hall, almost as if dread itself were walking.
Redik rises to one knee and stands. "Son of a bitch! You killed them all. For that I'll kill you! Let's see how you like some of your own lightning!" He thrusts his hands forward sending out a beam of electrical energy.
The evil wizard puts a hand out and sends his own, they clash with a massive show of power. They struggle back and forth, gaining and loosing advantages.
"RAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Redik yells at the top of his lungs, as he fires his beam. His anger clearly in control.
The evil wizard begins to laugh devilishly as he fires his own dark lightning. "Enough of these games." He increases the power greatly, quickly overpowering Redik.
As the beam gets closer, Redik gets weaker, it now begins to electrocute him. Sending the electrons through his body. Using his magic he tries to dampen it as much as he can, but to no avail. He was already so weak, so it wasn't doing him much good.
The electricity flows through him causing every nerve to burn with pain. Then, as the electricity burns his body, he feels a strange feeling deep within his core, one of power, regeneration, and spirit. His eyes begin to glow a bright yellow and the pain begins to fade as the electricity flows through him. Redik brings his hand up and begins to absorb the beam's power. He then sends a massive burst of lightning back at the evil wizard.
The wizard was surprised by this and was sent flying through the hall over the fire in the middle and to the back end. When he lands, he quickly gets up and with all his might sends as much electricity of magic power he could right at Redik.
Redik holds his hand out and absorbs the beam as it feeds into him. So he decides to use it against the dark wizard. He sends out his own beam of electricity and quickly overpowers the wizard.
The wizard starts to struggle and begin to swell, eventually exploding and leaving a giant mess in the hall.
Redik's eyes now begin to stop glowing, he begins to return to normal and starts to feel weak. He fell to his hands and knees. "That'll show that b-bastard who's boss." He coughs up a small amount of blood but then begins to notice himself fading... he looks to his hands and he could see right through them! It getting worse and worse, but he now feels rejuvinated, but still fading. "Whats happening?!" Then he was gone.....
He appears, out of no where, in what seems to be an endless void. Floating in a nothingness he never thought possible. He turns around to see a man in a white and red robe, with a white hood and a strange symbol on his belt, along with a cloak on his left shoulder surrounding his arm.
Aquila turns as he hears the voice, "Quello che il..."
"Do you have a name? Or am I going to have to give you one?" the robed stranger says.
Aquila replies having a heavy Italian accent, "An English man? Huh. My name is Aquila Cuore from the assassin brotherhood."
Redik chuckles, thinking little of Aquila's group, "Redik Dheavan, best wizard to ever live. I was once part of a Templar ord-"
Aquila quickly flies to him, using this sort of lack of gravity, but it was different. They still have their free movement. He grabs Redik by the robe to bring them face to face. "Templar?! Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now!"
Redik actually grows a look of worry by this, "Why would you want to kill me?! I'm just an apprentice wizard!"
Aquila lets him go, "Wizard? Then maybe you actually know why we are here... regardless of being Templar trash."
Redik rubs the back of his neck, showing that he was rather nervous. "Uhhhh, actually, no I don't...."
Aquila heavily sighs, "Great, now we are lost in some empty space with no where to go."
Redik crosses his arms as he thinks, "Well duh, perhaps I can get us out of here." He begins to conjure the magical energy from his hands, but it fizzles quickly. "Damn it! I can't teleport us anywhere, because I don't know where we are!".
Aquila sighs, "Well I'd rather be anywhere than here, being stuck here with you for an eternity can drive a man mad." Suddenly, as soon he says the phrase, Anywhere than here.. A portal opens in front of them, revealing a very cartoon-ish looking town.
Redik laughs, "How convenient!" He then rushes through the portal.
Aquila sighs and does the same, but this time, feet first instead of doing what Redik did and going head first. That was just stupid of him.
Redik finds himself falling face first into what appears to be the town square of the resident village they find themselves in. "Son of a bitch! That hurt."
Shortly after he says that Aquila comes in landing with a thud on his feet, but what he does next is unexpected, he doesn't move and his mouth is agape.
Redik stands up and looks around, "Holy shit!"
They find themselves with what appears to be colorful equines staring at them, some whispering to each other they even hear a few "What are those?!"s around them.
Aquila quickly grabs Redik and pulls him into a nearby alleyway away from the creatures.
Redik catches his breath once they stop after a few minutes of running. They find themselves in a new dark alleyway so they can take a breath and recollect their thoughts.
Redik then begins to freak out and yell, "WHAT. THE. HELL. ARE. THOSE?!!!!!!!!!"
Aquila slaps him in the face before he could continue. "Calm down! I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for this."
Suddenly a cyan colored one with a rainbow mane and tail appears and announces. "There they are!"
Aquila looks up "Merda!"(Shit!) he then grabs Redik and begins to run. "Split up! Meet near that forest in the distance!" Aquila says to Redik, he let go and Redik went his own way.
The equine decides to follow the white robed one. Flying at a very fast speed toward him.
Aquila ran, and surprises the equine by suddenly leaping onto the wall and scaling it at a incredible speed grabbing onto any ledge, crack, or hole he could to bring himself up. He reaches the top and lept from building to building with the rainbow equine following quickly behind him.
Eventually once they reach the end of the buildings, the rainbow colored pony finally manages to tackle Aquila, causing them to fall off the edge, they both land on the ground with a loud thump.
Aquila broke from the grasp of the equine, just as they land, he rolls away and shows his two hidden blades and remains in his battle stance. "Come on! Let us be done with this!" Aquila yells, no fear in his voice as he yelled it at the rainbow pony.
Suddenly the equine...SPOKE?!!! "What?! No no I just want to talk to you!"
Aquila had to take a doubletake on that one. "COSA. IL. VAFFANCULO!"(WHAT! THE! FUCK!) He retracts the blades and stands straight.
The rainbow pony gets a bit closer. "Um...do you have a name?" Aquila sighs, "An Inglese(English) speaker....interesting. I am Aquila Cuore. Apparently since you can talk, do you have one as well?"
The pony nods. "Rainbow Dash! Best flier in all of Equestria!"
Aquila raises an eyebrow (like anyone could see it) "Equestria? What country is that located in?"
Rainbow Dash got a inquisitive look on her face. "Country? No no, Equestria is the world!"
Aquila then takes a step back. "... sono morto e andato all'inferno ..." (...I've died and gone to hell...).
Rainbow tilts her head. "What?"
Aquila shook his head. "Nothi-"
Suddenly, Redik comes rushing to Aquila "Don't worry i'll save your sorry ass!" He then begins to conjure up a lightning spell, he sends it forward to Rainbow.
Before it hits her, Aquila spins around extending one of his hidden blades and absorbing the lightning, the electricity doing nothing due to the rubber in the gloves. Aquila made a lucky guess on that one. Aquila returns to his normal stance with his blades retracted "Redik! This equine is friendly, this is all just a misunderstanding. Her name is Rainbow Dash."
Redik puts his hands down, and walks up to Aquila and bro-punches him in the arm. "Well your lucky i decided to hold back my awesomeness."
Aquila sighs at that remark. "Chiudere"(Shut up)
Redik raises an eyebrow, "What did you say about my mom?!"
Aquila chuckles and ignores him. "Rainbow Dash, do you know anywhere that we could find shelter?"
She pauses to think. "Oh! I know, my friend Twilight would love to meet you and i'm sure she'd let you stay at the library."
Aquila nods, "Lead on miss Rainbow Dash." She then began to lead them to the library, Redik following along.
As she leads them through the town, they were getting awkward stares from all the residents, thank the holy man in the sky the library was close.
As they arrived to the library in the tree. Aquila looks up at it. "... mio dio ... (...my god....) amazing architecture. "
Rainbow Dash just looks at him strangely "Ummm ok."
Redik laughs at Aquila and says, "So what? its just a building in a tree. ha ha!"
Rainbow walks up to the door and knocked on it with her hoof. They then heard a childlike voice.
Redik looks away for a moment to see the other ponies. Then a small dragon opens the door and when he looks back, he jumps back and falls on his ass in the process he yells "WHAT THE FUCK?! A dragon! OW! Damn it! My ass!" He then stands back up and Rainbow was laughing really hard at him and Aquila just sighs.
Rainbow then says, "This is Spike, he is a baby dragon."
Aquila nodded, "I am Aquila Cuore, excuse my friend, he is a dunce."
Redik interjected, "And your an old ass!"
Aquila ignored the old remark and said, "Yes we've come to see one named Twilight."
Spike just said, "Yeah yeah, this day just keeps getting weirder. I'll go get her."
He then left the door and they could hear. "Hey Twilight, we got rainbow dash and two ponies from crazy-town here dressed in strange robes!"
They then hear the sounds of running and spike being thrown out of the way. Then a purple pony with a purple mane with reddish-pink strips on it arrives at the door.
"Woah...." Aquila says with his hands in front of him taking a step back, "May we enter?"
Rainbow gave her a nod saying it was ok and Twilight nodded to them, opening the door and moving out of the way.
Aquila ducks his head under the low door, it not being meant for beings as tall as they are.
Redik shortly after, bumps his head on the the top of the doorway. "Motherfu-!"
Aquila puts his hand on Redik's mouth before he could finish. They walk in and Twilight says, "Oh i have so many questions! Sit, sit!"
Aquila did so and sat in the rather small chair and Redik sat on a couch that had been placed in the room.
Once they all got comfterble. Twilight starts to bombard them with questions. "Omigosh! What are you?! Where are you from?! Whats that your wearing?! How did you get here?! Wha-"
Aquila says, "Calm down. Ask one at a time and perhaps you will get a answer."
Twilight sighs in slight frustration, "Fine. What are you?"
Redik says before Aquila can reply, "Screw this! This is boring!" He then got up and began to look through the books.
Aquila sighs at Redik's short attention span, "We are gli esseri umani, humans."
Twilight tilts her head. "Humans? I think I've heard of those before in old tombs." Aquila then nods telling her she may continue.
Twilight then asks her next question. "Where are you from?"
Aquila chuckled at these simple questions, "Earth, home to many more humans and many types of animals."
Twilight used her magic to bring a note book and pencil, she began to write down notes.
This magic makes Aquila raise a brow in curiosity. "Are you some sort of magician?" He has never been one to like what he calls 'dark arts'.
Twilight looks up for a moment with a 'what are you talking about?' face. "What? No, I'm a unicorn we can preform magic to what fits out special talent best."
Aquila nods, "Interesting, my friend here can do the same thing, but he is absolute merda (shit) at it."
Redik looks back "Hey! I figured out what that means you cranky old bastard!" He then returns to searching the books.
Aquila sighs at the bad insult.
Twilight then asks, "What is that your wearing? Why hide your face?" Aquila replies, "I am a Assassin, i kill those who hurt good people. This robe helps to conceal my identity and weapons."
Twilight then gets wide eyed, "An Assassin?!!!"
Aquila begins to chuckle at the overreaction, "Don't worry, I'm a friendly."
Twilight lets out a sigh with relief, before she could continue Rainbow interjects. "Woah! Your an Assassin?! That's so cool what kind of weapons do you use?!"
Aquila then stands up and lets loose his two hidden blades, Rainbow looks at them in amazement, "Woah!!!"
He puts them back and sits back down in his small seat. "I lost the rest of my weapons when i came here. Before you ask i will explain, after a long day of hell. I won't go into details. I found myself in a endless void, Redik appeared there too, we argued a bit but after i said the phrase 'anywhere but here' a portal had opened leading to here, Rainbow knows the rest."
Twilight nodded, "Do you need a place to stay? I have a guest room up stairs you can use."
Aquila nods and thanks her. "Redik can take the room, I shall be sleeping within the branches of the tree, don't ask why, I just like the solitude."
Twilight nods.
Redik says, "Ha! Dumb ass. I get the nice cozy room while your out in the rain!" He then ran up stairs and somehow knew where the room was and he rushes inside.
Aquila stands up, "It is getting late and I am going to rest, i will see you all in the morning so you can answer my questions. Addio per ora.(Goodbye for now.)."
Twilight replies. "Okay then, goodnight. Rainbow you should probably get home too."
Rainbow nods and says her goodbyes to Aquila and Twilight and she leaves.
Aquila then heads up the stairs and hops out the nearest window, climbs the tree until he finds a good spot, and lays within the branches and begins to think about his time here. After a while, he finally drifts to sleep.
Redik lays there in his cozy bed, having the best night's rest he's had in a long time, he turns over onto his back and stretches with a big yawn. He then opens his eyes..."AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" he lets out in a very feminine scream in both fear and embarrassment.
Aquila has been watching Redik for a while now. "You know, you snore like a pig, but scream like a girl. You also seem to talk in your dreams."
Redik's face turns red with embarrassment and he yells, "Shit you heard all that?!" he thens cover himself up in the covers in even more embarrassment.
Aquila begins to let out a hearty chuckle, "Not really, I just wanted to see how you'd react.". He then walks over to the bed and pulls all the covers off, completely off the bed. He says after dropping them on the floor, "Come on it's time to go."
Redik sits up, while rubbing his eyes he asks"Go where?" after asking he stands up and put his clothes on.
Aquila crosses his arms patiently waiting. "You know, sleeping in your clothing is much faster, I've been in these robes for weeks."
Redik just stops and gives a disgusted look at him, "And you touch people with those hands?! Sick!" he then walks into the little bathroom to get himself ready for the day.
Aquila chuckles, "Smanettone" (Neat freak.) he then walks to the door and stands straight on the side of the doorway, waiting for Redik to come out.
Redik finishes up inside after a few minutes of who knows what. He opens the door and jumps at Aquila being right there. "Damn it man! Your going to give me a heart attack!"
Aquila sighs at his jumpy companion, "Come on, your slower than a snail." He then walks to the open window he originally came in and closes it. He then walks out the door and downstairs.
Redik quickly follows and says. "Well what about breakfast?"
Aquila tosses a raw spotted bird egg at Redik, "Found a nest in the tree, quite the nutritious breakfast."
Redik nearly drops the egg but he is able to catch it. "You ate these raw?!"
Aquila replies with a chuckle, "Why wouldn't I? Less smoke in the air means cleaner oxygen."
Redik sighs, "Your a sick bastard. I guess I'll go cook this really quick in the kitchen."
As Aquila waits for Redik to eat, he notices Twilight coming down the stairs. "Did you sleep well Twilight? Or did Redik's snoring keep you up all night." he sits down on the couch after he says so getting himself comfterble while he waits for Redik.
Twilight stops for a moment to rub one of her eyes with a hoof, then replies, "What? No, no. He didn't wake me. How was your sleep in the, err, branches?" Her still wondering why he wanted to sleep in a tree.
Aquila nods his head and replies, "Quite peaceful, you should go grab some breakfast, Redik just made eggs and there is only one left."
Twilight nods and walks inside the kitchen. After a minute or so she comes back from the kitchen, levitating a plate and fork with the egg resting on the plate. Seems Redik decided to make it scrambled.
After Twilight finishes eating the egg, they could both hear in the kitchen Redik yelling, seeming to be quite angry, "What?! Who the hell ate the egg?! Damn it am I going to starve around here?!!!"
Aquila bursts into laughter at his 'friend's' expense.
Redik bursts through the door with an accusing finger pointed at Aquila, "Fuck you Aquila! Now what am i going to eat?!"
Aquila still is laughing and replies within the laughter, "Don't worry about it, I was planning on picking up some bread today." He calms down after he speaks.
Redik sighs, "Fine. Twilight, do you have any suggestions on what we should do here?"
Aquila laughs and says before Twilight could reply, "For once you actually say something useful."
Redik sighs at the remark.
Twilight says after waiting for Aquila to finish "Well, if your still hungry, my friend Applejack doesn't live too far from here. She works at Sweet Apple Acres south of here."
Aquila nods and stands. "We shall head there immediately."
Redik throws his hands in the air with slight frustration. "And who made you Team Leader?!"
Aquila chuckles at Redik's sudden outburst, "Because Im the one with the weapons, brain, and survival skills."
Redik sighs. "Fine whatever let's go."
Aquila walks to the door, opening it and standing to the side to let Redik go first. "Ladies first." he says, making a mean hidden joke about Redik's earlier unmanly scream.
Redik walks through the doorway while saying, "Fuck you too." and making sure not to hit his head.
Aquila turns his head to Twilight. "Grazie per la vostra ospitalità."(Thank you for your hospitality)
Twilight just raises a brow and says, "Ummm ok?"
Aquila chuckles and shuts the door. Him walking alongside Redik throughout the streets.
Them both still getting the awkward stares and whispers from the local residents.
They now begin to reach a country-like dirt road, in the distance they can see apple tree after apple tree, as far as the eye could see.
Redik breaks the silence as they walk, "Damn that's a lot of apples."
Aquila gives Redik a 'captain obvious' look. "Yes, are there any other necessary observations you wish to make?" The sarcastic tone being clearly obvious.
Redik glares at him, "Well damn all this walking is boring! It's been a full day since I've shot something with a spell!"
Aquila sighs. "Get used to it, this seems like a very peaceful land and I intend to keep it that way."
Redik turns his head to look at him with a raised brow. "What?"
Aquila sighs, "Look, i can't be your guardian angel forever, I don't even intend to stay here, i will go back to doing the work i used to do."
Redik lets out a loud, "What?! But your the only other human here! Who else would i have to be my punching bag and test dummy?!"
Aquila grunts in reply and continues on, ending the conversation.
After a few minutes they arrive at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres. They turn and head into the farm, looking around to see any workers, but none are in sight. They continue to walk and they eventually arrive at a large red barn. They both look around the area and see no one.
Aquila turns to Redik and says, "Wait here." He then turns and runs to the side of the barn, he runs and jumps onto the wall and climbs it, putting his fingers in every crevice and hole to get to the top. Once he does, he looks inside from a window up above, to see a orange colored pony with what appears to be a blonde mane and tail, tied at the ends with red bands.
Aquila then quickly climbs back down and speaks to Redik. "I believe the one called Applejack is in there, or some other pony we have yet to meet."
Redik nods and open the barn door.
They both hear a "Huh? Who's there?" As they both walk in the pony begins to step back a few steps. She then says. "Uhhh... What are you?" a lot of nervousness could be heard in her voice.
Aquila pushes Redik out of the way. "Don't worry, Twilight sent us."
She sighs with relief but walks closer with a brow raised at them, trying to get a better look. She speaks with a southern accent, "Well that's a relief, I thought I was gonna' have to call Big Mac, my big brother. Names Applejack!" She brings a hoof up for Aquila to shake it.
Aquila takes the hoof but she began to shake it up and down real fast, Aquila struggles to get out of the grasp, but she's got an iron grip. Eventually he manages to get his hand back in his own possession and say, "Piacere di conoscerti. (Pleasure to meet you.) I am Aquila Cuore and my friend here is Redik Dheavan, we are humans."
Applejack nods but also raises a brow at the strange language. "Well, if Twi sent ya' what can i do ya' for?" She asks, quickly dismissing the thought
Aquila rubs his chin for a second, "We just need a couple of apples, my friend here skipped breakfast."
Redik interjects and says, "Because of you, dumbass!"
Aquila turns his head to Redik and says, "Stai zitto! Ti voglio portare la colazione!" (Shut up! I'm getting you breakfast!)
Applejack disregards the strange language again and says, "Sure, you can pick em right off the trees, we ain't fully done with our work today, so I guess that would help a little."
Aquila nods, "Thank you, and with that we shall be on our way, Addio per ora (Goodbye for now.) We will most likely see you later in the day."
Applejack nods and says, "Okay, I'll see ya later then." She waved her hoof for goobye as they shut the barn door.
Aquila and Redik both walk up to one of the trees.
Redik says while putting his hand on the tree, "Well your taller, you get the apples!"
Aquila sighs, "Fine." He reached his hands up to try and reach two of the apples, they were just barely out of reach so he let loose his two hidden blades and they stabbed right into both the apples, shaking them enough to come loose. He then retracts the blades and the apples fall into his hands, he tosses them to Redik and says, "There, eat up. We shall go explore the town, get to know our surroundings and my temporary home."
Redik catches the apples and nods, he quickly follows along as Aquila begins to walk. He munched on the apples as they walked, by the time they were back at the entrance he has already finished his fruit and says, "Best apples I ever tasted!" he then throws the cores off into the grass so they could decompose.
Aquila replies to the comment, "Good, perhaps I can get someone to knit you a little hat next."
Redik bro-punches him in the shoulder now getting used to the sarcasm, "Shut up and walk."
They both head back down the dirt road that lead to town.
They begin to reach the plaza of the town, having just left the dirt road, neither of them had said a word and Aquila seemed to be enjoying the time he had to think.
Redik was just walking along, thinking of how many things he could blow up in a few seconds. He finally desides to break the silence. "I'm thirsty."
Aquila sighs, "You should have thought of that before we left."
Redik stops right as they reach the middle. "You know, how come you have to be such a crotchety old ass all the time?" Aquila glares from under his hood, "And your an annoying little child who complains if his culo (ass) itches"
Redik now has a show of anger on his face, "I don't know what that means, but I'm sure it was bad! You wanna go?! Right now!" He brings his fists up in a fighting stance. "Come on, I'll give you a free one, old men can't hit for shit anyways."
Aquila sends out a quick but hard punch right to Redik's face. Specificly hitting the nose, just to send a message.
Redik flies back onto his back side about a foot away. "Ow! Damn it!" He puts his finger to his nose to find that it's bleeding. "Man, you look like a leather bag but hit like an elephant!" He then stands back up and sends a jab with his right hand.
Aquila deflects the jab with his left wrist, and rolls his arm around it, locking it there and with his other fist he slams it into Redik's shoulder.
Redik fell to one knee, getting his arm released from the hold. It was now really sore and tingly, due to Aquila hitting a nerve. He then rushes Aquila, slamming into his torso.
Aquila stumbles back and almost fall, but he quickly shifts his weight and turns.
Redik falls forward but rolls and stands up quickly, returning to his stance. "For an old fart you sure have some fight in you, but I've been through military hand to hand training, i can kick your ass in 2 seconds!" He then charges forward and sends a right hook to Aquila's head.
Aquila spins to the side and sends two palms out to hit Redik in the side of the ribs. He then says, "Well its been about 5 seconds, I have yet to fall."
Redik falls back and smashes into a crate. He stands and rubs his back as it feels real sore now. By now everypony in the area is staring at them watching the events unfold.
Redik returns to his stance, "Alright, I let you hit me those times, but now the game is over!" He charges forward and sends his right foot directly at Aquila's stomach.
Aquila steps back and blocks the foot with his wrist, then brings both arms up to block two hands heading straight for his temples, he then sends both arms forward, his left one bent, aiming for the torso, and his right being a straight punch to the face.
Redik flies back with a loud thud he hits his back hard on the ground, standing up and dusting himself off quickly he then yells, "That's it!" He then brings his hands together to form a fireball, he throws it at Aquila.
Aquilla leaps and barrel rolls to the side, his robe being slightly burned in the process, he picks up some dirt from the ground and throws it at Redik, "Well since we are cheating, might as well make this interesting.
Redik stumbles back as the dirt flies into his eyes, "AHHHH! Motherfu-!" he couldn't finish.
Aquila is already in the air and his foot going straight for his face.
Redik is smashed in the face by the foot, sent back and into a lamp post, due to the human's size, he dents it from the force and falls face forward, he stands up and rubs the blood off his face. He stumbles a little and returning to his stance.
Before they could continue they hear a childlike high voice coming from the distance and get closer. "Omigosh that was so cool! You were all bang, boom, and baboom! He looks pretty hurt though, is he ok? I'm sure he's fine! But WOW! Fire from your hands?! That's just so, WOW!!!!"
Aquila turns to see a pink pony bouncing t'ward them a yellow and pink one following. As she went on he brought his hand up. "Calm yourself!"
She instantly stops, but asks, "Well what are you?! Your no pony I've ever seen!"
Redik gets out of his stance and wipes the blood from his mouth. "We're humans, not ponies."
Aquila nods and says, "Yes, me and my friend here got into a simple argument, and before any more confusion happens, we are aquiantences with the one named Twilight. Do you per chance know her?"
The pink pony nods her head up and down really fast, "Yeah! She's like one of our bestest friends in the whole world!" The other pony just nodded.
Aquila rubs his chin for a moment. "What are your names? For future reference."
The pink pony suddenly appears behind Aquila and have her head over his shoulder. "I'm Pinkie Pie!" Aquila jumps to the side, not expecting that. "Quello che il-? La magia nera!"(What the-?! Black magic!)
Redik just starts cracking up. "Even i can't explain that one!"
Aquila just sighs, he turns his head to the other pony, "And you?" he asks.
She just kinda steps back and hides her face within her mane by turning her head, "I'm F-fluttershy."
Aquila nods, "Tipo timido..." (Shy type...)
Pinkie appears in front of Aquila, "What are those weird words your speaking?! They sound funny!"
Aquila chuckles, now already a bit used to the randomness, "I am speaking Italian, the language from my home land. E 'bene sapere che sto iniziando a montare qui ... anche se non sono ancora sicuro di Redik. (It is good to know I am starting to fit in here though...I'm still not sure about Redik.)
The pink pony looks at him in amazement, "Wow! That sounds so cool, you'll have to teach me some day!" Aquila smiles from under his hood, "Perhaps I will some day. Is there per chance a sarto...tailor, around here? Our clothes seem to be rather tattered now..."
Fluttershy oddly enough spoke first. "W-well, our f-friend Rarity owns a boutique not f-far from here i-it should be east of h-here, I-I'm sure she'd help you..."
Aquila nods "Grazie (Thank you) Miss Fluttershy. We should go get these repaired, and maybe even modified... Perhaps we shall see you both later in the day or on the morrow. Addio per ora. (Goodbye for now.) Come Redik, let's clean you up before your robe falls off."
Redik just sighs, "Yours are worse than mine! Besides, I would have won." Aquila laughs. "Keep dreaming."
They both set on their way to the boutique. Leaving the rest of the ponies to clean up the mess and Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy to continue on with their daily business.
Aquila and Redik were heading to the pointed direction of where the seamstress lives in hopes of getting their clothes mended. Everypony in front of them is making way for the two humans as they either don't want to get involved with these really frightening creatures that were pounding each other on the plaza (AND FIRING FREAKING FIREBALLS!), or just in a sign of respect or good manners towards the outsiders.
Meanwhile as they are walking, Aquila stares to the burn mark on his robes and is unable to contain his comment about it. Aquila then says, "Hmm, you just had to use that weird and diabolical black magic didn't you?.... Look at my robes now, they are all burnt because of that."
Redik responds, "Hey! My fireball or neither of my spells for that matter are and I quote, "WEIRD AND DIABOLICAL BLACK MAGIC" Redik said this while using his fingers to express the quotation of Aquila's remark and imitating his voice in a grumpy and very deep way. "Besides.... I -hate- black magic I don't understand why some people assume that just because Red and Black are suppose to be 'Allied' (same gesture but without the voice) colors, we are all alike and friends and stuff."
Aquila only responds to this with a raised eyebrow and says, "There are different colors of......magia? (Magic?)" (feeling really bothered about the word)
Redik then says, "I assume that means magic...Of course there are. Green, which represents life and nature, white, which represents light and order, blue, which represents control and the mind, black, which represents death and decay... (this said with some resentful hate) and, red, of course which represents fury and chaos in all its might! (this said with a very wide grin and a very prideful look while he closes his eyes and raising his chest)
Aquila right now feels more bothered than he was before, thinking that magic not just exists but it has some kind of weird order and balance to it, and even more weirded out at the fact that Redik was saying it as if it was something so plain and normal that everyone and their grandma should know.
Redik was going to continue speaking when all of a sudden they come to the front of what seems to be a very stylish building.
"This seems to be the place where the sarto (Tailor) lives.....' Aquila says.
"Yeah...... Its very...... stylish?", Redik responds.
Aquila is about to respond when the two of them start hearing voices from the inside.
"Oh come on darling they cant be that bad."
"I'm telling you Rare, one of them almost fried me with what seemed to be a lightening bolt coming out of his fingers and the other pulled out this weird flank blade out of his arm and blocked it in less than 10 seconds flat."
"Surely they didn't mean to hurt you darling, maybe you just startle him and besides his friend saved you. Although the shooting lightning out of his fingers and the other one being armed worries me a little."
"I know right? we should go and check if Twilight is okay, I don't trust them."
"That wont be necessary." The two ponies in the inside gasp as the sudden gruff voice surprised them and seeing the two mentioned humans opening the doors to Rarity's shop.
"OH NO! They have come for us now, what have you done to Twilight!?" says Rainbow Dash.
"Calm down my equine amico (friend), we are not here to hurt any of you, and your unicorn friend is in her house safe and sound, I believe" responded Aquila.
Redik then says, "Yeah! We are here because we need to ask a favor from your friend here, and right now it seems we are also here to apologize to you. So I just want to say I'm really sorry for the lightning and almost...ummm killing you..... maybe.. i don't know, maybe you would have survi- UFF!."
Aquila elbows Redik in the ribs before he can finish and says, "What my hyperactive friend here means to say, is that he is -really- sorry for almost hurting you, and for that matter me too if had scared you back there."
"Oh. See Rainbow? They aren't as bad as they seem, in fact, they appear to be very kind and generous ponies." said Rarity.
"I guess...... okay whatever, I'll forgive you, but I'll still keep and eye on you two." Rainbow said.
"We wouldn't expect less." responded Aquila.
Then out of nowhere a loud gasp was heard. "OH MY CELESTIA! Whats with your clothes?! They look just horrific! What happened?" exclaims Rarity.
"Well we kind of got in some fights here and there and you know, that kind of stuff." said Redik, as he begins to stand up again, his ribs still being sore.
Aquila then said, "We where hoping for you to mend them if you could and we will be out of your-" then he was interrupted by Rarity
"OH no no no no darlings that wont do, these clothes are as good as dead. I'll make new ones for you two. OOOOOO SWEETEEE BEEELLL!" says Rarity.
A little white filly rapidly appears and says, "You called for me Rarity!?"
"Yes Sweetie I need you to help measure this two fine gentle......colts over here so I can make new attires for them." said Rarity.
Sweete Bell stares blankly at the two humans and then snaps out of it when Rarity finishes explaining her request and replies with a big grin, "Right a way sis!" and as rapidly as she came in she darts out of the room.
"No wait, that wont be necessary we just need for you to fix them." replies Aquila.
Rarity replies, "Oh no no no no no darling that wont do! I would rather die before letting somepony walk around town with those rags, especially if I could have given them something nice to wear."
Aquila starts having mixed fillings about Rarity's comment about his favorite robe most likely his only robe at the moment.
"That's cool and all, but we don't have money to repay you with..." said Redik.
"Don't worry darling, is no problem I'm more than glad to help you, you don't have to pay me and I must say, I just -love- your robe style, is it the trending fashion of where you come from?" said Rarity to Aquila, after replying to Redik.
"Eh? Oh... no no it's just a thing me and some....... amici (friends), wear for our work." said Aquila.
"Well i must say I looks amazing on you, and it has certainly given me some inspiration, thanks." said Rarity
"Your benvenuto (welcome)..... I guess?" replied Aquila.
Sweetie Bell comes back and starts measuring both humans, they stay still, Aquila more than Redik which seems to be somewhat nervous from the little filly measuring every nook and cranny. After Sweetie Bell finished and gave Rarity the measures they start working immediately at an amazing speed.
Aquila, Redik, and Rainbow Dash just sit around looking at the two sisters in their work. Although in Redik's case is more of a stare as he is very focused and amazed on what seems to be Rarity using her magic? For Redik it was very fascinating how this ponies used their horns for what seemed to be some basic types of magic and was wondering if they have some more spells he could learn with their unique way of magic.
After a couple hours of eternal waiting Rarity had finally finished. She then said "Okay Darlings take this a go to the changing room over there."
They take the magicly levitated robes from Rarity and then looking to each other they just shrug their shoulders and do what they were told. After some seconds of waiting the ponies hear two voices scream in unison, "WHAT?!" coming from Redik, and "CHE COSA?!" from Aquila.
Both Aquila and Redik come out of the changing room, The look to each other for a second time. Both of them wearing very neat and stylish assassin brotherhood robes, Aquila's being his usual white with red here and there, and Redik's being the same but with the colors reversed. Basicly making both of them having matching outfits.
Aquila looks over Redik's robes, rubbing his chin pondering and just plain staring.
"What the hell you looking at?!" Redik yelled at Aquila.
"How similar your robe looks to mine..." Aquila replied.
