> Cross-Realm Raiding > by Bishibosh the Shaman > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Lets Que Up! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter One It was a chilly day on the Mulgore plains. Bishibosh was on his way back to his home in Bloodhoof Village, after a long night arguing politics with the leaders of the guild he felt it was time for a rest. Broto, Bishibosh's kodo, slowly lumbered his way down the road with his ever loyal friend on his back. Bishibosh laid back and stared at the night sky, remembering the nights of his shaman training. How the stars and the moon lit the way on his trials and pilgrimages. Just as the night was about to take him... A flash of silver glinted across the taurens face, cutting a few hairs off of his grizzly long braids. Broto just laid down on the ground, calm and expecting. Bishibosh climbed down from the massive beast and made his way over to the knife in the ground. Picking it up he knew exactly where it came. With a calm, yet aggrivated tone, the large tauren stated, "Do you always have to wait until I am just about asleep, Fayt?" At this, a shambled corpse wearing a long leather jacket lept down from a nearby tree. Making his way towards Bishibosh, it opened it's lips and crudely responded, "You sleep harder than the dead, would my yelling for the past 20 minutes have woke you?" The undead rogue stepped up to Bronto and pulled an apple from under his jacket, Bronto gulped it down and nudged Fayt in the chest happily fed. "Any reason you come out here? or just come by to aggrivate me." Bishibosh grunted in a mildly harsh tone. "Nothing like that, you dropped your coin purse. I would have emptied it but there wasn't much to take, save a moth or two." Fayt replied then following, "and Lady Interga gave us an important mission. me and you specifically." "This mission being..." Bishibosh stated expecting Fayt to finish. "To kill a mage, alliance snooping around. Some gnomish mage has been sneaking around the big gate. manged to get into Mulgore and cause a fuss, turning the Ladies trainees into all kinds of shit. Monkeys, pigs, penguins" Ok, I get it, so now we need to find this mage... there goes my nap..." "Is that blasted machine working yet?" said a disgruntled human, clad in plate armor. "Give me a few more minutes, the trans-dimensional-vortex-assimilation unit needs replaced. Do me a favor and steal one from the goblins up in that mine. "Trans-demon respond... what!? You talk like I have the slightest clue what you are saying!" At this the small humanoid creature crawled out of the device and pulled over a step ladder. Setting it up at the feet of the human and climbing up it, the small man proceeded to slap the man in the face. The sheer force of the little gnomes strong arms knocked the man clear off his feet. The gnome climbed back down and got back into the device. "OH! thats it... uhhh never mind about that trans-dimensional-vortex-assimilation unit! I just noticed the grounding agent wasn't properly introduced to the power supply heh heh" said the gnome as he went back to work. Bishibosh and Fayt approached the camp site, easily spotted by all the noise and light, and watched for a minute. Then they watched for another minute, and another minute. Over the course of the next few hours nothing in the camp had changed with the exception of the gnome popping out of his device to scold the human who joined him. Finally Fayt had enough. "I'm going in." said Fayt in his cold death voice. "Be careful, I'll be watching" Bishibosh whispered. As Fayt vanished into the shadows, Bishibosh used his magic to take the form of a wolf and made his way into a nearby pack. He had ran with this pack before and they knew of him, it was the next best thing to invisibility. The human muttered off to the gnome and began to walk off. The gnome, furious at the warrior, chucked what looked like a wrench at the warrior but missed and hit a nearby prairie dog. It blew up on contact leaving nothing but a burnt scorch on the ground. Fayt followed the human until he was a safe enough distance from the gnome. The human stopped by a tree a good ways away, Fayt too the chance. Reaching up to the humans neck with one hand, and a vicious dagger in the other, Fayt quickly dispatched the human. Almost a clean kill, but when the undead rogue looked at he corpse, with his leg plates hanging down half his legs, he realized the warmth down the bottom half of his leg. "Son of a bit..." Bishibosh staked upon the gnome, eager to seize the opportunity to kill. With the small man being so interested in his work, Bishibosh could easily get the upper hand. Morphing out of the wolf like form, the shaman began charging his hands with the power of the storm, and