> Queen of the Dead > by Viper Pit > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue: The Reason for Death > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance is needed in everything... and in nothing. Too much of anything is bad. You drink to much water and you die of water poisoning, too many sweets and you get sick. Too much light and no shade to cover yourself will make you go blind. Receiving nothing at all is similar to that philosophy. If you don't drink water for at least a day, you will slowly suffer from thirst and die from dehydration if it continued. If there is no light and there is only darkness and that is the only thing you will see. You see what I am getting at. Life needs death and death needs a life, they need each other to exist or nothing exists. They say immortality is a sinful curse that no one should ever seek and death is a blessing that shouldn't be feared. That is true for all the reasons you think and more. So what happens when all concepts: the Sun, the Moon, Harmony, and Chaos have avatars to roam the planet and encounter one another. Well, the answer is simple. An avatar of death is needed to bring in the other avatars when their time has come for balance to be achieved. Who better than to pick an avatar of death then Death himself. You see death is a busy entity and has many important duties to get done. So to pick the perfect avatar, he must be quick and efficient. He will use the tried and true method of a dart and the stream of souls that are running throughout his realm of the dead and afterlife. He doesn't have time to interview each individual soul to ferry them to the afterlife from across the multiverse. Death imbues the dart with some ancient powers at the sharp tip, throws with a precise shot towards a near random collection of souls and it lands in a soul that has been on the waiting list for the afterlife for quite some time now. Death was satisfied with this choice and quickly deploys his new avatar to the others to achieve balance once again. The soul begins to transform from a lovely little ball of white into a big black soul as it travels to its destination. The magic also begins to construct it a vessel to which to interact with its new world. It takes the newly empowered soul some time to settle into its new form as its memories of its old one are erased like a chalk drawing in the rain. When that newly created avatar awakens it will know only whispers of the past and how to use her new powers once they settle into their new form that is. > Death comes > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you ever woken up one day and immediately knew that something had gone wrong because of some sound, smell or any other senses. Maybe it was because you drank too much the night before or stayed up all night as you contemplate every single life choices you made in the past. That was the feeling had before I had. So naturally, when I did open my eyes, I could only think. Where am I? I thought to myself as observe around this Candyland-esque place. Everywhere I look, I could see cotton candy clouds that rain chocolate milk, checkered patterned hills with slippery and bubbly soap roads, and different assortments of candy plants. But the most bizarre thing that I can't take my eyes off would have to be the animals that appeared too unnatural with extremely outstretched body appendages and I think some of those parts were replaced with inorganic items like light bulbs for eyes and pogo sticks for hind legs. It was all quite chaotic to comprehend that I didn't know what to think of it. Am I supposed to be here? I don't feel like I belong here, everything feels wrong. It's weird waking up to what basically amounts to one hell of a crazy drug trip. I get up off the ground and I start walking. The more I walk the weirder things get like, for example, I see a weird thing composed of all sorts of creatures facing off against some winged horses with horns... I think they were called unicorns... that were wielding some glistening prismatic stones. I pay no heed to any of that as I feel like apart of me is missing and that I must. No. That I need to find that missing piece. The problem comes when I don't know what I'm looking for. But, I will know it when I see it. I don't know how much time has passed when mostly because the sun and moon were going up and down randomly making keeping track of time extremely difficult. "Well, that is very inconvenient," I say to myself as I keep to my current path. Over time as I continue to search the area, I noticed that I don't feel hungry, fatigue or thirsty as time slowly goes on in this chaotic area. I was both thankful and disturbed by this fact but paid no attention to it yet for it might just be my imagination or something to do with this place. Soon I came across a small town. The town seemed to be in early development, only a few small shacks and huts as far as I could see. I walked forward to investigate the town. As soon as I stepped past the house I felt strong magical energy and looked up. There, above me was a cotton candy cloud, which soon poured out thick droplets of chocolate rain. I growled and moved out of the way, yet the cloud followed. I tried once more, but it seemed the cloud was stuck to me. "Stupid cloud get off." I try and force it off by peeling it, eating it, scraping it, nothing seemed to get the stupid cloud off of me until a rainbow came and seemingly made all the chaos go away. That accursed cloud included. "Well, that was convenient." With the chaos cleared I noticed that my senses have improved if the only temporary. Be that as it may, something is still clinging to my arm. Looking at the offender I see a small black horse-human mix with a horn on his forehead......crying. "Why are you holding on to me as your life depends on it?" I ask what I assume is a colt. I do not know why as I feel I should ask but I also know that horses don't have hands or horns.Maybe all that chaos has made me more excepting of these things. "I'm lost and I don't know where I am." the colt looks up at me. I see into his eyes, and what I see impresses me. Why do they impress me you may ask. It is simple really I sense a power similar to my own behind them. "Can I come with you?" "Didn't your parents ever tell you not to talk to strangers?" I asked as I lower the colt onto the green grass. After taking a moment to wipe his eyes with his leg. The colt looked at me, a tear in his eye, ”P-parents? I-I do-don't have any...” He then gave me puppy eyes,” P-Please! I-I’ll be good! J-just get me away from the s-scary mm-monster!" "I see." I decided to take a moment to ponder this conundrum. I can't leave him alone he would die and it's not even close to his time yet....Where did that thought come from? "Where did you live colt?" I ask. "I live in the Crystal Empire." "I will take you back there but first I am looking for something of mine. Something important." I informed him as I commence walking again. I can hear him do cheers of joy only to realize I'm leaving and he quickly catches up. "So what are you looking for misses?" "Loreley is my name colt." I can see more tiny horses like the colt come out of the houses and start looking around the newly changed land. "I do not know what I seek I just know when I find it." "My name is Sombra," Sombra said proudly. There must be a lot of pride in his name if he acts so valiant about it. I just nodded in response and continue on my journey with the colt in tow. I feel like the missing part of me is somewhere in the town. "Sombra, what is the name of this town?" I ask as I follow this feeling. "I believe its called Trottingham, Loreley. Why?" "I feel it in my bones that what's mine is here in this town," I replied without any hesitation or doubt. The colt giggled for some reason but I ignore it. The closer we get to this missing piece the more I notice the Locals are conflicted they seem to be scared of me and don't want to approach but they also seem very interested in this colt for some reason. As far as I can tell Sombra is the only one who walks on two legs or even has hands in this land. So he appears to be more like me than the rest of them. Interesting I think to myself. Nothing much of interest happens for a while at least until Sombra ask me a question. "Hey, Loreley?" "Yes, Sombra?" "I've been meaning to ask but why are bits of your skin missing?" That caused me to stop dead in my tracks as