Redik takes another look at both of them. "By the gods we are twins!"
Aquila is just staring at the design of Redik's robe.
Not quite like the normal assassin's robe, but more of a wizard style, the hood covering the eyes, the long sleeves almost covering the hands, the assassin's symbol on the front, a red sash on the waist with pouches for carrying certain small objects, along with white leather boots under the robe. The colors are reversed, the primary one being red and the secondary white.
Aquila's is similar to the one he originally had but with a few additions and changes. The cloak on the shoulder now connecting to his other shoulder over the back and hanging down about half way on his back. Under the cloak, a sheath for any kind of longsword is there, to conceal the weapon rather than having it hang from the side. The belt now has little sheathes weaved into it to conceal throwing knives and darts. The leather boots now being steel toed to pack an extra punch in a kick. The torso in the robe having small pockets concealed within for anything really, maybe just to hold bits where no one can steal them.
"I like the improvements you made to mine very much, but why make Redik's so similar?" Aquila asked after studying both robes.
Rarity replied "Well i thought since you two were the best of friends, I'd make similar outfits for both of you."
Aquila just facepalmed.
Rarity a bit of a look of worry. "What? Do you not like them?"
Aquila shook his head, "No we like them very much, I was just remembering something we needed to do. We thank you for the robes."
Redik nods in agreement. "Yes I rather think this is comfy!"
Rarity nods. "Okay then! I'll see you soon!" She waved goodbye and so did Rainbow as both Aquila and Redik walked out and back into town.
As they walked, Redik actually seemed to be in deep thought about something..."Hey, i was wondering. What is that strange language you speak all the time? It just sounds like gibberish to me."
Aquila turned his head to Redik, "Italian, one of the many languages from my world, Earth. I only speak English due to my many travels to the land of England."
Redik replies, "Huh...how many other languages are there?"
Aquila rubs his chin for a moment, thinking and trying to count them up. "I'd say about 70."
Redik's eyes go wide in shock, "70?! How do you people even talk to each other?!"
Aquila chuckles, "Its a little difficult, but, there are so many of us, one language per group of people tends to work fairly well."
Redik just sighs, "Earth sounds a bit complicated, but interesting too."
Aquila replies, "I may teach you some Italian one day, but then i wouldn't be able to say things behind your back."
Redik nods, "That would be nice bu-. Hey wait a minute!"
Aquila lets out a hearty laugh, "I'm kidding! Idiota ha bisogno di imparare come prendere uno scherzo. (Dumbass needs to learn how to take a joke.)"
Redik sighed even heavier this time, probably frustrated, "UGH, I'm not even going to try anymore."
They both made their way through the streets, them both getting rather used to the awkward stares and whispers. They both reached what appears to be a park, walking through the path ways, Aquila hears what appears to be the sound of hooves rapidly hitting the grass behind them...
Suddenly a green blur smacks into Redik knocking him onto the ground, before he could yell anything, he was bombarded by words. "Oh my Celestia oh my Celestia oh my Celestia!" She says really fast, then bombarded them with more words, mainly questions, "Real life humans! Oh, I read so many things about them! Where do you come from?! How to you stand on two legs?! How do hands work?!"
Aquila just sighs, "Like this." He picks her up and puts her down off of Redik.
She did struggle a bit but didn't seem to mind too much.
Aquila just gives her a disappointed look. "I know your excited for some reason, but please calm down. I recently just gave my friend a beating and surely he is still sore."
As Redik gets up he yells, "Shut up! I was winning!"
The pony looks at both of them, "You were fighting?! Is that some kind of tradition?!"
Aquila shakes his head, "No, Redik just thought his balls were bigger than his brain."
Redik replies "They are!"
Aquila rolls his eyes and returns them to the pony. "Do you have a name?"
She nods and says "Lyra Heartstrings!"
Aquila nods, "I am Aquila Cuore, and my ball and chain here is Redik Dheavan"
They both hear a "Up yours!" in the back round come from Redik as he brushes the dirt off his new robe.
Lyra replies, "Wow! Those are neat names, do they have any special meaning?"
Aquila thinks for a moment, "My name means Eagle Heart in your language, but I'm not sure about Redik."
Lyra just has this infatuated stare at Aquila, "So where are you from?"
Aquila replies to the question with a thoughtful look on his face, "I am from Earth. I have no idea where Redik is from but i imagine it's stupid town."
Lyra tilts her head in confusion, "You mean your not from the same place?"
Aquila nods.
Lyra's eyes go wide and mouth agape, "You mean your both from two different places? How did you get here?!"
Aquila shrugs, "I honestly have no idea, I found myself within an endless void, Redik too, within the immense space beyond earth, a portal appeared after i said a simple phrase and it brought us here."
Lyra just had her mouth open with a silly look on her face as she listened. She then asked when he finished, "May I see your hands? I've always been interested in how they work."
Aquila nods and held out his hands, allowing her to look them over and feel them with her hooves. "What do you find so interesting about hands?"
She finishes and says, "I always thought they were neat how they could grab things with those fingers and just how dexterous they are."
Aquila nods and puts his left arm back under the cloak, and says, "I see, i have noticed those hooves only seem to be good for walking."
Lyra nods, "Yeah, we can only really wrap then around certain things and balance stuff on them. Other than that, yeah just walking."
Redik then says, "At least you have magic n' stuff."
Aquila nods to Redik and returns to Lyra, "Sì, Redik ha davvero bisogno di imparare ad usarlo correttamente però. (Yes, Redik does really need to learn how to properly use it though.)"
Lyra raises a brow, "What?"
Aquila shakes his head, "Sorry, I'm not used to speaking English this often. I was speaking Italian, one of the many languages in my world. Ci sono molti e nessuno di loro sono esattamente uguali. (There are many and none of them are exactly alike.)"
Lyra nods, "That sounds really cool! You'll have to teach me so we can have some sort of secret language and everypony would have no idea what we are saying!" She begins to laugh.
Aquila chuckles, "Someday. Now, me and Redik must return to our business. Can you point us to the location of the Library?"
Lyra nods and points west, "It's down that way. I'll see you later then."
Aquila nods and turns around, "Addio mare buono. (Farewell good mare.)" He said as he walks away, Redik following along. As they leave the park Redik says, "Well, she was interesting, but nice, I hope to see her soon"
Aquila chuckles, "Finally you start to say something useful"
Redik sighs, "Shut up."
They both now can see the library after a few minutes of walking, and continue on to their destination.
As both Aquila and Redik come closer to the library Redik starts poundering some thoughts in his mind.
"Hey? Now that i think about it, why are we coming back to the library?", says Redik
Aquila looks at him like if he were some kind of idiot.
"What?", says Redik
"You mean to tell me you have been following me all this time from the Seamstress house, and not one time did you wonder why we were coming here to the library again?" said Aquila in an irritated tone.
"Well... yeah" answered Redik.
"Oh God and here I was starting to have a little more respect for you and you just come a blurt this out on me." says Aquila
"Sooooorryyyy for not being an all mighty mind reader mister KNOW IT ALL!" replies Redik with a little anger.
"We are here to talk to the purple unicorn, Twilight Sparkle if i recall correctly to ask her if she knows anything about the why and how we got here." said Aquila
"Ooohhhhhhhh... cool, okay lets do that, it has also been bothering me this whole time." says Redik
"You don't say." replies Aquila
The two humans enter the tree house in their quest to look for the answers they seek, ones inside they become surprise to find themselves in a sea of book piles and towers all around the library. They try their best to see if they are able to find someone, but they found nothing.
"Hey is someone there? Hello!?" shouts Redik.
"Excuse me?, Miss Sparkle?" says Aquila.
"Oh hey guys!, AAAAAAH!" says a voice out of nowhere making Redik let out another feminine scream in surprise.
"That was very brave of you Redik." says Aquila while snickering at his companion's rather unmanly act.
"HA! HA! HA! So funny I forgot to laugh. Anyway who said that?" says Redik.
"Me! over here!" says the voice.
Aquila and Redik decide to get through the book piles and reach the voice, when they get to the other side they find a little purple dragon over a ladder trying his best to put a bunch of books in their corresponding shelfs.
"Uh hey... Spike right?" says Redik.
"Yeah man. Spike the dragon, Twilight's number one assistant. How can I help you guys?" responds Spike.
"We were hoping to have a chat with your capo (boss) if it is not much trouble with her?" asks Aquila
"Well I don't think so, in fact I think she's trying to find information on you two so I think you guys are just in time, she's upstairs in her room, be careful and do not trip with the books on your way up." says Spike.
"Dont worry we will." answers Aquila
Both humans take the stairs to the second floor and head to Twilight's room. They stop in front of the door and Redik starts nocking.
"Hello!? Twilight!? Are you there!?" yells Redik.
Then Aquila and Redik hear a reply, "Who is it!?"
"It's us Miss Sparkle, Aquila and Redik; We want to discuss somethings with you if you don't mind of course." answers Aquila
"Oh okay thats great come in, I was expecting you guys, I have so many questions for you two." says Twilight, meanwhile our two companions enter the room.
"That's good to hear Miss Sparkle since we also have questions for you and we were hoping you could answer them for us." says Aquila
"Oh? Okay I guess, lets go downstairs and seat on the couch I think it would be a better suited place for this conversation, oh and also Mister Cuore?" says Twilight
"Yes?" replies Aquila
"Twilight is just fine, you don't have to be all formal with me." says Twilight
"Sorry, force of habit of a gentleman." says Aquila
"Well lets go, and for your information the word is gentlecolt hehehe." says Twilight laughing to herself
The three of them went down to the first floor where Twilight and Spike started making some room and ordering some of the books around the couch. After a minute or so they were seated and the conversation continued.
"Ok then, what is what you want to ask me boys?" says Twilight
"You see Twilight, what we wanted to know is if you had any idea of how we got here and why?" says Redik
"OH... Oh my." answers Twilight.
"What? What is it? What's the problem?" says Redik with a worried expression.
"Oh no no is nothing really, the thing is... I was hoping you guys would answer those questions to me." replies Twilight
"I see, so it seems that our questions will remain unanswered." says Aquila.
"Not necessarily." responds Twilight
"What do you mean?" asks Redik
"Well, my teacher Princess Celestia is well versed in the fields of magic, maybe she may hold the answers you seek and in the process I'll get to learn more about you. After all is not everyday that we get visitors form another world." says Twilight
"Princess Celestia hmmm? I guess she's your ruler over here?" says Redik somewhat interested
"Oh yes, she and Princess Luna are the greatest ponies you'll ever meet, and they govern over Equestria with great devotion and grace." says Twilight with a wide smile.
"So a la leadership duale (dual leadership) huh? I have seen or heard of very few of those, interesting some say those are the best type of government." replys Aquila.
"Yes well, lets do hurry and prepare an appointment with the Princess, Spike!?" says Twilight
The little dragon comes out of the kitchen and stands infront of his boss. "Yes Twilight?"
"Prepare a note for Princess Celestia." she replies.
"Okay." Out of nowhere the little purple dragon takes out a partchment and a quill and gets ready to write.
"Dear Princess Celestia, Im here to inform you, that since yesterday here in Ponyville we have receive the visit of two... strange beings to our town; They call themselves humans and each of them claim to have come from other worlds. I would like for you to meet them to determine if they are friendly and if possible answer some questions that we have. Your faithfull student Twilight Sparkle." Twilight says, relaying the message to Spike.
With the letter finished, the little dragon burns the letter with his fire and a bunch of tiny sparkles leave flying away.
Both Aquila and Redik raise a brow to this thinking, why the hell did the dragon burn the letter and why was the unicorn not mad at him.
It was a second later that out of nowhere Spike barfs a letter, leaving both of the humans speechless.
"Oh that was fast." says Twilight as if nothing special was going on.
"The Hell!? Is he supposed to be like a mail box or something like that?" says Redik
"Hey! I resent that." growls Spike.
"Excuse my friend here little dragon, it just took us by surprise, and anyway what those the letter say?" says Aquila
Spike hands the letter over to Twilight for her to read.
"Hmmm it says, Dear student of mine I am most intriged in these visitors from other worlds of which you speak of, so i would be more than glad to give them an audience here. I have already dispatch two flying carriages for you and our guessts, expecting to see you very soon. Your teacher, Princess Celestia." Twilight says.
"So they are coming for us already?" says Redik
"Seems that way." answers Aquila.
"Well lets get ready for when they come for us. Oh? and before i forget, nice outfits, it seems you guys paid a visit to Rarity; Good thing too since you two will need to look your best for the princess." says Twilight
"And also be well behaved. Isn't that right Redik?" says Aquila in accusingly manner.
"Hmmm? You don't need to tell me how to behave in front of royalty." answers Redik
"For our sakes, especially yours, I hope so." replies Aquila.
After some time, the carriages pulled by two white pegasi stallions each, arrive, Aquila gets into to one and Redik gets to the other, Twilight gets into the one with Aquila. They are about to leave when suddenly.
"Hey there wait a minute!" a voice screams
They look around to see who it was, when the group all notice from the sky, a cyan pegasus coming their way.
"Rainbow Dash what gives? Don't you see we are leaving?" says Twilight
"I can see that, That's exactly why I stopped you Twilight, they might act all nice and stuff but who knows it could be an act." says Rainbow Dash
"You know we are here in front of you and we can hear everything you are saying right?" says Redik, meanwhile raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Well yeah?, who cares? You might have apologized, but I still don't trust you two so im going to go two to keep an eye on you." says Rainbow Dash
"Affascinante...(Charming...)" says Aquila
"Rainbow? You do know that ill be with royal guards and the princesses right?" says Twilight
"The more reason you need me Twi, Ill be the extra insurance you'll need to keep the princess safe." answers Rainbow Dash
Rainbow Dash goes and sits on her haunches right next to Redik and starts glaring at him.
Redik looks at Twilight and says. "Is she going to do that all the way?"
Twilight sighs and says "Afraid so, lets go then."
After an hour or so of a really akward trip the group arrives to Canterlot and arrive at the court room. There a very tall and slender pony with a flowing aurora mane awaits them.
"Welcome Twilight and Rainbow Dash glad to have you both here." says the regal pony
"Thanks Princess Celestia we are glad to see you." replies Twilight
"Ah, and you two fine gentlecolts in the matching attires must be our world travelers are you not?" says the tall pony
Aquila steps forward and says. "That we are your grace; My friend here is Redik Dheavan and I'm Aquila Cuore and let me say that we are most honored to be here in your presence."
"Im Princess Celestia, one of the rulers of this here land. may you gentlecolts tell me from which worlds do you come from?" says Princess Celestia
Redik steps forward and says. "As my companion here stated Im Redik Dheavan I'm a wizard and I come from the world known as Dominaria."
"Very well, and you?" says Celestia to Aquila
"I come from a world called Earth your highness." answers Aquila.
"I see... and what's your proffession kind sir?" says Celestia
"...I'm an Assassin." answers Aquila
To this comment Redik face-palms so hard it sounds across the entire room, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash have their mouths agap. Inmmediatly the two humans find themselves surrounded by royal guards pointing at them with their spears.
"Are you here to try to take my life?" asks Celestia
"No of course not your highness, if you must know im part of an ancient group of warriors which sole function is to eliminate peop-... ponies that we determine that are evil and for such, a sickness in the world. Nothing more nothing less." replies Aquila calmly, not seeming to be worried at all.
"I see... I can't say I approve of your groups doing, but alas, I do not either live or rule in your world for which i will not say more in this matter, secondly, I can tell you are telling me the truth and you are bearing no ill will towards me for which; Guards! You may go back to your posts!" says Celestia.
The guards all do seem a little worried about the man infront of them, but, obey their Princess's orders and pull back from the humans.
"Oh my gods, that was scary." says Redik
"Relax will you? It's not big deal." Aquila says to Redik
"What!? you almost got us ki- EHEMM." Redik was saying, until he got interrupted by Celestia.
"Well anyway, lets get to the point of this audience, what is what you to want to know my friends?" says Celestia
"Your grace, we just want to know how did we get here?" says Aquila
"Yes and maybe more importantly why?" Redik adds.
"Well... all though, I can not answer the how you two got here I can certainly answer why... In someway that is." says Celestia
"What do you mean?" asks Redik
Celestia responds, "You see, I can sense in both of you high levels of magic energy, a very bright one at that. This kind of energy i have seen it only in very few beings in my life, you two have enlightened what is called, The Spark. You two are... Planeswalkers."
Redik tilts his head in confusion, "Planeswalkers?"
Aquila nods at Redik, then turns to Celestia and asks, "What exactly is a Planeswalker?"
Celestia already has her answer prepared the instant he asked his question, "Travelers who are able to cross between many worlds."
Aquila nods in understanding. As for Redik, he is still very confused about the situation.
Aquila says, "I guess that would explain our random mezzi di trasporto (transportation) to here."
Redik finally begins to catch up on the conversation and asks, "Well... are we the only ones?"
Celestia shakes her head in denial of Redik's obvious question, "There is a another...a resident in Ponyville."
Aquila raises a brow and the two ponies just let out simultaneously, "What?! Who?!"
Celestia looks at them both answering both their questions, "The one known as Doctor Whooves."
Twilight and Rainbow's jaws just completely unhinge in utter shock. Twilight eventualy says, "Him?!" with a large amount of shock in her voice.
Rainbow stays frozen in that dumbfounded and suprised look, eventually recovering, but still in shock about it being someone she saw in town almost every day.
Celestia nods in confirmation, "I have given you all the information I know about the Planeswalkers. I'm afraid if you want more information, your going to have to speak with him. Also, it seems to be just about time for Luna's night, I will arrange for your own personal quarters for you all to sleep in until morning."
Aquila holds his hand up, palm facing Celestia, the gesture saying 'say no more' he then says to her, "I will just go find myself a comfterble spot on top of the castle, to be under the stars and appreciate the vast expanses of space." He is a little tired having to explain himself the reason why he does not sleep inside.
Redik just shrugs at Celestia as she gives Redik a questioning look.
They all left and went to their own quarters within the castle. Aquila climbing to the top and laying down on the roof of the highest tower. He looks at the stars and pointing out constellations to himself, waiting for sleep to arrive so he can dream and get some well needed rest.
*Morning.*
After a good night's sleep from all of them, they all met back at the gates to the castle, saying their goodbyes to the princess and returning to their chariots that had been arranged to bring them back to Ponyville. They enter the chariots the same way they did last time, Aquila and Twilight, and Rainbow Dash and Redik.
As they flew through the sky, Redik decides to ask the two ponies, "So what can you tell us on this 'Doctor Whooves' fella?"
Twilight decides to explain before Rainbow could, "Well, he's a brown colored pony, rather spiky mane, his cutie mark is a hour glass, he is obviously a Doctor of some sort. Honestly, thats all we know of him, we've only seen him around town, never actually met him."
Aquila nods, "Then we will have to see how he is when we meet him... let's hope he's not a pazzo (crazy) madman who raises the dead to do his bidding."
After about an hour of flying and small talk, they finally land and thank the guards as they get off their chariots, the guards make their way back to Canterlot shortly after.
They all begin to walk back through the town.
Aquila looks around and seems to notice that the rest of the ponies have rather started to get used to them. He smiles at this and says to the group, "Seems that the local residents have finally made peace with our arrival."
They all agree in unison.
After a couple minutes, Redik decides to ask, "Hey, what exactly is the name of this town? We never did ask."
Twilight chuckles, "This is Ponyville, a generally quiet place until you guys arrived."
Aquila replies, "Fitting name, and sorry for all the trouble we've caused."
Rainbow cuts in, "Oh don't worry about that! This place was starting to get boring anyways."
They eventually arrive to one of the buildings, it had the pretty basic look, not an appartment, but not a single home either.
Aquila walks up to the door and knocks on it, "Hello, anypony home?"
The door opens up to reveal a gray colored pony with a blonde mane and tail, "Oh! Are you guys looking for the doctor?"
They all nod at the pony.
She quickly leaves the door, after a couple minutes of muffled and distant voices, the brown pony, presumably Doctor Whooves, arrives at the door, as soon as he sees the two humans, he jumps back, "AH! My Celestia! Humans!"
Aquila says "Doctor Whooves I presume? Yes, we are humans, may we come in?"
The doctor nods and moves out of the way to let them in.
They walk in and observe the area, it is a laboratory, full of the best technology Equestria has to offer and some that didn't even come from Equestria. Especially, the strange machine that almost looked like a phonebooth more toward the back of the lab.
Redik says as he walks in, "Now i think i know why he's called Doctor..."
The doctor points to the various seats in the lab, "Please everyone, sit. What do you require of me?"
Aquila takes note of the british accent the doctor had...he has heard no other pony with one such as that, "We know what you are."
The doctor raised a brow, "Whatever do you mean?"
Redik just blurts out, "A planeswalker!"
The Doctor gains a look of shock on his face and a small bit of fear, "Who told you what I was?!"
Aquila replies to the question with, "Princess Celestia did."
The grey pony is sitting on her haunches just watching the conversation with just as much interest as confusion.
The doctor calms down a bit as he hears his Princess's name,sure she had a good reason for telling them? "Well if she did, does that mean you are too?" he asks.
Both Aquila and Redik nod.
Aquila says, "Though we have not learned how to travel between worlds, we came here by accident. We were hoping you could teach us."
The doctor nods, "I can, its rather easy once you get used to it, i've been doing it for years until i finally settled here."
Redik jumps out of his seat, "Well lets get started then!"
The doctor takes them out the laboratory, out of town, and to an open field outside of town.
He begins to instruct the two how to do it, "With more training and practice you two will be able to jump through planes at will. All you have to do, is focus on the energy inside you, allow it to flow through yourself and into the form of a portal in front of you. It will take you to where you wish to go, and when you do it again from the world your in, it should bring you back to where it was originally created."
They both nodded, both of them taking mental notes.
Aquila says to Redik, "Redik, you try first, you seem to be the one who knows more about magia(magic). That and I could get an example of what is required."
Redik nods and does as he is instructed, after a few minutes of trying and focusing, he finally gets it. "Ha! I did it!"
The portal has this yellow glow to it, and aura of heat and energy surrounding it. When looked into, nothing but a black void could be seen inside. The portal floating a few inches off the ground and letting out a light hum, the same kind a large electrical device makes.
They all clap congradulating Redik on his success.
Aquila tries, taking a bit longer than Redik, but eventually getting it right after a large amount of tries. the portal opens, but something looked off... it appears unstable. It twitches and moves a little, the hum warping in and out, the aura feeling strange, and the glow blinking on and off. Twilight and Rainbow walk a bit closer to inspect it as it acts weirder and weirder, then it suddenly lets out a bright flash and sucks them all in!
Leaving Doctor Whooves behind all by himself, "This can't be good..."
The four find themselves piled on top of each other as the flash fades.
Aquila being at the bottom, he stands pushing the others off and they object quite a bit but he ignores them and looks around, it appeared to be...EARTH?! It was different though nothing like what Aquila was used to, it was futuristic, strange, rundown, polluted, the list goes on of it's horribleness.
"Mio dio ... che cosa è questa mostruosità della mia casa?!(My god...what is this monstrosity of my home?!)" Aquila yells.
The rest look around.
Redik speaks to the group, "Hmmm, I have a feeling this isn't the same earth you are used to, I believe this is an alternate plane, because in Theory, since we are 'Planeswalkers' that could mean not just one plane, but many..."
Aquila stops Redik before he can continue, "No matter, i need to find out what's going on" he looks around again, the buildings seemed strange, rundown, the sky almost pure ash and the paved streets empty and devoid of life, he continues to look until he finds a building with lights and the sounds of yelling.
The group walks inside to see a large crowd of people surrounding a ring, one that is normally is seen in boxing or wrestling matches. Two men are fighting each other up there in a brutal battle, eventually, one of them throws the other to the ground and knocks him out. They both hear and announcer speak, "Who's next?! Come try for a chance to win some money!" The announcer looks around to see the rather well dressed Aquila standing there, "You! You'll be an interesting opponent!" A man in shreds of clothes, rather dirty and mean looking gets into the ring.
Before Aquila could object two men grab him and push him toward the ring, Twilight and Rainbow trying to yell above the crowd's yells, but to no avail, Redik just watches, not used to this kind of animosity, he was a little worried for his friend.
Aquila just grunts and climbs into the ring.
The announcer yells into the microphone, "Basic rules! No weapons! First one to death or more preferrably knock out looses!" He brings his hands up and throws them down, he yells "Fight!" while doing so.
The man charges at Aquila and sends his left fist straight for Aquila's face.
Aquila grabs the arm with his right hand and moves it to his left, he then kicks the man in the back of his left knee, causing him to fall down to one knee. Aquila then lets go and kicks the man in the side of the head. His expression showing no emotion as he fights. He takes no joy in hurting someone that does not truly deserve it, to his knowledge.
The man gets back up and wipes his mouth, he sends a right hook.
Aquila ducks down and back flips as soon as the arm passes over his head. His right foot connects with the man's chin and he is sent flying across the ring. Aquila lands and stumbles back and onto the ropes, he holds his back for a second, "Sto diventando troppo vecchio per questo...(I'm getting too old for this...)" he says to himself. Returning his attention to the fight, he charges the man and he does the same. Aquila leaps and brings his knees and elbows in front of him, his full body weight smashing into the man's upper body, sending him straight to the floor and his face a mess of blood, Aquila lands on his feet and turns around.
The man slowly gets up, his face a bloody mess, he barely stands up, wobbling a little almost impossible to tell when and if he's going to fall down, he sends a slow and lazy last attempt right hook at Aquila.
Aquila catches the arm and spins sending the man to the ground, he stomps his foot on the man's shoulder, breaking it and dislocating it. He then stomps on the man's face.
The man lay there unmoving, clearly out cold. Aquila just grunts and hops out of the ring, he looks around for Redik and the two ponies, he finds Twilight and Rainbow in a corner staying out of sight from the croud.
Aquila says to them "Come on we need to leave!"
They both were shivering a little, not used to this kind of chaos... Discord wasn't even as bad as this.
"Y-yeah, t-time to go!" Twilight says.
Aquila looks around again and notices Redik watching the fights, he rushes over, pushing through the crowd, he eventually reaches him and yells to him "Come on, its time to go!" putting his hand on Redik's shoulder, shaking it a little to get his attention.
Redik nods and follows Aquila to the door.
But then, three men are standing there, stopping Aquila in their path, the lead holding a gun to Aquila's torso and the others holding theirs out in case they need to shoot something.
The leader of the three says, "Ah ah ah. Someone as skilled as you does not simply just walk out of this fight club... you're going to make us big money. Heh heh heh."
Aquila just growls from under his hood, he quickly grabs the gun and spins, causing the man to do the same, he brings the man's gun arm onto his shoulder and pulls down, breaking it, Aquila catches the gun with his other hand and aims it at one of the guards, firing as he turns to use the leader as a meat shield for an incoming gunshot. He drops the now dead weight and throws the gun at the last guard.
The guard goes stumbling back and hits the wall.
Before the guard falls down Aquila is already in the air and slams his elbow into the top of the man's head, as the guard falls forward he catches him by the neck and twists it, breaking it with a loud crack.
Redik and the two ponies could only watch in astonishment at the Assassin's skill, who would have thought that a man of his age could still move like that?.
Aquila turns to see more guards rushing through the crowds, he turns his head around to the two ponies and human. "Stay here!" he yells as he runs and jumps, running a couple steps along the wall and side-flipping, while twisting his torso to the left a little, he sends his right foot down onto the top of the first guard's head. He lands and holds his back it aching from all this sudden movement. "Merda, che sta per essere domani dolente!(Shit, that is going to be sore tomorrow!)" he ducks under an incoming fist from behind, he sends his foot left back straight into the guard's knee, breaking it and causing him to fall, Aquila gets back into a crouch and quickly backflips onto the fallen and screaming guard's back and breaks his neck with a loud snap as he does so. He rolls forward and jumps, bringing both elbows up and down to smash into the head of a charging guard, breaking the skull and killing the man from too much damage to the brain.
The dead guard's body falls to the ground with a thump.
Aquila turns around to see thirteen guards aiming guns at him, some from the second floor, and a couple at the front door. The rest being in front of the office of the current owner of the club.
A strange man, possibly the owner of the establishment, with a cigar in his mouth and wearing a smirk, comes from the door behind the guards and walks in front of the guards and saying, "Your not going anywhere." he then chuckles. The guards quickly and roughly grab the group and take them to the special holding area...
They are all thrown into their cells, the ponies were in their own, while Aquila and Redik were stuck in the same one.
"Sooo, now what" says Rainbow Dash looking at Redik.
"Hey dont look at me, it was Aquila that got us in this." responds Redik.
"I'll remind you that I was forced to fight back there." answers Aquila.
"Well anyway it doesn't matter who's fault it is, what its important do is that we must find a way to get out of this place." says Twilight.
"Yeah well I could have told you that." answers Rainbow Dash in a grumpy mood.
"Relax Rainbow, we are gonna find a way out of here." says Twilight
"I wouldn't be so sure about that my dear." says a voice out of nowhere and before our friends could see who had said this a small cylindrical object unknown to any of the members of the group rolled inside the cage.
"The hell is that?" said Redik
"No idea." responded Rainbow Dash
'This cant be good.' thought Aquila, and then suddenly the small cylindrical object started spouting a lot of gas from the inside.
"Ha? smoke? Why would the eveee- THUD!" says Redik as he gets closer to the gas and all of a sudden he fell to the ground.
"What happend!? Whats going on!?" Shouts Twilight in desperation trying to get away from the smoke. meanwhile Rainbow Dash falls to the ground like the red mage had.
"Damn it! Twilight do not breath that gas!" shouts Aquila, Twilight covers her nostrils but it was for not and she also fell victim to what seemed to be one effective sleeping gas. Aquila trys his best to not breathe the gas but his strength is slowly leaving him, as he is laying down on the floor of the cell the last thing he sees is three shadowy figures enter the same cell but for some reason they do not seem to be affected by the gas. He trys to get a better look for them but hes already blurry vision turns black as he losses conciousness.
*An hour later.*
Redik opens his eyes and finds everything dark around him. "The Hell! who turned off the lights! Hey!"
"Shut it Redik", says a voice.
"Aquila? Is that you? What happened? Why is everything so dark?"
"They captured us and now we have bags over our heads genius", replies Aquila angrily. "Oooohhhh... sooo now what?" says Redik.
"You two will fight in my rings and win me a lot of money". Says a voice meanwhile the bags over their heads were taken off their heads. Revealing a very nice and fancy room with luxurius furnature and in the center sited on a desk wearing a slick purple suit and smoking a cigar a very slender man with black hear combed all the way back and wearing a small rectangular golden frame glasses, he looked not too old and not too young, like around his 30's one would think.
"Well until you two unfortuently die that is." says the purple suited man
"What!? Who he hell do you think you are?! Let us go, you have no right to do this to us!" yells Redik
"On the contrary my short fused friend, I have every right." says the purple suited man
"What do you mean?" asked Aquila
"First things first, let me introduce myself, my name is... well what they call me is Mr. Jackal. At you service or maybe it is the other way around? hahaha." says Mr Jackal.
"What do you want from us?" says Redik
"He wants us to fight for him in this establisment of his." answers Aquila
"Very good my perceptive friend, it seems you are definitely the brains of this duo you have here." said Mr Jackal
"Hey!" yells Redik
"Relax Redik, after all, he is right." replies Aquila leaving his friend mouth agape
"Hahaha it seems that your friend has accepted his fate" says Mr Jackal
"Oh no no you got me wrong" says Aquila
"Ha?" say both Redik and Mr Jackal
"What i meant is that you are right, I am the smartest member of this group" "HA!" says Aquila and then yells Redik
"But about that fighting for you shit, no sorry I think me and my brevi amico fusa (short fused friend) here as you have so clearly stated. Are in no way, going to submit to you and fight here." says Aquila, "There is no way you can make us fight"
"Yeah what he said... except for the me being 'the dumb one' part." says Redik.
"Oh this is priceless!You actually think you have an option in this?" says Mr Jackal.
"Well of course, as Aquila said you cant force us to do anything; Come on torture us or whatever" says Redik defiantly.
"...Merda! (Shit!)" shouts Aquila after looking around for some reason
"What? what is it Aquila?" asks Redik
"Hahaha it seems that your friend has finally realize that i indeed have the means to make you both do what i want"
"Huh? what do yo-..." Redik starts speaking but then he stops just realizing something, he desperatly starts looking around for something that they know should be there, but isn't "Oh no, it...it cant be"
"Oh but it can and it is." said Mr Jackal meanwhile, Aquila makes a grunt and starts looking at him with hatred.
