> Temptation Draws Near > by Mexican Brony 101 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Weakness > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tempter has been planning an attack on the outside world for as long as humanity began. He first had to find a way out of hell, all he needed was enough souls or one mere pure soul to escape. Since collecting pure souls was too much of a hassle, and not very subtle to steal one, he instead waited to gather enough souls to escape. This plan was also better because he could gather more souls to power the demons he was planning to take to the invasion; gathering also powered his ability to be on earth since only a pure soul could be there. But since Tempter was hesitant to gather souls to his own body, he only collected two of his choosing, whatever the reason. The Wicked One’s plan was coming together quite well, so he thought. The Wicked One was going to make his attack on the world… The attack was a total failure. It seems that Tempter had a taste of his own medicine as he was attacked by what looked like demon killer humans. He could not handle the loss so he tried to confront them head on, but was killed by the mob instead; foolish, foolish, the Wicked One had made the same mistake and undersestimated the unknown. Then just like that the soul of Judas and Adolf were gone. And the soul of Tempter wondered blindly. He morphed in midair to his inferior form and noticed he couldn't see a thing. He stumbled as he fell forward as though he had not energy. He felt the soft green grass touch his face, but then he opened his eyes and noticed it was daytime again. “What…” Tempter said as he got up, noticing he had more energy. He looked around and noticed the feeling of the atmosphere. He also noticed the structure of buildings that surrounded him. They were made almost entirely of white stone and gold with tall pointed roofs, most decorated yellow and purple fabric hanging if the stores of the buildings. A noise from a voice approaching the door behind him startled him. He dived toward a shadow casted a barrel next the building by the door. A mare that had different shades of blue to her mane and tail and pink fur left the building, followed by a another mare of similar colors. “Hmm, that Rarity is indeed ahead of her time” She said quite smug. “Yes, quite. But admirable still” the other said. “Indeed” Tempter saw in disbelief the two head to another building that displayed scissors and an unrolled scroll. He though that he may be having a nightmare of sorts, though this seemed all too real for him, as he had never felt this helpless in his life, expect the time when he fought the archangel Michael after he lead the rebellion in heaven. He looked side to side to see if anypony else was in the street. Apparently there wasn't at the time. He saw that there was a rain pipe at the corner of the building. He quickly morphed himself inside it slid his way to the top of the building. He looked around him getting the full view to where he was. He saw even more buildings most stores but some hotels. He looked to the far distance and saw a rather large mountain side barely covering the yellow sun that was behind it. Tempter was in Canterlot… “Where in the hell am I?” Tempter asked himself. Tempter knew full and well every single place man has ever been on earth, and he knew, this was not one of them. He looked to the left and looked around, he found a place that got his attention to the far distance heading to the mountain, hard to see but it looked like field filled with portions of stone. Tempter always had his perfect vision handy, though he found that he could not teleport there as he could in his major form. He scanned his area leading toward there; he would have to leap onto at least 13 building before heading there. He leaped forward making it to the middle of the next building; this was easy because they were all so close to each other. He leaped once more this one a bit longer than the other. He looked to his right and saw a stallion open curtains with his mussel. Tempter panicked as he hid behind a near chimney. He saw him shrug as he closed the certain behind himself. Tempter did not know why, but he did not want any attention to be brought to himself, it may be the reason because he was not used it, or rather he did not know this world enough to have so. He leaped again, then again, then again, and kept on doing so until the place was in his full view. He came off a building and came to a large fenced area with an arched metal entrance. There was nopony in sight as he looked up at it and saw that there was something written on there, but he disregarded it due to the fact he could not make out what language it was, it just looked like scribbles to him. He proceeded and entered the gated place. And he noticed a gathering of ponies at what seemed to be a grave. He hid behind another grave stone far enough to get a well enough view. He heard one talk. “He will always be missed” one said. They all seemed to be finished as they threw the last rose onto the grave place. All sad-faced they left toward the exit. Tempter went to the place as he saw the last of them leave. He saw a stallion next to the grave; he sat there at the grave hardly moving. Tempter was at the Graveyard… “You know…you remind me of my former self” A disembodied voice said to the dark figure. He looked around frantically “It can’t be the tree” He thought gazing at dark brown trees surrounding him. Thought one did catch his attention. A gray tree that appeared to be young though tall it stood. This one wasn’t brown…“in fact this looks like it is gray”. The dark figure began feel confused. “How could this be gray-” “Confused?” The tree said as it twisted its trunk like a snake revealing fur instead of bark the startled figure. “Discord is my name, now…what is yours??” He said as he held a conjured boom mic toward Tempter’s eye then lowered it to what he assumed was his mouth. In a fit of rage and embarrassment the dark figure tried to curse at the Draconequus, nothing but a raspy almost inaudible whine came out. “Oh! Can’t talk now can you well I’d let you come over to Fluttershy’s for a good healing, but she doesn’t have enough room for 2 chaotic beings now does she?” And with a snap of the finger Discord was gone. Meanwhile twilight was busy playing The Two Armies with Spike. “Yellow Princess to A7” Twilight said confidently. “Hmm, now I move here!” Spike said thought he was soon corrected with- “Spike you can’t move there, my castle is in lane 7 right there” She pointed to H7. “Oh, well then I’ll just move here then” Spike snickered believing he was going to get rid of the Castle in the next three turns. “Castle to B8 Check…mate” She grinned happily. “Well…” Spike said glum at first then