I turn to look at him. "What do you mean?" I inquired. He takes a moment as if to pick out the right words. "I mean I can see bone on like your chin and arms." "Stay right here. I'll be right back." I instruct and bolted out to search for a mirror or any reflective surface to inspect my facial features. I then go to the nearest house and knock on the door. No answer but I know someone is in there so I kicked down the door. "Sorry about the door everyone but I just need your mirror for a bit," I said to the residence. They appeared to be a couple of tiny grey ponies only without horns on their heads, hand's on there hooves, or wings on their backs. One of them does look round and kinda fat. The none fat one shakily gets up and I assume goes to get a mirror I kinda demanded. "Please don't hurt me I'm with child." Ah, so the pony creature must be bearing a child... wait no, I foal or baby pony. Either way, oh that's not good. I don't sense anything coming from the belly. Walking over to I inspect her. She tried to get up to her feet but unable, must be due to the stress of the situation and her condition. "Please don't kill me." She pleaded towards me as if it will be her final moment. I don't see why she would say such a thing but I ignored her and put my hand on her belly. "It is dead." I bluntly stated without a stutter or pause. As soon as I mentioned that fact, I heard what I presume to be the husband coming back with the mirror by the side. "Th-Th-That can't be true. I just felt it kick in my belly last night." The mare replied while she smoothly rubbed her pregnant belly. At this point, the husband got my attention, so I cared less about her feelings. "Here's your mirror. Now get away from my wife, you monster." I give him a quick glare of irritation before looking at the mirror. What I saw scared me out of my skin... literally. From top to bottom, I could see that I possess long silver hair that looks to go down to the center of my back, red crimson blood eyes that appeared like they apathetic, could pierce right to the soul and had hunger for something immoral, pale white skin that had some small open patches that visibly revealed the bones of my jaw and upper arms. I also appeared to be wearing a black elegant dress with grey highlights with the sleeves being attached just above my elbows. "I certainly look like an undead nightmare but monster might be quite a stretch," I muttered as I put the mirror down and turned my attention back to the pregnant tiny horse thing. Note to self ask what they call themselves later. The mare suddenly speaks up. "You killed my baby." She shrieked as she tries to attack her husband, only to get knocked down effortlessly with one punch by the stallion. "Look what you made me do, you monster." He then starts to run at me but I reach out for a moment, thinking I should do this. The mare seemed heartbroken, and the stallion seemed a little cruel and quick to anger for he physically assaulted his own spouse without a single thought. A trade, I decided inside my mind. I have no idea what I meant about that but through instinct, I reached out my right hand, gently touched the enraged Stallion's chest and stole his life force, he dropped like a swatted fly to his spouses' horror. His soul resembled of that of a black glowing orb and I can feel the hate radiating off of it. I take a moment to... I think the word is purified... yeah, "purify" the soul and returning it to a nice light blue before I reached for her and she cowered in fear. I touched her stomach and put the life force back into the child, allowing the unborn creature to regain its life again. "W-what did you do?" The mare asked as I remove my hand from her belly. "A life for a life." I simply informed her in a monotone voice before I got up and go to leave and I see Sombra at the door his mouth agape. "Sombra, we must go." on my way out I hear the future mother say thank you. Sombra quickly moves out of the doorway and we head out once again. "How did you do that?" "I don't know but it felt natural and that scares me," I replied, honestly. It was so easy that I may as well of be taking out the trash. "But...but what was it?" Sombra asked in amazement "That...that was amazing." "Yes, I'm sure it was."I replied a noise from Sombra made me sigh "As for what it was it was simply a trade, an old life lost so a new life may begin." "Can you teach me that?" He asks with a smile a little too big for what he is asking. "Maybe later but first I need to find what is mine," I say quickly changing the subject as we leave the area. After a minute of silence, I decided to speak up. "Sombra what can you tell me about this place?" "Well we are in Equestria and I'm a unicorn but there are also pegasus and earth ponies." "But you look nothing like the ponies I know." I casually reply. "What do you mean?" "Well for one the ponies I know don't have horns, wings, magic or walk around on two legs." I can hear him gasp at my statement. "Then you must come from a mud pony village then." I raise an eyebrow at his statement but make no comment on it. "You can say that when in truth I have no memory before my arrival." I state flatly. "but I do Remember seeing some Ponies as you call them with horns and wings." I hear him gasp again. I wonder if he gets light headed from gasping so much? "Oh, you must be talking about the alicorns." Sombra gets in front of me and starts walking backward. "They are the rulers of Equestria that control the sun and moon and are rumored to immortal." Something within me snapped when I hear that DISGUSTING word and the grass all around me began to go from green to brown to lifeless grey as my anger rises at an astronomical speed. I took a deep breath before I exclaimed with all of my strength and anger... "THEY WILL PAY FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST NATURE!" > Deaths tools > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had taken me a lot longer then I would have liked to calm myself down after hearing that DISGUSTING word. Thankfully only the grass was the only thing to be harmed by my wrath. Though I do worry about Sombra as he was excited and terrified at the same time about my power. I just shrugged that behavior off but, honestly, this concerns me since normal little kids... I mean, foals tend to be... frightened out of their minds if they witnessed something like that. It has been about two weeks since I lost my temper and I am still looking for my missing piece... Whatever that could be. My search has been hindered considerably since I had to take care of Sombra living necessities like food, water, a place to sleep, and... Ahem, hygienic needs. Ever since I arrived, my body isn't demanding any of these basic necessities and for some unsettling reason, I don't feel any concern about this, not one bit at all. We have gotten to know each other pretty well in that time and I have to admit he has really grown on me. The locals seemed to have calmed down over time as well none of them wanna talk to me all they know is that I'm looking for something and I won't leave until I find it, and that's fine by me. The mare whose foal I saved has started to let Sombra stay with her at nights as a form of compensation while I continue my search. Her name is Granite Pie and She is the closest I have to what the ponies call friends. The concept is not lost on me but it feels weird to have somepony (apparently that is their version of saying "someone", but it's better than every creature, I guess.) Call me a friend, but I just use her to look after Sombra so that I'm allowed to search during more dangerous nights without endangering, what is basically at this point, my property. Speaking of night searches, I have been using that time to also practice my soul transferring powers on some animals. It was really funny to take the soul of a bird and squirrel and put them in each other's bodies. Oh, lord, just remembering the bird-squirrel trying to flap its nonexistent wings and the squirrel-bird trying to climb the tree by using its beak was funny as hell. I don't care who you are, and don't worry I did put them in the correct bodies after a few minutes. Returning to the house after another failed night of searching. I just open the door and walk in to see Granite making breakfast for Sombra and herself. "You're back early." Granite said, not looking back from the meal she is preparing. "Still no luck on your little