"I have captured your little equine friends, and if you two don't want them to... entertain my boys in any way possible you two better cooperate with me and fight in my rings... Forever" Mr. Jackal explains.
"No this cant be happening... You sick bastard!" Redik says.
"Oh, but it is, and you better face your new destiny under my service. I haven't seen you fight, but if for some reason your are as good as your friend here then you'll be a great addition." says Mr Jackal.
"No! No! No! No!" Redik starts shouting.
"Redik, shut up!" yells Aquila to his friend.
"But Aquila!"
"There's nothing we can do if we want to keep the girls safe..." says Aquila.
"But... Damn it!" Redik yells.
"Well it seems we have come to an agreement. Haven't we?" says Mr Jackal.
Both Aquila and Redik look at Dr Jackal with anger in their eyes and with a great wish to kill the man infront of them but the only thing they did is the only thing they could do in that moment, nod their heads in compliance.
"Good, good. Now that we have come to an arragment here, theres only on more thing to say." says Mr. Jackal "Welcome to the FIGHT CLUB."
"Die mother fuc- *POW* OOWW! Shut it you piece of trash! Take this!, "CRUSH"!, AAAAAHHHHH! My Arm!. "
HAAAAAA! HAAAAAAA! WOOOOOO! YEAAAH! Go Crusher kill the son of a bitch! WOOOOOOO!
Our two heroes Aquila and Redik stand there between the crowd in front of one of the rings of the club watching the match that is taking place. Soon their turn will come, and even though they dont want to fight, they dont have a say in this anymore.
Redik starts making punching motions with a grin on his face and Aquila takes notice of this.
"What are you doing"? says Aquila.
"Hey, this is kind of exciting you know? I love a good fight! Especialy if I get to burn something". answers Redik while doing some jabs.
"What? Weren't you mad about about being forced to fight like 30 minutes ago?" asks Aquila with a high brow.
"That's totally different man they are trying to force me to do it, I wouldn't have minded to offer myself for one or two fights. If they would have asked us." replys Redik. Meanwhile trying to do a high kick, not doing it very well though.
"I see... well anyway you can't use your magic, just so you know." says Aquila.
"What!? Why not?" yells Redik with a dumbfounded face.
"They don't know you can use... magic, and it could maybe become our ace under our sleeve, so to speak." says Aquila. Meanwhile, making a gesture grabing his own sleeve infront of Redik. "I hope you are as proficient with those punches as you are with your magic"
"Just so you know. We were well trained in the arts of hand-to-hand combat. HA!." replies Redik. Then doing some kind of strong punch with his right fist.
"For your well being, I really hope so." says Aquila.
"WUUUUUUU! YEEEEEAAAAAH!" The screams get louder as they both notice that the match is over. A referee walks in. Meanwhile, a pretty beat up guy is being taken out of the ring, the referee grabs and holds up the arm of the guy who apparently won the match.
"And the winner of this match is Cruuuuuusheeeeeer!" "YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHH!" says the referee followed by Crusher's voice. "Now for your entertainment we have prepared a very special match tonight. Coming from god knows where! A new challenger for the Crusher! Theeeeeeeeee Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed Waaaaaaarlooooooooock!" screams the referee meanwhile a lot of lights point towards Redik.
"What!? I said I wanted The Red Wizard! WIIIIIZAAAARRRRDDD! Not Warlock! What kind of stupid name is that?!" complains Redik.
"It's your's stupid. Just go." says Aquila, while shoving Redik in the direction of the ring.
"Mnmnngnfnf stupid mngnmgg red warlmngnmgngm damn stupid fat refermnmnnngmgnmg." Redik starts grumbling while he walks to the ring.
Redik gets into the ring and stands in front of Crusher and then the referee starts explaining the rules.
" Okay guys remember rule one, you do not talk about the fight club, rule two, you DO NOT! Talk about fight club and rule three, there no rules. You two will fight until the other one either gives up, is knocked unconscious, or die's. Understand?"
"YEEEEEAAAAAAHH! Crusher understands everything and Crusher also knows that." says Crusher an then grabing the referee's mic. "Crusher also knows that this little sissy in his frilly little red dress with laaaame hoodie will be sent back to his mooommyy crying aaaall the way back home." he thens throws the mic back to the referee this last one almost dropping it to the floor.
"Oh it is on." says Redik, with a very 'Im gonna FUCKING! kill you!' face.
They each take their place at the corners, the crowd starts to scream in their eagerness. Then the referee gives the signal and the match begins.
Redik gets into his fighting stance and quickly moves to the center of the ring.
Crusher gets closer to Redik and sends a couple of quick jabs.
Redik deflects both and sends two quick left jabs into Crusher's face and a right hook.
Crusher stumbles back and yells as he grabs his aching jaw, "Raaaaaahhhhh!!!!!" He charges forward and brings both of his hands up in the air, once he gets close enough he brings them down toward Redik.
Redik shuffles to the side and sends a quick two bursts of punches to Crusher's ribs, then a hard uppercut to the face causing Crusher to stumble back into the corner. He then charges forward and sends a hard right punch directly to Crusher's face.
Crusher falls onto his butt and rubs his now bleeding nose, he then yells in rage and charges Redik, grabbing him in the torso, lifting him into the air, and spinning him.
As Crusher spins Redik around, Aquila walks up to the ring and yells, "Shift your body weight!"
Redik just yells "But I'll fall!" in between spins. After thinking, he does it, just before Crusher throws him he jerks his leg and twists.
Crusher looses his balance and falls, causing both Redik and Crusher to hit the ground hard, but Redik landing on top.
Redik regains his composure and stands back up, he then leaps into the air and slams his elbow into Crusher's back as he gets up. A loud snap is heard and Crusher yells in pain.
Aquila nods with approval thinking to himself, 'Heh, he just moved a plate forward a bit, Crusher is going to have back problems for the rest of his life now.'
Crusher stands up holding his back.
Redik gets up too and kicks Crusher in the gut, causing him to stumble into a corner again, Redik walks closer.
As Redik gets closer Crusher sends a hard right fist at Redik.
Redik takes the punch to the jaw but grabs the arm's wrist with his left. He sends his right up and breaks the arm at the elbow, he then puts his right hand on Crusher face and pushes, at the same time sweeping his right leg under Crusher, causing him to fall back and hold his broken arm, Redik then stomps on his face to knock him out and break his nose.
The referee grabs Redik's arm and pulling it up and then shouts, and the winner is Theeeee Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed Waaarlock!. Everyone in the croud starts cheering "Warlock! Warlock! Warlock!"
Redik starts rubing the right side of his jaw meanwhile making an cocky smile, the felling of winning the fight and haveing everyone in the croud cheering for him makes him really happy. At that same moment from the other side of the room Mr Jackal is watching with a big grin and feels like he has just won the lottery.
"Excellent this pair of robed fighters will win me a loooot of money." says Mr. jackal. Meanwhile, from the other side Aquila is looking at Mr Jackal and then turns to Redik and says to himself.
"I hope you don't get to comfortable with this Redik, because one way or another... we are getting out of here"
Redik gets down from the ring and walks to Aquila and says.
"Man my jaw is killing me"
"Be greatfull that it is only your jaw, but anyway good job out there." says Aquila
"Heh heh, thanks." responds Redik, a man in a a black suit with shades appears and gives both of them a stack of dollar bills.
"The hell is this?" asks Redik
"Well, your pay of course." says the black suited man "These are your earnings for the fights."
"This is suppose to be our pay?, this is just useless paper, I want gold coins." says Redik
"Relax Redik and more importantly, he is paying us for this?" says Aquila with the sound of doubt in his voice
"Of course, Mr. Jackal pays all his fighters. When they win that is, only the winners deserve to be paid losers dont get shit." says the black suited man
The man leaves leaving a poundering Aquila and confuse Redik behind.
"So he first force us to fight and then mocks us by paying us with paper? That bastard!" says angrily Redik
"No no, this most likely is the currency they use here, what worries me is the why, why would he pay us if we are basicly his slaves?" says Aquila
"Maybe he has so much money he dosent no what to do with it?" says Redik
"Dont be stupid Redik."
"Well sorry for trying to help shish, is not like he wants us to be his friends or anything stupid like that." says Redik
"Friends... friends... friends?, Thats it! Redik you are a stupid genius." says a smiling Aquila
"Well of course, is good to know that someone can see my... HEY!"
"Jackal is not an idiot, he wants as to get use to this place and aven like it. He knows that if something were to happen to the girls or if we were to rescue them nothing would stop us from leaving this dreadful place so he is trying to buy us." says Aquila.
"I see, to bad for him that we have already pick up on his little game." says Redik.
"Yes but that dosent change our situation, we need to find a way to get the girls and the out of this place." replied Aquila.
"And in the mean time well play his little game he he he." says Redik while laughing very quietly rubbing his hands.
"It seems you have caught on pretty quickly, anyway lets save the money and try to make some more; It could be usefull and make sure not to lose okay Redik? asked Aquila
"Of course who do you think you are talking with here." says Redik with a proud grin and punch to his chest
"Hmmm good to know I can count with you for this."
And so our heroes spend their time fighting with many opponents, big guys, small guys, fat guys, skinny guys, muscle heads and every other steretype you can imagine, just using their martial skills, but of course this was easier. For the master assassin than for our red mage friend in which some battles could have gone better. But anyway winning battles, getting money lead to our heroes up above the ladders of the Fight Club ranking. Of course every now and then they would ask to see the girls, Mr Jackal only brought one of them at a time, that way making sure our dimensional travelers wouldn't try anything.
"Relax Twilight everything will be okay." says Aquila.
"No is not! We are trapped here and even if I can teleport myself I cant just go and leave Dash alone and run in a total unknown world!" says Twilight while crying.
Lucky for Aquila the guard was next to the door not paying attention.
"Wait wait Twilight, you can teleport yourself?" asks Aquila
"Yes what about it?" Twilight replies.
"Twilight maybe this magic of yours will become useful for our escape, try to not use your magic in front of these guys okay?" says Aquila.
"Okay, I trust you guys, please take us home." says Twilight.
"Don't worry we will." Aquila replies.
Moments later in the seats near one of the rings meanwhile a fight is taking place our two heroes waiting for the drinks they ordered meanwhile trying to figure a way to escape.
"Ha damn it! I cant think of anything. We are doom to become awesome profesional fighters foooreeeveeeer." says Redik
"Hmm, there must be a way..." says Aquila while mimiking the thinker pose.
"Here are your drinks boys." says a waitress in a bunny suit bringing our heroes drinks.
"Gratzie (Thanks you)" says Aquila
"Just what we needed." replies Redik, he then starts paying attetion to all the fighters and tough guys around and starts wondering outloud. "How can a skinny wimp like Mr. Jackal have to many thugs working and fighting for him?"
"A small man with a lot of wealth has more power than a big man with no wealth." says Aquila
"Oh that sounded so smart form you Mr. Aquila, indeed it is as you say. All this ruthless men work for him since he pays so well with the revenue he gets from the fights making him the most succesfull owner of fighting clubs in the city. All do if he were to lose all his money he would most likely get beat or abandon by all this guys, after all he is very cruel with his fighters specialy those who lose in clubs tournaments. But for some reason he treats you two very well." says the chatty waitress.
"Yeah? go figure" says a bored out of his mind Redik.
"I got it!" shouted Aquila suddenly standing from his chair and scaring the waitress and Redik making drop his drink. The glass falls and breaks. *Crash!*
"AAAAAHH! My soda! What the hell man!" says Redik wimpering.
"Oh my, I'll bring something to clean this right up." says the waitress as she leaves.
"Thank you, and sorry." says Aquila to the waitress, one the waitress leaves he turns to Redik and says. "Redik get over your stupid soda and listen to me. I know how we can get out of here." says Aquila with a very serious face.
"Really? how?" asks Redik
"Listen and listen well. Mr. Jackal only has control over us because he has the girls and those thugs that could harm them if we were to get out of line right?" says Aquila
"Right sooo?." responds Redik
"Sooo the only thing we must do is tell Jackal we want to represent the club in the inter club tournament that is coming up in two days. Then we keep making money by winning here and get someone to bet for the other team in the final match and make Jackal go bankrupt. With no money that means no thugs" says Aquila
"And no thugs means no one will stop us from getting the girls. Thats brilliant, But wait, we do have quite a lot of money but wouldn't we need like a major sum of money to do that?" asks Redik
"Thats the beauty of it, we just have to keep winning money here, ill get some more by some underhanded methods like pickpocketing. And since it seems that the relations between Jackal and the other club owners are not going smoothly we could ask for a little monetary backup if you catch my drift that is." says Aquila with a wide grin.
"Ooooohh." says Redik as he then partakes in the grin with his friend.
Aquila and Redik start doing their best and fighting as many fights as the kind to raise a lot of money. Mr. Jackal sees this and feels very confident with his new fighters being so energetic and getting ready for the tournament."It seems that my new aquisitions are getting ready. Ill bet all my money on them, is risky but it is worthy" says Mr. Jackal "But boss what if they lose or if they are planning something?" says the black suited man.
"Oh dont worry about that, I have the perfect insurance to make sure they dont do anything stupid remember?" answers Jackal to the black suited man.
Two days later in the city arena. Ten minutes before the torunament begins.
"Ok Redik, ready?" asks Aquila
"Of course, who do you think I am?" answers Redik
"Excellent but, one more thing, promise me that whatever happens, if I tell you to do something youll do it. Remember the girls lives are on the line here" says Aquila
"Yeah I promise dont worry about it, we totally got this." Redik replies.
"Hmm yeah, lets do this." Aquila says.
So, our brave fighters enter the Inter Fight Club Tournament, or IFCT for short, and start makeing their way through out the other clubs teams. Finally they arrive to the final match. A very slim guy with a black suit and shades (pretty much like black suited man don't you think?) stands in the center of the ring, he seems to be the referee for the final match.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have finally arrive to the final match." WOOOOOO! YEEEAAAA! WOOOOO! the croud goes wild. The referee starts making motions with his hands to ask for silence from the audience. "In the right corner from clubs Jackal, Whiiiiiite Hooood and The Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeed Waaaaarlock!" says the man with a sudden very low voice. Both Aquila and Redik get on the ring and wait for their opponents. "And in the left corner, from club Warriors, Jackie Leeeeeee and BIG! BAD! BOB!" and with this introduction a very small and slim asian looking man and a giant muscle head with the biggest body and muscles you could imagine come on to the ring.
"Okay teams, remember, rule 1 of fight club?"
"You do not talk about Fight Club!" shouts everyone
"Rule 2?"
"You DO NOT talk about Fight Club!"
"And 3?"
"There are no Rules!"
"Okay get to your corners and get ready"
"Also since this is the final match we will be fighting the most of the old school rules except for 4 and 8 of course!" says the referee
"Damn I should have known" says Aquila
"What is it?, what are this rules?: asks Redik
"Dont worry I read them nothing mayor except for the fact that we have to take our upper parts of our robes and our shoes, revealing my hidden blades. Good thing that there is no rule against them, also Redik now you can use your magic if you want." says Aquila
"Ooooo yeah, someone is going to get burned." says Redik with a smirk.
Meanwhile outside the ring. "Boss?"
"Yes Bruno?" says Mr.Jackal to the black suited man
"I always meant to ask, why does a flashy violent sport like this have rules like 1 and 2?" asked Bruno
(1st RULE: You do not talk about FIGHT CLUB. 2nd RULE: You DO NOT talk about FIGHT CLUB. 3rd RULE: If someone says "stop" or goes limp, taps out the fight is over. 4th RULE: Only two guys to a fight. 5th RULE: One fight at a time. 6th RULE: No shirts, no shoes. 7th RULE: Fights will go on as long as they have to. 8th RULE: If this is your first night at FIGHT CLUB, you HAVE to fight.)
"Well... It is said that a long time ago in this world of ours violence was not well seen in society. So it is said that one day some guy with a friend created a secret club of men that loved to fight and those rules were made to make sure no one revealed the existence of it that way getting canceled by the authorities. Soon the sport grew to a point were it could not be hidden anymore. And for the surprise of the members it became quite welcome by society as an extreme sport that soon changed the very fabrics of society itself, arriving to our glorious present times. So to answer yor question Bruno they have been kept just as tradition nothing more."
Aquila and Redik take their shoes and upper part of their robes out revealing Aquila's hidden blades which look just like some kind of bracers so no one takes notice. The referee stands in the middle of the ring, he looks at both sides and with one swift motion of his hand bringin it down he shouts. "Begin!"
Bob charges Aquila each step making a loud thump on the floor.
Aquila looks around, as Bob gets closer he just decides to bring out the big guns now, he turns around and runs, he then jumps and puts a foot on the top of the ropes and pushes off, flying high into the air and he twists as he back flips, he brings his foot down and smashes Bob in the head causing him to fall on his back with a *BOOM* Aquila lands but holds his foot in pain, "Bah! It's like hitting an anvil." he says through the pain.
Bob stands back up, with just a bruise on his head, he swings his powerful fist at Aquila.
Aquila ducks under and sends a hard jab to the man's gut, it just felt like punching a brick wall, he stumbles back, holding his fist.
Meanwhile, Redik is fighting Jackie, "Holy shit! This guy is- AHHHHHHH!" he yells as the small man proceeds to beat him up. He deflects a few punches, meanwhile Jackie letting out these high pitched screams.
He gets hit by most of the punches but eventualy, he manages to grab Jackie by the torso and throw him across the ring.
As this happens, Aquila is dodging and staying out of the way of Bob, he then charges Bob and leaps into the air.
Bob catches him mid air in a bear hug and begins to squeeze.
Aquila is getting crushed and his arms immobilized, he begins to yell "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" He thrusts his head forward smacking his head into Bob's causing Bob to drop him and stumble back. Aquila slams into the ground and holds his head, his vision is blurry, his ears are ringing, and his head throbbing.
Bob get's his sight back and walks over to grab Aquila, he picks him up and smashes him into the ground.
While Aquila and Bob go at it, Redik is still taking the little hits here and there.
Meanwhile outside next to the ring Jackal smiles starts to fade and turn to a frown and then Bruno arrives.
"Hey boss i finished making the bet, boss?" Bruno asks.
"Bruno would you be so kind and bring me the insurance please?" Jackal asks Bruno, then returning his attention to the fight.
Bruno nods and runs off.
Aquila slowly gets up and move away from Bob, "REDIK!"
Redik takes a punch from Jackie, "WHAT?!"
Aquila yells to Redik, "SWITCH!" he then begins to run and he frontflips over Redik.
Redik ducks under Aquila and takes his attention to Bob, "Well... at least I wont get hit by thi- OH SHIT!" he ducks under a fist and jumps back from another.
Aquila is now fighting Jackie, expertly deflecting the punches and kicks, he grabs the leg of Jackie as he does a roundhouse kick, he then kicks him in the balls and pulls the leg back, forcing him into the splits, he sends a foot to Jackie's face and grabs the back of his head, he then slams it into the ground and allows him to lay there.
Redik begins to channel a fireball as Bob charges at him, he sends it forward igniting Bob on fire and knocking him back, though the fire fades quickly he has burnt marks all over him. This magic brings a shock from the crowd and everyone attending.
Bob yells in anger and charges Redik, he manages to pick him up and thow him to the ground. Bob then jumps up and falls down, he lands on his butt... right on top of Redik.
Redik yells in pain "AAHHHHHHH!" he holds his chest feeling a couple broken ribs.
Jackie gets back up and goes back on the offensive, quick jabs and kicks everywhere, even faster than before.
Aquila manages to deflect them at first, but his defense then breaks, he takes many hits and falls back onto his back and his face a bloody mess.
Aquila and Redik are having a hard time fighting this two enemies, they are suppose to let them win but it seems that this guys didnt need the help anyway.
"Ahem!" Our heroes attention is suddenly taken to the sides of the ring, there Mr. Jackal haves Bruno holding Twilight and Dash with chains that go around all the way around their legs.
"Gentlemen, if you were so kind as to Stand! The Fuck! Up! and fight this seriously and win?" says Mr. Jackal. "That is if you dont want anything to happen to this cute little ponies. Which for some reason you two seem so eager to protect."
Aquila slowly stands, spitting up a little blood, "Bastardo...(Bastard...) You. Will. Pay." He stands up and yells to Redik as he also stands, "Redik! Shoot a fireball at me!".
Redik looks at Aquila and gets into his fighting stance, he prepares another fireball.
Aquila begins to run at Redik, Jackie following quickly behind.
Redik fires the fireball at Aquila as he runs straight in it's path.
Aquila leaps and frontflips, going over the fireball and it burning Jackie, he yells in a high pitched voice and falls back.
Aquila lands on Redik's shoulder and jumps off of them straight at Bob, he lands on Bob's face, pushing off and leaping really high into the air, he barely reaches the platform Jackal and the two ponies were on. He steps on the edge and brings himself up with the momentum, he runs forward.
As this happens Jackal is pulling out a handgun.
Aquila grabs the wrist and with one smooth movement he moves it out of the way and lets out his right hidden blade, driving it into Jackal's heart. He lays him down and holds the small man's head up. "Requiescat in Pace. (Rest in peace)" he quietly says to the dieing man.
At this moment, a lot of people present in the public starts screaming in fear. Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash start crying their eyes out, after all, murder is not something common for them.
"Sorry you had to see this, I promise I'll make it up to you both but first we'll take you both out of here" says Aquila.
In that moment the referee yells. "Team Jackal loses by ring out and is disqualified for murder, someone get them!" As he says this a lot of thugs and armed men hurry from their seats and closes in on them.
"Redik!" shouts Aquila while taking the ponies in his arms.
"Coming!" yells Redik as he jumps out of the ring over where his and Aquila's clothes were and then starts focusing a lot of his magic energy in one point trying trace Equestria's energy and forming a portal to it. A small portal is form adn Redik shouts "Hurry!"
Aquila runs towards Redik's little portal meanwhile a rain of bullets rains on him and the ponies, after effectivly evading the projectiles with swift zig-zaging moves he mades it and gets suck in followed by Redik who makes sure to grab their clothe before jumping in. The portal dissapears in a blink and no one cant believe what they just saw. Then out of nowhere a scream is heard and... celebration?. "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! YAAAAAAAYYYYYYY! WUUUUUUPIIIII! I'm rich!" yells a sexy looking waitress with a bunny outfit. It seems she was the one that made the bet in our heroes bet.
The portal opens in Equestria and our friends fall hard on the ground. It seems the have landed on small hill right next to Ponyville.
"We made it?" asks Rainbow Dash with tears still streaming down her cheeks not believing that she has actually made it back.
"Yeah you better believe it, woooooo, what a ride." says Redik happily.
"Thank you so very much." says Twilight.
"Please Twilight do not thank us, it was our fault in the first place that you two got dragged into this." says Aquila.
"No please don't say that, even if that was the case you guys decided to stay for us and brought us back home... thank you." says twilight as she then hugs Aquila.
Upon seeing this tender moment both Rainbow and Redik look to each other and hug too. They made it back to Equestria and they were now safe.
"Hear they are!" All of a sudden the group starts hearing voices. when they start looking to whom they belong to the can see in the distance coming at full gallop from Ponyville all the other members of the mane 6 being followed by Dr. Whooves and the blonde and gray mare.
Twilight and Rainbow inmediatly start galloping towards their friends and when they meet they all share a hug, both Rainbow and Twilight crying. They don't know what happened for them to be like that, but decide to just stay like that and comfort their two friends. The Doctor passes right next to them with the mare, both with wide smiles and then they walk directly to both humans who are walking on their direction.
"So lads tell me, to which world did you go to, and what happened there?" says the Doctor.
Both Aquila and Redik look to each other at this remark and share a smirk.
"Well Doctor, that would be a problem because you see." says Aquila
Sometime after the reunion of our heroes and friends, Pinkie Pie decides to make a Welcome back to Equestria party and after dissappearing in the blink of an eye to prepare the party; Everybody decide to take Aquila and Redik to Ponyville hospital to tend to their not very serious wounds.
After they have been treated, the group heads to Twilight's library to let our friends rest and to hear about their adventures. The group arrives to the library and enters. "Surprise!" *random loud party sounds* Just to be suddenly surprised by Pinkie's party, somehow the hyperactive mare was able to pull a full house party in the 30 minutes that took the group to get to the hospital and to the library.
The group starts enjoying themselves here and there, either eating sweets, drinking cider and soda and dancing to this white unicorn which seemed to be making music with some weird discs.
Aquila was in a corner of the room drinking cider right next to Dr. Whooves, both of them watching how Redik was dancing to this weird but very catchy song with Pinky, Rainbow, and Derpy.
"It seems that Mr. Redik is enjoying himself pretty much huh?" says the Dr.
"Yeah, he seems very happy and I have to admit, this song may be weird but I kind of like it too." replies Aquila.
"Yes yes, quite a catchy tune. Anyway my friend, I was wondering, what are your intentions now?" asks Dr. Whooves
"Well me and Redik were talking about it and we think we would like for you to teach us more about traveling throughout dimensions. We want to perfect it, make it more efficient and safer; I dont want to ever put these kind ponies in harms way again." says Aquila then taking a sip of his cider.
"I would be more than happy to help you two. Training young and skillful prospects will give me some good distraction from my tedious studies." answers the Dr.
"Thanks Dr. Im glad to find that you are so willing to help us and to give you some entertainment with it." says Aquila with a smirk on his face.
"Oh yes, it will be fun indeed. So we will have to start you magic training, when would you like to begin my boy?" says Dr. Whooves
This comment gave Aquila a raise brow as he looks at the Dr. with a look that says what the buck are you talking about?
"Me? Magic? What are you talking about Dr.? I may have the power to travel to dimensions, but I dont have magic. Im no wizard." says Aquila.
"What are you talking about, of course you have magic?" said a loud voice coming from the croud of ponies that where dancing.
It was Redik, walking towards them while eating a cupcake in his right hand and drinking some cider from a cup in the other hand. * "You have a lot of magical energy within you." *munch munch* "I beh tha' you woul' be ah grea' mage an' I ting- *cough cough*." *slurp slurp* "Oh that was close, anyway as I was saying, I think you are most likely connected to white mana. Althought we wont know until we make you manifest your magic in some way." says Redik
"Yes yes, what your friend here says its true. Let me tell you my friend, the moment the spark awoke within you, your magic capability also came to life so to speak." said the Dr. as Aquila begins to think about this new information.
"Hmmm still Im not sure about using this dark arts."
"Haaaahh I told you before, they are not dark arts or anything evil for that matter." says an exasperated Redik.
"It is as your fellow here points, but there could be some spells that their fuction could be considered evil. Also if someone uses it for dark purposes, but we know that you wont right?" says a cheerfull Dr. Whooves.
"Well... i guess, after all they could be usefull." says an unsure Aquila
"Thats the spirit lad. Well then, we will begin training tomorrow in my backyard, what do you say?" asks Dr. Whooves with a smile to Aquila.
"I have no problems with this, looking forward to controling the dimensional traveling thingy." says Redik.
"Ok, I guess, tomorrow then." replies Aquila while extending his hand to the Dr. Who in response raises his hoof. They both shake hands?, hoofs?, Handhoofs whatever! Then they dedicate the rest of the evening to have a good time in Pinkie's party.
The next morning our heroes head towards Dr. Whooves's house to learn about their new found abilities, one of them clearly more eager then the other.
"Yes! So exited right now." says Redik grinning.
"Relax Redik, after everything that has happend this is no big deal." says Aquila.
"Heh, yeah I guess, but man, traveling through worlds and other planes of existence is just... WOW!" replies Redik.
Both of them arrive to the house of Dr. Whooves and after knocking at the door and being led in by a cute wall eyed pegasus mare. Once inside they see the Dr. drinking a cup of what seems to be tea meanwhile reading a newspaper in a table at the kitchen. He takes notice of his guests as they come in, and says. "Ah my new students have arrived. Smashing."
Dr. Whooves leads our two friends to the couch in the very spaceous living room and makes them take a seat while he brings out of a closet a big drawing board. He then takes a marker and starts writing something. He stands aside and in the board is writen the word 'PLANESWALKER'.
"Okay then, lets begin with the basics, Planeswalker 101." says the Dr. "As you may or may not know, one individual from every millions of millions in existence, is born with the capacity to light what we call, 'The Spark'. From those millions of individuals with the capacity to light it, only a very very small number of those fellows are capable of actually lighting it, either on purpose or by mistake." says the Doctor
"So I take it, that for some reason, we were lucky enough to actually light ours and we became planeswalkers right?" says Aquila.
"Yes indeed, it usually happens when the host of the spark is put through a traumatic experience or near death one for that matter." replies the Doctor.
Aquila and Redik look to each other for a second and them they just nod a look back to the Doctor.
"Hmm... it it my guess that you too most likely became planeswalkers this way, am I correct in this assumption?" says the Dr.
"Yes yes you are, but I think I talk for me and Aquila when I say that we wouldnt like to talk about it." says Redik to the Dr.
"Oh dont worry, I guess us much. Lets carry on then shall we?" says the Dr.
He then starts to write other things on the board, when he finishes and stands to the side. On the board are now writen under planeswalker the words Worlds and Multiverse.
"Okay who can tell me what they know about Multiverse Theory?" says Dr. Whooves
"Uh uh uh me me me pick me heyhey me mememememe uhuhuhuh over here meeeeeeee I know I know." shouts Redik, its very annoying
"Yes you. The one in red." says the Dr.
"Yes!" shouts Redik as he prepares to answer "The multiverse theory is about the believed that beside our world or universe there are an infinity of other universes. The other worlds and/or universes could be almost identical to ours or very, very different, this also gives relations with paralel worlds and other planes of existence. But... since there are planeswalkers, like us, who travel through these universes, I think is not a theory anymore right?" says Redik quizzicaly.
"Very good my young student, quite well explain if I may add. Well yes, you two like many others have gained the ability to travel through this universes many of which have different concepts of space and time and so may have different rules of physics. We travel to these worlds, either because, we are wanting to see these worlds or maybe other personal reasons. It could also be the innate feeling and desire of exploring that we get the moment we change." says the Dr.
"Change?" asks Redik
"Yes change, the moment you two became planeswalkers, is the moment you two stopped being humans." says the Dr. to the two dumbfounded "Humans" in the couch.
"You are telling us that we are not human anymore?" says Aquila.
"Yes indeed I am. The moment the spark is lit, its energy transforms the bearer into an entity being that of his carnal form. In other words your humans bodies are just a shell of what you two use to be." says the Dr.
"So even if they kill our bodies nothing will happen yo us? Cool!" says Redik exited.
"Oh no heavens no, as I said, it is a shell and as any shell its purpose is to protect whats inside and in this case keep it from dissapearing or disipating into nothingness. It is also the conduct into which this energy manifests and keeps a concious thought" says the Dr.
"Hmmmm I... I think I get it." says the Master Assassin.
"Good for you because, that part almost blew my mind." says Redik with swirly eyes.
"Well then, lets go outside to the backyard. So I can explain the last and maybe most important part of the lesson and also to start the training." says Dr. Whooves as he moves out of the room and gesturing to the humans to follow him.
Ones outside Dr. Whooves house our two heroes find themselves in a very wide plain which stretches very far away reaching what seems to be a forest and a small group of mountains at the distance.
"This is your backyard!?" says Redik surprise at the sight in front of him.
"Oh my Celestia no no, you see I live in the town outskirts and this place being so peacefull an all I didnt find the neccesity to place a fence." answers the Dr. "Anyway with this we certenly have a big space to practice and with no interruptions whatsoever"
"Seems so Dr. so what know?" asks Aquila
"First things first." says the Dr. meanwhile reaching for something in a saddlebag on the floor right next to him. From the bag he takes what seems to be a very small white ball with the letters PU engrave on it.
"What's that?" asks Redik
"This my friends, is a small ball as you can see." says Dr. Whooves non chanantly
"Wow really? You think- UGH!" says Redik in a rudly manner before being jab on the ribs by Aquila, an all to familiar feeling for him.
"What my rude friend here is trying to say is, what makes it so special?" asks Aquila.
"Oh, of course, well you see. In this small ball I have created what is known as a Pocket Dimension or in this case, universe." says the DR.
"So in that small ball their is an entire universe?" says Redik meanwhile rubbing his hurtfull ribs.
"Well yes, but is not that big of a universe really, just some random stars and planets here and there, and also some animals living there." says the Dr.
