> The Atlamillia Bearer > by Slynthen Advance > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter I: The Great Escape > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter I The Great (accidental) Escape                 I was just a simple man, who loved a particular cult classic game known as: Dark Cloud. When I decided to go to my first Con, I thought I would go as Toan, and my friends agreed to go as other major characters, more accurately the heroes; I had his outfit down perfect (save the Atlamillia, can’t get a custom sapphire cut on short notice apparently), and even managed to get a real chronicle 2 sword forged and decorated (be it dull so I could actually carry it in public); but like so many stories before me, my ‘friends’ ditched me. And apparently, nobody in the entire goddamn place knew who I was dressed as, and called me a bad link cosplayer. Needless to say, I was infuriated, and I decided to head back to the hotel room I was renting, humming the main theme as I went.                 AND NOW CLICHÉ MERCHANT HAS NEEDED ITEM(S)! On my way back, I found a cosplayer dressed as Odd Gaffer, and naturally, I was intrigued, so I went over to him, looking at the goods he was selling.                 “Is there something you wish to buy?” He gestured to the items on his mat, all of high quality.                 “Yeah…” A trio of rather large precious gems caught my eye, one yellow, one blue, and one red gem, I assumed they were rather expensive, as each was an ovaloid about 2 inches in diameter. “How much for the gem set?” I asked, pulling my wallet out of my pouch.                 “How does 60 dollars sound?” I almost dropped my wallet, stumbling for a second. “Is that a no?”                 “NO! No, just, I wasn’t expecting that. Yeah, sure, that sounds great.” I give him the money, and take the set, discovering that each one works quite well with my costume; the blue one fit in the holster I made on my left hand quite well, the red one in the right socket (what, I was being overcautious, gems that big are heavy), and the yellow one having its own necklace. {A.N.: In canon from game 1, Toan only bore the blue Atlamillia, while in game 2 Max bore red, Monica blue, and Griffon yellow.} After finishing my quick touch-ups to the costume, I looked back at the merchant. “Yeah, sorry for freakin’ out, I just thought you would want at least 6 grand, given the quality, but I guess that’s what I get for not knowing the difference between real, and fake gems.”                 Gaffer chuckled, eying me before saying: “Have a nice trip.”                 “Thanks?” I half ask, scrunching my brow. “You too, I guess.” Then I see nothing but colors, bright and dim, light and dull. Then the most eerie nothing I’ve seen, heard, or felt, like my mind was torn from my body, and left to rot. And finally, as quickly as they had left, all my senses returned to me, causing me to breath in sharply; and in turn, making me cough from the excessive expansion of my lungs. I reached for my sword, upon grabbing it, I took note of the sharp edge (I accidentally cut myself ok?). Getting up, I took a look at my surroundings, realizing I’m in the middle of a forest. There was a clearing nearby, so I approached it, only to feel a sharp pain in my left arm, and I couldn’t move afterwards; I was stoned.                 “And that’s how I got here.” Toan finished, light applause coming from the other statues in the garden. “Of course, 12 thousand years of no one but yourself to talk to tends to make people snap, which is why there were extra voices. Thanks again for fixing that, Discord.”                 “Plus, the last thousand or so with me?” Discord asked, ignoring the gratitude.                 “Indeedy.”                 “And you haven’t escaped… why?” General Fodder inquired.                 “I have no magic.”                 “What about the Atlamillia?”                 “They can only distort time in certain ways, if I used them, it’d just be me moving myself as-is to a different time. Which means, I have to wait until it cracks enough to break out by myself.”                 “And I thought we had it bad.” Commented Ingenious.                 “Yeah, well, if my memory and intuition serve, which they have so far, the next wave of villains should start in a month or two, and twilight’s going to be a magnet for them.” Toan said, attempting to change the subject.                 “I can confirm account one.” Discord chimed.                 “THE MENACE HAS ARRIVED!” Watcher called, just in time, as a pink blur zipped between the statues; making all of them groan in frustration.                 After another month of being trapped in stone, the regular gardener came by, and as usual, was washing the statues; making everyone antsy to see if someone, if anyone, was going to be released by her clumsiness. When she was called away from the area, she dropped the watering can she was using, and sprinted away. Making everyone sigh in disappointment. This was short lived, however, when a grey mare blasted Toan off his pedestal, shattering the statue he was incased in, and with one final ‘hoorah’ from everyone else, Toan stood, feeling his body, to make sure he was intact.                 “Oh, I could kiss you! ButIwon’t. But I could! ButIwon’t. Thankyougattagobye!” He picked up his sword and sprinted out the castle gates, leaving behind a very confused mare, several stunned or laughing statues, and many confused guards; as he was smiling the entire time. Everyone on the streets just watched, jaws on the floor, as Toan jumped off the side of the cliff, sliding down it to reach the bottom. Once at the bottom, Toan sprinted towards the nearest village, leaving everyone who might have been chasing behind.                 “Your majesty!” Called Shining Armor, glancing between the door and the princess.                 “Yes, what is it?” Celestia responded, worriedly.                 “The statue seems to have… escaped.”                 Celestia looked nervous, her worries growing. “Which one?”                 “THE statue, Princess Celestia. The ancient statue.” He responded, cringing.                 She dropped her teacup, eye twitching. > Chapter II: Senior Citizen > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter II Senior Citizen                 When Toan finally arrived at the village he saw from the distance, he didn’t expect them to be preparing for a festival, then again, he didn’t know anything he wasn’t told about the country; besides what little he could observe from a walled off garden, or during transport between the different castles. That being said, he also didn’t expect them to have made next to zero progression in everything but society. He did, however expect the xenophobic response of his arrival, and so he walked right through the town, directly into the everfree forest.                 Yet another month passed, without incident, which only meant one thing to Toan, time was running out. To make things worse, twilight had been sent to the small village he was hiding near, probably to deal with a threat. Following twilight and Spike from a distance, he was surprised, yet again, that one of the ponies did, in fact, react to her presence in a similar way to when he had arrived, but only the pink one.                 The ‘summer sun celebration’ was apparently what had brought the unicorn here, and she was to oversee preparations. As she approached sweet apple acres, the most vigorous hoofshake he’d ever seen had ensued, which made him chuckle, turning into a cringe as the apple family practically stampeding her, followed by pressuring her (entirely too much) to ‘sample’ everything on the menu.                 Rainbow dash had stampeded twilight, into a mud pit. She had then brought a raincloud over, and rained on twilight, followed by a sort of ‘controlled dust devil’ to dry her off. And to add the icing to the Jackass cake, she laughed at twilight’s frazzled mane. Followed by her clearing the sky a little too quickly. The gawking from the baby dragon didn’t improve the situation. And then they entered a building, so avoiding pushing his luck, he didn’t follow them inside.                 Spike was, yet again, gawking at something, and riding on twilight’s back, they went to yet another location. To the birds reciting the songs they were supposed to play. Twilight, unsurprisingly, was a little too loud with her greeting, making the birds scatter, then again, the mare who was directing them was entirely too shy for her own good. Until she met Spike, who was apparently more interesting than her birds were important. Both girls’ attitudes were uncalled-for in that situation. Of course, she didn’t notice all the ponies in town crammed in the library. “Karma’s only a bitch if you are.” Toan muttered.                 “DAMNIT KARMA! I BELIEVED IN YOUR TEACHINGS!” Toan yelled from atop a hill, looking to the sky as a few stars, quite literally, conjugated behind the moon. “I had nothing to do with this, and yet Princess Celestia still mocks me. Be it directly or not.” He sighed, as he knew what this meant. And grunted as the mare in the moon vanished, he had to clear the path of monsters for twilight and whoever else ended up being an element.                 “Timberwolves, easily dealt with, manticore, avoided, river serpent, used as a stepping stone, but this damned bridge! I’m stopped by a lack of bridge!” He looked back, and decided to hide in the bushes until somehow, someone fixed it. Then Nightmare moon had to pull a prank on Rainbow Dash. He sighed at the sight, and started to wonder how long it would take, so he got comfortable. “DAMNIT RAINBOW!” He shouted, as the mare posed in front of the bridge, catching everyone’s attention. “FUCK!” He then sprinted across the bridge, leaving the others behind.                 Hiding in a nearby tower, he prepared himself to intervene at any moment, but he didn’t need to, as Nightmare Moon brought Twilight to him. Facepalming, he slipped behind a pillar, waiting for the right time to reveal himself. “DAMNIT NIGHTMARE!” He yelled, as he watched the rather pitiful exchange between her and twilight. Once again, getting everyone’s attention. “FUCK!” He yelled, once again facepalming.                 “You think you can get rid of the elements of harmony just like that? Well you’re wrong! Because the spirits of the elements of harmony are right. HERE!” Twilight yelled, timing her speech just right.                 “Okay, that’s all fine and dandy, but I’m going to have to interject now.” Toan called, removing himself from his hiding spot, and placing himself in the middle of the room. “I am rather relieved to see you haven’t gone insane, Nightmare, but I’m going to need you to release Luna. In the spirit of choice, however, I give you one. Release her and live, face the elements and perish, or be slain.” He narrowed his eyes, getting a better grip on his chronicle 2 sword.                 “Option two!” She shouted, barely hiding her fear. Grumbling to himself, Toan sheathed his blade, leaving the area.                 “Gee, Twilight, I thought you were just spoutin’ a lotta hooey-” Apple Jack began.                 “I did too, for a second there.” Toan interrupted. Chuckling at the looks the lot gave them.                 “But I recon, we really do represent the spirits of friendship.” She finished.                 “Indeed, you do.” Celestia said.                 “FUCK!” Toan yelled, sprinting towards the doorway.                 “And where do you think you’re going?” A yellow glow enveloped Toan, holding him in place. And everyone in the room, bar Toan, kneeled before Princess Celestia.                 Twilight gasped, “Princess Celestia!”                 “Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student, I knew you could do it.”                 “No, you didn’t, you were just very confident.” Toan interjected.                 “But you told me it was all just an old pony tail.”                 “I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon’s return-”                 “So that makes three of us.” Toan said.                 Celestia continued. “And I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her.” Toan was about to say something else, but was cut off by Celestia forcing his mouth shut. “But you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart.” Toan rolled his eyes, getting a death glare from Celestia. “Now if only another will as well; Princess Luna.” Toan waved as the alicorn of the night opened her eyes. Only for Celestia to step in front of him, approaching her, as Luna let out a gasp. “It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us, we were meant to rule together little sister.”                 “Sister?” Twilight, Fluttershy, an Rainbow parroted.                 “Will you except my friendship?”                 “I’m so sorry, I missed you so much big sister.” Luna replied.                 “I’ve missed you too.”                 “Hey! You know what this calls for? A party!” Pinkie said, leading all but the princesses and Toan out of the building.                 “As for you…” Celestia began.                 “Yeah, yeah, just make it quick.”                 “I wasn’t going to go that far.” Celestia winced.                 “Then you were going to reform me?”                 “…Yes, I was.”                 “News flash! I was never given a chance to begin with. Not only was I only here for one goddamn minute, but I was stoned on sight.”                 “…What?”                 “Exactly thirteen thousand, one hundred, eighty-seven years ago, I was transported here for some reason; and after walking around for exactly fifty-nine seconds, I was turned to stone. I. Never. Got. A. Chance. Faust was far too quick on the trigger. I just realized something. I’m your elder. So, PUT. ME. DOWN.” Celestia dropped him, be it unceremoniously. Giving him a chance to brush himself off, Celestia and Luna just stared at him, waiting for him to say something. He only stood there for a second before he remembered something. “Oh, the ancients are NOT going to be happy.”                 “And why not?” Asked Princess Luna                 “All three Atlamillia Have been gathered, and by one person no less. If they’re not rolling in their graves, they’re pissed. All I can say, is keep an eye on the sky for a few years.”                 “This is most… troubling.” Celestia said, looking at Toan. “How do you know that they’ve been gathered?”                 Toan stood there for a second, dumbstruck by Celestia’s comment, and deciding action speak louder than words, he stood tall, showing her the backs of his hands. Silent ‘oh’s’ of understanding were the alicorns’ responses. “All I can say for certain, is we need to keep an eye on the sky for a few years. God only knows what I’ve gotten us into.” He started pacing back and forth.                 “In the meantime, do you care to explain who he is Tia?”                 “I believe I can speak for myself. But, an explanation would be good…” He sighed. “It all started, as I’ve said, a little over thirteen thousand years ago-” > Chapter III: Little Evidence > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter III Little Evidence                 “You must understand Toan, that I cannot trust you until you’ve proven yourself.” Celestia said, half scolding him.                 “Hey, I understand that better than anyone, but I’m going to have to put my foot down. With all due respect, my blade is not going to leave my side. Should monsters from my world somehow find themselves in this world, I need to be able to defend myself, and I don’t trust anyone here besides a select few. With that being said, I will NOT relinquish my sword.” Toan stood, arms crossed as he refused. “I am willing to go through whatever channels you wish, be it training or otherwise, but I WILL keep my blade.”                 “Then I believe we must come to a compromise.”                 “… So be it.” He said, sighing. “I am willing to hand it over to you and Luna only, and once I’ve finished dancing through the proper channels, I will reclaim it. Do we have a deal?”                 “Yes, I believe we do. That is, if Luna agrees as well.” The silence of the hall hung over them, as Luna debated with herself.                 “Yes, I believe that is acceptable.” Luna said, glancing between the two. Reluctantly, Toan took the sheathed sword from his belt, and placed it before the throne.                 “Then you will start with continuing to watch over Twilight and her friends for the next year, we will discuss this further afterwards.” Celestia said, letting a small smirk show.                 “Yes, your majesty.” Was all Toan said, before leaving the throne room.                 “Look, Twilight, as much as I want to hear your theories about the multiverse, you need to clear your schedule first.” Toan said.                 Twilight sighed. “You’re right, but after, we’re going to talk about this.”                 “If you say so.” He responded, chuckling. “But in all seriousness, focus on the work at hand; the apples go in the basket, not the other way around.” Twilight realized what she was doing, and corrected her mistake, as a chuckle was shared between those gathered.                 “Well that’s the last one, Twilight, Toan, thanks for helpin’, we got this done faster than it usually does.” Applejack said.                 “Hey, no problem, just next time, try to keep Spike from doing- that, exactly that.” He replied, as Spike threw another apple. Toan caught it in one of the baskets he was carrying and glared at Spike.                 “Hehe, sorry.” Spike replied, sheepishly.                 “Well thanks again, I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these apples in the barn by lunchtime, if I win, he’s gonna walk down stirrup street in one of Granny’s girdles. Hehe.”                 “No problem Applejack,” Twilight replied. “I’m glad the goal is lunchtime; all this hard work is making me hungry.”                 “I know, right?” Spike responded, accidently tossing an apple on twilights head.                 “No, Spike, you’ve been lounging on my back all morning while we worked. Speaking of, Toan, why are you helping?”                 “The princess wanted me to watch over you, and I’m going to earn my share, rather than sit there doing nothing but watching the days go by.  I’ve done enough of that as it is.” Toan responded.                 Just then twilight’s stomach growled, getting her attention. “Ahehehe, I guess we better get some food.” She said. As if on cue spike found a rather bright apple, causing twilight to gasp. “Spike, that looks delicious.” Then he ate it. “Spike!”                 “What?” He asked, almost innocently, which was followed by a burp; revealing that the princess was sending a letter via dragon fire.                 “It’s a letter from Princess Celestia.” Twilight said, as Applejack approached.                 “Ahem. Here ye, here ye, her grand royal highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the grand galloping gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot on the twenty first day of… yada, yada, yada, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest.”                 “And That’s my cue to leave. Applejack, I will leave these baskets in front of the barn.” Toan said, practically running.                 “The grand galloping gala!” Both Twilight and Applejack yelled in unison.                 As they pranced around, Toan made it to the barn, setting down the baskets. “Hey, Big Mac!” He said, as Big Macintosh strode up to him. “Applejack says we’re done for the day, so I’m gonna head into town and go job hunting. See ya later.”                 “Eeyup.” Was his simple reply.                 Toan passed them by just as Rainbow slammed into them, he glared at Rainbow, before walking off. Of course, it didn’t take long for a scene to take place in the street. “QUIET!” Twilight yelled.                 “And then I said ‘oatmeal’? Are you craz- oh” Pinkie said, obliviously.                 “Girls, there’s no use in arguing.”                 “But Twiligh-” Rarity tried to say.                 “EH!” Twilight interrupted. “This is my decision, and I’m going to make it on my own, and I certainly can’t think straight with all this noise; not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo!”                 “Okay, then.” Toan stretched out, confused. A few minutes later, he was almost stampeded several times. “Celestia, I don’t know how, but I know you’re behind this.” He started grinding his teeth together. “I swear, if you make me go to that damned ‘event’, I will receive retribution.” He decided to head directly into the everfree, in order to practice.                 Toan picked up the ocarina he carved, remembering one of the songs that he enjoyed listening to. {A.N.: I actually don’t know what instrument was used.} Eventually, he became too tired to continue, and climbed a tree to sleep.