search, I take it?" "Well, the good news here is that I got more control over my powers but that's about it," I replied as Sombra gave me a welcome home hug. "I know it's somewhere in this town but that's all I know." "Well, I know you already checked the cemetery, the woods, and the park, so maybe whatever you're looking for is in your heart." I just look at Granite with a skeptical look. "Too cheesy?" "Yes, it was Aunt Granite," Sombra says as he goes back to his seat to get his breakfast. Granite gives him some hashbrowns with cheese. "So Loreley, when can I come with you at night?" He asked with his mouth half full. Gross. "When three things happen," I said. I can see his smile and sparkling eyes widen with anticipation. "The first one is when you can defend yourself." He nods "The second thing is when you can stay up past sundown consistently." He nods faster his smile growing. A smile forms on my face when Granite takes the words out of my mouth. "When you can speak without having food in your mouth." She and I have a good chuckle as Sombra looks away embarrassed while he finishes his breakfast in a sloppy manner. She then looks over at me. "So what are you gonna do when you find this missing thing of yours." "Probably find myself a place to rule in peace," I said without much thought or understanding by what I meant rule. "Well be sure to send a letter when you do deary I would love to visit with the little one sometime." I just nod in response as she takes Sombra's plate and we head out leaving her to rest. Sombra and I quickly find an unsearched land by a newly built lumbermill near a river. I allow Sombra to do as he pleases while I keep looking. I find myself humming while I look. after an hour I still find nothing with a sigh I got look for the much easier to find Sombra. Whom I find digging a rather large hole in the sand. "What did you find Sombra?" I giggled as he jumps at the suddenness of my voice. "I found a really big bone and I thought I would dig it up for you Loreley." He then gets out of his hole as I go to take a closer look. "I wonder what creature has a bone this big?" He continues as I touch the bone and the second I touch it I knew I found what I was looking for. "Take a step back Sombra sweetie," I say as I feel that missing part of myself disappear and I command them to rise. The ground shakes and stirs and the bone quickly becomes bones and form back to their original shape of two hands about five feet from end to end. "Whoah, that is seriously cool." I heard Sombra happily exclaimed as I dropped a hand for him to look at. "So what now?" "I'm off to correct some things you can come if you want but I would prefer if you stayed with Granite," I state as I get on one of the hands and it lifts me off the ground with no issue. "I understand Loreley." I lowered the other hand and he gets on. I can tell he is really nervous about the prospect of flying the hand but I have a mission to do so I just have him tow behind me at a slower speed as we take off to those cursed ones. "Weeeeeeeeeee." He says until we arrive at granites house about three in the afternoon. We land in front of Granites house and I walk in causing her to jump some as she was apparently about to leave. "I have found what I was missing," I informed her. "That is wonderful Loreley." She gives me a hug. I don't hug back as I notice a small puddle a couple of feet behind her. "But if you don't mind I need to get going." I nod and I bring over one of the hands for her to ride on. "I don't care I'm in labor and I need this baby out as of yesterday." "Sombra, stay here and watch the house," I instructed as I get on the other hand. Sombra gives me a salute. "Yes mom," He quickly covers his mouth as I just nod and I take Granite away. "Where are we going?" I asked as I don't feel like wasting much time on her. "The doc's office *oof* It-it has a big red cross on it." She instructs. I remember seeing it while searching and I immediately head there. It takes about three minutes to find the place mostly because I didn't want Granite to fall. I may be able to have her soul but her body is a different story. Once we land I help her down. "Thank you so much, Loreley." She says. I just nod and leave as she goes into the building. I head back to her house to pick up Sombra. Entering the building, I find the unique colt pacing back and forth. "Change of plans. You are coming with me but stay out of trouble." I said to him "Can I leave a note for Aunt Granite?" He asks with big round eyes. "Yes but make it quick," I say as he goes off to find something to write with and on. I'm heading into a fight that I may very well lose. Should something happen to me he will need a place to stay. I think which gets me a little worried to I then say. "Be sure to put that if something happens You are to return here." "Okay." He yells from the other room. If they really are immortal then this fight will last a long time. I better come up with a plan to beat them. I think as I head outside to ponder this some more. And if they really do control the sun and moon respectively then I will need to stop to allow them to do their duties. "Okay, I'm ready to go," Sombra says from behind me. "Good we will be walking as I have left a part of me with Granite so she can get home safely," I said as Sombra just groaned. With that, we head out for our journey. As we walk one final thought comes to me. I think numbers will be a good way to test their abilities. Looks like we will need to stop by some graves. > Preparation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was the middle of the night when my other hand had returned to me empty, so that tells me that Granite got home safely with the foal. Good for her. Truthfully, I wasn't expecting the hand for another couple of days but that tells you how resilient earth ponies are. Sombra had gotten tired and fell asleep on my back. I just kept walking at the same pace since we left Trottingham despite the extra weight. I have been planning this entire time to play the long game in my upcoming fight. So far I figure I will widdle them down with numbers, then once they are weakened, I'll try and take their souls. Should that fail, well, I am still figuring that part out, as a large problem comes from the fact that I don't know a lot about them or their abilities. It's quite a pain, really. More walking and thinking happens until dawn arrives. The biggest problem is getting them out in the open so I can correct their existence. I don't want to start something with the mortals, as they are innocent in what's to come. The only thing that I could use is the fallen kin of theirs. Yet where shall I find a large collection of them? And would they be the right ones? I don’t need mere ponies of low rank, such as mere towns ponies, I needed warriors and fighters, maybe even a few blacksmiths to make weapons and armor for them. I think for a moment, then felt something pull on me, I look back, and yet Sombra still slept. The tugging feeling came at me again, in the opposite direction, and I followed the pull. I have been walking for about two hours. This tugging sensation grew stronger and stronger as I kept on walking. It felt strange, that was for sure as my footsteps crunched twigs and leaves that had fallen in the forest. Each step, the pull was a little bit stronger, as long as it was forward. I had no clue where I was walking at this point. My mind has gone numb from thinking too hard about it, but acute when it comes to finding a way to correct those crimes of nature these ponies dare call Goddesses and their princesses. I broke through the clearing and my mind went blank at what I saw. I scanned the area, what I have found, what I’ve been dragged to for the past two hours was what looked to be a warrior graveyard. The very thing I needed as of now. The swords stuck up from the graves, the helmets of every fallen one clung to the side of the tomb, their wears never needing to bear their helmets and arms again, for they have served their duty in battle. But I shall have their bodies serve me, for their souls have longs since been reincarnated. Setting Sombra next to a nearby tree, I head to the center of the field and I begin casting a reanimation spell. Think of the spell-like controlling puppets on strings. Because the bodies are little more than puppets to me. Some might say it's wrong to mess with the dead but I am the ruler of death in this