"So what are you gonna do with that?" asks Redik.
"Oh my dere boy, the question is not what Im going to do with this but what YOU are going to do with it." said the Dr.
"And that would be?" asks Redik.
"To go inside of it of course" answers the Dr. who then starts explaining "You see, the last thing you boys need to know about being planeswalkers is the traveling through the multiverse and dimensions. More specifically, to do it at will and where you want to, if you know where you are heading that is of course. I would have done this before when I was teaching you guys in the first place but Im kind of forgetfull sometimes." says Dr. Whooves with a sheepeshly smile "Also im sorry that I didnt take my time training you more instead of just teaching you how to create that portal and the basics, Im very sorry" said the Dr. with a sad look upon his face.
"No please, dont be sorry, no one could have predicted what happened." says Aquila.
"Yeah Doc is not your fault." says Redik.
"Thanks boys, that means a lot, well anyway as I was telling you, to travel between worlds the planeswalkers warp themselves into these gateways, or portals if you will. They do this by either creating the portal themselves and just passing through it or by various other means. It usually involves the planeswalker style, like for example, mainly like what I call blinking out, or jumping." says the Dr.
"Jumping?" asks Redik.
"Yes, you see, sometimes planeswalkers just want to get out of the world they are in, and do it very fast and without being followed if possible. So they phase out of the universe so fast that it seems that they have disappear out of existence in just one blink." explains the Dr.
"So there are many ways to just go to that dark abyss and travel to the other universes." says Aquila.
"Oh yes, the dark abyss, I like to call it the Dark Beyond." says the Dr.
"Well anyway, I guess you want us to practice some of the methods of traveling and go inside that small ball right?" says Aquila.
"Oh well, not quite." says the Dr.
"What do you mean?" asks Aquila.
"Well, I want Redik to do it, you on the other hand will first study basic magic with me. Being a planeswalker is basicly being a very powerfull mage and the traveling through the worlds takes use of your great magic energy, which is very much related with the magic energy of mana. So I'll have you learn to harness mana and use some spells with it. That is if you are fortunate enough to share one of the colors of mana in which either me or Redik are proficient." says Dr. Whooves.
"I see..." says Aquila kind of disappointed.
"Ah don't be like that Aquila, using mana is great you'll see." says Redik with a big smile.
"Well then, if you two gentlemen are ready, lets get started then, Tally-Ho!" Shouts the Dr. as our heroes decide to start their training.
After and hour or so our two heroes find themselves training in Dr. Whooves backyard. Redik has spent the last hour trying to form portals trying to make them as fast as he can and control their shapes. Meanwhile Aquila is sitting on the grass with his legs cross near a small group of trees and right beside him stands Dr. Whooves supervising his training.
"Can you fill it?" asks the Dr.
"I-I think I can."responds Aquila.
"Good, remember, to be able to use your mana effectivly, first you have to be able to channel it throughout your body at will." says the Dr.
"So thats why Im doing this mana flow exercise?" says Aquila.
"Yes, yes quite, as I told you, the best way to harnest the magic energy within is to make it flow around your body and in the quantities that you see fit. Now try again" says the Dr.
"Okay."
Aquila stays immobile for a few seconds, after he has completly relaxed he starts feeling how a small wave of warmth starts reaching every part of his body.
"I... I think im doing it." says Aquila as a lite white light starts emanating from him.
"It seems so." says the Dr. with a smile.
"You did it!" shouts Redik as he comes towards Aquila and the Dr. distracting Aquila and making him lose his focus.
"Oh sorry." says Redik with a sheepeshly smile.
"Don't worry, I can try again" says Aquila.
"Anyway, look at this." says Redik as he forms a portal of his same size in 10 seconds flat "Cool huh?"
"Well I must say, you have made impressive progress." says the Dr.
"I know right?" says Redik with a huge pridefull smile.
"Well it seems you are making a lot of more progress than I am." says Aquila.
"Oh no not at all, You yourself have advanced quite a bit." says the Dr.
"Really?, I have only been here for a while and all i got was to make this energy flow throughout my body." says Aquila.
"Not only that, you have also make it so it flows and manifests as a thin layer over your body. If you do it for about an hour or two you might be able to start learning some spells." says the Dr.
"Wow really?, wouldn't it take for an aprentice mage like at least 2 weeks to a month to do something like that and thats being generous." says Redik.
"Normaly yes but for some reason Aquila here is picking it up pretty quickly." says the Dr.
"Does it have to do with the fact that Im a planeswalker?" asks Aquila.
"No not really, or at least it shouldn't. I think that maybe your previous training as an assassin might share some basic training patterns and exercises making easy for you to pick up in all of this." says the Dr.
"Well, we were made stay put and meditate for long periods of time, sometimes days at a time, every now and then among other things. What you say could be possible." says Aquila.
"Doctor! Lunch is ready!" said the blond mare shouting at the group while waving at them.
"Oh, it seems that food is in order, shall we?" says the Dr.
"Yes food, I'm straving." says Redik.
"And so am I, lets go eat. When we finish, we will start your training in white spells when you finish the magic flow training." says Dr. Whooves.
"White spells?, so he really is a white mage?" asks Redik.
"Oh well yes, it was the first thing I ask him to do. Aquila if you will?" says Dr. Whooves.
Aquila raises his right arm and with his palm facing upwards he starts concentrating his mana on it. After a few seconds the magic energy focusing some centimeters above his palm starts becomeing visible. By the time he is finish a small and bright white ball of magic energy is floating over Aquila's hand.
"Good Aquila, this surely indicate your progress. When he did it before the ball had troubles mantaining its form and the size was changing erraticly, after 3 to 5 seconds the ball just dissipated. But know it seems you can hold it for while and with no involuntary changes to its form and size whatsoever." says the Dr.
"Yes... it seems I did make an improvment in this magic thing after all." says Aquila with a small smile of acomplishment forming on his face.
"Well then, shall we?" asks the Dr. as he starts walking to the house, soon after being follow by his two students.
After a nice lunch in which our two heroes were formally presented to Dr. Whooves assistant Derpy, The group went back to the backyard to continue the training session. Redik started to actually use the portals he created to travel inside the small pocket universe in the small ball which was put over an small table in the backyard. As for Aquila, he continued with his flow and channelling exercise. After an hour and a half the Dr. considered that Aquila was ready to learn a spell.
"Okay then Aquila, lets start with a simple explanation of mana and spells. First, to power your spells youll need your magical energy, in other words your mana. Mana is the source energy of all things magical or essence of magic itself, or atleast in most worlds that I have visited it is. Mana is generated by nature itself, we take this energy from nature and use it to power up our spells. Without mana we couldnt even dream to manifest our magical powers." said the Dr.
"You say that we take this energy and use it, but dont remember taking the energy from anywhere and didnt I just made that mana ball or make my magic flow in me?" asks Aquila
"Yes you did, but that is only because. A. all living beings absorve mana in small quantities as a natural reflex, just like breathing. and B. You are a planeswalker now, the spark within you works as a mana magnifier it increases your mana uptake for at least ten fold. It varies from planeswalker to planeswalker depending on various stuff like their previous training in magic, physical condition or connection with nature among other things." responds the Dr.
"I see. Then I just could be anywhere and If im in need of mana I can just take it from the nature around me." says Aquila
"Not exactly." says the Dr.
"What do you mean?" asks Aquila
"As you may or may not know, there are five colors of magic or mana, some theorize that there are more or that other colors can be created from the one already existing but that is a discussion that does not interest us right now. As I was saying, there are 5 colors, can you tell me which are these colors?" asks the Dr. to Aquila
"I think I can, if i remember correctly from what Redik told me. They are white, blue, black, red and green, right?" asks Aquila back
"Yes well done, each of these colors are produced by nature, but the thing is that nor all nature produces this colors. There are specific places of nature that produces this energies that we tap in. This are the different types of lands that exist in the worlds, which probably is one of the reasons mana is a common sorce of magical energy in the multiverse. In order of the colors that you just named, the lands are as followed. The Plains from which white mana is generated, Islands form blue, Swamps create black, Mountains red and Forests green.
"So since I guess that this wide grassland is a type of plain, Is producing white mana and I could draw that mana from it? says Aquila
"Yes, good job, you are getting this very fast." says the Dr.
"Well, more than being fast I think it is just the logical deduction Dr." responds Aquila.
"Anyway, since you are naturaly connected to white mana it will be easier for you to draw its energy and learn and use spells related to it." says the Dr. . "Does that mean that I can use magic from the other colors?" ask Aquila
"Yes, but it wont be as easy as with your own, specially if you try to use mana and learn spells from enemy colors. In your case this being the chaos of red and the darkness of black opposing white's order and light. It is not unheard of mages who learn to uses opposite sides of the magic and some may even consider it common." says the Dr.
"Interesting." says Aquila.
"Indeed it is. In fact your in the case of your friend Redik, even though he is a red mage that is clearly short tempered and seems prone to rush decisions, there seems to be some type of order in that keeps his chaotic being together. Maybe transforming his fury and anger in euphory. It wouldnt be weird if he were proficient in learning white magic" responds the Dr.
"Talking about Redik, where is he?" asks Aquila.
Then a portal out of no where opens right next to them, droping face first on to the floor a well known red mage.
"Damn, I really need to practice where I place the exit, or at least practice my landings." says redik while rubbing his hurtfull chin.
"Oh there you are." says Aquila.
"Oh yeah hi. What are you doing?" says Redik.
"Well the Dr. here is teaching about mana." answers Aquila.
"Yes, and now I will teach you a spell and things you need to know about them. Redik would you like to assist me?" asks the Dr.
"Sure, I guess." respond Redik.
"Well Aquila, first you need to know that a spell is a magical formula which uses mana or magical energy to produce or bring about a specific effect. There are many types of spells but for simplicity, we will divide them in summoning spells or just summons and other spells, or just spells." says the Dr.
"Summons and Spells got it." says Aquila.
"Well then. I will commence with a spell for which your friend Redik here will help me demonstrate. Redik, could you tell us about what you saw in my little pocket universe?" asks the Dr.
"Huh? Why would that help?" asks a really confused Redik.
"Oh it will trust me." says the Dr. with a big smile
"Well okay... Where do I start, Oh yeah I went to this world with mountains and rivers and a lot lot lot lot lot lot lot of."
"Silence." says the Dr. pointing a hoof at Redik.
"Animals Oh oh oh and al-!. uhm?, UHM!?, UUUUUUh! UHM! UHM! UHMMMMMMM!" says Redik as his mouth is being force shut by bright white layer of magic that extends from his neck all the way to his mouth.
"Mio Dio (My God)! You have to teach me to do that, the possibilities of not having to hear him talk are driving me mad with anticipation." says a slightly exited Aquila.
"HHHHMMMM!?" responds Redik.
"Ha ha ha ha, well yes but this is not permanent, this is Silence, its an instant type spell, which means that it can be done in every given moment without preparations. It is a very basic spell and consumes no mana at all but due to its implications it is a very guarded spell and few people care to teach it." says the Dr.
"What do you mean?" asks Aquila.
"To cast spells, a wizard either recites certain words as a formula to cast it, as I did now saying silence, or they write the spell. Usually and for obvious reasons reciting oral casting is prefare over writen, which means." says the Dr.
"Which means that if the wizard cant speak he cant cast spells." says Aquila.
"That is correct." says Dr. Whooves.
"'GASP!'" the spell vanishes and Redik starts gasping for air.
"You do know that your nose wasn't blocked right?" asks Dr. Whooves to the gasping Redik.
"Shit I new I forgot something..." says Redik, facepalming as does his friend, Aquila.
"Anyway, as you see the spell has a duration of about 6 to 8 seconds and disables the target use of his mouth. I'll teach it to you later, before that. Redik? Would you be so kind, and make a Summon for us?" says the Dr.
"Okay, but this time I hope you do not do anything to me." says Redik.
"Oh you don't have to wory about anything my young friend I was want to show a summon spell to your friend here." says the Dr.
"Okay, here it goes." says Redik as he raises both his hands in front of him, and after channeling some magic to his hands he shouts.
"I summon the Raging Goblin!"
A flash of red mana appears in front of Redik and in between Aquila and the Dr. and in the middle of the group a small green creature with a big axe in his hand and spiked hair appears.
"Che cos'è quella cosa?!(What is this thing?!)" shouts Aquila.
"That would be a Goblin, they are denizens of many worlds, usually very rude beings and not very smart." says the Dr.
"Yep, this is one of the 3 raging goblins I have under my command, his name is Wimpy." says Redik in a very proud way.
"So you have goblin summons huh?" says the Dr.
"Yeah, my guild usually sended us to afilliated groups of warriors and mercenaries or goblin tribes to make summoning contracts with. I chose one of the goblins villages near my home town." answers Redik.
Aquila squats down to take a better look at the creature; Meanwhile the creature starts looking back at him, not liking the human and his despective look.
"I dont know you too, but this thing sure is ugly." and as Aquila says this, the goblin in a feat of rage after hearing the human call him ugly throws the axe to the floor and jumps at him latching to his face and starts to scratch and bite him all over his head.
"GRRRRRR! Che diavolo?! (What the hell?!) Redik! Get this demone maledetto (damned demon) off of my face!" screams Aquila in anger and annoyance as he tries to pull the goblin from his face and trying to keep it from getting mangled.
Redik and the Dr. are just speechless and they dont know what to do as they watch the assassin stumbling a few steps from one side to the other trying to get the small green creature off his face. In that moment Aquila remembers his hidden blades, and as he takes them out and tries to use them on the goblin, it takes notice and jumps off of him and lands in Redik's arms.
"I'm going to lock that thing in a cage so no one can be hurt by that demonio (demon) again!" says Aquila as he approaches Redik and the goblin.
"You will do no such thing!" says Redik.
"That little mostro (monster) attacked me!" shouts Aquila.
"It was your fault for insulting him and hurting his feelings. Isn't that right my little wimpy impy?" says Redik as he then starts to speak to the goblin as it were a baby and the hugs him, which the goblin returns.
"Ti piace quella cosa!? (You like that thing?!)" shouts Aquila
"Now now, lets leave this bad experience in the past and continue the lesson. What do you say?" says the Dr.
"If the creature I get is anything like this thing I dont want one." says Aquila still annoyed.
"Hmmpf!" respond both Redik and Wimpy.
"Oh no no, dont worry about that, goblins are beings affiliated with red mana and some times black, usually only using these manas can you summon one. Yours will be more... docile I think the word might be." says the Dr.
"Well... okay" says Aquila.
"Lets continue, summoning is in someway like planeswalking." says the Dr.
"What do you mean?" asks Aquila.
"The mage, after making contact with a being's energy, he can imprint it in the form of a spell. This spell basicly brings the said being to the possition of the summoner through a way not that different from dimensional traveling, I say it is the same method but with its obvious lesser alterations." says the Dr.
"So what will you teach me to summon anyway?" asks Aquila with some concern in his voice
"Oh I know two creatures that could be really helpfull to you, and don't worry, they are very well behaved." says the Dr. with a wide grin.
"For my sake and others' I hope so." says an exhausted Aquila.
After some hours of continues practice to channel the magic from his body and to resite the spells, Aquila is finally able to master to some degree the few spells that the Dr. tought him.
"Mio Dio (My God), Im so tired but I think I finally got it." says a tired Aquila.
"Yes yes quite, this has been a very productive day. Lets call it a day and go inside, is almost tea time." says the Dr.
"OH... okay I guess, that sounds good. Wheres Redik anyway?" asks Aquila
"Over there with Wimpy." says the Dr. while pointing at Redik. Who is using the small table to play a card game with the little goblin.
"Sooo, do you have any fours?" asks Redim to Wimpy.
"Ggrrrrr." growls Wimpy to Redik.
"Okay okay you dont have any fours I'll go fish, ssshh you dont have to be so mean about it." says Redik.
"Hey Redik, send that little demonio (demon) back from where it came from and lets go inside and eat something." says Aquila.
"Ggrrrr" growls Wimpy to Aquila.
"Don't listen to him Wimpy, anyway it was good seeing you, hope to see you again soon boy." says Redik as he unsummons Wimpy meanwhile waving at him and visa versa.
"Well then, lets go inside and have some nice tea and crumpits." says the Dr. as he walks toward the house followed by Aquila and Redik.
As they get closer to the house, they see a purple pony coming with haste at them. Is Twilight Sparkle with a worried face.
"So the princess wants to see us? What for?" asks Redik.
"I don't know, she didn't say why. All due, maybe it has something to do with the letter I send to her." says Twilight.
"A letter?" says Aquila.
"Yes, after our little adventure I decided to write to the Princess and tell her all about it." says Twilight.
"Oh this is great! Maybe she is going to punish us for putting them in danger!" says Redik with anger and disappointment.
"Relax Redik, I doubt that's the reason she is calling us for." says Aquila.
"It is also stated that me, you, and the Dr. must go." says Twilight.
"Oh my, really?" asks the Dr. taking the letter from Twilight and reading it himself. "Well I'll say, what would the Princess want with us?"
"No clue, but as you can see she is requesting the presence of the three and has already send chariots to take you there." replies Twilight.
"Well if she is doing all this to see us it must be important. Lets just go Redik." says Aquila.
"Okay okay, but, you better be right about this not being a punishment or something of that sort." says Redik.
After having a quick meal the chariots had already arrive and our group departs to Canterlot to meet with the princess. Once in Canterlot our heroes and their equine friends head to meet the princess in her court room. When they arrive the are received by non other than Celestia, but there seems to be someone else next to her, an other pony almost as tall as her with very dark blue coat and a mane which resembles the night sky
"Welcome my little ponies. Oh, and humans of course. Is very nice to see you all well." says Celestia.
"Thank you Princess, is nice to see you too." says Twilight Sparkle.
"I'm glad that you are fine Twilight, when I read your letter I got very worried, even if you said that you were fine." says Celestia.
"Oh yes don't worry, Aquila and Redik here made sure to keep us safe in that horrific world." says Twilight.
"Princess Celestia." says Aquila interrupting them. "As pleasurable as it may be to chat with one an other I have to ask you to please tell us why have you summoned our presence?" asks Aquila.
"Yeah, and who is nighty over there." says Redik as both Twilight and the DR. Whooves face-hoof to Redik's remark
"Nighty?" asks the dark blue mare, standing next to Celestia.
"Yeah nighty, you know, with all that dark blue fur and starry sky mane. You have all that night theme goin' on." replies Redik.
"All due I do not detect malice in your words, it would do you good to refrain from future attempts of nicknaming me. You would do good to show some respect to royalty human." says Nighty with a stern look.
"Excuse my friend here, he generally is well behaved... well some times." says Aquila as Redik looks at him with daggers in his eyes.
"If I have to guess, you must be the other monarch of this land." says Aquila.
"Yes, this is my sister Princess Luna." says Celestia.
"Is nice to meet you both, planeswalkers, is not often that we see your kind in this world." says Luna.
"Well yeah, this is pretty new for us though." says Redik.
"Anyway princess?" says Twilight as she looks to Celestia.
"Oh yes, well you see. After reading Twilight's letter about your great and dangerous adventure to that violent world and hearing about how you both have started training in your powers and magic with the Dr. here. I have come to the conclusion that I have to ask you both some questions." says Celestia.
"Questions?" asks Redik.
"Yes, I would like to know first, what are your intentions right now. Are you both staying here in Equestria for good or would you be leaving us when your training with the doctor here is complete?" says Celestia.
To this words Aquila and Redik both look at each other with knowing glances and after a few seconds both of our heroes direct their gazes at Celestia and say.
"We are staying." they both say in unison.
"This place is very cool and it has a lot of potential for me to make a name for myself." says Redik.
"Yeah, it is nice, very quite and beautiful with nice peop- ponies living here." says Aquila.
"So both of you wish to stay and do not harbor any feelings of returning to your original planes of existence?" asks Celestia.
"Well, I might consider returning to my world. But that would only be to finish a job I left pending. After all I am a man of honor." says Aquila.
"In my case I might want to go back and give some idiots a payback for what they did to my guild, besides I don't know what has become of them." says Redik.
"I see..." says Celestia as she starts lingering in thought.
"So since you both are going to stay here anyway you'll need to become citizens of Equestria, and as every normal citizens you'll both need jobs and places to stay." says Luna
"I totally didn't think about that." says Redik.
"What a surprise..." responds Aquila.
"As my sister had said, you will both become our subjects then, I expect to be no problem with this?" says Celestia.
"None your highness." says Aquila.
"Nope." responds Redik.
"Good then, from now on you will both become citizens of Equestria." says Celestia
"Oh man now I need to get a job." says a depress Redik.
"Even if you hadn't become a citizen you would still have to look for one. After all, we cannot live from Twilights generosity forever you know?" says Aquila.
"I know I know. Aaaah but what could I work in? I'm a soldier and I don't think I'm good in anything else." says Redik.
"And I'm an Assassin, a job not well careed for here, as far as I can see." says Aquila.
"About that." says Celestia "Me and my sister discussed this and we think we have something for you both."
"Reeeeeeallyyyyyyy?" says Redik with shinny eyes and a face full of hope.
"Yes really, hehehe, Luna" says Celestia as she then chuckles at Redik's remark.
"Dr. Whooves? Based on your opinion, how are they doing on their training and do they seem to have any talent or latent potential?" asks Luna to the Dr.
"Oh yes, yes, quite a lot of raw potential I see in this two fine sirs over here. And about their training they have become quite proficient in magic, all due, I might add that for Redik wasn't that much of a challenge in the first place of course." says the Dr.
"And you Twilight Sparkle?, What is your opinion on this two. Are they trust worthy of us?" asks Luna.
Twilight raises her hoof to her chin and starts thinking, she then looks at both of our heroes to the ayes and after meeting both their gazes she simply smiles and looks back to the princesses and says. "After spending this little time with them, all do it may not be much I must say that I trust them with my life. That is the honest truth."
Both royal pony princesses look at each other with smiles, then both turning their eyes to out heroes and Celestia speaks
"Then I think we may have ourselves our new special task unit." says Celestia.
"Special task unit?" asks Aquila.
"Yes. You see, some time ago we received reports of strange dissapearences occuring in the little town of Wood Hooves near one of the borders of the Everfree forest." says Celestia.
"We sent a small group of royal guards to investigate this but..." says Luna.
"They never reported back did they?" says Aquila with certainty in his voice.
"Yes..." says Luna
"We were thinking about sending a bigger force to look for the missing unit and to find out what is going on there. But since we don't know whats going on, it might be too risky." says Celestia
"we even considered going ourselves to investigate in this matter." says Luna.
"But then, I received Twilight's letter. When I read about what you both did I thought that I might have found what we where looking for. You two are very skilled wizard warriors with your own particular set of traits that might come in handy for different kinds of missions. This being from direct approach situations, to undercover missions." says Celestia.
"So what do you say? Will you both work for us in this Special task force. We promise that the pay will be very generous." says Luna.
Both our heroes look at each other with wide smiles.
"We are in!" reply our heroes.
Celestia stands from her seat and after walking some steps forward towards Aquila and Redik she then says.
"Good then, it is official. From now on we the Royal Pony Princesses form the Special task unit code name 'Planeswalkers'. Your first mission will be to go to the village of Wood Hoofs and investigate the dissapearences and the faith of the royal guards that were sent there, may this be your first royal assignment."
They all say their goodbyes and left the palace. They were all flying back to Ponyville on their chariots, this time Aquila was in the same one as Redik.
Aquila has been in deep thought the entire ride, he finally says to Redik, “Redik, I've been going over the possibilities of what could happened. With what I keep coming up with, I'm slightly worried.”
Redik chuckles, “I'm sure it's nothing, after all, this is the most peaceful place I’ve ever been to.” Aquila just rubs his chin as he thinks about the situation, “I'm not so sure...”
They arrive in Ponyville. Landing near Twilight's home, they depart from their chariots. Aquila thanks the guards that pulled them on behalf of everyone else, and the guards left to return to Canterlot.
“When should we begin?” Redik asks.
“Well perhaps as soon as possible. Twilight, do you have any books on the law of Equestria?” Aquila turns to Twilight as he asks this.
She brings a hoof to her chin for a second as he thinks and says, “I do think I have one somewhere, would you like me to go see if I can find it?”
Aquila nods and Twilight goes into her library to go search for the book.
“Why would you need a book on Equestrian law?” Redik asks.
Aquila turns to him and says, “Because, I don't want to break any for this investigation, and if my suspicions are correct, it will help us a lot if we knew how the laws work around here. Plus, if we are to become citizens, shouldn't we knows the laws of the land we live in?”
Redik shrugs, “I guess so, but I'm still one-hundred percent sure that this is just something a little weird and nothing serious. After all this place is like a paradise.”
Aquila shakes his head, “All lands have some form of corruption, no matter how peaceful they may seem.”
Redik opens and closes his hand symbolizing talking, “You and your silly guru sayings.”
Aquila facepalms, before he can say anything else, Twilight comes up from behind him levitating a yellow book in front of her.
“Here you go Aquila, Equestrian law.” Twilight says as she approaches
“La ringrazio molto, Twilight.” Aquila says as he takes the book in his hand.
She looks at him like he just spoke gibberish.
Aquila facepalms, “Sorry, I said, 'Thank you very much, Twilight.' I'm not used to speaking so much English at once.”
Twilight replies to him, “It's okay, I'm actually very interested in learning that strange language, perhaps you could start teaching me after your investigation?”
Aquila nods he then turns to the Doctor. “And Doctor, thank you for your help, I'm eager to continue training when we return.”
The Doctor nods, “Your welcome, I hope it goes well. I must be returning to my work now, I'm sure Derpy is wondering where I am.”
Aquila and Redik wave goodbye as he walks off.
“I guess we must be going too, Twilight. Addio, Twilight Sparkle.” Aquila says as he begins to walk in the direction of Wood Hooves.
“Uhhh yeah, see you later Twilight!” Redik says as he runs to catch up to Aquila.
Twilight waves goodbye and returns to her studies.
For about two hours they walk, following along the edge of the Everfree Forest. Aquila has been reading the book the entire time, almost finished with it already. Redik of course was trying to interrupt him and get his attention the entire time, seeming to be very bored.
Redik taps the book one last time making it move and making Aquila loose his place.
Finally Aquila snapped and raised his voice, “Dannazione arresto Redik! Permettetemi di leggere questo libro in pace prima che lo alimentano a voi in un muso (Damn it Redik stop! Let me read this book in peace before I feed it to you in a muzzle)!” After he finishes, he stares at Redik with daggers in his eyes.
Redik took a step away from his companion, realizing he pissed Aquila off. He walks a couple feet away from Aquila, letting him read in peace.
They finally reach the small town of Wood Hooves. Literally, it was right next to the Everfree Forest. Aquila had finished his book and stopped being annoyed by Redik.
“Alright, here's the plan. Redik, I want you to look around the town for anything suspicious. If you find anything, come find me, do not investigate further. I am going to ask around town and see if I can find any information about the disappearances.” Aquila tells Redik.
Redik sighs, feeling like he got the unimportant job, “Ugh fine.” He walks off into town and begins looks around for clues to the disappearances.
Aquila walks into town but another part of it, asking around for information on what happened. Listen to this for added epicness.
After another couple hours of investigating, Aquila finally overhears something. He sits down on a bench and keeps his head down, secretly listening to the conversation between two ponies. One of them having a black coat and brown mane, he is clearly a earth pony. The other has a red coat and green mane, a unicorn. “Do you have them?” says the red one.
“They should arrive soon. I assure you, these are quality organs.” replies the black one.
Aquila wants to get right up and interrogate them now. But that would ruin things, so he keeps listening. Selling organs is illegal and is punishable by banishment.
“Good, I've spent too many bits on this already, at least I can finally finish my research.” the red one says.
“Yes, and remember...this conversation never happened.” the black one replies. Then he walks off. So does the red one. Aquila smirks, “I have a lead.” he says to himself, he quickly stands up and follows the black one. Waiting until they are secluded.
The black earth pony walks into an alleyway in between buildings. Aquila follows, but he climbs onto the rooftops. Once the pony is far enough in the alley, he jumps down and grabs him. Aquila forces him up against the wall with his left arm, and he extends his hidden blade, holding it to the pony's neck.
“Alright cagna! (bitch!) I want you to tell me who and where your supplier is of those organs you are selling!” Aquila growls to him.
“AH! Okay okay! I'll talk! I don't know his name! He only goes by 'Surgeon'! He isn't very far into the Everfree and he often hides out in a cellar there! That's all I know! Don't kill me, please!” the pony says with tears coming out of his eyes.
Aquila retracts the blade and throws the pony to the side, “Il piacere fare affari con voi ... uscire e non tornare più indietro. (Pleasure doing business with you... leave and never come back.)”
The pony didn't know what just Aquila said, but he ran. Fast.
Meanwhile, Redik finally found the edge of the Everfree forest in his search of the town. He sees a small trail of blood going into the forest and he raises his hands in the air about to cheer at his success, but he decided not to attract attention to himself. He runs back into town to go find Aquila, only to smash into him.
Aquila fell back but quickly rolled and got back to his feet, brushing himself off. “Bah! Guarda dove stai andando la prossima volta, ragazzo.(Bah! Watch where you're going next time, boy.) Anyways, my suspicions were right.”
Redik stands up and gets the dirt off his robe. “What?”
Aquila nods in confirmation. “It is someone, known as the 'Surgeon'. I'm not entirely sure, but he's our best bet.”
“Yeah, and I found a trail of blood leading into the forest here.” He points into the dark forest.
“Then we'd better go before he gets anymore ponies.” Aquila says, running into the forest.
Redik follows along, making sure his robe doesn't get torn by any branches. Aquila doesn't seem to care if his gets torn. After a few minutes of searching, they finally see a cellar door on the ground.
Aquila notices a padlock on the handles, so he extends a hidden blade and sticks it into the keyhole, fortunately he was able to pick the lock with it. He opens up the doors with them each letting out loud squeaks and rusty noises.
Aquila walks in and there are torches lit along a long corridor, but how long it is, is impossible to tell.
Redik grabs a torch off the wall and follows Aquila as he begins walking through.
Aquila holds his hand out for Redik to stop.
“What? What is it?” Redik asks.
Aquila doesn't say anything and he looks around.
Redik shrugs and takes a step forward.
“No Redik!” Aquila lets out, he puts his hand on Redik's face and pushes him back. Aquila then leans back and two giant blades swing from the walls and just barely pass in front of Aquila, a tiny piece of the cloth from his hood falls in front of him. The blades to do not return and Aquila glares angrily at Redik. “Next time you should listen.”
“Whatever” Redik stands up and makes sure not to step on what appears to be a pressure plate.
Aquila helps Redik along the way not to step on any pressure plates, and watching out for himself. They continue on and eventually reach a large wooden door.
Aquila opens it and it lets out a foul smell, one of decay and rotten flesh.
Redik quickly covers his mouth and holds his stomach, his face turns green, he looks very sick from just the smell alone. “MMPF!” He lets out, trying not to throw up.
Aquila opens the door all the way and walks inside, what he saw almost made him turn green too... Dead ponies everywhere, laying in piles, hanging off the ceiling, chained to a wall. All the suspended ones had been cut open and had organs removed.
Redik walks in with his eyes closed, “What do you see?” he asks Aquila. But, before Aquila could respond, Redik bumps into something. He feels something wet and squishy on his face and opens his eyes, his head was resting on the stomach of a suspended pony. “AAAAAHHHHHH-” he yells out.
Aquila covers Redik's mouth before too much noise could be let out. He does this because he notices a pony in the distance, it must be the Surgeon, because he seems to be working on something on the table.
“Redik, if you don't want to continue, you can wait here.” Aquila tells him.
Redik just nods and quickly runs out the door and shuts it. He goes to the side of the corridor and throws up. He sits down and rests, trying to clear his mind of what he just saw, trying not to pass out
Aquila continues on and listens to the crazy pony talking to himself.
“Okay let's see here, I need to get some of these out for today's order and one liver.” the crazy pony says as he works inside the body of one of the dead ponies.
Aquila breathes in for a moment and jumps from the shadows, surprising the Surgeon. He grabs the pony and extends his hidden blade, driving it into the Surgeon's neck, causing it to turn red with blood. He gently lays the now dead pony down on the stone, cold, and bloody floor. “Requiescat in pace, Chirurgo (Rest in peace, Surgeon.)” he says as he stands over the insane pony's dead body.