with one jolt of lightning made a dead shot on the gnome in the device. Assuming the gnome for dead, Bishibosh went forward to inspect the kill. Fayt caught up behind him and together they both approached the strange gnomish device. Before they could check the inside, the gnome lept from the chassis of the machine with a round orb in both hands. "Hah Ha! You mongrels though you have out witted Wizzle Bang Tinker Torch!? I have in my hands not one but TWO highly electrical power cores that with the slightest flux of energy would cause UNPREDICTABLE outcomes! Ha Ha Ha!." At this point our two heros had enough. Bishibosh charged another lighting bolt while Fayt prepare a deadly throw. Combining the electric current into the dagger, Fayt then threw it passed the gnome and into the heart of the machine. The resulting explosion of static revealed what the gnome was trying to create. Some form of prison to store anyone he could. The pull of the vacuum first sucked the gnome into the device, then after a few minutes of resistance the two heros were also sucked into the whirling vortex. After what seemed like days in the vortex, finally Bishibosh was ejected from the vacuum. Where he was ejected he had no idea. Trying to stand on both legs, he fell. Feeling really dizzy he decided just to lay there and nap until he gained his energy. He lay there asleep for the better part of twelve hours before finally waking up. He tried to stand again with little more success that before, but still fell face first in a puddle nearby. Raising his head and looking into the puddle he saw his face, slimmer and more defined. His braids were missing, in fact most of his facial hair had been gone. Getting up a third time, remaining in a crawling position he waiting for the ripples to clear, and when they finally did, the shaman's face did something it hasn't done since the sundering of Azeroth. His jaw droped, his eyes were huge!, his snout was smaller, and his fur was so much smoother. Looking up he saw a terrible sight, what looked like the skeletal horses of the forsaken... miniaturized! Bishibosh passed out. "Hey no nuts, wake up. It's time for your clamping." Bishibosh shot up in terror at the thought but recognized the voice. "Fayt? is... is that you?" "In the rotted horse flesh." "What did that gnome do to us? some sick polymorph?" "Nope, I just killed all those wooden things and stayed in dead horse mode." At this point a large shadow over took the sky and the two heros looked up, to see a giant dragon flying over head of them. Fayt looked at Bishibosh, and Bishibosh nodded. "Let's que up" "Lets que up" > Lf ponies? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Two Bishibosh and Fayt ran, or galloped rather, through the endless forest, tailing the giant dragon as close as they could. The winged beast was gaining distance fast and Bishibosh was running out of breath. Fayt began to gain distance on the struggling pony before noticing the gap forming between the two of them. Slowing down he made a impatient gesture towards Bishibosh telling him to, in a term he hadn't expected to come from his lips, Giddy the buck up! "You know... not everyone's... lungs have... collapsed inwards..." "What's the problem pony boy, you ran with the wolves, cant handle four legs all of a sudden?" "Paws... wolves have paws... and we tauren... are used to... two hooves... not four..." The shaman took a moment to catch his breath, and gathered an idea. "Think our magic still works here? with these new bodies?" Bishibosh asked. Bishibosh's hooves sunk into the dirt and rose covered with sand from the ground. The sand rose up his legs and covered his body. Eventually his body as a whole was engulfed in sand. Golden crystals began to form out of the sandy form. The sand and crystal formed a thick cocoon and covered the clearing both ponies were standing in. Not a minute later the shell began to crack, and the second after it exploded in sand and crystal. Long golden wings spread across the gap, and the body of a dragon emerged from the cocoon. "I'm suprised tol'vir magic works here" The dragon Bishibosh stated. "hop on, we got a dragon to catch." "You're too tired to run as a pony, ok. Lets turn into a dragon and fly instead, genius Bish..." "Hey, I'm used to this form. The two flew after the dragon, who they could hear roaring in the distance... It's a late night for the Apple family in Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Jack and Big McIntosh are just closing shop. "Jeeze big brother, I r'con we stayed up a tad too late. But the apples are picked and the nights done" the tanish pony stated proudly "Eyup" followed the larger red pony. "Aint nuttin gonna keep me away from the sack tonight, not no apples, or