realm and me, and only I, can decide what is wrong to do with the dead. Maybe something is wrong with me? I think as I continue casting the spell. One by one, skeleton ponies come from their graves. Soon, about two hundred skeletons have risen, their eyes empty, their flesh; hardly any left and armor still on them. Not bad for my first mass animation spell. When I finished, I had noticed Sombra had woken up at some point and was examing one of the skeletons. "What are you doing Sombra?" I ask as I walk up to the small two-legged unicorn. He quickly replied without looking at me, "I have never seen a spell this complex before." He then looks at me with big sad eyes. "Can you teach me it?" I shake my head for a moment before replying, "Let us see how this upcoming battle goes first." He sighs before nodding. I look over my work and I quickly see something wrong. "We have an army but, they are weak and will fall apart easily" As if to prove my point, Sombra throws a rock at one and it falls apart before it reassembles. "How do we fix that then, Loreley?" "They need armor and more weight on them. As tough as bone is it can still be broken." I waved my hand across the skeletons and I basically put them to 'sleep' until I can get the necessary materials for them. "We will need to find a creature that can make the army armor and another one to enchant the armor." "Making armor is one thing but the enchanting will be another thing altogether." Sombra points out. I nodded in agreement. I have not seen many unicorns let alone one with the ability and skill for what I need. This could be very problematic if I am unable to find an enchanter and a way to keep Sombra away from the fight. "We will have to look for an enchanter first since finding a blacksmith will be easy in comparison." I begin casting another spell on the army so I can summon them without the need to physically be here. To perform such a spell I bite into my thumb drawing blood and I begin to mark every single one with a symbol connecting them to me. I do indeed have to bite into my thumb dozens of times during the process. "Are you sure you can't teach me any magic?" Sombra asked as I finished up. "I do not know, for I do not know what spells are suitable for you or the basic knowledge of this world's magic. I myself know only my powers since it comes out naturally to me," I say as I dust myself before I turn to him. "But I believe I can teach you this spell, as it is simple at least when compared to the magic I used earlier." I see his smile grow tenfold as he hears my words. "Really?!" He then makes some sort of squeak as he runs up to me and hugs me, his horn piercing my stomach. I notice I feel no pain or discomfort from his horn, just some mild annoyance. "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU," He repeated his flurry of thank you's as I brushed the black mane of his head. Eventually, he separates from me, and by extension, his horn from my stomach. "You're welcome Sombra," I said. "Now, What we need for me to teach you the spell is something that you want that you can summon to you." I can already see him thinking about what he wants to practice with. "Then we will need to find a symbol that represents your soul." > New Allies? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Training little Sombra on how to use the location spell had been, as he would say, 'fun'. While I was indeed entertained at his training, I wouldn't state that he has progressed all that far, as it took him about a week to find his soul mark, which I guess is understandable for mortals who just discovered their potential. Due to the training, he even discovered what he calls a Cutie Mark, a mark that "magically" appears on their butts or their "flanks". It was a crystal crown that had a pristine sheen, in case any of the souls that were listening to my thoughts were wondering. Sombra told me that a pony receives this mark after performing a certain action and it describes that whatever the mark means is their destined path or something along those lines. I didn't really listen to the explanation considering it means little to me and I would receive one, not that would want to. As if I care about having a permanent tattoo on my lower posterior that I will never allow anyone to see. On the other note, my wounds also healed up (not including the patch holes that surround my body and face) and so did my dress, strangely enough. I had moved Sombra from looking for his soul mark to how to use it. "Okay, now that you have found your mark you need to first draw blood in order to apply its effects," I say as I give something sharp rock to cut his hand with. "Are you sure that part is really necessary?" He says as he looks at the rock with a little fear, but accepts it anyway. "You do not have sharp teeth to bite your thumb, dear," I stated as I give him a nice pat on the head. "And yes, it is necessary, for the souls' power is in the blood. But only the soul's body can draw its power from the blood, so that means no drinking others blood for more power. It simply won't work." "That sucks," Sombra whines and made a sound that sounded like a horse (ha). He looked at the rock with such a disappointed expression. "I wanted to do awesome blood magic." Blood magic? Why in my kingdom would he want to learn something like that? Come to think of it where did he learn of such magic? I lightly tap him on the head. "No Blood magic, Sombra. It will destroy your soul, and when you die you will not be able to see me again." I have him look me in the eyes. I can see his fear of losing me rising as I stare at him "Where did you even learn of its existence?" "It was in a book that I read back at Trottingham." I can see tears start to form in his eyes. I gently wipe away a tear to let him know I'm not that upset at him. "What was the book called Sombra?" "It was called the truth about myths, legends, and magic." I give him a small hug to help calm him down. "Stay here while I go get you some food okay?" Upon receiving a nod from him I head into the woods to find some berries and mull over whether or not to continue teaching Sombra this spell and the answers he gave me. I have little doubt he is telling the truth but the book's title sticks with me. That’s when I was reminded of an idea, or rather, more of a mythical moment that inspired into an idea. They were called Kirins, something I think I’ve heard of before, the name does ring a bell. However, if the ponies that I’ve overheard tell me correctly, they are reclusive and hidden, myths. All myths hold some sorts of truth; no matter how small or how irrelevant the information they hold within it. They have originated from somewhere mystical and they have to come from something majestic and proud. What did they say? --Flashback-- “I told ya!” The stallion swore, ”When I was down in the lower woods, I saw one of them kirin folk! A majestic lookin’ thing, that’s what it was! But it were silent, wouldn’t answer any of my calls!” “Oh, yer full of it, I tell you what!” The other stallion waved off his co-worker, "Kirins ain't real! We’ve been down there in the lower woods hundreds of times, and nothin’ was there! Not even a single horn or broken tooth to show fer it." --end of flashback-- I need magic enchantments to help with the armor, maybe these Kirins creatures have what I need. I search around to get a clearer understanding of my surroundings and I can tell that this is technically the lower woods. They are far from any town, and down mostly, closer to the murky terrains of an unlikely explored domain. Once I establish what direction I need to go with my small collection of berries and mushrooms I start heading back to Sombra with his food. Once I return I find myself staring at Sombra, who is Levi-playing a stick with his magic. At least he has better control of his levitation magic. “Sombra, come along, we are going to find something after you eat,” I stated in a smooth and calm yet slightly commanding tone. He looked up at me with a grin and walked over, dropping the stick behind, ”Okay.” He eats the food fairly quickly and we are soon on the road again. The unexplored territory does seem to be filled with life but for some reason, they stay away. Not that I'm complaining, it just means less for me to worry about. "Where are we going, Mother?" I hear the young colt ask. "We are looking for an enchanter Sombra." I take a glance over my shoulder to