Aquila stands over the body, apparently the surgeon was a unicorn. While wiping some of the blood off his mouth, out of the darkness, he hears an unnatural moan from something. He turns to the direction of it and stares into the darkness. Then it fades. “Che cos'è il...(What the...)?” Then, he hears a roar and something smashes into him from behind, it tackles him and he is caught by surprise, he lands face first into the darkness, the only lit torch loosing its light. He manages to turn over and kick the beast off. He stands up and turns in the darkness, then he hears the clopping of hooves... The beast attacks again this time from the front, it knocks him over onto his back and they struggle, the snapping of teeth is heard as he holds its head back. It smelled foul, just like the room itself, it must live here along with the now dead Surgeon.
Aquila puts his hands on the side of its head, extending his two hidden blades into it, the gurgling of blood is heard and the body falls limp on top of him, blood pouring onto him. He pushes it off and stands up. He doesn't feel any pain so he must not be hurt. He stumbles around in the darkness, holding out his hands to feel for things, he finds a wall and feels along it, eventually finding a brazier. He feels his hands around the area, he finds two rocks and picks them up. He strikes them together above the brazier. Eventually creating a spark and lighting the brazier, he then notices something red on the wall, he looks up and sees something written in blood on the wall.
Meanwhile, Redik finally finishes with recovering from what he saw. He stands up, and looks over to the pile of bile he left on the other side of the corridor. “I hate this place...” He wipes the dust off from his robe and begins to think to himself. 'What is taking him so long? Oh man what if he's in trouble!' He rushes over to the wooden door and opens it, immediately covering his mouth, he bends over trying to contain his puke from leaving him. He manages to keep it down and runs into the room. “Don't worry Aquila! I'll save you!”
Aquila was looking over what was written on the wall. It read, 'In life we worry about death, but do we worry about death being in life?' Aquila raised a brow and turned to the beast he killed, once he saw it he backpedaled... it was a pony, but pieces of flesh were missing, its hair all gone, bone showing in places, missing an eye. “Che tipo di magia scellerata è questa (What kind of unholy magic is this)?”
Then, Redik comes running out from the darkness and trips over the dead pony's body. “Shit!” He yells as he falls over face first onto the ground. He begins to get up and rub his now throbbing forehead, due to it smacking against the stone floor. “Damn it! That hurt so-” he says as he turns to see what he tripped on. As soon as his eyes saw what he tripped on he gasped and his arms lost control and flailed around. He stumbles back toward Aquila.
Aquila facepalms and catches Redik before he falls. “Calm down there shoul-”
“Calm down?! CALM DOWN?! THAT IS A FUCKING ZOMBIE PONY!” Redik shouts at Aquila.
“calmare l'inferno giù, ragazzo (Calm the hell down, boy)!” Aquila says getting Redik's attention. “First, explain what a zombie is.”
“Zombies, are usually people who have been risen from the dead.” Redik explains to Aquila as he looks over what was written on the wall.
Aquila nods. “Do you think that perhaps the Surgeon figured out a way through magic to raise the dead?” “It sure seems that way.” Redik says as he takes a look at the double-dead zombie pony.
Then they both hear the many moans of the dead ponies, Aquila turns to Redik and says. “Redik light the torches!” Redik quickly nods and runs over to the torches along the wall to light them.
Meanwhile Aquila was approaching the many zombie ponies that were leaving their tables. They all stare at him with hunger. They rush over to him their blood-thirst unending.
Aquila charged too, he slams his hand into one of their foreheads, releasing the hidden blade inside stabbing into the brain. Then he spins and slices one in the neck that was leaping at him from the left. He spins and slams his hidden blade into the side of another's head, he pushes and forces it to the ground.
Meanwhile Redik finishes lighting the torches so they can see everything in the large room. He rushes over and joins the battle, casting an incinerate spell on one of the zombies, causing it to burn to death. One leaps at him and attempts to bite him on the arm, he grabs its jaw and tears it off, then beating the zombie with the bottom half of its own jaw until it dies again. Aquila turns and kicks one to stop its forward momentum, he then stabs one hidden blade in its head and the other it its body, he then kicks it into another one of the zombies and back flips, landing on the back of one and breaking its back, he stabs it in the top of its head with his hidden blade.
Redik finishes beating the zombie, then he notices the pile of zombies around Aquila. “Well I took care of this one...”
Aquila retracts the blades and notices a bloody piece of paper on the ground, he picks it up and explains how there are more places like this. Along with the decoy Surgeons...”Vaffanculo (Fuck)!”
Redik looks over to him and says “What?! What is it?!”
Aquila tears the paper and sighs, “There are more places like this scattered in the Everfree Forest, the Surgeon here was a decoy and there are many others.”
“And?” Redik asks.
“We need to go to all these locations and make sure these zombies don't come back, and we need to make sure that we get the right Surgeon. Or else this whole thing will start all over. But, first...” Aquila explains as he walks over to the wall, grabbing a torch off of it. He then throws the torch into the body of zombies and they begin to burn. He then quickly runs back to the wooden door.
Redik stares at the fire for a few seconds, then he realizes what is happening, and practically sprints to the door after Aquila. “Hang on wait for me! I don't want to become a crispy awesome dinner!”
Aquila opens the door and lets Redik run through, he then does so himself.
They run out of the cellar door, coughing a little from the smoke, and taking a moment to rest. Then smoke begins to come out of it symbolizing everything was burning.
Aquila shakes his head a little to get the dust off, and beckons Redik to follow. “Come we need to find these locations and make sure nothing leaves them except ourselves.”
Redik nods and follows along, in the meantime, preparing himself for more gross sights...
After leaving the collapsing dungeon Aquila and Redik have determined that their best course of action is to find the other bases and labs in the forest and destroy them.
“Let’s get this zombie hunt started!” shouts Redik.
“Okay, but relax my fiery friend. We don’t want to just go and stumble into and trap or an ambush, do we?” says Aquila.
“No, I guess not.” Answers Redik.
“Well, then according to the map the other zombie labs, if that is what we believe them to be are spread throughout the forest over here.” Says Aquila.
“Then I’ll only have to burn the forest and all the bases will be gone.” Says Redik meanwhile making motions that indicate that he is about to use one of his spells.
Before Redik can do anything he is pulled by the hood and so stopped from even trying to start the spell.
“The Hell, What’s your problem?!” Screams Redik angrily at Aquila.
“I should ask you the same question you idiot.” Says Aquila “Are you forgetting that starting a fire will not only consume this section of the forest but it will also spread to the rest of it and the village?”
“Oh yeah.” Says Redik with a sheepishly smile.
“Besides, we are not sure if the bases will get destroyed by doing so.” Says Aquila.
“So we will have to do it the old fashioned way then?” says Redik with a tone of disappointment.
“It looks that way.” Responds Aquila.
“Well, that’s just great!” says an annoyed Redik.
“Suck it up, you are a soldier under contract now and this has become part of our mission now so you better deal with it and fast.” Says Aquila.
“I know I know, is just that it is really dark in here, it will take us a long time to actually find the entrances.” Answers Redik.
“Don’t worry; this is the perfect time to try this spell that the Dr. has thought me.” Says Aquila.
“What are you going to make light appear or make a torch, because now that I think about it I could make one.” Says Redik.
“Nothing like that, something better.” Says Aquila.
Aquila extends his hand and over his palm he starts concentrating his mana. A ball of white magic starts forming and growing slowly until it burst in a bright light. Redik who had turned away from the sight to not get blinded by it turns around to find what seems to be a beautiful and radiant butterfly made out of light flying over Aquila’s palm.
“A butterfly?” asks Redik.
“Not exactly, this is one of the summons the Dr. thought me. This little creature here is call a Goldenglow Moth. It will help us see in this darkness with its bright light and it has a little perk that could come in handy for me.” Says Aquila
“Well that’s seems nice and useful I guess, but wouldn’t this makes us a target for whatever is lurking in here?” asks Redik
“In a way yes, but we want them to come for us. After all we must make sure to not leave any zombies or monsters behind and this is a good way to lure them to us and take them down don’t you think?” says Aquila.
“Yeah I think you are right, well thought plan there.” Says Redik.
“Let’s go then?” asks Aquila.
“After you and your bright friend of course my good sir.” Says Redik while doing a reverence.
The two special-ops agents go deeper into the forest looking for what they have come to name as “The super really secret very much hidden zombie and monsters bases/dungeons/labs (trademark pending). Or at least that’s how Redik calls them. As it was predicted a series of zombie attack waves appeared out of nowhere but they were easily handled by our friends, especially with the convenient knowledge of this creature’s weakness to fire. This was making of Redik a really happy camper as he goes around burning monsters down while singing a silly song.
1 little, 2 little , 3 little zombies, 4 little, 5 little , 6 little zombies, 7 little, 8 little, 9 little zombies and I still have many to Burn! (Says this while burning and undead to dead) WUAHAHAHAHAHA! Burn! Burn!
At this image Aquila starts thinking to himself that if he didn’t new better this guy here is enjoying this way too much... Realizing that most of the attacks where coordinated and usually from the same directions Aquila and Redik realize that most likely their targets where there.
After eliminating increasing waves of brainless monsters they find what seems to be their first target.
They see a bunch of zombies coming out of a big old cabin.
After making a sound strategy they initiate their attack. Redik uses his fireball against the cabin. The big building catches on fire and the zombies around it start to panic. Bought Aquila and Redik come out of the bushes they were hiding in charge towards the mass of confuse zombies. Aquila starts cutting through them with grace while Redik incinerates the zombies that apparently were inside the building and now are trying to escape outside. After 5 minutes they don’t seem to see anymore zombies. Redik decides to go inside the burning cabin to check meanwhile Aquila will stays guarding. Redik enters the inferno which for him doesn’t feel hotter than a normal hot summer day. After checking around, everything inside is either dead or destroy. He decides to go outside but that’s when he hears pounding sounds, after looking for it source he finds it. It’s a door on the floor, most likely leading to the cellar. A big piece of wood is covering trapping whoever or whatever is inside. Redik knows that it is risky, but he is not scared and with his big ego and confidence he decides he can take whatever comes out of there. He slowly moves the wooden piece from the door, after doing so he stands in front of the door and says.
“Whoever is inside there, come out now!” But there is no response. Redik shouts again. “Come out now!”
No response, he’ll have to do it the hard way. He prepares to launch a Shock spell with one hand He starts walking slowly towards the door, veeery slowly, he is almost there, he starts extending his hand to the handle, he almost grabs it, is about to touch it. He grabs it! Is about to open it! He opens it!
Nothing, Redik opens the door with spell in hand to just find a staircase leading to a really dark cellar. He is not able to see anything beyond the three first steps.
“Damn now I’ll have to go down there an- AAAAAA!” screams Redik as all of a sudden from the darkness of the cellar a creature jumps on him, and in a fast reflex he dodges the creature and uses the spell missing the fast target. What Redik sees in front of him is a pony standing in 2 muscular hind legs, his forelegs are replace for blades. It has a brown coat with green mane and seems to be wearing a bloodied butcher coat.
Redik runs back to where Aquila is standing, "Okay! What's our new plan?! Run? I like that one!"
Aquila smacks Redik in the side of the head, "No, we need to kill it like the rest. Here's the pla- MERDA(SHIT) MOVE! " He pushes Redik out of the way and spins and ducks under a blade from the beast, then leans back from it swinging another. He extends his hidden blades and deflects countless, furious but reckless. In a quick flash, he retracts his hidden blades and ducks under, he spins and sweeps the legs of the pony, the continues the spin and kicks it in the torso before it falls, it goes flying back. "Redik! I'll keep it distracted! I'll find an opening so you can burn it to hell! But first! Flank this thing so we can kicks it's ass!"
Redik nods and runs at the now standing beast, he jumps and grabs the beast's torso, using that momentum to spin and throw it to the ground by means of it going over his shoulder, meanwhile Aquila runs and jumps up, sending his elbow down to the beast's chest once it lands, severely hurting it.
The beast gets angry and jumps up, forcing the two back. It looks for a moment at the two, deciding who to attack...it turns and runs for Redik. Redik yells "Come at me, bitch!" as he gets into his fighting stance.
Aquila runs to the beast too as it charges, meanwhile Redik and the beast clash, he ducks under a blade and grabs a leg, pulling it back, he then wraps his arm around its shoulder, and twists his torso, using his other arm to grab its torso, and he makes it do a full flip onto its back on the ground.
Aquila jumps over Redik, using his shoulder as a step. He lands on the beast, putting a hidden blade in its stomach, and another in the chest, he then grabs the beast and lifts it up and rests it on his knee. He holds it like this to cast whatever spell he wants to kill it, but he yells out, "Now! Do your fireball thing!"
Redik doesn't hesitate and casts the spell, he spins and sends the fireball at the beast. The beast takes it full on and is lit on fire, the blast causes Aquila to stumble back from the force. The beast uses this advantage and thrashes around, making Aquila drop it.
The beast gets up, its flesh burning, it rages and charges Aquila roaring in fury and anger, it tackles him to the ground, mainly because of Aquila being slightly shocked the beast is still standing from a hit like that.
"Figlio di una cagna (Son of a bitch)!" Aquila lets out, his hands being burned as he falls back, meanwhile being tackled by the beast, he puts his hands on it, not caring about the burns. He struggles with the beast, getting burned in the process, but he never actually catches fire due to the materials the cloak is made from, but he ignores the pain for the sake of survival. He manages to knee its torso then headbutt the burning beast, he gets his foot under and pushes it off, his hands and forehead being red from the heat.
Redik runs over to the beast and grabs a stick in the meantime, the beast gets up, by Redik kicks it back and drives the stick into its torso and forces it back into a tree. Then, he pulls the stick out and lets it fall on the ground, he then stomps on its burning head, it not effecting his feet too much due to the burning. He walks over to Aquila and offers a hand, "Who'd have think i'd have to be the one helping the old fart to get up."
Aquila just takes the hand chuckling, "You did good, for once." He playfully punches Redik in the shoulder and moves on to the cabin. Rubbing the burn marks, and his hands he shakes them a little as his flesh smokes a little.
Redik follows, metaphorically, his head is the size of the moon right now, because he kicked the crap out of that thing.
“So this thing survived the fire?” asks Aquila.
“No actually, He jumped me when I opened a door that I believe leads to the cellar.” Answers Redik.
“A cellar ha? I think it would be wise to go check this cellar.” Says Aquila.
Aquila and Redik head to the cabin’s cellar door. After inspecting from the top of the stairs they decide to enter the dark beyond that is down there.
Aquila turns around and calls “Luminoso venire qui (Luminoso come here).”
“You named it?” asks Redik.
“Yeah and?” says Aquila, rising a brow.
“Nothing I think it's adorable.” Responds Redik.
“Chiudere.” (shut up) says Aquila.
The little shiny moth starts flying down the stairs followed closely by the 2 walkers. They reach the bottom of the stairs only to find a giant dark room. It seems to be even bigger than the hall cabin above it. They make their best efforts to try to see what’s in the darkness but with no results. Aquilla tells Luminoso to start flying slowly forward as he follows the little bright moth. Meanwhile Redik stays behind taping the wall in the luck to find a torch or something. He is soon is rewarded as he has found what seems to be a torch. He lights it with a little flame out of his finger. He then notice in the wall right next to where the torch was a little space with a black liquid on it. He notices it forms some kind of trail along the wall. He looks towards Aquila to tell him about his findings, but decides to not bother his friend which seem very preoccupied checking the dark room and the things that surround him, like stone tables and poorly crafted wooden chairs. Redik decides to light it with the torch, "Maybe it’s some kind of lighting system." He thinks outloud to himself. Redik lights it and in a split second the liquid catches on fire and a fast line of fire starts spreading thought the small canals in the wall and lighting torches all around the room.
Aquila stops and takes notice to this. “What have you done Redik?”
“I think I found out how to turn the lights on hehehe.” responds Redik.
By the time the fire reaches the end, the entire room is lit by the torches and reveals a lot of stone tables, chairs, lab equipment, blood all over the room, corpses, and various leather straps that can be attached to the stone tables. As fast as all the torches were lit, the fires were then extinguished all at once, by an unnatural air.
“Okay, I don’t know what is going on but I don’t like what just happened." Says Aquila.
“What do you mean?” asks Redik. All the torches turn on suddenly to reveal a small army of zombie pony monsters, with the blades on their arms like the one from before surrounding Aquila.
“That’s what I meant.” Aquila says being surrounded by them. "Venite a me, voi bestie profano innaturali di sporcizia (Come at me you unholy unnatural beasts of filth)!" Aquila yells, getting into his battle stance. "Redik! Set the fires! I'll keep them busy for as long as I can!"
Redik then yells back with a little anger, "There is no way in the deepest pits of hell you can take those all on! I'm staying!"
"Fallo ora, è poco cagna lamentosa, starò bene (Do it now, you little whiny bitch, I'll be fine)!" Aquila nearly screams at Redik.
Redik had no idea what Aquila just said, but he sounded pissed. Redik just ran back up the stairs to go look for something that will explode.
Meanwhile, Aquila stands there in his classic Muay Tai stance and waits for an incoming attacker. He slightly turns his head back to one and they hesitate attacking. They are like animals. If you stand up to them, they will start to hesitate Aquila learned.
One gets brave and charges, it swings one of its blade arms at Aquila from behind. He spins and ducks under the blade, he elbows it in the back of the head, then turns and grabs it's biceps and leaps forward, smashing his knee into its back and forcing it onto the ground, he then pulls with all of his might and tears the two arms off...he just gained himself two weapons.
He spins around and swings one of the arms, cutting in half one of the beasts charging. He doesn't like the weight and the feel of it very much though, it's too heavy. "Argh! Cosa darei per una spada lunga in questo momento (Argh! What I would give for a longsword right now)!" He spins and deflects a blade and kicks a beast back. THeir attacks are becoming more frequent now, two come at him. One in front and one in back they both swing down and Aquila just barely jumps away, he barrel rolls in the air and stabs on in the back, before he could recover his "weapon" he was forced to leap back from a blade, the beast sends both of theirs forward for a mutilate attack, but Aquila puts the arm in front of him and blocks the two incoming blades.
He pushes the beast back and jumps forward and stabs its neck with the sword, when he lands, he almost gets executed as he spins and deflects, but this causes the arm to fall from his hands. He leans to the side to dodge a blade and sends two fists forward to knock the beast back.
One charges from behind, but this time he ducks down and grabs its crotch, then its neck and uses its momentum to lift it up and over him, to smash it down on an incoming beast.
"REDIK!!! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!!!!" he yells as he dodges three incoming blades.
"I'M COMING!!!!!" Redik yells from upstairs.
Aquila spins to the side to dodge two incoming blades coming for him, he grabs the two arms and pushes them forward to stab into another beast, meanwhile kicking one back from behind, he then kicks the beast in front of him in the back of the head and the other swings and he jumps back, only to jump again and kick it in the face.
"SHIT!" Aquila yells as he barrel rolls in the air, luckily dodging 8 incoming blades all at once, just barely and perfectly. Now he can't even counter attack, he's too busy trying not to get chopped into bits until he hears...
"AQUILA! COME ON THE PLACE IS ABOUT TO BLOW!!!!" Aquila hears from upstairs, he then runs and kicks himself off one of the beasts, just barely sending himself over the group, he ducks under a blade as he lands and pushes the beast back into the group to slow them down. He the bolts up the stairs and to Redik who was outside now.
Just as the building explodes, Aquila makes it out the door and just barely jumps away. Landing on the ground and his back smoking, his robe would be burnt on the back but he was okay. He stands up and notices one of the beasts limping over to them as it burns, Aquila runs over, yelling he jumps onto its burning shoulders and slams both his elbows onto the top of its head.
Aquila jumps off and returns to Redik.
When he gets up to Redik, he slaps Redik in the face pretty hard.
"Ow! What was that for?!" Redik says, holding the red mark on his face.
"For taking so damn long!" Aquila yells.
"Do you know how hard it is to make an explosive out of oil barrels?!!!!" Redik yells back.
"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME, THAT THERE WERE OIL BARRELS IN THAT CABIN AND IT TOOK YOU TEN MINUTES TO SET THEM TO EXPLODE?!!!!!" Aquila says, quite angry now.
"I-I couldn't find a fuse! Don't blow yours man!" Redik says, almost scared.
Aquila just flips him off.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
All of a sudden our to heroes are interrupted by a small and loud (yeah go figured) scream and terror coming out of the cabin. Both of them turn around to watch what was going on when they see a small ball of light and what seems to be a lot of fire over it flying desperately out of the ruble of the cabin and flying like a maniac while screaming in its high pitch voice. SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Aquila ‘s face turns white at the horrific scene in front of him and extending his arm out he screams “LUMINOSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Aquila turns to Redik and says, "It's your fault, because you were too busy jerking off to light the fuse to the barrels!!!" Aquila then kicks Redik’s balls in anger.
"AGGHH!" Screams Redik as he grabs his balls in pain due to his partners kick. While grabbing his balls in pain he stares at Aquila and says, “It is not my fault you forgot your stupid pet inside.”
In that moment Luminoso burst in a small explosion of light and fire.
“Oh well, is not like I can always summon another moth” says Aquila.
“Bastard.” replys Redik, panting on the ground.
“Yeah I know.” Says Aquila.
After some moments of pain and suffering Redik stands and says “So I guess this base is out of the count then?”
“Yeah… Next one?” says Aquila.
“Yeah that sounds cool let's go.” replys Redik.
And so the dimensional warriors run towards the middle of the forest in search for the other zombie bases.
Aquila facepalmed in frustration, Redik had been non-stop talking about how much zombie ass he kicked. He told Redik that he'd get him back for killing Luminoso, he just didn't say when.
"And I was all like 'Come at me, bitch!' and it came running at me! It tried to attack me but it was futile! I put the throwdown on it and slammed it on the ground!" Redik said having a strange kind of boastful strut.
Aqula sighed. "Redik...shut up."
Redik bro-punched Aquila's shoulder "Hey, i'll shut up when you actually kill one."
Aquila grunted and pushed Redik back, he grabbed a branch and kept walking, Redik kept talking. Aquila pulled the branch back and let go, it swung back and smacked Redik right in the cheek,
"OW!!!! JUST OWWWWWW!!!!" Redik yelled holding his face after he fell back onto his back. He has a huge red mark going across his face now. "Was that the payback?!"
Aquila laughed and said, "No, that was to get you to be quiet."
Redik sighed and got up, the red mark was bleeding a little and it hurt quite a bit. He ran and caught up with Aquila, keeping his mouth shut.
They finally reach the next place, it was a cave, they both walk inside. Then, something strange happens, they start to hear something, but they aren't quite sure.
Redik starts rapidly tapping Aquila's shoulder, he's starting to get frightened. "Aquila Aquila Aquila! What is that?!" he says quietly as they walk in. The cave was dark, all they could see were each other, even then very faintly.
"I don't know, it's even creeping me out some." Aquila says. "There's no use in turning back, I'm not doing all the work again."
"O-okay...i'll t-try not to...AH WHAT WAS THAT?!" Redik yells as he hears the noise of some creatures.
"Calmati (Calm down)!" Aquila says, he grabs a hold of Redik and pulls him forward to him. "I need you to stay quiet and have a spell ready at all times. Understand?"
Redik nods, but nervously.
After a few minutes of walking, they stop hearing the noises. Then a unholy scream of unholyness could be heard and the cave lights up.
"Oh...merda." Aquila says.
Redik eyes widen. "Aquila?"
"Yes?"
"We're going to die aren't we?"
"Probably."
They would be in a large cavern, a near army of zombies would have them surrounded, though they were not light what they've seen before, they seemed more fleshy and less bony, and they were very slow in their movements.
"Well...if we are going to die...we might as well take a whole grappolo (bunch) with us." Aquila says, sighing.
Redik's eyes then turn from fear, to anger. "Screw that!" he turns and punches one in the face, but it was strange, its head flew right off. "What the shit balls on a stick?!" Redik says. He punches another in the shoulder and its arm falls off. He picks up another and it would be light as a feather and throws it into the large group. "Alright lets kick some ass!" He jumps into the crowd, leaving Aquila's sight.
Aquila smirks and charges in, tearing off the arm of one and swinging it around, smacking another and sending it flying, he throws the arm into another. He grabs one and swings it around, causing about 5 to fall apart from the force. The one he was holding does too. He continues on to destroy any who come near. He spins and slices the neck of one with his hidden blade. He continues the spin and sends his fist into the gut of the beast, sending it flying back into its bretheren knocking an unbelievable amount of them down. "Porca puttana, questo è più divertente che pericoloso (Holy shit, this is more fun than dangerous)." he says as he just keeps killing and killing.
Meanwhile a giant bonfire could be seen in the middle, it would be made purely of zombies, somewhere a couple hundred of them. There Redik is, standing on top of it, blasting away at zombies as they try to climb up. "BURN BURN AAAAAHAHAHAHA! I WILL NOT BE DENIED THIS VICTORY!!!!" He says as he blasts away, being both pissed off and having fun at the same time. Zombies have scared him way too much now, he's had enough. He would kick one down and fire a fireball at another.
Something snapped in him, but it is unclear what. Perhaps it was simply the desire to live, or he was fed up with these zombies, and he wants payback.
Back where Aquila was, he was getting over run, multiple ones attacking him all at once, he needed to get to where Redik was. He throws a few off of himself, he brings out his hidden blades and runs forward, stabbing two in their chests, he sprints forward holding them up, using them as battering rams. He reaches where Redik was. "Redik! We need a plan!"
"I already have one!" Redik replies back.
"You do?!" Aquila says a little surprised while kicking one back. "What is it?!"
"KILL EVERYTHING!" He yells as he throws one off.
"Fine with me!" Aquila says, he starts to climb up the pile and stands next to Redik.
For about 2 hours they fight, and fight and fight. Until all the zombies were dead. Aquila and Redik would be panting, the pile twice as big as before. They both sit down and cover their noses, the entire cave smelled like burnt zombie, the kind of food rich people eat.
"Okay, now i'll be quiet, you did manage to take down two or three." Redik says to Aquila.
Aquila just sighs and chuckles. "Why don't we go outside, make a fire and go to sleep?"
Redik shrugs and stands up offering a hand. "Fine with me, it's not every day I get to be even more awesome."
They both leave the cave. Aquila walks out first and starts gathering the things needed for a fire.
Redik walks out and stares at the cave entrance, wondering how he's going to seal it off.
Aquila eventually makes the fire and they both sit down, having simple conversations, mainly about random things like, fish, types of wood, the proper way to make a fire, and women, oh how Redik loves women.
Redik finally gets tired and lays down on the wet grass, staring up at the dark leaves of the Everfree, he drifts off into sleep. He dreams about cake.
Aquila climbs up into a tree and finds a comfy spot to rest in, he lays in the branch and also falls asleep, but he has a nightmare, one of if they fail their mission and how all would be lost if they did.
Morning arrives to the forest and the rays of the sun start making their way throughout the woods and into our heroes resting area.
Aquila is awoken from his slumber by the warm beams of light, meanwhile on the ground Redik is having a nice dream and seems to be oblivious to the light over him. Aquila jumps down from the tree and starts walking towards his partner, and then it is when he heards Redik whispering something in his sleep. The assassin interested in what his companion may be dreaming decides to just kneel down next to him and listen instead of waking him up.
"No no your majesty, I don't think that's perverted at all hehehehe. If you let me, I think i could show you something perverted if you know what I mean that is huhuhuhuhu hehehe.
Aquila doesn't want to imagine what kind of weird fantasy his friend is having and decides that the best course of action is, of course waking him up; In the kindest way possible of course... right? POW!
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" Redik suddenly wakes up after reciving what he most likely think was a strong kick to his perverted face... his face.
"The fuck is your problem, why did you kick me in my face?!" asks Redik
"I saw a fly and decided to squish it. Oh wait, there it is again!" says Aquila.
"No no wait! OWWWWWW!" Redik lets out, being kicked in the face again.
"It is time to go and look for the last lab and besides, you were having a really nasty dream, it was making me sick. God only knows what you were dreaming." says Aquila.
"For your information it was a really nice dream. Argh! Why did you have to wake me up?! Me and her majesty were about to-!" POW! "UUUGGGHHH!" says Redik as he is interrupted by a kick to his stomach.
"Shut it, I don't even want to know." says Aquila.
Redik stands up and grumbles. Meanwhile, they get ready to leave in search of the remaining monster/zombie/gross thingies labs.
After some small preparations both our heroes depart into the depths of the forest in search of their next target. Following the path indicated in the map, that Aquila memorized, they soon find themselves in a very dense part of the forest making their search for the next lab slower and more difficult.
"Ah man, how are we supposed to find that damn thing in this place, we can barely move ourselves!" says Redik losing his patience.
"Relax would you fool, it's not that big of a problem. In fact, I think this could work in our favor." says Aquila
"Huh? How could this be a good thing?" asked Redik with a clear feeling of doubt in his words.
"Simple. I'll just climb to the top of one of these trees. Since the base is supposed to be here and of course it should be something big and easily noticeable." says Aquila before having his speech completed by Redik
"And by that reasoning it would stand out among the trees in this area?" asked Redik with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
"Correct. Wait for me down here. Meanwhile, I'll go up there and check our surroundings." says Aquila.
As Aquila says this he jumps and takes hold of a branch neer him and starts making his way up. Aquila climbs and climbs with great agility as expected from an assassin. For anyone watching him, it wouldn't be weird to confuse him with a well dressed monkey. When he finally arrives at the top Aquila starts using his trained eyesight to see if he can spot it out. He looks around and see if he can find something special in their surroundings. After a few seconds he finds what he was looking for or at least what he thinks he is looking for. To the north of their position, relatively close to them, what appears to be a giant tree house stands above all the other trees. Aquila smiles to himself and jumps down to meet and inform Redik of his finding.
"Hey hothead. I think I have found what we were looking for." says Aquila.
"What really? Well that was fast." answers Redik.
"Told you it would work."
"So what is it?"
"A giant tree house."
"...eh? Did you just say, a giant tree house?"
"Yes."
"..."
"...is there a problem with that?"
At this question Redik just gives a wide creepy smile and replys that their is no problem at all.
Aquila feels a little disturbed, but for the sake of his sanity, he ignores his friend and starts leading the way to their target. Along the way Redik's mind is in a state euphoria and panic at the same time and Aquila is able to hear some mumbles coming from behind him as Redik goes saying stuff like: "Wood good yes, wood burn good, burn burn, no fire bad, fire hurt, but burning feels soo good, he hehehe hehe hehehehehe..."
Aquila decides to ignore the mumbles and just keeps pushing forward... while staying a couple feet away from Flame-Butt the Psycho Flamethrower.
After some time the two make it to a small clearing in the forest that has the giant tree house in the center, they notice that standing infront of what appears to be the main door, two giant zombies stand guard.
"Okay we need a plan." says Aquila.
"How about... you stay there and cower in the corner, and I go kick their asses?" says Redik
"As much as I love that idea, I'm not sure I want to drag a dead dumb ass around with me." says Aquila.
"Okay...got any better ideas?!" Redik says while crossing his arms and pouting.
"Use you as a meat-shield while I prendere a pugni (pummel) things, sounds pretty nice about now. But sadly, you're only good at one thing, burning things. So..." Aquila looks around for a second... He snaps his finger as he hatches an idea. "Got it!" He runs over to one of the trees and takes two rather thick branches. He brings them back and begins to sharpen them with his hidden blades.
"What are we? Cavemen?" Redik says.
"You're pretty close." Aquila says as he sharpens the branches.
Redik facepalms and groans. Redik sits there, bored, as he waits for Aquila to finish.
After a couple minutes, Aquila finishes sharpening the branches. "Okay, light the tips on fire. Just the tips."
Redik does so, not even sure what the plan is yet. "So where do I come in?"
"We're going to impale them with these branches, they're long enough and strong enough to support the weight, and the fire will make sure they don't get back up." Aquila explains.
"Ooooohhhh...I don't get it." Redik says.
"Stabby stabby." Aquila says handing one to Redik.
"Oh okay!" Redik says taking it and he charges.
"No not yet! Damn it!" Aquila charges too.
Aquila runs up to his. It realizes its enemies and it charges too. Aquila readies his branch and clashes with the zombie, he impales it in the stomach and forces it back into the side of the tree house. It falls to its butt and stops moving, it catches on fire and doesn't move at all. Aquila looks left. "...Redik you dumbass!"
Redik missed...HE MISSED. "AHHHHHHH!!!!" He yells running in circles, the zombie chasing him.