enthusiastically said “at least I’ve beaten you before” he smiled as if he had achieved a great victory. Twilight knew that it was only when she first showed him the rules that he won, she merely rolled her eyes playfully and wrapped up with, “Well that’s enough for today Spike, I need to go to Canterlot to meet with Princess Cadence so we can greet the representatives of Saddle Arabia”. “Didn’t you greet them, like…three weeks ago?” Spike said scratching his head. “Yes, but that was for some unofficial party they planned surreptitiously. Princess Celestia made it seem important at first… though I doubt eating pastries and throwing cakes at the Royal Guard as serious business”. “So what is it now?” spike said then crossed his arms with an annoyed look on his face, “it’s not another party is it?” Twilight rolled her eyes then faced the balcony with the clear view of Canterlot. “I hope it’s something serious” > Thirst > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- At one of the best restaurants in Canterlot sat a brown colored pony with a saddened look. He stood out from the rest of the customers in that he was wearing blue jeans and a simple white shirt. Many stared confused as to how he was able to afford the private booth, others were disgusted. “How are the kids doing, ol’ chap?” a rather elegant looking pony said to a brown pony sitting at a restaurant corner. “They’re fine, Fleurburger. It’s just…” he hesitated. “What is it?” He sat on the red cushioned booth and side-hugged his friend. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to have you pay for all of our expenses,” he said, looking down shamefully. “Rustler,” he said with concern, “if this is about my charity toward you, I assure you I don’t do it to hurt or demean you.” “I know, but it’s embarrassing to tell my boys about my friend, the restaurant owner, who has a job…and…daddy doesn’t...” He had a hint of tears in his eyes, which he wiped away as he brought his head up. A long pause occurred between them in which both reflected on what to say now. Fleurburger wanted to cheer up his friend. “Say chap, what if I were to tell you that my store manager at the other side of Canterlot is seeking an employee. Hmm?” he said with his eyebrows hinting towards Rustler. “Really?” Rustler’s ears perked up. “But…when he finds out what I’ve done, he’ll probably fire me. “Rustler, when I first met you, you were a tough working stallion who cared a lot about his wife and kids.” He leaned in closer to him and spoke quieter, “Simply because you were caught stealing doesn’t automatically mean you will never have a job.” He leaned back into his seat and said casually, “now what would you like to eat?” But Rustler was trap in the horrible memory of being arrested by the Manehattan police. He had a great job working for a small bank and he was providing for his family well. His wife however still dreamed that one day they would go to Saddle Arabia for a vacation. Saving money was out of the question because his accident prone kids would cost him his savings. His closest co-worker asked Rustler if he wanted some money. He of course say yes, though he wasn’t expecting what came next. His co-worker reminded him of a shipment of money that would leave the bank soon. “It happens all the time Rustler doesn’t it?” he said confused and frustrated. “Yeah, but” “They always miscalculate the money and have to go to the vault to get more right?” “I guess…” “So what do you say that we get some of that money ourselves, they won’t even care because they stink at counting!” Rustler got back to his senses, “I think I’m gonna pass on that dinner. I’m…going home instead.” Fleurburger looked at his friend with sadness. He regrets having reminded Rustler of the thievery. He called in the waiter as his friend left. “A glass of Apple Family cider please.” ---------- “And don’t you fret bout no ghost Rarity. Now, I’m sure that it was just a normal pony goin’ ‘bout their day, in the side road.” Apple Jack was saying this while tending to the chickens. She had gotten a letter from Rarity describing a scary shadow figure she saw a glimpse of two days ago. Apple Bloom sat on the outskirts of the chicken coup holding a pen in her mouth and parchment on her clipboard. “And end it with small letters at the bottom sayin, ‘If your problem becomes more serious than please call us and Celestia. From, Apple Jack’ ” “Alright!” Apple Bloom said enthusiastically. “I’m sending it now” she gestured at the gray mail Pegasus that was flying by. When the she the mail pony got the letter her eyes lit up, then she saluted to the two militarily, and flew off. ---------- “These-” he didn’t even want to think ponies, “-beings, are like those prissy rich from earth. He had come to accept, at least, that he was stuck here. He felt weak, puny, and vulnerable. He was just the size of human boy being about 4’10’’. He had done his best to possess somepony while they were sleeping but all he managed to do was drain a bit of his own energy. “But this time I will gain power!” He said to himself as he snuck in the shadow of a nearby gutter in the side street. It was noon and it was perfect for the Tempter as he turned to shadow and tailed a nearby dark blue pony. “Can you believe that waiter! Hump!” He held his head up higher when he turned to speak to the pony accompanying him. “Indeed how could he serve somepony who favors something as ridiculous as-“the thought gave his shivers “cha-re-tee. Disgusting!” “Quite!” The disrespect and rudeness of the ponies was leaving his thirsty for more. Though this was disrespectful it did little but to make his want more. Because the two looked up they failed to notice the Tempter move toward a shadow ahead cast by a lamp post. As the two went past him he waved a dark hand at the two summoning the power he gained recently. “You know what?” one of them said. As he felt an aggravating chill down his spine. “Yes?” “Wasn’t that stallion friends with a thief” he smiled with wickedness as his company smiled as well. “He was a thief in Manehatten yes, though very little here at Canterlot know about it.” “Well” he stopped walking and looked at his companion do the same. “What if he was to show everyone again what he is really capable of?” ---------- Two days earlier “What is it now Discord?” Celestia said speaking to a lamp. “Oh come on Celestia can’t you just pretend to be happy for once?” Celestia sat down and simply waited for Discord to appear in front of her face…as he always did. “Boo” he crackled and summoned a bed to lay on as he laughed. “Tell me what you wanted to tell me Discord, you know I don’t like your games.” She looked a bit impatient. “Well,” he said, “I’m sure you noticed the change in power Equestrian has been though.” “Discord we both know-” “Darkness” he smiled casually.