even a giant dragon!" The two ponies went off inside to get a good nights rest. The trees beat by sudden bursts of wing, both ponies too tired to think of the intervals between the winds. They fell asleep just as danger swooped onto the farm. The dragon flew straight towards the farm as Bishibosh and Fayt tailed. As they closed the gap, both heros noticed the dragons target. The apple orchards and most likely the neighboring town. Knowing full aware the devastation a single dragon can cause, Bishibosh pushed himself a little more into the fray. The gap was quickly filled allowing Fayt to dismount and gain a foot hold on the back of the dragon. Bishibosh dug his claws into the back as well, releasing a wailing cry from the dragon. Reverting to his pony form, Bishibosh quickly bound the remaining sand to his and Fayts hooves to act as grounding. The beast flailed and flipped and rolled but the shamans magic held strong. "Climb to the head!" Bishibosh yelled. Fayt managed to climb up to the mid section of the dragon, but with a swift turn his footing was lost. The undead pony went airborn, just as Bishibosh tried to catch him a dagger flew from its scabbard and into Fayts jaw. Thrusting the blade into the dragons wing as he flew off the dragon, tearing threw the sinew of the dragons wing. Bishibosh watched as Fayt flew downward into the woods but he had little time to worry about his friends safety. The dragon began to plummet to the ground, and Bishibosh needed to get to the head in hopes of steering it away from civilization. The wind ripped across his mane and face, the sand that once bound him to the dragons back were now dust. He used a remainder of what mana he had left to infuse his hands with lighting, hoping to magnetize his way down the the dragons head. What felt like hours was only seconds until Bishibosh made it to the horns of the dragon, and with what remained of his mana pool he gained control of the winds rushing passed him. "Ancestors guide me" He whispered to himself as the dragon wailed in attempt to remove the shaman from its crown. The winds succeeded in steering the body into the forrest, but the force from the crash threw Bishibosh from the dragons head and into the ground. Opening his eyes to a blur of darkness, he only saw two bright orange eyes. Unable to pick himself up from exhaustion, the shaman stayed on the ground. The eyes raised and he could smell brimstone and sulfer. Not a day in this new world and he had allready met an end. Bishibosh closed his eyes and was bathed in warmth. Echo's of beeping ring... "Is he going to be alright?" "I'm more worried about his friend, look you can see the exposed bone!" "No way a fall did that to him, he shouldn't even be alive." Eyes open to a blur of light... "Hey, he is waking up!" "Get in here!" "No! He is still in critical condition!" Bishibosh's eyes open to a pure white mane turned away from him. He can see tubing going into various parts of his body. He tries to speak but he is too tired. Before closing his eyes, he see's a bright light with many colors. Then black. After hours of waiting, Princess Celestia cannot wait any longer. She makes her way out of the waiting room and into the room were the strange new ponies lay. A doctor stops her. "I'm sorry my princess, but they are not yet in stable condition." "Say that to the one standing out of bed." The doctor turned his head to find the mangled pony crawling from his bed and began to feint as if he had seen a ghost. "Ah, one of our... heros no doubt. I am Princess Celestia, may I ask your name?" "You may but it wont do you any good. Tell me where I am." "It must not be custom in your land to give your name before making demands." "Oh it is, I was never the sort for customs. Where am I." "You are in a clinic being cared for after your daring rescue of our village from the dragon. Now may I know your name?" "Fayt" "Pardon?" "Fayt, F-a-y-t. You wanted my name I gave it." "Ah, very good. Umm, can I get you anything? a bandage maybe?" "Why? Doesnt do any good to bandage a dead horse" Fayt chuckled in a morbid way, Celestia became rather disturbed by this hero. Turning her attention to the other hero just now leaning up from bed. "Ah, and the other hero awakens." Bishibosh looks up at the regal looking pony, then down at his bandaging, then back at the pony. "Hello"... > Answers > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Three Celestia watched as the dark toned pony leaned up from his bed. There was an obvious feel of energy around him, and for him and his friend to take down a dragon that size shows either massive strength, or incredible guile. These are two earth ponies, unable to fly or do magic. The thought of them somehow mounting a dragon and bringing