Aquila runs and picks up Redik's fallen burning branch. He charges and pushes Redik interrupting his running and screaming. Aquila jumps up and stabs the beast in the face with it. It falls over and screams an unholy wail. It thrashes around until it's consumed in the fire, then it stops.
"By the time I've saved you 1,000 times, you'll have almost saved me once." Aquila says, offering a hand to help Redik up. "I had it under control!" Redik says not accepting the hand.
"Sei un bugiardo. (You're such a liar.)" Aquila says.
"Stop speaking in gibberish!" Redik says.
"Forse non voglio. (Maybe I don't want to.)" Aquila says back.
"GRRRRRR!" Redik growls back.
Aquila just laughs.
"Whatever! I'm burning this place down so we can go!" Redik says walking up to the tree, already conjuring his spell. 'For once I think his destructive attitude is coming in handy.' Aquila thinks to himself.
After having destroyed the lab our heroes are ready to go back to the village when all of a sudden they hear grumbling and pain noises coming from the burning building behind them. When they turn around to see who or what is making those noises, the two take notice of a limping figure coming out of the building.
"The hell is that? Is there still a living monster, or would that be un-living? or non-living? GAAAAH! I forget this stupid zombie things always get me confused!" Redik says putting a hand to his hand.
"It doesn't seem to be one of those creatures, but a normal pony." Says Aquila to Redik.
As Aquila says this, the misterious figure comes out of the building. A very badly burned pony in a lab coat appears before them.
"You fools! Argh... you have done all this and you two have still failed. ha ha haha AGH!" says the mysterious pony.
"What do you mean?" Asks Aquila.
"My master was already alerted from your, UGH! Pre-precense and decided to put the final phase of his plan in motion. You are too late." the strange pony weakly says.
"Aquila look!" announces Redik.
Aquila turns back and sees Redik signaling to something. That's when he notice the rising smoke not coming from the tree behind them but from far away in the distance, most likely from the village.
"You fools have fa-failed... gahahahahahaha UGH! AGH! AAAAaaaaaaaggggg." The evil Burned pony scientist dies and leaves our to heroes in their dismay.
"Great now what!?" says Redik angrily, crossing his arms.
"We run Redik... we run as fast as we can and hope that we are not as late as he told us we were." says Aquila And so, the two run into the forest heading for the village, ready to face whatever it is this misterious foe has unleashed upon the inoccent ponyfolk that live there.
(No actual food carts were harmed in the making of this chapter.)
The two ran through the dark forest as fast as their feet could take them. They had to stop more than Aquila would have liked, thanks to Redik complaining about the horrible cramps in his stomach. Aquila gave him a few new ones calling Redik things like “idiota” and “maghetto stupido (stupid wizard boy).”
As they arrived at the edge of the forest, the two were surrounded by smoke. Redik was coughing relentlessly and Aquila tries to ignore it as best he could, of course he couldn't help but cough some too. It was smoke after all.
“Aquila, is this that hell you were talking about?” Redik asks.
“No. I’ve been in it ever since I met you, and it’s worse than this.” Aquila says to Redik.
“I see... Wait hey!” Redik says, he punches Aquila in the shoulder.
Aquila rubs the shoulder he was punched in, and slapped Redik on the side of the head. After he did so, he heard sniffles coming from the wizard. “Are you crying?”
“No! It’s the smoke!” Redik says while holding the now sore side of his face... *sniff... sniff...*
“Bambino (baby).” Aquila says. They reach the village, which was now literally engulfed with fire, smoke and fire surrounding all of them. The villagers were screaming and running everywhere, as if satan himself just decided to visit. “Porca puttana (holy shit)...”
“I swear I did not do this!” Redik disclaims, raising his hands in the air... unintentionally letting out a fireball, and destroying an entire food cart. “Whoops... That’s never happened before...”
Aquila notices this, and facepalms. “Redik... you are a natural disaster on steroids.”
“Hey! That was not on purpose! But it will be if you keep calling me names!” Redik yells at Aquila angrily.
“In case you haven’t noticed, the entire cazzo di paese (fucking village) is up in flames around us!” Aquila yells back at the wizard. “And you’re thinking of lighting even more things on fire! Dumbass!”
“Well sorry! Just it’s fun to watch things burn!” Redik yells in his pathetic defense.
“THAT MAKES IT WORSE!” Aquila scolds Redik.
“I don’t care!” Redik argues.
“I- oh merda! Attento! (Oh shit! Look out!)” Aquila bellows. He pushes Redik back, and jumps backward, almost getting ran over by a flaming horse... wait... flaming horse?! “Ow!” Redik yells. “I thought only ponies lived here!”
“Me too! Quali le palle alci (What the moose balls) is a horse doing here?!” Aquila asks to no one in particular.
“STOP SPEAKING IN GIBBERISH!” Redik yells.
“STOP BEING A DUMBASS AND SHUT UP!” Aquila yells back.
“No you!” Redik shouts as he stands back up.
“No y- merda!” Aquila lets out before he dodge rolls under a flaming sword.
A hellish figure steps out of the smoke and emerges in front of them. He appeared like a human, but he had rotting flesh and a flaming skull for a head. His sword was almost as large as Redik was, not to mention it was on fire! His horse came up behind from behind, it was brown in fur color, it’s eyes were that of fire instead of eyeballs, so were its hooves. Its mane and tail were a charred black. This horse looked like it could kick your ass all by itself.
“WHAT THE SHIT STICKS IS THAT?!” Redik screams, running like hell over to Aquila.
“Okay I was wrong... now I’m in hell...” Aquila says.
“I thought I might find you here. You’ve been causing me much trouble in my plans.” The... demon thing says. Its terrifyingly demonic voice sounded like 100 endlessly tortured souls crying out for help. “My name is Dargonax. I’m not here for you two, I’ve only grown rather bored of my disguise and decided to torture a few... or many innocents to send a message. I am here.”
“Gah! You smell like my grandmother!” Redik says to Dargonax.
“SILENCE!” Dargonax yells at Redik.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!” Redik screams like a girl and goes and jumps into one of the burning buildings... it takes him a few seconds to realize where he just went. “SHIT!” He jumps out and rolls on the ground to get his robe to stop burning.
“Do you know him?” Dargonax asks.
“Sadly... yes.” Aquila replies, facepalming at the same time.
“I can dispose of him.” Dargonax suggests to Aquila.
“Hey, he might have an IQ of 0.1, but he’s still somewhat my friend!” Aquila shouts at Dargonax, actually standing up for his friend, for once.
“I heard that!” Redik yells.
Aquila turns his head back. “Shut up!”
“Enough of this!” Dargonax yells with immense power in his voice. He points his sword at Aquila, and a torrent of flame erupts from it.
Aquila barely dodges it in time, and leapt at Dargonax, his right hidden blade in the air and ready to strike.
Dargonax smashes Aquila with his fist and sends him flying back through one of the burning walls of the buildings. Aquila was like a gnat to him.
Aquila barely got up out of the rubble. He has never been hit that hard before. “Porca puttana ... Che... Male... (Holy shit... That...Hurt...) ” He falls face first into the ashen ground, unconscious.
“Aquila! Don’t worry I’ll kick this poor piece of shit’s ass!” He sends a fireball straight for Dargonax.
Dargonax doesn’t even have to move, the fireball just bounces off and hits another food cart.
“Ha ha ha!” Dargonax laughs. “Why would you think fire would work against a Firelord?! Buffoon!” Dargonax sends a blast of energy straight at Redik.
Redik couldn’t even see it, and in turn, is sent into another food cart. Redik manages to raise his hand. “But mommy! I wanna stay home and bake cookies with yoouuuuuuu!” He then slips into unconsciousness and his arm went limp.
Dargonax returns to his horse and opens up... wait... is that a portal? The same kind that Aquila and Redik use? That must mean... oh noooo...OH NOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOO!
Dargonax rides into the portal and returns to his own plane, leaving the village to burn to ashes.
A few hours later, nothing was left but rubble and smoke in the village. Everyone was either dead or gone. Redik managed to get up first, his robe was now tattered shreds and his skin practically glowing red. “Euuuuuuggggh...” he lets out as he stands up. It was like he was left in a tanning bed for too long. He takes one step and falls face first into the ground. “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!” He screams into the ash on the ground, his skin making quite a nice sizzling sound. He tried to get up, but it hurt too much. “Aquilaaaaaa!!!!” he cries. “Carry me!!!!”
No response.
“My everything burns!” Redik cries.
Meanwhile, Aquila stood up after digging his way out of the remains of the building he was knocked into. Luckily, he wasn’t burnt, just battered and bruised from that one hit, even a couple broken ribs... and his back hurting more than anything. “Argh...” Aquila could hear in the distance, crying. He knew who it was. “Quit crying you baby!” He yells at the voice. He could barely hear a “shut up!” in the distance.
He covered his bleeding torso with his hands and stumbled out. He slowly walks over to Redik’s crispy, but not overcooked, body. “Mmmm crispy awesome dinner.” Aquila mocks Redik.
“SHUT THE DONKEY BALLS UP AND HELP ME UP YOU NINNYSHIT!” Redik screams at Aquila.
“Oooookay.” Aquila slaps his hand onto Redik’s back and pulls him up. He had to cover one of his ears due to the high-pitched noise coming from his friend. He then makes sure to slap his friend on the shoulder for good measure.
Redik tries not to cry, only a single tear came out. He bit his lip, but he failed and screamed.
“Who’s the ninnyshit now?” Aquila asks.
“I-I am...” Redik sniffles.
“Hey, can I try something?” Aquila asks.
“No.” Redik dryly responds.
“Too bad.” Aquila says as he places his hand on Redik’s face and pushes. Leaving a white mark in the shape of his hand. “Fresco...(Cool...)”
Redik lets out a high pitched whine.
“Alright, lets take you back to Ponyville before you go bad.” Aquila says. He then bends down to pick Redik up.
“No no wait- OOOOOOWWWW!” Redik screams as he gets picked up.
Aquila had a really hard time carrying Redik, his entire body hurt like hell. But he had to suck it up and keep going, for the sake of a good crispy awesome dinner waiting for him.
“I hate my life.” Redik mumbles raspily.
“Don’t worry, it hates you too.” Aquila replies.
Aquila starts heading back in the direction of Ponyville. “So, do you want to be on a plate? Or on a wooden stick?”
“Shut up!” Redik snaps.
Aquila laughs at his joke. He also makes sure to “accidentally” touch Redik on any tree branch he can.
“OW!”
“Whoops, sorry.” Aquila fake apologizes, they hit a small patch of trees on the way there. It was like a field of cacti for Redik.
“So Aquila, what do you think that guy was?” Redik asks.
“I don’t know, but he certainly wasn’t from Equestria... wait... maybe he’s?... Naaaah.” Aquila says.
“He’s what?” Redik really wanted to know what Aquila was thinking.
“I was thinking he might be a planeswalker, but isn’t that a really small chance?” Aquila ponders.
“I don’t know, we already have the doctor, and it seems like the Princess has already met some before.” Redik says.
“For once, I think you’re actually right. Just one problem... We don’t know where he went. Also, he kicked our asini (asses).” Aquila thought outloud.
“Well why don’t we just train to get stronger?” Redik asks.
“Because we can’t just pull talent out of our asses.” Aquila says.
“Oh...” Redik says, slightly dissapointed. “Well what are we going to do?”
“Learn what we can from the doctor, then figure out a way to gain power like he has. So others won’t have to face him. I mean, he did just slaughter an entire village.” Aquila says.
“Well you seem like the type who would be affected by that. Why aren’t you going all emo?” Redik asks.
“Because I’ve seen this before... just not a flaming horseman on a demon horse. I’m going to have nightmares about that for weeks.” Aquila says, wiping a bit of sweat off his forehead. “I’ve never met an evil man who cannot be killed.”
“Well maybe he can... just we don’t know how.” Redik says.
“Yeah...” Aquila says, pondering about the conversation.
After many hours of walking, Aquila could see Ponyville in the distance. It was night now and the lights were shining bright from the town. Aquila was just about to collapse, from both the pain and exhaustion.
Redik fell asleep, multiple times he’s drooled on Aquila’s robe, and multiple times he was slapped in the face by Aquila for doing so.
Aquila arrived at the library and hastily knocked on the door. Making it sound urgent, because it was.
A tired Twilight opens the door several moments later. “Ugh...” she groans, rubbing her eyes. Her mane was out-of-place, and she looks as though she just woke up. Which she did. “A-... Aquila? Redik? What are you two doing here so late..?” she asks the two of them.
“Village... fire...zombies...hurting...” Aquila manages to let out before he falls face first onto the wood floor, causing Redik to hit his head on the floor and fall as well. Except this caused everything on him to burn. “OOOOOOOWWWWWW!” he screams.
Twilight went wide-eyed, and gasped. “Zombies?” she repeats, more than a little bit confused. “O-okay, let me help you.” she then ignites her horn, and the two humans are covered in her signature magical aura. She grunts as she lifts them both at the same time, due to her just waking up. Levitating them through the air, she sets Redik on her bed first, not covering him up. She then softly sets Aquila on the couch.
“Must tell... Princess.” Aquila barely says.
“Must get... aloe...” Redik says, his skin sizzling.
“Must... punch Redik.” Aquila says, balling-up his fist.
Twilight sighs, being next to Aquila on the first floor. “You two ‘must’ get some sleep.” she smirks mockingly, covering Aquila with a blanket she retrieved from upstairs. She then trots upstairs, to take care of Redik.
Aquila instantly falls asleep, not taking her advice, because he was already planning on doing that. He dreams about the firelord and getting his ass kicked, over and over.
Redik was groaning in the bed. “Give me... ALOE!” he yells.
Twilight sighs. “Calm down, Redik.” she pulls out a clear bottle with a blue gel in it. She took some onto her hoof, and began to (as softly as she could,) rub the gel on Redik. It was just like aloe vera, but just blue and had a much stronger cooling sensation than normal aloe.
Redik sighs with relief. “Aquila is mean, he’s been slapping me.” he whines.
Twilight giggles. “Well, I’m sure he’ll come around to apologizing soon. Now get some rest, okay? I’m sure you’ll feel better in the morning.” she said, rubbing some of the gel on Redik’s shoulders and arms. She then turns off the light that was on, and went downstairs. She lays on a blanket that she laid out on the floor, where a pillow was. She lays her head on the pillow, and shuts her eyes.
Aquila was talking in his sleep. “No!... Take Redik instead! He’s more useless!”
Twilight opens an eye, and smiles, before closing it again.
Throughout the night, Aquila had been talking in his sleep, mainly about Redik, or something to do with puppies. While Redik had been up practically all night, the burns doing most of their damage over the night, though, the aloe did help... some.
Morning came soon, and it was time to get up. Twilight had already sent her letter to the Princess, telling of how Aquila and Redik were in no condition to go to Canterlot... or move. Though, due to the urgency of the night before, the Princess had agreed to come to Ponyville to talk to them.
Sighing, Twilight taps Aquila on the shoulder. “Aquila...”
He swats his hand back and forth, “Later...”
“Aquila!” she raises her voice, an obvious hint of annoyance in her tone, likely originating from the unicorn getting up rather early...
“Go away Hilda! I don’t have any contracts today!!!” Aquila yells, half asleep.
Twilight thought for a moment. “Aquila, if you don’t get up... I will heal Redik.” she says, rather threateningly... Hence the fact that she could not heal.
“I’m up, I’m up!!!!” he yells, instantly getting up and standing at attention.
The unicorn almost burst out laughing, but she held her laughter back like a cracked dam. “Good! Now, Princess Celestia is on her way to speak with you two.” she sighs.
“That’s good news, I’d go make breakfast if I could move.” Aquila says, containing his pain from his insanely sore body.
Twilight rolls her eyes. “I’ll make you two breakfast after I tell Redik...” she trots upstairs.
‘No don’t leave me! Damn it!’ Aquila yells in his mind, he’s now stuck... standing up.
“Redik.” she walks over to the bed. “Time to wake up, sleepy-head!” she says, smiling at the crispy mage.
“Go away! I don’t want your charity! Or your forks!” Redik says, still in a dream-state.
Once again, the unicorn thought. “Redik, if you don’t wake up...” she thought once again. “... I’ll make sure that you don’t get any aloe for the rest of the day. At all.”
“But mommy, I want more of that happy juice!” he lets out. Still asleep.
“REDIK GET THE ASINO PALLE UP!” they both heard from downstairs.
Redik shot out of bed and instantly screamed, he fell down and hit the wood floor with a thud. “I’M ARRRRGH UP!!!”
Twilight tenses up, trying her best not to laugh...
... But failing miserably.
The unicorn laughs at Redik, though, at the same time, she feels the painful sting of regret...
“Twilight! Come down here! It hurts!” Aquila yells from downstairs.
Almost immediately, Twilight gasps, and zips down the stairs, being at Aquila’s side... in less than 3 seconds... “What?! What’s wrong!?” she asks, checking him for injuries as though her education was on the line.
“In case you hadn’t noticed... I CAN’T MOVE.” he clearly states. He did his best to point his sore arm at the couch. “If you’d be so kind as to nudge me in that direction and cover your ears... I may get loud.”
She nods, and does as she was told, covering her ears with a pair of translucent, purple magic earmuffs.
Aquila falls faceward into the pillow and onto the couch. He yells in pain and screams into the pillow, “Ow! Il mio tutto! Perché quel ragazzo bastardo demone signore venire qui!”
Twilight just winces as she sees his mouth move...
“Why did you have to scare me up?! I just wanted some rest!” he says, adjusting himself in the couch.
“S-sorry...” she responds sheepishly.
“When is the Princess getting here?” he asks.
Twilight began to count with her hoof, looking up to the ceiling, muttering something under her breath as she does so. “Two hours, approximately...”
“By the way, Redik is still on the floor...” Aquila says... he actually felt kind of sorry for Redik.
In the flash of an eye, Twilight was upstairs. “Sweet Celestia, Redik, I-I’m so sorry!” she apologizes, too quick for words.
Redik was still on the floor, grumbling various curses and talking about wanting to crack Aquila over the head with a two-by-four.
Twilight immediately uses her magic to put Redik on the bed, she then began to bombard him with apologies. “I’m so sorry! I completely forgot you were there and Aquila needed help and I-!”
Redik cut her off mid-sentence and says, “Forget about it! It’s fine! It was Aquila’s fault anyways... That man scares me.”
Twilight sighs and thinks for a moment, “Why do you two fight so often?” she asks.
Redik raises a brow, since he can’t move the rest of himself, that was the best he could do. “Now that I think about it... I don’t know... Maybe it’s because he’s a crotchety old man?”
“Well I’m not sure insults are going to get you two anywhere. I mean, what has he ever done to you?” she says.
“Nothing really... In fact he’s saved me more than I can count.” Redik says, starting to feel a little guilt.
“Well maybe now you’ll have the chance to think about it, since you’ll be in bed for a couple of weeks.” she says. She stands up and heads out the door.
Downstairs Aquila was laying on the couch reading a book. Just as Twilight approaches, he interrupts her just as she opens her mouth to speak. “I heard everything, and I don’t want to talk about it. Can I read in peace please? I need time to think.”
“... But how did you-...” Twilight was confused... They were upstairs, how did he hear them?
“As an assassin, I have a trained ear. I listen to every detail all the time.” Aquila explains. Then he returns to his book, signaling that the conversation was over.
“I-... But-…Okay...” Twilight sighs, and heads out to town to go take care of a few errands.
A couple hours had passed, Aquila read his book while Redik was bored out of his mind. Twilight suggested reading to him when he got back, but he told her reading was boring. Maybe that’s why he’s not the best of wizards.
Aquila hears a knock on the front door and yells “Twilight! Someone is at the door!”
“Okay!” Twilight comes down to get the door. Spike had been out doing something with Rarity, so she had to get the door. “Princess Celestia! You’re here!” she exclaims, while moving out of the way to let her teacher in.
“Twilight, my faithful student, it is so good to see you again.” Celestia says heartily, beaming a warm smile at her student. “You as well, Aquila.” she walks inside and looks at Aquila questioningly. “Where is that friend of yours... Redik?”
Aquila puts his book down and says, “He’s upstairs with shining red burns all over his body.”
Celestia raises a brow at his reply. “Oh? Why may this be? If you do not mind my asking.”
“Well that is what you’re here for, so we can explain to you what happened.” Aquila says, while doing his best to sit up.
The alicorn nods. “Of course. Now, if you’d excuse me, I suppose I’ll have a small talk with Redik...” she trots up the stairs, leaving Twilight downstairs with Aquila.
Redik gives her an odd stare, he was picking his nose when she came in but he didn’t take his finger out of his nose. He just froze and says, “Damn it... I fell asleep again!”
Celestia smiles as she enters the room. “Good afternoon, Redik-...” she loses her smile, and raises a brow at the wizard.
“Hello... Princess.” He says seductively, with his finger still up his nose. He’s still slightly shocked.
The alicorn’s smile grew back onto her lips. “Aside from being red all over from burns, how are you feeling?” she asks.
“I’m feeling great since you walked in.” he says while removing his finger from his nose.
Celestia chuckles. “I can’t say that I am not flattered.” she says. “Thank you.”
“Oh, you’re quite welcome.” he says while putting the ‘suave’ look on his face.
Once again, Celestia raises her brow at the wizard. “Redik, is there any particular reason as to why you are looking at me like that?”
“Oh, I think you know why.” Redik says suggestively. And then they hear shouting from downstairs.
“REDIK, YOU’RE NOT DREAMING!” yells Aquila from downstairs.
“NO NO! YOU WILL NOT RUIN MY DREAMS A SECOND TIME YOU ITALIAN PIECE OF SHIT!” Redik yells back.
“Dio! Lei non è cazzo sognare! È idiota!” Aquila shouts.
“Oh shit! I don’t know that gibberish crap! This is real! That means... AAAHHH!” he screams and hides under the covers, ass high in the air.
Celestia lets out a sigh. “Well, I’ll give you a small but helpful piece of advice. Follow your dreams, but make sure that your fantasies are set aside.” she closes her eyes.
“But I like my fantasies!” he says from under the covers. ‘Damn it! I’m a dumbass!’
She holds back a small laughing spree, before replying, “You can like your fantasies, as long as you do not forget that you’re still in reality, Redik. Especially when you wake up, and I am in your presence.” Celestia lets out a small chuckle.
“Oh good, so I can keep-” Redik couldn’t finish.
“Shut up!” they hear downstairs from Aquila.
The Princess sighs. “Unless you two stop arguing, I will not get any answers to my questions...”
“Well old fart butt is always calling me names. It’s a little hard not to.” Redik says while getting out from under the covers.
Celestia narrows her eyes, slightly glaring at him. “If it is hard not to argue, then how do you two get along as friends?”
“Generally, I smack him around until he stops moving and I drag him!” they hear from downstairs.
The Princesses eyes widen. “And that allows you two to get along... How?”
“Because he’s not talking!” Aquila yells from downstairs.
“Shut up!” Redik shouts back.
“Alright, enough out of both of you. I would like to get an answer to my question... What happened?” she asks either of the two.
“Well I don’t remember too much, I was so busy kicking so much ass, I got into the zone.” Redik says.
“Asking him gets you nowhere!” Aquila yells from downstairs.
“Well then, Aquila, if you have all the answers...” Celestia begins to walk to the steps...
“Let me translate what he said to you into proper English. When he said ‘kicking so much ass’, he actually meant getting his ass kicked. When he said ‘getting into the zone’, he meant crying in the corner while I did all the work.” Aquila explains.
The alicorn sighs as she walks over to the couch, now being downstairs. “Though, what exactly happened?” she asks.
“Well we went to investigate. Turns out there was a bunch of zombie labs in the Everfree Forest, we burned them all, only to find out another planeswalker was behind it all. His name was Dargonax, he kicked the crap out of us like a hackeysack and left. Which leaves us in our battered remains we call bodies.” Aquila explains.
Celestia raises a brow at a particular word. “Another planeswalker?... This cannot be good...” she furrows her brow, thinking hard. After a moment, she pulls her head up again. “Twilight, you should go tell Doctor Hooves about this. It is of utmost importance.” she looks to her student.
Twilight nods. “Where was he last seen?” she asks.
The Princess thinks for a quick moment. “On the outskirts of Ponyville, relatively close by.” she says.
“I WANT TO FIND THAT BURNING PIECE OF SHIT AND KICK! HIS! ASS!” Redik yells from upstairs.
“I actually agree... Sort of. I think me and Redik should search for him throughout the worlds. To find him.” Aquila says.
Celestia shakes her head. “It is far too dangerous. You will have to learn more, especially after you’ve recovered.” by now, Twilight was already out of the library.
“I’m plenty recovered.” He stands up, and instantly falls face first onto the wooden floor. “S-see?” he weakly says.
“ME TOO!” then the noises of crashing and banging are heard, and numerous curses, along with something about moose balls. “ARRRGH MY OVARIES!!!” then some silence. “I AM OKAY!” then he takes a step out the door. “AH SHIT!” he yells in pain and falls down the stairs. “I’M NOT OKAY! I’M NOT OKAY!” he yells after he lands. “I NEED AN ADULT!”
Celestia facehoofs. Hard.
“Redik... How are you still alive?” Aquila remarks at his friend’s stupidity.
“By the power of greyskull!” Redik weakly exclaims.
The Princess began to quietly chuckle. “You two...” she says, mid-chuckle, “... Are the best entertainment I’ve had in years.”
“Oh thanks! Laugh at my extreme pain! Some ruler!” Redik snaps.
“Hey, I thought it was hilarious.” Aquila says.
Celestia lets out a long sigh after she stops. “Oh, I apologize... I just... Everything just piled up and I couldn’t hold back any longer. Dear me...” she plucks a tissue from a box with her magic, wiping away laughing tears.
“I love the floor! The floor is my best friend so I’m giving him a long painful HUG!” Redik yells to remind them he’s still on the floor.
She rolls her eyes, and picks the wizard and the assassin up into a magical embrace, setting them both down on the couch. “There.” she smiles. The two were now sitting side-by-side.
“Redik... You smell like ass and sweat.” Aquila says, shuffling as far as he can to the opposite side of the couch from where Redik was.
“Well I haven’t showered for like a week!” Redik retorts in annoyance.
“You took one last night.” Aquila says.
“Well screw you guys! I’m goin’ home.” he snaps, while pointing to the door with both hands. He tries to get up, but Aquila stops him with his foot.
“Your stupidity knows no bounds.” Aquila groans.
“Maybe I should have set you two away from one another...” Celestia raises a brow at the two of them.
“Oh good, then all my dreams would come true.” Aquila remarks with a sharp kick of the sarcasm spice.
The Princess smiles. “Well, I have some time left before I have to leave. Until then, I shall keep you two company.” she sits down between Redik and Aquila.
“I-” Redik manages to let out before Aquila cuts him off.
“Don’t even think about it you pervert.” Aquila says.
“...” Celestia just stays silent.
“Well while we all have fun with awkward time, I’m going to read a book.” Aquila says. He grabs a book and opens it, he begins to read it.
The Princess sighs. “Don’t you two ever try to get along? Haven’t you? Or are you simply ‘partners’?” she asks out of curiosity.
“I tried, and failed.” Aquila says.
“No, you’re just old and an ass.” Redik retorts.
“That’s exactly what disables the ability for you two to get along.” she looks at each of them. “The amount you argue, compared to how much you two actually spend time talking to one another as true friends is immensely unbalanced.” she furrows her brow.
“Why would I want to be friends with a baby who throws up and cries every time he rests his head on a pony’s organs?” Aquila asks.
She sighs again. “You are judging Redik by how he is around you when you two are out on ‘adventures’. You should try to not ‘slap him around until he stops moving’, and actually attempt to make an effort to be his friend. The same should apply to you too, Redik.” she looks to the wizard with a smile.
“I tried, we ended up fighting because Lord Arrogantus over there thought he was a better fighter than I was.” Aquila says.
“Because I am! I went easy on you!” Redik snaps back.
Celestia resists the aching urge to facehoof as she speaks. “Friendship should be something that you two share together, not break apart over silly things such as ‘who is stronger’ or ‘who is the better this, who is the better that’, etcetera.”
“Hey, he asked me to hit him.” Aquila says.
“Because he’s an old fart who hits like a girl!” Redik retorts.
Once again, the Princess barely refrains from facehoofing. “It does not matter if he asked you. The motive behind why he asked you is what matters. And Redik, Aquila, you’re both equivalent. Whether you may think it to be true or not, you are both equivalent, just as everypony in Equestria is to one another. We all want to help one another, ponies are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness, not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another.” she sighs once more.
“I recall you said I hit like an elephant.” Aquila says to Redik. “But she is right, I have been rather crude. Perhaps if you’d stop being immature. We could get somewhere.”
“I’m the most mature thing you see in a mile.” Redik snaps back.
Aquila facepalms.
… Celestia joins him by facehoofing.
“Fine fine! I’ll try to be better. Can we just go?!” Redik says.
“In case you didn’t notice. You’re in no condition to stand.” Aquila reminds him.
“... Yeah...” Redik admits.
Aquila gasps in shock, sarcastically. “Finally you say something not stupid!”
“... I seriously do not comprehend how you two have not ended up accidentally killing one another.” Celestia says. As she says this, she holds her head in her hooves.
“Want me to?” he holds up his right hand, and extends the hidden blade in the bracer. “I will NOT hesitate.”
The Princess looks over to him. “No, no. No need for it.” she says. “Aside, it would not be good, since Redik and you have agreed on finding Dargonax.”
“I’m used to hunting my targets alone, and with informants.” Aquila says.
“And I’m used to... Well nothing.” Redik says.
Celestia sighs once again. “Having a partner is having somebody to rely and keep your trust in. Redik and you may not get along so well, but I assume you’ve obviously helped one another when the time came around.” she looks up to both of them, first Redik, and then Aquila.
“He did save me numerous times.” Redik admits.
“I wouldn’t trust him with a spoon.” Aquila says. “He might leave a crater in the middle of town.”
“Well, he is somebody. Somebody is better than nobody, especially if you are working to find a planeswalker that causes destruction. Having a partner is better than being alone.” Celestia replies.
“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. His link might as well be made of thin glass.” Aquila says.
“Come now, he is not weak. Your chain is strong, you just haven’t connected it yet.” she says, now smiling.
“If his link is so strong, how come I’ve had to save his life over five times now? He’s only saved me once.” Aquila says.
“All those other times, I was just testing you to see if you knew your stuff. I could’ve gotten out easily of all those situations.” Redik says.
“Oh just like Jackie Lee?” Aquila says.
“That guy was nuts!” Redik snaps back.
“Still just a very small chinese man.” Aquila remarks.
“Even so, Aquila, you two are still partners.” she smirks at the assassin.
“I know, so it’s my duty to save his sorry ass, even if it means costing the mission.” Aquila says.
“Pffft, you’re just along for the ride.” Redik scoffs.
“Yeah, the ride of dumbassery.” Aquila remarks.
“See?! He insults me!” Redik pouts.
“You insult me every second I have to look at you.” Aquila says.
“Enough, both of you. You two are like foals trapped in the body of an adult, almost.” Celestia groans, now having a slight headache. The saying ‘too much of a good thing is a bad thing’ obviously applies here.
“Yes, because I was deprived of a childhood, and he was deprived of a brain. That’s a great combination.” Aquila sighs.
“If Redik was deprived of a brain, he wouldn’t be able to function at all.” Celestia blankly stares at him.
“They say ‘Ignorance is bliss’ well he’s so ignorant, that he doesn’t need a brain to function. Tap his head, it’ll sound like a drum.” Aquila says, knocking his own head lightly to show an example.
“Well-” Celestia gets interrupted, as her student, along with Doctor Hooves, come through the door.
“I came as quick as possible,” the Doctor looks around. “Ah! There you two are!” he exclaims, trotting into the room. “Jolly good to see you... two... again... What the blazes happened to you two?! You both look like you went a round with Big Macintosh!” he looked at them with slight concern.
“Burning planeswalker guy kicked our asses before I could say ‘asses’.” Aquila explains.
Twilight falls over onto her side, panting with the exhaustion from running.
… The Doctor entirely ignores her. “A ‘burning planeswalker’!?!” he exclaims. “...” he begins to think for a second. “... A FIRE LORD!?”
“Yup, that’s the one.” Redik says. “Said his name was Dargonax before he sent Aquila through a wall and smacked me into a food cart.”
“Dargonax...” he begins to pace around. “Dargonax, Dargonax-Dargonax-Dargonax... Wait... DARGONAX!?!?!?”