look at him. "You know this." "I know but wouldn't it make more sense to find one in a town?" "Yes it would but I wish to investigate something that I overheard a while ago." "Why tho?" Sombra continues with the questions. Taking a second to exhale some air from my lungs I say. "To see if what I'm looking for is worth the effort." "Okay" Feeling like He is done talking I go back to giving my full attention to looking for the kirin. "What are we looking for Mother?" "Kirin, Boy." My tone is harsh and cold that should only be reserved for father figures but it gets my point across. Sombra is silent for a few hours after my response. I see a small creek up ahead which reminds me that Sombra is alive and needs a lot of maintenance. "Its been a while since you had something to drink yes?" I ask. "I am very thirsty." He replies, his voice was croaking a bit. "Do you see something to drink?" I nodded as I gestured my right hand towards the creek. He gains a large smile forms on his face as runs to the water. But before his mouth can actually reach the water, I grabbed him by the nape on his neck. Is that what the back of the neck is called? Nape? It doesn't seem right but is scruff any better? "Mom?" Then again it could be called something completely random like skin fold or the pinchy area. "Mother?" No, no that can't be it but now that I think about it nape is definitely the right word. It's just a weird sounding word. Then again. "LORELEY!!" Sombra screams breaking me out of my train of thought. "Yes, Sombra?" I inquired as I found it quite rude for my thoughts to be interrupted in such a manner. "Why did you stop me from getting some water?" I had to blink a couple of times before remembering what was going on before my thoughts even boarded the train. "Can you also let go this hurts?" I remove my grip on him and he rubs his neck a little "I need to purify the water from parasites and diseases." Sombra gives me a confused look. "Dirty water will kill you if you drink them right now." I simplified my explanation. Sombra simply nervously gulps as I go over to the creek and I stick my hand in it. Next, I use a little magic to absorb the tiny souls from the microorganisms rendering them harmless. But I accidentally take some fish and crayfish souls as well. After a quick apology to those poor unfortunate souls, I look over to Sombra and say. "You can drink now Sombra," He wastes little time in drinking his fill. "Better?" "Very much. Thank you, Loreley." That is quite the unique quirk of his mixing between calling me mom, mother, my name, and the occasional mommy. But that is just apart of him I suppose. Once he puts some water in a container we get moving following the creek downstream. Nothing really interesting happens during this part of the journey, as most of the "dangerous" creatures seem to stay at a fair distance away from us or at least, from me since I do see them eye up Sombra from time to time. ===========================================Time Skip================================================= We travel for what I would have to guess about a month of nothing notable all while I continued helping Sombra with that spell until he managed to get it down. but it seems to take a lot out of him. A couple of times during that month some of the elderly animals came to me and I released their souls allowing them to rest. "Are you sure you can't teach me that soul release spell Mother?" Sombra asks for the umpteenth time. I would be lying if I said that it wasn't irritating me and the dead don't lie, we may keep secrets but we don't lie. "The living can not learn my most magic Sombra they need to experience death and abandoned the flesh just to get started on the basics." I begin the explanation again. "My magic rots the flesh, the mind and everything but the soul so the only way to learn it is by being a soul in the first place. So unless you are willing to die to learn my magic it will not happen Sombra any time during your life span." "Well, that is very interesting." A new voice cuts in. Turning around I see a blue-scaled pony with what looks like a white lions mane I say nothing as it approaches us. "I never thought I would meet one so well versed in the dark arts and be so intact as it were, and that's not even mentioning your reluctance to even spread the corruption." As it was speaking it was eyeing me more then Sombra which I felt some relief flow through me about that fact. "Are you a Kirin yes?" I asked calmly as Sombra grabbed a hold of my hand. "Yes I am and the name is Winterbreeze, your highness." Winterbreeze does a bow as they say this. or at least as close a bow as a quadruped can anyway. "So what brings you to the Kirins neck of the woods?" "I'm looking for an enchanter for a lot of armor," I state as Winterbreeze stops bowing "I am going, to be honest, I plan on going to war with the immortals of I believe is Equestria is the name of the country." "How interesting," Winterbreeze ponders "And should you win what would happen to the sun and moon they control?" "They will select a family to move them for generations as I imagine as they probably wouldn't want me to continuously go after whoever they pick," I reply The Kirin seems to pounder my answer for a while as no one says anything for a moment. "I will enchant your armor just take me to it," Winterbreeze says with a smile on their face. "The closest town is a new village recently built called Ponyville I believe." "Awesome I can't wait to sleep in an actual bed," Sombra exclaims as the three of us head to the nearest town from what I was informed was just a week away. Perfect and then when everything is ready those disgusting immortals won't know what hit them. I think to myself as a smile appears on my face. > The Battle Begins Day 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was the afternoon, the weather was sunny with a few patches of dark clouds in the sky. Although the weather was a little unsettling, the royal sisters or Equestria were enjoying some tea and sweet snacks during their small intermission from their royal court duties. "Tis a marvelous afternoon for a lovely cup of tea, wouldn't you agree, my dear little sister Luna?" The older sister asks as she takes a sip from her cup before using her magic to levitate a piece of cake in front of her mouth. "Indeed, and it is nice to finally unwind our aching bodies and spend some time with you again, Celestia," The younger sister said as she took a bite out of a blueberry muffin while her older sister devoured an entire slice of cake, which Luna finds amusing every time she sees it. All seemed quite wholesome and tranquil for these hardworking sister when suddenly, a Royal Guard suited with golden armor bursts through the door with a scroll held rather tight on his mouth and his face was filled with worry and urgency. “My Princesses!” He exclaimed before he formally yet hastily bowed before his mighty monarchs. Celestia saw the letter immediately and floated the parchment away from the guard's mouth and towards her. “Yes, officer?” Celestia asked while removing the bind from the scroll and reading the contents with a stern expression. “I received a message from a creature named Loreley, calling you to battle,” The guard stated. “Hm... why must foes come around and rear their ugly heads with awful threats and engagements for war?” Luna grumbled as her day was ruined and a muffin left unfinished. ”Where shall we meet this... Lore-Lay creature?” “Apparently, outside the apple orchards of... Ponyville?” Celestia said slowly, making sure she read it correctly, ”In the open apple orchards, away from the innocent population.” “Then let us get our armor and prepare our guards for battle!” Luna valiantly stated with a growl as she got up from her comfortable seat. “No... they wish for only us to show,” Celestia stated as she looked at her sister. “Sister, you can’t HONESTLY think-” Luna was about to protest, but her sister’s hoof gently pressed against her lips silenced her verbal outrage but not her expression. “Luna, I know it may be a trap, that is why...” she looked down at the guard,” I want you to prepare the soldiers and be ready for battle at sundown, understood?” “Yes ma’am!” the guard saluted her and ran off, a new message in the hoof. “Sister, let us get our weapons and armor on,” Celestia said simply, "I wish to discuss some sort of treaty with this Lore-ley individual first before resorting to