it down to the ground by themselves is death defying! She had to know about these two strange ponies, especially the unliving one... "Hello..." Bishibosh started "Ah yes, hello hero. It is good to see you awake, but you really should lay back down." Celestia advised. "I'm fine, you said your name was... Celestia? A princess?" "Yes, I am Princess Celestia, and you would be?" "Bishibosh Creststrider, Officer of The Nightfall and Shaman of the Earthen Ring." "You wear these titles well, but I have not heard of either of those." "Ah yes... different world, I forgot." Bishibosh's countenance fell remembering the events leading to his being here, but then looked back up to the glowing princess. "How am I alive?" He asked. "Ah yes, I do suppose I owe you some answers..." Applejack lay asleep in her messy bed, snug as a pony can be. Her dreams of endless apple orchards sailing off into the sunset. A beautiful site, She trotted into the orchard and was amazed at all the apples and the colors. A gust of wind blew and all the apples blew with it, and Applejack stood in the breeze. Suddenly a strong wind blew passed, knocking her on her back. A dark shadow overcast the sky and all the trees were blown into the air. She looked up in the chaos and there she saw it. The black dragon raising its head, opening its mouth, and with one big breath... "AHH!" Applejack shot up from her bed, breathing deeply in and out... She crawled out of her bed and made her way to the window. Looking out she felt the wind in a short burst, and in the distance heard a loud cry. Her eyes grew bigger and her mane froze down her neck. She jetted out the door. Twilight was just putting down a book, titled 'Magic and the Elements' by an unknown Author. It just showed up on her shelf from out of nowhere, in an empty spot that had never had a book in it. The excitement of a new book had her shaking. Getting ready to put the book back on the shelf, there was a knock at her door. "Who would be here at this hour?" Twilight asked as she walked to the door. The knocking hastened and Twilight hurried a little faster, but as she made it to the door it slammed open!. "Twilight! Dragon! Farm! HELP!" Applejack screamed as she rushed in the door to nobody. "Uhh, Twilight? Where'dya go?" "Burhurned thur dur" Murmured a voice. Applejack shut the door to find Twilight flattened into the wall. "Shucks Twilight, this aint no time to be foolin around! I need you to send a message to the princess! A dragon is on its way to Sweet Apple Acres and if it burns the farm to the ground it will undoubtedly make it to Ponyville next!" "Oh snap! Spike! Send a letter to Celestia now! tell her we need help!" The two ponies rushed out the door back the Sweet Apple Acres. As they approached the farm, Twilight couldnt help but notice something about the dragon incoming. It was being tailed by what looked like another dragon, but smaller. She discarded the thought as it was dark out, but the glimmer behind the dragon was obviously there. There was no time to worry about it, they had to hurry. They made it to the barn just in time to watch the dragon scream in agony and desend. Again Twilight saw something and coudlnt ignore it, somepony fell OFF the dragon! "Applejack! Look! Somepony is falling off it!" Twilight exclaimed. "Yeah I saw, and look there is another pony on its head!" At this the dragon nosedived right into the orchard, clearing at least twenty trees. Twilight and Applejack look at eachother in astonishment, then split off. Applejack went for the pony who fell off first, and Twilight went after the dragons landing. Galloping into the forest, Applejack searched far and wide for the pony fearing the worst. No way she wanted to bury one of the heros. Not now not ever. She spanned the area were the pony should have landed before she saw him. Hanging from a tree branch from a long ratty coat. Rearing her legs to the tree, she bucked it as hard as she could and the pony came falling down only to be caught on her back. Applejack set the pony down on the ground to check him and immediately backed off. "Dammit... I was too late..." Applejack began to cry when the pony began to cough. "You're... You're alive!?" Her face dropped and she about dropped with it, but picked up the shambled pony on her back and ran as fast as she could to the hospital. Twilight ran down the orchard to the crash site, following the sound of the roaring. Hoping she was fast enough to save the pony who brought the dragon down, she ran as fast as her hooves would take her. Tree after tree passed her by, it seemed endless, when she saw the bright orange eye of the dragon raising. Looking infront of the dragon, there he was. An earth pony lit by the fiery dragons mouth. He bowed his