“I’m pretty sure we already know his name...” Aquila says.
“Oh, quit your babbling, Aquila, this is serious!” he exclaims, slightly annoyed.
“Well going on about how serious it is and screaming his name isn’t going to get us anywhere!” Redik says. “I’m sore! I’m in pain! I’m in the same room with Aquila! And I’m tired! I’m in no mood for shenanigans!”
“Finally you grow some balls.” Aquila scoffs.
“Shush, you.” the Doctor waves his hoof. “Either way, I will allow you two to recover from your tiny injuries, then I shall continue educating you two in the ways of planeswalking!” he shouts, walking out of the library.
By now, Twilight was on her hooves. “I think I’m gonna take a small nap...” she says groggily, trotting with fatigue up the stairs.
“Princess,” a guard pokes his head in.
“I’m sorry, Aquila, Redik, but I need to go.” Celestia says, before she walks out of the library. “You two have a good day.” she nods to the two of them as she leaves.
“I’ll be nicer if you be nicer.” Aquila says.
“Fine.” Redik agrees.
“Fine.” Aquila repeats. Well since Aquila can’t move, he decides to have a bit of entertainment. “You should probably get back to bed.”
“Yeah... “ Redik stands up and instantly from the pain falls face-forward onto the ground. “DAMMIT, AQUILA!”
In the coming weeks, the two had recovered from their injuries. Immediately after they recovered, the doctor began to drill them with lessons and teachings. With time the two started to argue less, getting to the point where they could actually tolerate each other and have a normal conversation.
Redik and Aquila were starting to get really good at summoning the portals. Redik became content with his abilities. But Aquila wanted to learn more, so he began to search into alternatives. He began practicing ways to move in and out of planes almost instantly. There were complications at first, but after a while he got the hang of it. Now instead of portals, he simply disappears. It’s more tiring to do than a portal though. So he does it only when necessary and leaves Redik to the portals.
As for magic, Redik began speaking to Twilight, curious how the unicorns use their magic. He studied for alternatives, a way he could be more open with his magic. As for Aquila, he continued training under the Doctor.
During this time, Redik had been writing down notes about Planeswalking, soon speaking to the doctor about other worlds. During their conversations, the Doctor told Redik of an ancient artifact. One that has much knowledge of Planeswalking stored within it. The Doctor only knew the location of the world in the Void, and a lead of where to start. Nothing else.
As the time came for them to try the world, Aquila met Redik out in the field that they went to last time for their first jump. The other ponies were waiting there for them, excluding the Doctor who was away on business.
“Do you have everything you need?” Twilight asks them.
“Sì. I’m hoping that this will be a rather quick journey... after last time. I almost don’t want to take the chance of appearing in a world of such chaos. I think I prefered the wars of man back where I’m from. At least there was some degree of order.” Aquila says with a heavy sigh.
“I’m sure everything will be alright.” Fluttershy tells them.
“I admire your optimism, but we need to remain ready for anything.” Aquila says.
“O-okay then...” she says.
“Redik, you have your notebook correct?” Aquila asks Redik.
“Of course I do. It’d be stupid to go without it.” Redik replies.
“Good, because without it, we’d be lost.” Aquila made sure to give Redik a look to tell him not to screw up. Redik smirked at him and turned to Twilight. “Don’t clean my room.” in regards to the messy bedroom that he took over.
“B-but! Ugh!” Twilight complained.
Aquila chuckles at their argument. He turns to Rarity and says “You won’t mind having to mend our clothing when we return will you?”
“Oh not at all! Anything for a friend.” she reassures him.
“Very well then. I guess we will see you all when we get ba-” Aquila was cut off before he could finish.
“Hold on just a gosh darn minute!” Applejack says, taking a couple steps forward. “I’m comin’ too. There ain’t nothin’ you can do the change mah’ mind. I can’t just sit here knowin’ that you might not come back.”
“Applejack I don’t thi-”Redik tries to talk but she cuts him off again.
“I ain’t changin’ my mind.” she looks at him sternly.
Aquila heavily sighs. “If that’s what you really want, then fine. But stay close to me at all times.”
“Bu- Wha- Aquila! You can’t be serious!” Redik yells at Aquila.
“Enough Redik! I won’t stop a friend from doing what they think is right.” Aquila says, uncertainty in his voice.
“Fine, but if something happens. It’s on you.” Redik says. He turns to open the portal.
Through the portal they could see inside the world. There were bright lights flashing everywhere, explosions, sounds of battle. Not to mention it appeared that they were thousands of feet in the air. This was some kind of air battle, with technology both Redik and Aquila have never seen.
“Are you still sure Applejack?... We’ll be jumping right into that... just our luck we immediately get sent to a pile of shit.” Aquila trails off.
“I’m even more sure than I was before.” she says while walking up to the portal and looking in.
Aquila sighs, being a little worried. “Alright then... Redik... do as I do.”
“Got it.” he smirks.
They all say their goodbyes, the rest of the ponies were all clearly worried, but knew there was nothing they could do.
“This is Spain all over again.” Aquila says... “3... 2... 1...!!!!” Aquila sprints forward and grabs Applejack, he then jumps through the portal.
Redik quickly dives in after him.
The instant Aquila goes out the other side of the portal, sound blasts his ears and he begins to drop through the cold air. He’s immediately thinking this is a bad idea. He keeps a tight grip of Applejack... who is currently yelling for dear life.
He quickly spins through the air to the right toward one of the giant battleships. Lazers are flying around them, explosions going off a little closer to them than what’s comfortable. Aquila’s ears were ringing from the noise, but he kept his concentration on not dying.
A ship blows up near them and the pilot shoots out from the cockpit just in time. He lets out his parachute.
Aquila sees this as his chance. He swoops down to the slow-falling soldier and smashes his feet right into the soldier, causing the latches on his parachute to break. Aquila quickly catches them. The soldier goes flying right into the balcony of the hangar on the battleship, unconscious but not dead.
Redik swoops down and grabs onto Aquila, causing them to crash toward the same balcony.
They land hard and slide along the metal floor. They were now inside the pressurized ship. They could now all properly breathe, they’re so high up in the air that oxygen was really thin.
Aquila slowly starts to get up, coughing heavily as he does so. “Redik! Why did you do that?!” he yells.
Redik was already up, Aquila took the fall for him. “Sorry! Where else was I going to get a parachute from, the falling parachute gift shop?!”
“At least a little warning next time!” Aquila scolds him as he gets up.
Applejack was a little dazed, but she got up. “Okay... that hurt.”
“Are you alright?” Aquila asks
“I’m fi-” she wasn't able to finish her sentence.
Fire from strange guns began to pelt them from behind. They blasted strange beams of light that apparently are able to kill.
Aquila yells at Redik and Applejack “Run, now!” He then pulls out a combat knife and lightly tosses it in the air. He catches it by the blade and throws it. It hit one of the soldiers right in the eye. He then turns and leaps behind a metal crate.
Redik wasn’t very far away and yells to him. “Where the hell did you get that?!”
“I swiped it from that soldier I stole the parachute from!” Aquila answers him. “Redik, mind giving him a little heat?!”
“Right!” Redik replies. He stands up out of for a moment and sends a quick fireball at the soldier. It hits the soldier and stuns him for a moment.
Aquila takes this chance and hops over the crate. He charges forward and extends his right hidden blade. He stops and roundhouse kicks the gun out of the soldier’s hands and drives it right into the neck of the man, killing him quickly.
Before any of the three could continue doing anything, they were cut off by tasers. They electrocuted them until they were unconscious. And for the three... everything went black.
That Moment You Realize You're Being Held For Ransom Part 1
Darkness. Nothing but darkness was seen by anybody. No one knew where they were, how they got there, or if they’re even clothed. But one thing was for sure. Their hands were tied behind their backs.
“Aquila! I can’t see a godsdamn thing! You know I’m afraid of the dark!” Redik’s voice says in a panic. It echoes through the room signaling that it was fairly small.
Aquila begins to chuckle lightly from wherever he was at. “Actually I didn’t.”
“Shit... well I don’t care about that right now! What’re we going to do?! I can’t see and my nose itches and I can’t scratch it and my butt hurts and-” clearly he was beginning to panic.
“Just calm down, I need to think!” Aquila barks at Redik before he could go into a loop. He made sure to keep calm and he struggles a bit in his bindings. He stops for a seconds and remembers something. “Applejack! Are you in here?!” he calls out rather loudly.
A quick jump of energy, as if something shifted, sounds throughout the blackness. It is followed by a rather startled panting. “Ah’m right next ‘ta ‘ya...” replies a rather groggy Applejack. She couldn’t tell what was going on right now, since she could see nothing but blackness.
“Aquila! I can’t breathe!!!” Redik let out and began to hyperventilate and squirm around.
“Andare avanti e mi assicurerò che non si può respirare!” Aquila snaps at Redik in frustration. If these bindings weren’t on his wrists, he’d have slapped Redik in the face.
“SPEAK NORMAL YOU DAMN FOREIGN ROBOT!” Redik screams at the Italian. Now was clearly not the time to do what he hates most.
Applejack sighs in annoyance through the panicking that she was experiencing. Even though the severity of the situation is smashing into her like a train, she tries her best to stay as calm as possible. “W-... will y’all be quiet for a minute!?” she yells, both annoyance and panic mixed together in her tone. This seriously isn’t helping her headache.
“Yeah Aquila you should listen to her, while I’m over here dying you’re just sitting there like a jackass!” Redik tries to blame the noise on someone else, when he’s been the one flailing about like a ‘jackass’.
Aquila growls lightly and manages to pinpoint directly where Redik was. Right behind him. He jerks his head back and he hits something, though he wasn’t completely sure if it was Redik.
“OW MOTHERFU-!” Redik screams in pain before he smacks the floor face first. He is going to have a lump on the back of his head for a while now.
“Bullseye.” Aquila says quietly. “Okay, we need to figure a way out of this... wait a second!” he remembers the hidden blades around his wrist. He opens up his palm but nothing happens. “Figlio di una cagna...” he sighs in frustration. Apparently they weren’t there so whoever their captors were, took them.
“What in the name’a Celestia is goin’ on!?” Applejack asks rather blatantly as she tries, as helplessly as it may be, to get free of the bindings. Quickly, she stops, and lets out a sigh of defeat. “This is jus’...” she then mumbles something which is unable to be understood under her breath.
“Don’t worry, I’ve been in this situation numerous times Applejack. I could get us out of here if this blindfold wasn’t here...” he does his best to reassure her. But right now it was more important to get out than have a morale boost. So he took a second to think. “Wait! I have an idea. Redik, see if you can burn through your bindings.”
“I’m not ready to talk to you yet.” Redik whimpers on the floor. He has no way of getting up so he uncomfortably turns his head so his nose would stop hurting.
“For Celestia’s sake Redik, see if’n ‘ya can do it or once we get outta this, Ah’m gonna buck ‘ya right in ‘yer naughty bits, ‘ya hear!?” Applejack snaps, jerking her head in the direction of the grouchy twelve-year old Wizard’s voice.
“Hey, it’d be the first bit of action I’ve gotten in a few years.” Redik comments snarkily, he’d smirk if anyone could see it.
“What’re ‘ya, some kind’a masochist!? C’mon, just try already!” Applejack orders, obviously being agitated with the childlike man.
“No, that was my uncle.” he shamelessly says. “But I’ll do it.” He begins to shuffle his wrists around to get his right palm facing outward. He concentrates for a second and a small flame emerges from his hand. It quietly burns through the rope, but it quickly began to grow. “Uh-oh!”
“Uh-oh?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘UH-OH’?!” Aquila begins to hop around in his spot a little bit to turn himself so he could face Redik’s direction. “IT’S JUST A TINY LITTLE FIRE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘UH-OH’?!”
“KEEP YELLING AT ME AND IT’S GONNA BE A BIG ‘UH-OH’! NOW QUIT BEING A BUTTBAG AND SHUT UP!” Redik retorts at Aquila as he attempts to concentrate. After a few seconds the rope snaps and he nearly leaps to his feet. He balls his fists and walks to where Aquila was sitting, he socks Aquila in the face as hard as he can, just out of nowhere.
Aquila takes the hit, unknowing that it was even coming. “Oh you’re going to get it now.” Redik didn’t realize Aquila’s head was right at crotch level. Aquila jerks his head forward and hopes he hits something. He felt the hit.
And it sounded like it hurt.
“...” Redik falls down to his knees and grabs his berries, they were on fire. “Not my factories man! That’s fighting dirty!”
“DON’T YOU LECTURE ME ABOUT FIGHTING DIRTY!” Aquila yells at him. “Now get this blindfold off me so I can kick your ass!”
“No!” Redik retorts.
“WOULD THE BOTH OF YOU STOP?!?!” Applejack screams at the very tip-top of her lungs, as sternly as she possibly could. Even if either of them attempted to talk back, Applejack quickly cuts them off. “Redik, get to your darn feet already and jus’ set me free first! Then you can deal with Aquila. Ah don’t care if he ‘kicks your ass’, just DO IT, ‘ya baby!”
“Yes ma’am...” Redik disappointingly says. He stands back up, slowly because his crotch was still sore. While making his way over to her he was thinking of all the things he could be doing right now instead of being here. He brings his hand to the bindings that held Applejack’s hooves and he lights a fire to them until they snap. Afterwards, he removes her blindfold and sighs.
“Thank ‘ya.” Applejack stretches out her hooves, and sighs, clearing her throat. She gets out of her chair, and stretches out a bit more. She turns to face Redik, and says, “Sorry ‘bout yellin’ at ‘ya, Ah just didn’t know another way ‘ta get ‘yer attention Redik. An’... are ‘ya okay?” she asks.
“Forget it, I get yelled at by Aquila so much it’s practically talking to me now.” he says to her and smirks.
“I’m right here you know.” Aquila comments, he has a busted lip from that punch and was beginning to get annoyed. “Now get me out.”
“But I’m talki-”
“Now.”
“Fine.”
After Redik gets Aquila free from his bindings and blindfold. They begin to take notice of the room they’re in. It was like a big metal box with some kind of electric light in the top corner of the ceiling. The door was made of metal, with rivets all throughout it along with a tiny little glass window so guards can peek through.
“Okay, I’ll just get the guards’ attention, kick their asses, and we can sneak out of here.” he plans aloud and heads for the door. He goes to knock on it. But the very yoctosecond in which his knuckle makes contact with the door, a burst of electricity explodes from the door in some kind of nova. In turn, Redik is sent barreling across the room, smashing into the metal wall. He literally saw stars afterwards. “Or maybe we could play ‘Duck Duck Goose’...” was all he could say, in a broken voice.
In response to this happening, Applejack’s jaw falls open in shock. If it weren’t for her shock, and the fact that Redik is likely experiencing a concussion, she would be laughing very hard right now.
“Now’s not the time for your stupid made-up games Redik. We need to figure out a way to get those guards in here. Apparently we can’t be heard from the outside, since you kept screaming like a girl and squealing like a pig.”
“I may sound like a girl, but pudding goes great on a steak...” he couldn’t formulate proper sentences at the moment. He tries to stand back up but doesn’t get much farther than a crouch.
“What in the hay!... What jus’... what jus’ happened...” Applejack thinks aloud, looking back and forth. From the door, to Redik. From the door, to Redik. Again and again, she repeats this, before she shakes her head, her eyes rolling about their sockets. She really didn’t expect that to happen.
“Well... it all started when I was a sperm... and I let the rabbits out of the gate and his pee was blue.” Redik weakly attempts to answer Applejack.
Applejack takes a few seconds to render the sheer stupidity of what Redik just said. She responds with a deadpan, “... Alrigh’ that is just bucked-up.”
“Idiota...” Aquila facepalms at Redik and returns to thinking of an escape plan. So far though he was coming up short. He looks around and peeks through the window, he notes one of the guards leaning against the wall. And that the wall is all metal. Maybe if they could hit the wall hard enough, the guard would feel the vibrations. “I have an idea! And Redik’s going to have to use his head!”
“But Akilla! Polar Bears are purple and my head is bacon pie!” Redik says as he manages to stand-up, as he spoke his gibberish he made his way to Aquila and poked him in the chest. He almost appears drunk. It sounds like it too.
“Redik, sit down and shut up.” Aquila says as he grabs Redik’s shoulders and forces him to sit back down in one of the chairs. “Okay Applejack... we need to figure out how to hit the front wall hard enough to grab their attention. Any ideas?” he asks while returning to the door and examining it. “Well, Ah can buck it as hard as Ah can. Probably not a good idea though, ‘could hurt mahself ah might bad. But what Ah was thinkin’ also, is that we could pretend to be tied up’n stuff, an’ wait ‘till someone comes in ‘ta get us, then we get the drop on ‘em.” she suggests, looking to the assassin.
“That was part of what I was planning, but the issue is the fact of the wait. You and I both know Redik doesn’t have that kind of attention span.” he replies while giving a ‘you should know’ look.
“Yeah, yeah...” Applejack nods. “Maybe we can promise him somethin’ that he wants,” she shivers as she says this. “-in return for him cooperatin’ when he’s up on his feet?”
“There is no way in hell that anyone is going to come in contact with his pants. I know that’s what he wants... and that thing called ‘bacon’.” he nearly shudders at the thought after he says those words. If Redik wanted it, bacon was probably horrible.
“Bakin’?” Applejack squints at the word as she misunderstood it. “Well Ah can bake ah whole ton’a things, like apple pies, fritters, you name it.” she smiles, rather proudly as she speaks.
“No no ‘bacon’ b-a-... uh...” Aquila stops to think for a second, “I’ve never seen it in writing but I imagine it’s not what you’re thinking.”
“Ohhh, bacon! Y’know, the gryphons are meat-eaters. Ah’d never touch the stuff, but gryphons do have somethin’ called bacon, Ah think.” Applejack tells him.
Redik freezes for a moment and sniffs the air. “Mmmm that’s like...” he sniffs again. “Is that bacon?” he sniffs once more “Hey guys, I smell,” he takes a huge whiff “Do you smell bacon? Bacon, anyone?!” He stands up quickly and grabs Aquila by the collar, “Oh, that’s bacon! Bacon! Who’s got the bacon?! WHERE’S THE BACON?!” he starts shaking Aquila around furiously.
“What?! I don’t smell anything!” Aquila exclaims as he gets shaken around. He manages to catch the smell though, he takes a sniff of his own. “Wait... I think I smell it too.” He shoves Redik off of him and goes to the door’s window. One of the guards was eating lunch.
“BACON!” Redik yells and charges the door.
“NO REDIK WAI-!” was all Aquila could let out before Redik slams into the door and gets electro-zapped again. He goes flying back and slams into the wall behind him, even harder than last time. This causes the whole room to vibrate, and the guards take notice.
Aquila begins to curse over and over again as he quickly runs to grab Redik’s limp body and throw him in a chair. He didn’t have time to adjust and Redik’s hands were resting on his crotch.
Aquila quickly gets in his own chair and puts his hands behind his back, then he forgets his blindfold and says things Applejack couldn’t understand. He grabs the blindfold and loosely wraps it over his eyes.
Quick as a cat, the farmpony got into her position, as the plan suggested. She takes her blindfold from the floor and quickly rests it over her eyes, putting her fore-hooves behind the chair. Her heart is racing by now.
The door beeps and slides open. Two guards walk in with metal beat sticks in their hands. One of them waits by the door while the other checks the prisoners. He examines them closely but raises a brow at Redik’s position. “Didn’t we tie them all up?”
“Redik has a way with his hands...” Aquila regrettably tells the guard.
“And how did you know his hands were unbound.” the guard says as he gets in front of Aquila and gets in his face.
“You know, that’s the last place you want to be right now.” Aquila warns the guard and holds back a smirk.
“And why is it that you’re all tie- OH SHI-” was all the guard could say before he was headbutted in the face.
Aquila’s blindfold fell off and he leaps to action. He spots the other guard coming straight for him and almost laughs at the horrible form of this guard. The guard just sends his weapon down at Aquila, the momentum packing some extra punch.
The assassin expertly catches the arm and uses that momentum to throw the guard over his shoulder and into the wall behind him. He then stomps on the face of the upside down guard to make sure he stays down.
Applejack took off her blindfold the second she heard the guard yell out before he was headbutted, to get a better view of the situation. Once the guard fell down, she quickly charges at him and proceeds to whip around and give his head one of her all-famous, powerful Apple Family bucks. The sheer power of the kick sent the guard unconscious, his body falling limp on the floor. She sighs and lands her hooves down.
“Good job.” Aquila compliments Applejack while he walks over to the guard she just kicked. He picks up a couple of his teeth and holds them out for her to take. “A trophy.”
“Heheh, years ‘a applebuckin’. But uh... nah, Ah’ll... Ah’ll pass,” She shakes her head in slight disgust at the so-called ‘trophy’.
“Suit yourself. I can put them to good use though.” he gains a near devilish smile and walks over to Redik’s still unconscious body. He pulls off one of his boots and puts the teeth inside. Then he puts the boot back on and lifts Redik up over his shoulder. Struggling a bit, “Mio dio, you got fat!” he remarks, even though he knew Redik couldn’t hear him.
Applejack couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit. “Well, what’re we gonna do now? Ah mean, how are we supposed ‘ta get out?” she asks, looking up at the assassin.
“What me and Redik usually do. Just go and hope we don’t die. Though usually this involves me keeping him from getting something sharp shoved in him. Either way it works so why stop now?...” he waits for a second before he chuckles. “I’m kidding! Though part of that’s true, I always have a plan. Me and Redik are going to take the guard’s uniforms and sail right out of here after I get my gear back. As for you, there’s an air vent in the hallway that you should be able to fit through. That would be your best bet, unless you think you can stand up straight and say you’re a funny looking monkey.”
“Ah’ll see if’n Ah can squeeze through there, then.” Applejack nods and lets out a small sigh. “Well then, let’s uh... let’s get goin’, then?” she chuckles a little bit.
“First off... we gotta wake up Redik...” Aquila says with a regretful tone. The peace and quiet was soothing, and that’s taking into account the capturing, the beating of the guards, and the fact they were light years away from home.
“Oh great...” Applejack smirks. “Well, ain’t he knocked-out? Don’t ‘ya have ‘ta wait for someone to come to when they’re out like he is?” she asks, as if she knew that was how it was supposed to be.
“No, you just have to think like he does... okay I’ll see if I can get his terminology right...” Aquila sighs and clears his throat. He faces Redik and exclaims, “Hey! Did you guys just see that hot chick walking down the hallway?! I think she was carrying bacon too!” he made sure his voice was a bit higher toned so he wouldn’t sound like himself.
Redik’s eyes shot open and he shoved Aquila out of the way, “WHERE?!” he exclaimed and went for the door.
“Nowhere, Redik.” Applejack says, shattering Redik’s hopes and dreams.
“But... but... but...” was all Redik says before Aquila cut him off.
“Yes yes, we all like butts now we need to get going. Redik strip one of the guards and put on his uniform.” Aquila ‘order’s Redik as he starts to take off his robe.
“Aw gross old man smell!” Redik says as he watches Aquila undress. “Like a horse’s ass!”
“And how do you know what that smells like?” Aquila slyly asks Redik while he begins to clothe himself with one of the guard’s uniforms. They were black with some kind of shirt-vest combination, the vest was thick so it must be for protection. The pants were a dark gray and covered with all sorts of pouches and pockets, probably for ammunition. For a belt they wore a simple utility belt for holding various small items. With it was an attached holster for some kind of gun. Aquila couldn’t tell what it was, it was far too futuristic for him. As for the boots, they were pretty basic black leather ones, meant for easy movement and adaptability to environment.
“We currently live in a world full of multi colored ponies who happen to be naked all the time.” the wizard reminds Aquila.
“You know, that just makes it even more awkward if you’re going around sniffing pony culo.” Aquila barely manages to hold back a laughing fit as he puts the last bits of the uniform on.
“Ah’m standin’ righ’ the hay here, y’all know that right?” Applejack deadpans, a small blush on her face.
“The truth had to come out someti-” Aquila manages to let out before Redik jumps at him and covers his mouth.
“Hey! Let’s not all be too hasty here, I know I’m weird but I don’t go around sniffing the ass of animals.” Redik disclaims himself then removes his hand from the assassin’s mouth. He then sighs and undresses so he can get in the other guard’s uniform.
“Yet you know what they smell like apparently.”
“C’mon, we’re jus’ wasting our time, arguin’ over... ass.” Applejack shakes her head at the two of them, with a sigh. “Redik, y’know the gryphons back in Equestria, well, and the Gryphon Kingdom, actually do have bacon. So Ah can show ‘ya to the market if’n ‘ya want.” she offers.
Redik froze, he’d just finished putting on the guard’s outfit. “... AQUILA GET YOUR SAGGY OLD ASS MOVING WE NEED TO GO!” he orders and nearly shoves Aquila out the door.
That Moment You Realize You're Being Held For Ransom Part 2
Applejack walks out of the cell last, looking around the hallway. She sees a small, metal table with two chairs- one of them is moved out of the way, as the guard sat there before. Then she sees the BLT sandwich in the paper wrapper on the table. “Ey, uh, Redik?” She looks to the wizard after she inspects the sandwich.
“Not now, we need to get out of here so I can get me some bird bacon.” Redik says in reference to the Gryphons having bacon.
“There’s uh... bacon on this here sandwich, Ah think. Now if’n ‘yer gonna ask how Ah know it’s bacon, Ah’ve been around a lot. Even tried it once before Ah said I wouldn’t eat meat again. It... wasn’t so bad, but then again, Ah don’t eat meat.” AJ shakes her head.
“Redik, now’s not the time for-” Aquila manages to let out before a palm smacks him in the face and pushes him into the metal wall behind him.
“I think we can spare a few minutes.” Redik says, sounding like he’s in some sort of trance. He makes his way over to the sandwich and inspects it. He notices a couple bites were already taken out of it. “Ewww...”
Aquila groans as he gets back to his feet. Then he smirks. “Go on, eat it.”
“But... it’s got man-germs all over it...”
“You wanted bacon, there you go.”
“But-”
“Do it.”
“Fine... but I want you to know you can lick donkey nutsacks. Ass.” Redik says as he looks at the sandwich again. He sits down in the chair and takes a hold of it. Reluctantly he takes a bite, though in his mind, his fabricated man-germs ruined the taste. “EUGH IT’S ALL SOGGY!”
“Finish it.” Aquila says, he is still peeved about the physical abuse Redik has been putting him through. Ironically.
“No! It’s gross!”
“Maybe ‘ya can just take the gosh-darn bacon out and eat it like that?” Applejack suggests. “That aside, we need ‘ta get goin’.”
“That’d work but... Aquila you taste it.” Redik offers the sandwich to Aquila.
“... Give me that sandwich and it’s not coming back.” Aquila dryly says as the sandwich approaches him in Redik’s hand.
“But-!”
“I thought we were over talking about butts Redik.” Aquila says.
Facehoofing, the cowpony mutters under her breath, “Oh for Celestia’s sake...” Applejack eyes the ventilation shaft with a sigh, and walks past the two of them. She manages to get up on her hind legs, and studies the grate. Applejack then sees if she can undo the screws, but to no avail.
“Redik, just eat it or leave it.” Aquila sternly tells him, starting to get annoyed.
“Screw it!” Redik rather loudly says and tosses the food in the nearest trashcan. “Let’s go, and Aquila...”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to kick SO MUCH ASS when we get home!” Redik exclaims. “AND THEN, I’M GONN-” his mouth was quickly covered.
“SHHH!” Aquila lets out while putting a finger to his lips. Guards were approaching, Applejack needed to hide. The thump of their boots echoed through the hallway.
“Aha,” Applejack finally manages (while hurting her teeth) to undo the screws. She then crawls into the shaft- the grate flapping back down behind her, as she undid the bottom screws.
The guards approach them with an alert look. “What’re you two doing down here? Do you have the proper clearance?” one of them asks.
“Do you?” Redik snarkily replies.
Aquila nudges Redik and speaks, but with a heavy British accent. “We’re new recruits see, an’ we’ve just been moved down ‘ere to keep watch o’ tha’ prisoners. Jus’ wait a few minutes an’ our clearance should pass.”
As Aquila speaks, Redik’s expression slowly turns more and more into one of disbelief. “Uh... yeah, what he said.”
“Right... but we’ll be back to check up on you two. If the clearance isn’t passed in the next ten minutes, we’re sending you to your commanding officer.” the other guard orders, then salutes the two by putting his fist to his heart.
The two copy the guards and after they leave to return to patrolling, Redik turns to Aquila with the same look. “How in the hell did you do that?!”
“Do what?”
“Speak like that and get them off our backs!”
“Oh that... I suppose I’ve a way with words.” Aquila smiles and walks back over to the table, sitting down in one of the chairs.
“Well so do I and I would’ve been busted right there!” Redik replies while following him on the dot.
“Redik, your ‘way with words’ is about as subtle as torturing a cat.” Aquila comments on the wizard’s speaking skills.
“Fine, but how’d you do that with your voice?” he asks, for once he was genuinely curious.
“Years of practice and dealing with the Brits.” was all the assassin says, there wasn’t much more to it than that. He stretches his legs out and stands back up. Then he scrunches his brow as he realizes something. “Where’s Applejack?”
“Well I thought she was with you.” Redik replies while he looks around the room to see where she might have went.
Aquila facepalms and remarks, “Dumbass.”
“Ah’m up here, in this... metal... shaft thing!” Applejack’s voice echoes a little bit, but she pokes her head out of the grate, which slid up.
“Alright, listen closely. If you go against the air current, it should lead you to the source. If you can find the source, maybe you can find some way to get in and cut the power.” Aquila tries to explain to her from below.
“You do realize, that if the power is cut, we won’t be able to see either.” Redik reminds Aquila.
“You won’t, but I will. I won’t even be here when it happens.” Aquila thoughtfully says as he continues to develop a plan more and more in his mind.
“Ah’ll uh... see what Ah can do, alright?” Applejack nudges herself back into the vent. “Hooey! It’s hot as a hog in ‘ere...” She exhales, continuing on to go against the current of air that she was feeling inside the vent.
“Okay, wait... What do you mean you won’t be here when it happens?!” Redik exclaims a little too loud.
“All part of the plan, just do as I say and things will go perfectly.” Aquila calmly reassures him, meanwhile he starts to make his way out of the room and too the hallway.
“Fine, but if my ass is on a mantle...” the wizard trails off as he follows.
“We just need to find some kind of back-” Aquila thinks to himself out loud as he rounds the corner to reach the main hall. But what he found, he wasn’t expecting.
“Can’t let you do that, Aquila.” says a rather strangely metallic voice.
What Aquila saw was a man, dressed in black and red robes covered in what would be considered futuristic armor. It covered the robe but allowed space for movement, a simple chest piece, gloves, shoulder pads, and steel toed leather boots. It was nothing like the two had ever seen, but it was obvious it was meant for someone of higher status. He wore a metal face mask, one that completely concealed his identity. All it had was a slit where his eyes were, through the mask his eyes demanded attention and stared death into any who were stupid enough to look into them. They were hazel, almost a yellow, but somehow seemed familiar. Over the mask and his head would be a hood, one of a similar design to Aquila’s, meant to conceal the face but not block vision. His visage was intimidating and worst of all, it was one that seemed like death followed him wherever he goes.
“Aquila, was this part of the plan?” Redik whispers, but it’s still audible to everyone in the area.
“Of course it wasn’t.” the dark stranger states. “I’ve been watching you two through the hidden cameras in your cell. Quite the show you put on in there. I can’t decide whether or not to kill you... or to congratulate you two for being the most foolish prisoners we’ve had.” he puts his hands behind his back and casually walks up to the two. “You shouldn’t be here, we all know that. But there’s two others who shouldn’t be as well.” he stops in front of the two and stares Redik in the eye. He bumps his fist on a button that rests on his right breast of his armor, he orders for the two guards they ran into earlier to report to his location.
Redik flushes slightly, turning pale as the scary man stared him in the eye, he was almost as scary as Aquila when he gets mad. But he had to stand his ground. He was fairly sure Aquila already has a plan... but he’s ready for his own plan of attack, if need be... attack.
The two guards made their way over and saluted their supposed commanding officer. “Guards Richard and Olsen reporting in, sir!” one of them says.
“Impressive response time, but what wasn’t impressive, is how you allowed three prisoners to escape from their cell. While you took the time to prepare a lovely lunch for yourselves. Your continued failures have become rather disappointing to me lately.” the commander speaks while looking over the two.