senseless violence and unnecessary bloodshed... but if they won’t yield to our diplomatic negotiations, then they will regret ever threatening our lands and citizens with death for they shall have to face... my wrath.” As soon as she mentioned "my wrath" with a low ominous tone, her eyes began to radiate with such intense light and heat that closely resembles the sun that she controls. I aligned my soldiers of the undead in formations, each in a fine row of ten across twenty separate rows, their weapons and armor glowed with power and Death's blessing. We were ready to face these unholy abominations head on. I have asked Sombra to stay in the town away from the fighting because even though I rule death, I can only do so much to keep him safe on a battlefield. He was upset but understood that this was dangerous. Looking up, I could tell that it was almost time for our guests to show up. I stand at the front ready to give the command to attack should they refuse to give up their souls. I get the feeling that this will end in a fight. I hear the flaps of pegasi and the marching sounds of an army. Called it. In front of the opposing army are the two royal sisters that I was informed about. One was a massive alabaster white with a rainbow mane and tail. I'll make the assumption that she's the head queen of the kingdom of ponies. The short one beside the white one that I'm guessing is the little sister had a dark blue fur coat with a star-patterned mane and tail. They were a bit taller than the average pony, sure, but still smaller than the other one by good, I'd say, two feet. I could not see their Cutie Marks because of the armor they wore. I took a head start, walking to the middle of the field. I see that the DISGUSTING immortal abominations talk for a minute before coming to meet me in the halfway point. "Greetings." I performed quick curtsy bow to show my opponents that I have some respect and formality, even though I would rather see these freaks of immortality burn on a stake and hearing their cries to me to end their lives quickly and that they regret being immortal. I am not so just as to think that this fight will be easy or over quickly but I have some confidence that I'll get what I deserved in the end. They were clearly surprised by my actions as it takes them a minute to collect themselves. "Greetings. I am Celestia and this is my sister, Luna," The white one named Celestia speaks. "It is rare that we face an opponent that is as respectful as you." The blue one named Luna speaks. " I assume you are willing to negotiate. Yes?" "I am along with the terms of the battle should they break down," I replied. I notice the grass around me starting to wither as I try and contain my anger. "I will start off simple. Give me your souls and your troops can go home, free and uninjured." "I'm sorry but did you say give you our souls," Celestia replies in what I assume disbelief. "We can not do that I'm afraid." Her sister nods in agreement. "Well, then I guess its time to discuss the battle terms," I say, leaving them to start off this portion of the talk. "Should this battle last long, my sister and I have a right to stop fighting to do our duties of raising the moon and sun at the appropriate times," Luna suggests. "During which time to clear the field of the wounded, yes?" I ask as I put a hand on my chin. They both nod "That is acceptable." "We would also like the doctors and nurses to be safe from the fighting if possible," Celestia adds on to which I also agree to. "Anything you which to add, miss?" "Loreley and I would like to cast a spell that would send those that fall into the afterlife almost immediately so they don't become ghosts over time." I can tell they were surprised at my words yet again. "Should I lose, I would like you to take care of my son." It seems they were judging me based on my appearance. But I cannot fault them, as they will not get the chance to know me. Celestia quickly speaks up. "No offense, Lore-a-ley was it?" I give her a nod. "But why would we do that when we are about to battle?" "For my son is not of my flesh, but I found him some months back when the land was in chaos," I tell them as I start preparing my spell. "Well, if that is the case, Loreley, then it would be a great honor," Luna says as she shoots her sister a look. We each give a bow before going back to our respective sides. I cast Death's Fog as I walk, covering the area in a thick fog that will indeed send the souls of the fallen to the afterlife as I said. But the fog also helps hide my troops, as they barely make any noise, at least when the battle starts, anyway. Despite the fact that neither side can see the other, the tension in the air was so thick that you could get stuck in it should you try and jump. After waiting a few moments, I move my right hand forward and my army of just two hundred skeletons starts marching in sync to the enemy. I will not hold any grudges to those that will die this day as they are just following miss guided orders, I think as I can hear the battle begin. I know my forces are not as adaptable as the sisters', but mine has the edge in endurance and durability. Seeing a yellow bolt of magic coming my way, I move my skeletal hands to block it, lowering one of the hands to where I can get on it quickly. Taking to the battlefield myself, I use my magic to reassemble any defeated skeletons I see. The work will be shoddy, and they won't last long, but hopefully, they will take out one or two more before they fall again. "Laughing Skulls," I say as six skulls from my army catch a brilliant purple fire as they start laughing before they lock on to a poor soul. Once the skulls are in range, they explode. I see some pegasi dropping large rocks from the nearby forest on my troops. Seeing this, I raise a hand, and some of my troops equipped with ranged weapons immediately take fire at the pegasi, scoring more than a few fatal blows. I see that my spell is working as the souls do indeed go into the afterlife. The pegasi were just small fry compared to the earth ponies and the unicorns, as they are doing a number on my "small" army. It seems my Laughing Skull attack caused some damage but was overall ineffective. How do I know this? Well, simply I can see through the fog, as I am the ones that cast it. Real handy, actually. How interesting. The earth ponies are acting as a wall while the unicorns support them and provide artillery fire with magic, I observe as I start casting another spell, this one is what I call "Soul Shackle." I finish casting it rather quickly, as it's a simple spell. Shooting two ethereal chains from each of my hands, I hit four earth ponies causing them to feel the full weight of their sins on their souls. Before I could do anything else, however, a blue beam of magic blasts one of my arms off. "How inconvenient," I mutter as I drop the spell to look at the pony that struck the blow. I see that it is Luna and her sister up in the sky. "Thou art unarmed, heh," Luna says as Celestia rolls her eyes. "Give up now Loreley." "The battle has only just begun," I say as I secretly summon my skeletal hands. "What are you up to?" Celestia spoke up. "Why are you doing this?" With subtle movements in my still attached arm, I direct the hands into the guts of the sisters. The hit was strong enough to knock them to the ground but nearly enough to subdue them. "You should have asked that before the battle," I simply reply as I go over to a dead pony, tearing a foreleg off and attaching it to my socket. My magic immediately starts to transform the limb into my former one. Unfortunately, this also gave the sisters time to recover and attack, as it had taken longer then I expected to recover my arm. Dodging the sisters' aerial assaults are not easy, especially since I am not used to using my magic in such an aggressive way. So, for the time being, I simply look for patterns in their attacks and try and wear them out. However unlikely that second one is, it is still worth a shot. After all, the living must rest. The battle continues throughout the rest of the day and night only really stopping for the agreed upon raising and lowering of the sun and moon respectively and the abominations have no signs of slowing down their assault they just seem to run out of magic or at least stop blasting it randomly at me in favor of more physical attacks. So it seems my plan is working just not as fast as I would like. I think