head and the dragon burst its final flame at the pony but Twilight managed to encase him in a bubble of protective magic at the last minute. Taking no time to inspect the dead dragon, Twilight picked up the earth pony and rushed to the hospital. "So this... Twilight Sparkle saved us?" Bishibosh asked. "Yes, her and her loyal friend AppleJack." Celetia answered. "I must thank them, after I get up from this bed." "NO!" A white pony with a red cross mark on her flank screamed as she walked in. "You stay right there until we say you are ready to move." "But" "No" "No really" "No." "I will be fi" "No. No. No no NO! No and that is final. You two are our heros and you will not break your wounds will I work in this hospital." The pony finished. Celestia laughed. "It's fine you two, I will send them in if you are ready." "Ugh... more ponies... I'm getting something to eat." Fayt growned. "You most certainly wont! You need bedrest!" The doctor pony argued. "Just one bite? Once I find the morgue I'll be happy." Fayt said, creaking his broken smile across his face. This disturbed the nurse and sent him to the cafeteria, under close watch. Celestia, also disturbed, looked at Bishibosh and he nodded. She looked out the door and spoke in a tone Bishibosh couldn't not understand. She then left the room and two more ponies walked in. One with a bright tan coat and a blonde mane, wearing a cowboy hat ontop it. The other with a light purple coat, and a dark mane with purple and pink stripes. Bishibosh was glad Fayt left. > Other Realms. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Four As the two ponies entered the room, Bishibosh leaned up, ignoring the pain (and the nurses advice) he raised a hoof to his chest in a salute to the ponies who saved him and his friend. Applejack and Twilight didn't get the gesture but took it as a greeting of respect. "It sure is good to see you awake, we've been checkin up on you two for a few days now. Even shirked fixing the damage to the orchard to see you guys. What happened to your friend?" Applejack commented. "Oh he went out for a bite to eat, don't worry. He's resilient for a corp... uh, beat up guy heh." Bishibosh remarked. "Yes, about him. Princess Celestia asked me to have you tell me about him." Twilight added. "It's quite the story. but if you must..." Bishibosh told the two ponies about the rise and fall of the undead empire at Icecrown, starting at the creation of the Lich King Ner'Zhul, the Burning Legion, and Arthas. At the part of the story about him, the pon ies seemed most fixated. "Now wait just a minute, this pony er... he-u-man? just killed his dad, raised up his pony from the dead, and left?" Applejack asked confused. "Quiet AJ, This is important." Twilight interrupted. "It's quite fine, and I would hardly refer to Invincible as a pony. Legend calls him a mighty stallion. But to the point, about Fayt." Bishibosh continued about the life of Fayt. In his human life and his undeath, how he served Lorderon faithfully in life and death. He told them of Sylvanas the banshee queen, and how she almost slew Arthas, and finally how she raised Fayt from the depths of the grave. At this point Fayt trotted into the room followed by an astonished nurse. Probably gaping at the amount of food he stowed in his torn corpse like body. Fayt took a look at the two ponies and smirked a crooked smirk. "so these are the heroins of the day eh?" he cackled. "Yupp, I was the one who pulled you outa that tree." Applejack responded. "Well, good job. you saved a dead guy. Here's a medal." "Ya know, the 'typical' response is a thank you." "for what? saving my life?" At this fayt fell on the ground and cackled wildly. "Don't mind him. He is grateful but death has a way of ruining ones maners." Bishibosh commented. "If Rarity heard you say that..." Twilight sighed. " Anyways we better be getting out of here. You need your rest." "What do you mean? I feel fine, and pony boy here can just wish his wounds away..." Fayt sneered. "Fayt keep your mouth shut for once." Bishibosh stated but was interrupted. "What do he mean 'wish them away'?" Twilight asked. "Umm, well I am a shaman, or do you not have those here?" "No, I think Zecora said that word before but I don't know what it means." Bishibosh sighs... "In Azeroth, a shaman is a sworn guardian on the worlds both physical and spiritual. Naturally we control the powers of the elements. Fire, earth, wind, and water for example." Bishibosh started. "So you use some kind of magic?" Twilight said skeptically, noticing Bishibosh was an earth pony and not a unicorn. "Perhaps you could show us." "Very well... just give me a second." Bishibosh climbed out of bed, and as the nurse rushed to stop him a burst of wind pushed her back against