“We’ll do our best to not disappoint you further, sir! We’ve just been preoccupied as of late.” the other guard states while standing at attention.
“Oh but I am going to take care of your worries, you’ll have all the time in the world where you’re going.” he tells them. Meanwhile, reaching into his robe to grab something.
“Where would that be sir? If you don’t mind my asking.” one of the guards says, though it was clear he was nervous. This commander was obviously someone you didn’t want to disappoint.
“Hell.” he coldly says, he pulls out what appeared to be just a hilt. He clicked a button on it and a blade extended from a slot at the top of the hilt. He drove it into the first guard’s chest and pushed the body into the other guard. “Dispose of your friend, we won’t be needing him any more.”
The remaining guard couldn’t help but shed a tear before he dragged his friend away. Afterward the dark commander turned his attention back to the escapees... but they were nowhere to be found. “Oh good... I was hoping they’d run.”
Fits of panting echoed through the hallway. Redik and Aquila have been running for three whole minutes.
“I need to *pant* stop!” Redik says as he nearly falls over and rests against the metal wall next to him.
“Sto diventando troppo vecchio per questo...” Aquila mumbles as he takes a break as well.
“I think we lost him.” Redik manages to say in between pants. He stretches his sore arms and gets back fully to his feet. “I need... to hit something!” he tiredly exclaims. “It’s been twenty whole minutes since i’ve hit someone!”
“Yes and it was me. Quit whining while I try to thi-” Aquila attempts to say but gets cut off but an alarm.
An automated voice sounded over various speakers “Full lockdown in progress. Please report to engineering for further instructions. Lockdown will commence in... five minutes.” Red lights begins to flash and the alarm continues to sound.
“Awww shit man! I don’t know what that means but it’s probably bad!” Redik groans loudly, there was no need to be quiet now... by Redik’s standards.
“Alright, today’s your lucky day Redik. You get to lead, because now is not the time for subtlety.” Aquila states while taking out the beatstick he stole from the unconscious guards they took out earlier.
“YES! FINALLY, I’M IN CHARGE. MY FIRST DECREE... EVERYONE... uh... okay later.” Redik sighs and starts running in a random direction. Looking for any way out before the lockdown happens.
The assassin quickly follows along and immediately wishes he was younger, his back was killing him. Like someone was constantly banging a hammer against his lower spine. “Arg- REDIK LOOK OUT!” he yells to warn his friend.
Just as Redik reaches the fifth story of what appears to be a large hangar of the ship, but just as he rounds the corner a guard smashes into him and tackles him to the ground. “OW GET OFF!” he yells as he struggles to get the guard off him.
Aquila immediately goes into “Action Mode”, disregarding the growing pain in his back, he charges forward and lunges, he grabs the midsection of the guard and horizontally rolls, pulling the guard with him and throwing the man over the nearby rail. The sore assassin groans and stands back up, offering a hand to his companion.
Redik accepts the hand and gets back up to his feet. “You know I could’ve handled him right?” he says as he continues to make his way down to the bottom.
“Of course.” Aquila says, following along. Though he remembers something, his gear. “Redik, go without me. I’ll catch up.”
“Wait, what?! We only have about three minutes until we’re locked in here!” Redik nearly yells in complete shock, has Aquila gone nuts?!
“Just trust me, get to the end of this hangar. If I’m not there, find a way out and leave without me! Aquila yells back and starts to run in the direction of where he thought the captain was.
“YOU SEEM TO BE FORGETTING WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE!” Redik screams since Aquila was so far, and he was fairly angry.
“YOU NEVER WERE!” Aquila yells back.
“SON OF A- OH SHIT!” he manages to let out before he ducks under a fist, a guard had come up the metal stairs to try and attack him. He quickly sends a jab to the guard’s gut with his left fist. Then a quick right uppercut to smash the guard in the chin and knock him down the stairs. “Ha ha ha! Too easy!”
Meanwhile Aquila was making his way to the armory. Following the directions marked on the walls. Understandable, none of the guards here seemed very bright. Though, shortly after a while of running his back started to catch up to him. He took just a second to rest but the constant noise of the alarm reminded him. “Two minutes until lockdown.”
“Devo... mantenere... andare.” he groans heavily. Forcing himself to start running again. After he rounds a corner he finds the armory door.
Running up to it he tries to push it open only to find that it won’t open. “Damn it, locked...” He quickly looks around for something to open it with. After a few seconds he notices a panel. “There!” he moves over to it to find all these buttons with numbers on them. “Uhhh...”
But before he tried to do anything with it, the door opened and a man in dark red robes emerged. Almost like what that commander was wearing, with different colors. He shot his hand forward and fire burst forth from a tube on his wrist.
“Merda!” Aquila says and shuffles out of the way, he sends his foot out to kick the guy in the stomach. Knocking him into the side of the doorway, Aquila follows up by grabbing him and spinning them both around. He lets go and makes the man stumble back and slam into the other side of the doorway.
“Ow damn it! You hit hard!” the guy says, but his voice was familiar...
“REDIK?!” Aquila let’s out in total shock.
“Hey! How’d you know my name?!” he says after getting back up.
“I told you to go and find a way out of here!” the assassin scolds.
“What are you talking about?! Wait a second... you’re some kind of imposter, damn it! He told me to look out for those!” the... wizard says. Afterward, shooting more fire in Aquila’s direction.
“Wh- woah!” is all Aquila could say before he has to dive into the room full of weapons. As the other Redik moves closer he quickly looks around for his stuff. And notices they were on a shelf on the other side of the room.
“Bring it you disguised ninnyshit!” the other Redik yells before sending a massive torrent of flame in Aquila’s direction.
Aquila ducks under a metal table. “You know, you might be some other version of Redik. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still kick your ass!” he yells then stands up, knocking the table over. He spins around and uses the table to boost his jump. He spins around and kicks the “wizard” in the face. After landing he grabs the back of the other Redik’s head and smashes it into the wall nearby.
“...I like puppies when they bubblegum...” was all the wizard says before falling to the ground unconscious.
“Deja vu...” Aquila comments before he quickly rushes to grab his gear and sprints his way out of the armory. “Applejack better be close to that generator room by now...” he says to himself as he runs. Making his way back to the hangar, he notices Redik fighting a few guards down at the bottom. “Not bad kid.”
“HIYA!” the real Redik says as he bashes the face in of another guard. He spins around and sends a fireball in the direction of another guard, causing him to light up in a torrent of flame. Though he let his guard down and got whacked in the back by one of those metal beatsticks. “OW! MOTHERFU-” he yells before getting smashed in the face by the same one. He falls to the ground but catches it just before it hits him in the face. He pulls the guard toward him and kicks the guard in the stomach to send him flying back.
He quickly stands back up and looks around. “Twenty seconds until lockdown.” was what he heard from the announcing voice. “DAMN IT, AQUILA WHERE ARE YOU?!” he yells out for his friend.
“Right here.” a metallic voice from behind says before Redik feels a thump on his head, and everything goes black...
That Moment You Realize You're Being Held For Ransom Finale
Applejack isn’t really enjoying what she is going through. She was crawling through a hot shaft of metal. She swore, if it were any hotter she would be no better than a barbequed piece of meat. But still, she crawls through the vent. It is slightly troublesome due to the bends and curves in the shaft.
Soon though, the cowpony comes to what looks to be a generator room. At least, that is what she assumed. Fumbling around with the grate which lead to the room, she manages to open it up with her teeth, wincing of course; she was twisting hard metal screws with her teeth, after all. Suddenly, she feels her grip slipping. It must have been at least a six or seven foot drop, onto a cold, hard steel floor. Luckily, she catches herself. A droplet of sweat runs down her brow and off of her muzzle, hitting the steel many feet below with a silent splash. Applejack pulls herself back up, and lets out a cough.
Looking back down into the room, she notices the technology that the room held. Touch-screen panels and holographic, self-levitating diagram screens which show the status of the generators were down there. They sheen with a vivid light in a shade of pale blue, the letters in white to contrast the screen’s brightness. With a sigh, Applejack hops down, and lands with a grunt. Immediately, she regrets it. Why? Because the door to the room is shut, likely locked as well.
Dismissing this, the cowpony merely looks around in curiosity. Her legs are still recovering from the shock which they were experiencing, but she is fine overall. Walking around a little, she inspects the panels and holographic diagrams. They were strange, but she could read them at least.
With a smirk growing on her face, Applejack reaches a hoof out to toy with the controls of what she assumed to be the main control panel. Her hoof felt like it was touching glass, but it didn’t feel like it was fragile. With a ‘humph’, she looks around the screen. “How in the hay do they work these things...” She thinks aloud, shaking her head. “Turn off generator... one, two... hooey! Would ‘ya look at that...” she eyes another screen; it states that the generators were all working at their maximum capacity just to keep this place alight.
“Three.” Spoke a robotic, monotone voice.
“That don’t sound too good...”
“Two.”
“Well... Ah reckon it’s about time Ah turn out the lights...”
“One-”
With multiple, consecutive taps, the generators and backup generators were shut off, literally milliseconds before the ‘lockdown’ commenced.
“Whew!” Applejack sighs in relief, brushing sweat from her brow. “Whoa... whoa whoa whoa, hold on a secon-...” She then felt immensely lighter. Emergency lights, which were dimmer than dust, shine through the relentless darkness.
Applejack holds onto a metallic bar for what she thinks is dear life, as she starts to float up to the ceiling.
Elsewhere.
“Sir, our power levels are steadily dropping!” a helmsman alerts to their commander.
Our dark stranger took Redik to the front of the ship. He left the wizard strapped to a chair that he had welded to the ground. Somehow he knew this was going to happen.
Just before the power goes out he grabs onto a metal bar and waits. Immediately after the lights go out and suddenly everything became weightless. Luckily he warned most of his men in the bridge about it too so they made sure to put on their emergency seatbelts. “Right on time.” he comments as he floats up slowly.
“Orders sir?” a voice says in the mild darkness. The emergency lights weren’t lighting up the room very well.
“Get someone working on the power, then I want a full sweep of the hallways and lockdown initiated immediately after power is restored. Understand?” the commander voices in the darkness. But notes a lack of response. Either his men were really fast... or someone was here.
“Backup power initiated. Power to light fixtures and life support sustained. Error restoring artificial gravity fields. Seek a technician immediately.” an automated voice announces to the entire ship.
Suddenly the lights turn back on and all that remains in the room are the dead bodies of his crew members, and a rather peeved Aquila floating there at the doorway. “I’m afraid your friends had to take a nap.”
“Ah yes! Aquila, right on schedule. They were disposable, as is your friend here. All that is left is you and your quadruped friend. So let us be done with this, like men. No running, no devious plots. Just your fists against my...” he pulls out that same sword he had earlier, “sword.”
“That’s all I need...” Aquila says rather menacingly, then he pushes himself down from the top of the doorway, landing on the ground he rolls and pushes himself directly at the dark commander.
The commander lets go of the railing he was holding on to and swings his sword at Aquila, almost expecting him to directly charge. “How bold!” he comments as he swings.
Aquila smirks under his hood as he soars toward his enemy. He twists in the air and catches the hilt of the sword. He uses his momentum with the twist to bring his right knee up and smash the dark commander in the side of the head. In turn it makes him let go of the sword and allows Aquila to gain a new weapon.
This causes the dark stranger to cartwheel through the air and to the ground, straight into where Redik was sitting, passed out in the chair. He smashes into the wizard and immediately wakes up. “OW?! What?!” he frantically looked around notices Aquila floating in the air holding on to a metal beam and a sword in his right hand. “AQUILA?! How are you flying?!”
“That hurt...” the stranger comments as he recovers. But the metallic effect of his voice was gone... He looks up and...
“HOLY SHIT IN A PICKLE! TWO AQUILAS?!” Redik yells in shock at what he was looking at.
It was true, the man looks exactly like Aquila. Though he lacked a beard it was obvious. The only real difference was that he didn’t have a heavy accent. “Damn, looks like I underestimated your primitive appearance. No matter. A trained assassin always adjusts.”
“Exactly.” Aquila says and pushes himself down to one of the main panels of the bridge. He looks around and notes the microphone that must be used for announcements... He bends over and presses the button. “Uh... would a Miss Applejack report to the bridge immediately. There is one dumbass awaiting pick-up.” Though after he announces this he takes a foot to the face which sends him across the room and into the wall to his right. Luckily he kept a tight grip on that sword.
“One shouldn’t let his guard down around his equals.” The evil Aquila states as he adjusts himself in the air.
“One also shouldn’t underestimate his enemies, unless they like taking a knee to the temple.” Aquila states, then he smiles and extends his left hidden blade. Then it turns and releases from its latch. Making itself into a knife for Aquila’s use. “Let’s do this...” Then he pushes himself off the wall and soars straight to his enemy, preparing to strike with his knife.
The evil Aquila awaits his counterparts attack, using his opponent’s momentum against him he catches the arms of his enemy and follows through by throwing them to the other side of the room. Then reaching into his pocket and pulling out some kind of small blade attached to a chain...
Aquila quickly tumbles in the air and lands on the opposite wall with both feet. Though shortly after he has to lean his head to the side to avoid the incoming chain dart aimed for his face. He puts the hidden blade back and wraps arm around the chain. He pulls his adversary toward him and the sword forward to try and impale the man.
The evil Aquila is yanked toward the assassin, but just as this happens he pivots so the sword misses his torso and this allows him to slam his shoulder into Aquila.
“Aquila let me help! Just get me out of these dang ass restraint things!” Redik exclaims to try to get his friend’s attention. But it seems the two were too busy trying to best each other.
Though it was impossible. They were both the same person with a different background. They thought exactly the same, they carried themselves the same, they fought the same. This fight was going nowhere unless a variable was added to it. And Redik knew this, but in a much simpler way, like, “Aquila is a weak ass old man who needs my help to kick the other weak ass old man in the backside so I can save the day and be awesome as usual.”... hypothetically.
In the Generator Room...
Once Applejack got control over her movement in the anti-gravity environment, she manages to open the door. Surprisingly enough, it isn’t locked. But as soon as she opens the door, outside there are three guards running down the hall. Luckily, in the opposite direction.
The cowpony lets out a small sigh, and continues on to float along the halls, looking before she ‘leaps’ of course. The guards had gravity boots on, and she didn’t- thereby she had no real advantage in a fight, anti-gravity versus gravity that is. The walls of the halls are metallic under the lights, as the floors are as well.
She almost lets out a gasp as she sees a guard walking down an oncoming hall, but quickly takes advantage of the lack of gravity by letting herself float to the ceiling. Applejack watches as the guard walks past her, not even bothering to look around. ‘Thank Celestia...’ She sighs as she sees the armored guard leave the premises. Deciding it would be a bit of a safer choice, she floats along the ceiling.
Every now and then, she would come close to being caught. It really got her blood pumping, especially to her poor heart. Death is something that arguably, doesn’t happen a lot in Equestria. Murdering or killing, that is. And for her to be risking her own life, doing what she is, it really makes her worry. Even though she needs to get to the bridge for said ‘dumbass’ (who she automatically assumed was Redik), she is still heavily nervous for her own being.
As fate would have it, she got lost in her thoughts, and ends up being seen by one of the guards. “HEY!” He yells, snapping her thoughts in two. Applejack’s eyes widen as he lifts up his beating-stick to hit her. But the cowpony’s instinct kicks into high-gear.
With all her leg-power behind it, Applejack cranks her hind legs forward, and bucks them into the ceiling. She is sent down to the guard by the force of the push, and manages to kind of grab onto him. Letting gravity do its work, she takes the guard by the head with her hooves as he flails many strikes wildly above his head, missing every single time in a rather fruitless attempt to get her off. Squeezing as hard as she could, Applejack somehow manages to deprive the guard of his breath- suffocating him. Soon enough, he loses the ability to move, and falls limp. Applejack lets him out of her grip, which makes him fall flat to the ground.
With a quick sigh of relief, Applejack proceeds to float her way to the bridge of the ship. She is guided only by a few signs here and there, but she manages to find her way in the end. And there she is, floating into the doorway to the bridge. And once she does, her eyes widen, and her irises shrink, as she sees what is going on.
She finds Aquila and his doppelganger locked in holds, beating each other senseless. Struggling to get the upperhand against the other. Looking around, she spots Redik and pushes herself off the nearest wall in his direction.
“Took you long enough! You guys get to fly around and have fun while get to sit around and watch other ass nuggets have fun!” Redik says while Applejack unties his restraints with her mouth.
“Redik ah think ya’ have bigger problems.” Applejack says as she points a hoof toward the opening door to the entrance of the bridge.
In walks the other Redik, having recovered from the blow to his head that he took from Aquila. But something was off, he was clumsy and still didn’t seem to coherent. “I’m going to fluff your fork with his fart!” he weakily says.
“...What?” Redik says while raising a brow. “Oh well. Hey Aquila! Watch thi- AH!” he quickly screamed before pushing himself up out of the chair to dodge an incoming sword flying at him. Apparently the other Aquila knocked it out of Aquila’s hands.
Redik floats up and bumps his head on the ceiling above. “Ow! Damn it! Oh man my stomach...” he says as he holds his now nauseous body. “Okay... you can do this...” he quietly reassures to himself as he sees the other Redik soaring toward him. Little flames ignited in his hands in front of the tubes.
As the other Redik soars he sends his right arm forward and a blast of fire came from his hands toward the wizard. He has this look in his eye, though he couldn’t formulate proper sentences still and his vision was blurry, that he was the same cocky old Redik.
So Redik does one thing... that one thing that he told himself he would never do... “Think like Aquila”. He sends his own torrent of flame from his hands to counteract the fire. They both stop and Redik uses his legs to start a backflip, he catches the other Redik and slams him into the wall above. Now upside down, he pushes upward to force the other Redik soaring to the ground. After the fake wizard smashes his head on the ground. Redik fires off a fireball to finish him off and the fire engulfs the other Redik.
“... OH YEAH! DID ANYONE SEE THAT?!” Redik yells in celebration. As much as he kicks ass he’s never done something like that before. He does a little dance while aimlessly floating in the air.
“Redik! We could really use a portal right about now!” Aquila says while combatting his other self. He manages to kick the other him away and into a wall. Then he pushes himself off the ceiling and grabs a hold of a safety bar for this situation. “Time for a diversion.” He turns around and spots the other Aquila soaring right for him. So he pivots and catches the other Aquila under his right shoulder and turns, he throws the evil version of himself straight into the flight controls. Causing them to break and start alarms going off in the ship.
“On it!” Redik says and begins to conjure up a portal back to Equestria.
Meanwhile, Aquila floats his way over to the dazed doppelganger of himself. He takes the rope dart and throws it straight for the window looking out into space before them. It lodges itself into the window and cracks it. Though it doesn’t break. That’s what he was going for.
The other Aquila stands up and, in a dizzy haze, bull rushes him by pushing himself off the pannel. As a last attempt to turn to tables.
Aquila smirks under his hood and charges as well. He pushes himself forward off the bar and pulls on the dart, bringing his feet up and slamming them into the other him’s chest. Sending them flying toward the window. Aquila pushes off and the other Aquila flies forward, smashing into the window and out into space. Though this causes a vacuum and begins to suck everyone out of the ship. “REDIK!”
“HANG ON!” Redik yells and summons up a portal right where the vacuum was. “Applejack! Take my hand!” he yells to Applejack.
She was terrified but trusted him, so she lets go of the bolted chair she was holding on to for dear life and is pulled in Redik’s direction.
He grabs a hold of Applejack and lets the vacuum pull them directly into the portal.
After they do this Aquila lets go of the safety bar and tumbles through the air. He presses a large button that said self-destruct on his way to the portal. And flew right into the portal.
The portal closes and a voice on the ship announces “Self destruct in... fifteen seconds.” Everything rumbles and shakes as the reactor core of the ship begins to overload. The crew of the ship quickly scrambling to get to escape pods. But to no avail. After all, it was only fifteen seconds.
The now dying version of Aquila contemplates his mistakes, and goes over the bittersweet victory his enemy had. They made their escape, but at the cost of many innocent members of the ship. Who only followed orders so they wouldn’t be killed by their superior. He regrets his actions, but accepts his fate. he holds his right hand out toward the ship and salutes for one last time. He shut his eyes and waits for the explosion... then everything was gone.
5 minutes later, in space.
There, in the vast expanse of space. In what was left of the wreckage of what seemed to be the ship they were on, held one thing. An arm, that of the doppelganger of Redik. Drifting through the nothing, though it did not bleed. What came from the detached limb was... sparks as it twitches in the nothingness.
Have you ever looked up at the night sky above and wondered... is there a place out there where anything is possible or just plain super awesome? Well look no further, for you are about to be told the story of... El Rediko. Master of the sword, beater of dumbass assassins, but above all... richest man on the planet.
With his big ass mansion and butt loads of money, the great El Rediko lives happily and carefree within his manor of awesome and solitude. Though, sometimes the lame ass peasants come to bother him for something stupid like rent and insurance.
“But El Rediko, we can’t pay the rent. We just haven’t made enough bacon coins to get by this year! Please just give us some time!” a rather ragged old man pleads, getting on his knees and desperately begging.
“Away with you! El Rediko does not have time for peasants, there are assassins afoot! How do I know this?! My all amazing Rediko sense that allows me to sense dumbassery from a mile away!” the great El Rediko shouts dramatically while staring directly at nothing, as if something was watching him...
After a rather strange pause, he bolts out of the door over his overly priced mansion and on to his magical battle cat... Phillip!
The cat growls at him as he approaches, it was much larger than himself and could easily maul and maim him. But was unable to, Phillip was bound to El Rediko’s servitude after the super awesome wizard saved him from the wompaton dog-yetis.
El Rediko grabs the saddle of the cat and tries to hop on, with the swing of his right leg he flings himself right over the cat and right on to the ground below on the other side. “Moose balls!” he yells and corrects his amazing feather plume hat. With an aggressive stare toward the saddle, he decides “Screw the cat.” and just goes with his magical flight boots.
“Stupid Philip, making me use the damn super boots. Hate the super boots.” he frustratingly mumbles to himself. He makes his way past his pond full of gold water and to the tool shed. Taking a peek inside, he spots the leather boots and grabs them. Nothing seemed too special about them, it must be what’s inside that counts.
He slips his old and shitty normal boots off his feet and puts the new awesome, much better, and much cooler boots on. They vibrate on his feet as they turn on and he looks to the sky. Fist raised in the air, he shouts “AWAY!” to quickly be launched backward and directly into his golden pond. “Damn it! Forgot to turn off the hydraulic suspension...”
He flips an invisible button on the boots and they make a magical sound, showing that they run on pure awesomesauce energy. “Okay... AWAY!” he yells again and raises the same fist in the air. Nothing happens and he hears the sound of passing gas... “What the fu-...” his feet were already lit on fire before he could finish his sentence.
“AHHHHH! AHHHH! FIRE BAD, FIRE BAD!” He screams while running in a circle, completely forgetting there is a pond of gold water next to him. “Gotta think, gotta think, gotta think and run at the same time!” El Rediko managed to yelp out while appearing to dance like a complete idiot in circles.
Then... he had this genius idea! Take the shoes off! So he reaches down and grabs the boots, but stops for a second... what was that smell? It smelled like... meat cooking...
About seven minutes pass before Rediko finally manages to get the shoes off and not burning. Within those seven minutes he swore on his first born child’s life, cursed the god of monkeys, said something about vegetable penises, and somehow glued his hand to his crotch.
“Okay... I can figure a way out of this...” he thinks to himself. So he tugs, but his hand remained firmly on his crotch. Again... nothing. “Okay... I’m gonna need two hands for this.” so he puts his other hand on top of his stuck one, and pulls. But this time his other hand didn't come off either... crap.
Frantically looking around, not a thing in sight that could help him could be spotted. So he decides to waddle awkwardly over back toward his mansion. If Aquila could see this right now, he’d burst his sides laughing.
As El Rediko makes his way back through the mansion, he catches the old man giving him the strangest look. Like Rediko just lost all his dignity within about fifteen minutes. Pfft, this awesome guy has more dignity in his finger than the world does entirely. A dumbass glues his hand to his crotch... but a real man glues both.
He quickly finds his way into the bathroom and inspects his predicament in the mirror. One handsome guy with his hands glued to his crotch. Nothing unusual here except his hair was practically ruined... he needs to get his hands off now so he can fix it!
Using his mouth to open the mirror cabinet he looks around for something he could use. Just lotion, lotion, more lotion, oh and more lotion. Damn. After giving up his search, El Rediko has a genius idea! He can just burn the glue off with fire!
So he focuses on his crotch really intently, his hands became warm quickly and ignite on fire. To which he screams as if he were a five year old girl who just got a scrape on her knee.
Somewhere else
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Redik screams unmanishly as he awakens from his dream. He hears a noise from nearby like a thump and the familiar sound of Aquila screaming obscenities in his crazy language.
“Ti ammazzo, pezzo di merda sono stato un bel sogno!” Aquila yells while holding his aching back. He’d fallen off the couch he was sleeping on next to Redik who was sleeping on the floor a few feet away. “What is wrong with you?!”
“My crotch was on fire! What’d you expect me to do, quietly whisper to it how much it dang ass hurts?!” Redik retorts back. “I only whisper to my crotch on special occasions!”
Aquila takes a moment to inspect his friend... “Why are your hands on your... parts...? OH, GROSS!”
The three plop down in the middle of ponyville in a small dog pile. Though, immediately after they touch the dirt, a hand raises from the bottom and a young voice calls out.
“I DEMAND BACON!” Redik yells from under Aquila and Applejack.
“Damn it Redik... not even two seconds after we get back...” Aquila groans while he struggles to get off Applejack.
But before the mare could even make the effort to get off, she’s immediately thrown to the ground as the young wizard rises to his feet.
“Hey!” Applejack let’s out as she is tossed.
Aquila makes sure to flick Redik behind the ear, after his friend yelps he says “That’s no way to treat a lady.” As soon as he says this, he helps the mare to her feet.
“Bacon is more important than your bullshit manners. Bacon is more important than anything we do ever in the history of time, space, and the emptiness between the seat cushions of your couch!” Redik retorts, it was already obvious he was passionate about the thing he calls “bacon”.
“Only you, Redik, can make a speech about food that starts terrible and ends even worse.” the assassin comments as he brushes himself off. At this rate he’s going to become Rarity’s number one customer...
“Listen you two, if ah can convince Twilight to figure out a way ta get ya’ both bacon... will ya’ stop arguin’ so much?” Applejack attempts to compromise with the two, standing in between them just in case they try to fire some shots.
“That’s a great idea Applejack. I am willing to compromise, but I doubt culo pepita here is.”Aquila barks at his rival-friend-thing in front of him. It’s difficult to tell which is which by now.
“There we go with the boppity boopity mumbo jumbo gibberish bullshit again! Say one more thing in that italian bullshit and I’m going to pop you one in the face!” Redik snaps, he’s actually turning red in the face.
Aquila winks to Applejack, signaling that he has an idea.
She gets the hint and backs off, leaving nothing but space between the two.
The assassin looks Redik directly in the eyes and says “Provalo.”
“THAT’S IT!” Redik yells and swings a fist aimed directly at Aquila’s head.
The assassin immediately responds by catching his wrist. He shuffle’s under Redik’s arm and forces it up against the wizard’s back, then he kicks the back of the young man’s knee to make him fall on his side. After Redik hits the ground, Aquila immediately plants his knee on the arm he is still holding on to and twists his opponent’s wrist and pushes down, palm facing the ground.
“Ah you piece of fu- AAHAAAA...” Redik attempts to let out before Aquila puts more pressure on his wrist.
“COMPROMISE!” Aquila attempts to command his rival.
“THE ONLY COMPROMISE I’M MAKING IS THE ONE THAT MAKES ME KICK YOUR ASS!” Redik yells back before raising his other arm and using his magic to make it burning hot. To the point of his hand glowing red like hot metal. He proceeds to touch Aquila on the shoulder with it.
A quick burning noise sounds before the assassin yelps and jumps back, gripping his slightly burnt shoulder. “Alright... how about this for a compromise... Everfree forest, fifteen minutes from now, first to a knockout wins. No magic, no weapons, like men.” Aquila suggests, he’s had enough of Redik’s crap and it was about time they duked it out like the manly men they are.
“Fine! Beating the shit out of you is a dream come true!” Redik snaps back before storming off to the Everfree Forest.
“I know what you dream about! And it’s not that!” Aquila gets in the last word and chuckles at the very obvious and loud groan that came from the wizard in the distance. The added arm flailing just made it funnier.
After Redik was out of sight, Applejack approaches her friend and looks at him a bit worriedly. “Ah’m not exactly sure violence is the best solution...”
“Look, he’s clearly very angry at me. Because of this, I’ll let him get a few free shots. He can’t hit very hard anyways, though after a few hits I’m going to have to take him down. I’ll do it swiftly and quickly so he just wakes up with a small headache and a few bruises. Problem solved, then he’s back to his annoying but happy dumbass self..” Aquila tries his best to reason with Applejack but it is obvious she is still worried about both of their well-being.
[h]
The fifteen minutes pass and the assassin arrives at the treeline to the forest. He made sure to get Twilight to observe as a witness, he would’ve asked Applejack but it was obvious she just wanted to go home and rest. After all she’d been through with those two, it was a little more than she could handle.
“Aquila, you really shouldn’t do this. Both of you are going to hurt yourselves again!” Twilight tries to reason with her assassin friend.
“Twilight, for the fifth time. I have a plan. It’s no big deal.” he retorts, starting to get a little annoyed obviously.
“I... okay i trust you...” the mare reluctantly complies and follows along.
They both arrive at the spot where Redik was waiting and Aquila says “Ready to get started?”
“ 1, 2, 3, GO!” Redik yells out and charges at Aquila. He slams into the unprepared assassin and pins him up against a tree.
Aquila shoves him off and ducks under a punch. Instinctively he jabs Redik in the chin but remembers he’s gotta let the wizard get a few shots in... so he braces himself.
Redik hooks Aquila and strikes right in the jaw. Then another for a quick daze. Then the wizard shoves his opponent into a tree and knees him directly in the gut.
”Alright, that’s enough... for one go.” Aquila thinks to himself before bringing his guard back up. He deflects a punch and shoves Redik back.
They pause for a moment and he can see the look on Redik’s face. it’s just red and full of nearly emotionless rage. That’s the only way Aquila can describe it. It is clear his rival is furious but his face had a sort of calm to it. Like a look of pure focus...
The assassin brings his arm up expecting another punch but was completely surprised at what his opponent did next.
Redik grabs Aquila by the robe collar and headbutts him directly in the forehead. His anger dulled the pain quite a bit and he grabs the stunned assassin and smashes his face into the trunk of a tree. A couple chunks of teeth fly out of his rival’s mouth as he flops to the ground.
After Aquila hits the ground, Redik gets on top of him and just starts wailing on his opponent’s face. “Take this you, son! of! A! BITCH!” he yells out hit after hit. The only thing that kept him from continuing was Twilight’s magic which threw him back.
“He’s had enough Redik!” Twilight scolds while rushing to Aquila’s side. Who was completely out cold by the way. She quickly uses her magic to carry him back to her library. Though this put quite a bit of strain on her.
Though back in the forest Redik just sat there... resting up against a blood stained tree. “That felt good... a little too good...” for the first time ever he actually wasn’t proud of what he did. But it was also the first time since he met Aquila that he actually had a somewhat clear head.
In the silence of the forest he just thinks, something he was always told he was never very good at, but he’s doing it regardless. “... I still want my bacon.”
[h]
A few hours later, Aquila awakens to the smell of hot tea next to him. “Nnnngh...” was all he could let out in his haze.
“Aquila, oh thank Celestia you’re awake!” the voice of Twilight says behind him.
The assassin tried to speak but his jaw was swollen from the hits, and his overall mouth felt weird from the missing parts of teeth. All he could let out were muffled noises and hums.
“Oh yeah... the swelling. Sorry.” the purple mare tells him.
Aquila attempts to say it’s nothing which was barely understandable.
“Um... do you want some time alone? To you know... rest.” she asks, it wasn’t actually for rest. It was more to give him time to think about... well what happened earlier.
The swollen assassin just nods and closes his eyes. Already aware of Twilight’s departure.
It’s been a long time since Aquila’s gotten his ass handed to him like that. It was going to take a while before he could forgive Redik for fighting so rough... and beating him so quickly. It was quite the humbling experience... but a little more than the old assassin could handle.