as I dodge boulder that one of their troops flung at me. And their followers are not giving much room to attack either. At least The pegasi seem to have stopped coming after me. Probably because they drop like flies around me. I'm knocked out of my thoughts be a solid hit to the side of the head as I am slung across the battlefield. Now I'm mad. “Soul shackles!” I scream as I launch the ethereal chains at the sisters with one hand and with the other I launch it at the soldiers. "You will pay for your sins!!" I say before I slam the two groups together as their sins weigh them down. Then A Idea strikes me I may longer have a skeleton army but that doesn't mean I won't be out of troops. Casting an extremely rushed version of the spell I used on the skeletons as I say. "Raise dead." I can see the abominations getting up as I had to cancel soul shackle in order to do this but it will be worth it. I look at their horror as their once dear allies rise from the dead. “Your own soldiers will end you, abominations.” They reply but I don't really care about the words they speak as I can feel that the battle is about to turn in my favor. Seeing that The blue one whose name escapes me at the moment is having some trouble. I can't help but smile as I cast. “Laughing skulls!" And like before some of the skulls from the dead soldiers catch fire and rush towards the sisters leaving the bodies to resume their march. The attack is successful and The blue one gets hit by at least three of the skulls. The rest follow Celestia. “One down, one to go." I use one of my skeletal hand to grab Luna by the throat and hold her in the air. Ah yes, I remember now Luna is her name. The other one continues to fly and barely dodge one of the exploding skulls. "You can't run forever Celestia." I taunt. It would seem I would be back with Sombra before I knew it. Maybe I could take over the abominations castle and turn “Mommy!" A very familiar voice calls out. "Sombra?" > Battle day-2 a surprise guest > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. Nonono. Why is that foolish foal here right now?! "Sombra, what are you doing here!? I thought I told you to say safe." I distressingly shouted at Sombra, who nervously flinches at my question, but the bipedal thing with white hair with him speaks up before my adopted son can. It is wearing some sort of armor and it has a rather unique look to it as it is layered across the arms, legs and the helmet has a fancy looking crest? on it. "Wait, that's her?" It spoke in such a deep masculine voice indicating that it is, in fact, an adult male. He knowingly brought my son into an obviously dangerous situation. That is a sin that can not be forgiven with mere words but with their blood and soul. I raised my hand on to this new threat and the other towards the Alicorn. After all, I haven't easily forgotten her DISGUSTING presence. "Soul Shackle." Once both are hit by my attack and their limbs were bound linked together in ethereal chains, I prepared to slam them into each other. "Get away from my son, you fiend." "Look, lady, I don’t know who you are," He said as he tries and fails to stand up. "But Sombra was the one who summoned me in order to come to find you. He was worried about you. I am not your enemy here!” His words will not easily persuade me for it felt like a ploy to lower my defense and be exploited. “Please mommy, I’m scared,” Sombra cried out. I glance at him to see him giving me such tear-filled eyes and pouted lips. This expression is what I believe is called puppy dog eyes, a manipulative method for weak-willed individuals and parents. “Fret not, little Sombra. I will protect you.” I stated as I slammed the immortal abomination and the thing into each other "But first, I need to take out the trash." “Oh come on… COME ON!!” He exclaimed as he very clearly getting irritated and as his anger intensified, I can see red lines fuming out him. "I’m RIGHT HERE!!!" He screamed. As he wishes, so shall it will be granted. "Soul Shatter," I said as I raise my hand again at him but before my spell can be released, I felt a heavy sensation and that's when I see the abomination Luna's horn through my neck. My body collapsed as my head was basically decapitated out of my body. It was still somewhat attached, of course, but the effect is still the same. It also cancels all of my current spells. Well this is inconvenient, just as I was about to have a swift victory as well. It seems that they will look after Sombra after all. Well, at least my blood will inflict the one that pierced me with a powerful yet random curse at least. Come to think of it I wonder why Sombra isn't cursed since he has my blood on him as well. Questions for another day. "SKEITH!!!" The voice of the uninvited guest screams at the top of his lungs before. I could hear something happening. Due to the position of which I lay, I couldn't get a clear view but I did hear the sound of a massive attack before I am picked up and suddenly moved to a cave. "That should buy us some time," He says before sitting down for a moment. Once everything has calmed down the thing from earlier sets me down and both he and Sombra start examining my wounds. "Is your mother okay, Sombra?" He asked I can hear the genuine concern in his voice. "I dunno, I’ve never seen her get hurt like this before," My son said as he embraces my body with care and sadness. Oh Sombra, you are in so much trouble for disobeying me. I think as I just barely notice the other creature cast some sort of spell on my neck as I can feel the healing of the hole, except for my spine. Once I feel the holes healed, I quickly stated. "You two are idiots, " Once I speak the pair jumped in surprise. I glanced at our unwelcomed guest's direction. "Why would you bring a child into a battle?" "I’m so sorry, Mother. I was just worried about you.” Sombra said as he hugged me that much tighter. I would have hugged back, but my neck still had a hole, making my body effectively incapable of mobility for the time being. Though I can feel it healing at a rapid rate which was a pleasing result “It’s alright Sombra but as soon as my spinal cord is better you are grounded until the day you die,” I said quite seriously. I then, with what limited mobility my neck allows me, I turn towards our guest. “My name is Loreley, by the way." “Pleasure to meet you,” He replied back. “My name’s Haseo.” “I wish I could say the same. Because of you, I lost one of those filthy immortals.” My voice gave away the fact that I am very annoyed. "I still need an answer. Why did you recklessly bring a child to a battle?" “Would you believe me if I told you I couldn’t say no because-” “Puppy dog eyes?” My interruption gave him some pause before he continues with his explanation. "That’s one bit. The other was that he was hoping that you were okay was what caused him to summon me here in the first place.” He took a moment to explain the initial encounter with Sombra back at the village as well as take out the small figurine. To make statements short and brief, Sombra discovered the figure in an unknown location, made a childish wish and summoned this Haseo creature. Oh my neck is ready. I pondered as I noticed that I can move my fingers again. "I see." I take a moment to pop my neck back into place. "Ahh, much better. Now, I don’t know about you, but a hole in the neck is not all that pleasant of an experience.” “Try being encased in ice for a thousand years. That’s worse.” Haseo muttered in response. He must have thought that I wouldn't be able to hear him. Oh how feebly wrong he was. “Encased in ice for a thousand years and you have no ill effects from that?” I cast my crimson red eyes at the rouge with unbridled rage. “If I discover that you are a DISGUSTING immortal abomination, your soul will be mine for all eternity. Understand?” “That wasn’t what I meant at all. If anything, I’m… not from this world,” For a moment, he looked towards where Sombra was. As if a bit nervous at what he was going to say next before looking back at me. “Can we have this conversation somewhere else, I rather not have Sombra overhear what I’m going to tell you.” "Fine." I simply replied as I summoned my hands from the battlefield before I placed them infront of me and Haseo."Get on." I order and he gets on his hand without hesitation, once he was standing, I take us high in the sky out of Sombra's hearing range. "So, why did you want some privacy, Haseo?" "There is a reason why I did not want for Sombra to listen,” He told me, clearing his throat and letting out a sigh. “Back where I’m from, Sombra isn’t a child, but a full grown adult. One who was driven mad with power, had me take the blame for the murder of the Crystal Empire’s ruler and was the one who encased me in ice for a thousand years. I’m from a future where he isn’t the sweet son that you see now, but a ruthless tyrant who went as far as to sacrifice his own well being for unrivalled power that he did not know how to control or understand. He’s the one that made me be known as ‘The Terror of Death’ back where I am from. All because he wanted everything for himself and his own desires.” There was a brief pause after he said that as the sound of owls could be heard hooting in the night sky. But not long after did the adept rogue ask a new question. “Does that explain why I was concerned?” “Indeed. Even now, I see a spot darkness within the deepest depths of his soul. He always wants to learn my magic and how to use it. However, I refused because he is unable to learn most, if not all of it. For the magic of the dead is not for the living.” I explained to him. He asked another question after I finish answering his last one. "Loreley, would you happen to know what an Umbrum is?” “The name is unfamiliar in my vocabulary and memory yet for some unknown, familiar in my heart to me.” I replied as my curiosity ever growing. “It means Shadow Pony,” Haseo explained. “That’s what Sombra is. He is one of an entire army of Umbrum that is buried under the Crystal Empire. I know of this because, where I am from, I am raising one as my daughter. And I… well, I don’t want your son to turn into the power hungry Umbrum that I had to slay back where I’m from.” “I see.” I folded my arms as I continue. "Well, from what I know is that a creature composed of all sorts of random parts tore families asunder and moved entire plots of land. I know that some of those are true for when I arrived the land was chaotic until a large wave of rainbows washed over everything." "Wait, you mean Discord? The draconequus?" Haseo replies in shock. "I know not the creature's name, nor his species, Haseo. I just know what I saw and that when I first met Sombra, he was covered in cotton candy.” “Yeah, that sounds like him,” Haseo replied back. “Discord is a draconequus, some kind of pony-dragon hybrid with the talon of an eagle, paw of a lion, foot of a dragon, hoof of a pony, a horn and antler of his head. He is known for his Chaotic magic such as making it rain chocolate milk from cotton candy clouds with just a snap of his talon. However, yours seems to be more hostile because mine would just do this stuff as a prank.” “Perhaps, but I believe we are getting off topic here.” I pointed out. I cared little for this Discord creature. However, as a precautionary idea, I placed a mental note in my mind if I ever encountered this creature in the near future. “Fair point,” Haseo replied back. “Though, there is one other thing from what you said that I might know. That rainbow you were talking about.” “And what could you know about it?” I asked suspiciously. “That’s not an ordinary rainbow. That’s magic from a set of powerful artifacts called the Elements of Harmony,” The adept rogue told me. “Six gemstones filled with harmonic magic that were composed of six virtues of friendship. Honesty, Generosity, Laughter, Kindness, Loyalty, and lastly, Magic. In my time, it has been used to vanquish powerful villains and ‘fix’ damages and losses that were the result of those said villains. When they are used, their magic takes the form of a rainbow. Like what you said.” “How interesting.” I pondered what he said before something clicked in my mind. “If what you say is true, then who would of been the wielders from your point a thousand years ago?” “Back in the past, Celestia and Luna had to use them,” He responded. “In the present… or my present to be more precise, they are wielded by six mares who each represent one of the qualities of the elements. I believe that’s all I should say though, because I don’t want to offload too much.” “Then I gotta hurry and get back to the fight. Too much time has passed. If the immortals do indeed have these elements, then I gotta finish one off before they can use them on me.” I start to go back when his words reach my ears and cause me to pause. “Can I ask you something though this time?” He told me. “What are you specifically? I mean, I have introduced myself, told you what I was and more about me, but I’m just as curious about you. If anything, I would think you are the living incarnation of death itself. A piece of the circle of life that one can’t just simply ‘defeat’ if you know what I mean.” “As I said before, my name is Loreley and I am the Queen of Death. I cannot die until all life in this plane has been extinguished through natural or unnatural reasons.” My words seem to take him be suprise as he doesn't say anything for a moment, so while he gets over his shock another qustion pops into my mind that I want the answer for. "While I have you, I must ask you something. How did you forged the trinket? The one that Sombra used to bring you here?” “I’m not entirely sure,” He told me, looking down at the figurine he shown me earlier. “But… let me see something,” Wrapping his hands together around the doll, he began to channel a different kind of power than what he used to heal my throat, well what ever the power he used he used that power to make an exact replica of the doll before handing it to me. “I may not know how it works now, but I believe that the next time we meet, I will have the knowledge that you seek. I believe there are others in the universe, each with their own trinket that serves as a catalyst to summoning them. However, getting that catalyst out to everyone else is the kind of knowledge I currently lack.” “How interesting, but I feel like the next time we meet you will be dead, but I have been wrong before.” I Give a small smile. Despite my first impression of him he as been a delite to talk to and who know what this catalyst or others like it could do besides transportation. The adept rogue chuckled at that, shortly before looking back at me. “So have I sometimes. But I will do what I can to stay alive until the next time we meet, Queen Loreley.” “That’s the fun part. No one plans to die, it just happens.” I giggled a little ”But I do wish you luck in your life.” “Why thank you,” He told me in response. “Before I go though… I would like to see Sombra one last time. You know, to say goodbye to him?” “Of course.” I nodded, lowering both of us to the ground and back to the entrance of the cave that we were at earlier. “I would hurry. I feel the sisters will be arriving shortly.” I inform him and he nods before going in. I stay outside the cave to keep a eye out for the sisters as I fear our talk so out in the open might of given us away. Haseo speaks to me once again, after he gets done with his talk. "Do everything you can to make sure he has a bright future." "I already have a plan in place should I fail.” I look Haseo directly in the eyes. “I am not so arrogant as to think that victory is all but mine. Sombra will go with the sisters should they win. Though, I feel like it is more for his sake then mine.” “You believe that he will do well in the hooves of the immortals you despise?” I swiftly reply "No, but they are the only ones who could have a chance at taming the beast within him.” He just sighed and nodded before he started to fade and as he was fading he gave Sombra one last goodbye. I go and give Sombra the token and give him a hug. "You're still grounded." I informed him as my little boy chuckles slightly. "Stay put until Someone comes to get you." He just hugged the token and sits back down. "Loreley, We know you are in there." Luna's voice echoes through out the cave. Damn I thought I had more time. I give Sombra another hug before I leave the cave. Upon leaving I can see that the sisters do indeed have the elements just as Haseo has described to me. "Are you ready to end this?" Celestia said as she takes a step foward. "Sombra is in the cave." I informed them as I ready up Soul Shackle and they ready up their Elements. No one makes a move and it isn't until one of their recruits sneezes that everything come to a head as we both fire our spells at the same time, a bright light covers my vision before I was knocked out.