the wall. The dark coated pony reared up and his hooves began to glow in a watery form. In an instant water rushed out from nowhere and covered the shaman, soaking him completely. It happened in an instant but Applejack, Twilight, and the nurse watched in amazement as the bloodied bandages fell off revealing deep cuts closing in seconds. after they closed the fur covered the scars and it was as if they were never there. After performing the spell, Bishibosh's hands erupted into stone and rock seemed to seep from his coat. Stones began to circle his body as if in a gravitational pull. Both the ponies stood there in awe as they watched this earth pony cast spells from his hooves. Bishibosh stepped down from his upright reared position and made his way to the nearby desk with his robes folded up. They were neatly washed. He flopped them onto his back and looked around, raising an eyebrow he asked. "Wheres the changing room?" Back in the plains of Mulgore, a group huddled around the odd machine. Two Tauren, one male one female, a blood elf and an orc. The orc spoke first. "So this is where they were last seen?" The orc began. "Thats the reports Ven" The blood elf continued. "Hun, what do you think?" At this the female Tauren walked to the machine and nosed around in it. "I dont know, but if those two dumbasses arn't back in time for the raid I am going to personally de-nut them myself... Hey Korin, what do you think? He was your brother after all. The other tauren stood at a distance. Clad in the Sunwalker Judge plate armor, he stood nearly the height of three men. Finally he whispered... "Where are you brother..." As Bishibosh wandered the room, Applejack couldn't help but notice he didn't have a cutie mark. She didn't comment on it due to the circumstances but still was hatching an idea. Twilight also noticed the blankness of his flank and also kept hushed. "Umm, I asked a question?" Bishibosh asked. "Uh what?" both ponies said in unison. "Changing room? Bathroom? some place I can put on my cloths?" "Oh, yeah we don't have those. We kinda don't wear cloths in case you didn't notice." Twilight mentioned trying to hide a mocking smile. Bishibosh had noticed but was trying to set his gaze on other things besides the bare flanks of the two mares in front of him. No matter how strangely... alluring they were. He quickly shifted his gaze to his robes and began to sqeeze into them. "so... we are stuck here for a while it seems. Fayt any ideas were we can stay?" Bishibosh asked his friend. "Well, since the two of yall wrecked an acre of my woods, how about you guys stay at the farm and work off the damage." Applejack mentioned. "That's great, but we will have to pa..." Fayt began but Applejack pushed him out the door. "That wasn't an offer..." Bishibosh laughed and followed behind. > Twi-lit origins > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Five Bishibosh and Fayt followed Applejack for what seemed like hours. Fayt was more or less disgruntled at the idea of farm work, but Bishibosh was listening to every word that came from Applejacks mouth. She told the two heros about the foundings of Ponyville, as told by her grandmother, and about her exploits on the farm, including a recent scramble with some cider twins. Walking through town they came into what looked like the town square. Confused by the busy streets of Ponyville, Bishibosh was not paying much attention to wear he was going. When he finally looked back down he was nose to nose with (quite possibly his greatest challenge in this whole new land) a Pink maned pink coated Candy printed pony... "Oh, I'm... sorry?" Bishibosh said warily as he almost rammed into the pony. *GASP* "Oh my gosh you are a new face arn't you I can tell you wanna know how I can tell I can tell because I know everypony in Ponyville I make it my dudty to make friends with EVERY SINGLE PONY in ponyville" The small pony takes in a deep breath. "Anyways I'm Pinkie Pie and you are dressed funny, those cloths do look a little neat on you the way the purple matches with the red and grey OH MY GOSH! you should totally go meet RARITY! She would LOOOOOVE you because she is always looking for someone to *murf* *murf*" "Ok Pinkie, I think you stalled our guest a little too much. Perhaps its time you go plan a party or something." Applejack interrupted Pinkie. "A PARTY!? WHAT A FANTASTIC IDEA!" Pinkie screamed with delight as she ran off into the croud. "Don't you mind Pinkie, she gets a little excited when new comers arive." Applejack explained. "No worries, I'm just glad she is done talking." Bishibosh sighed with relief. "Yeah... Haven't heard someone talk that much since we took your brother to that l70etc concert..." Fayt included. "Don't remind me..." Korin stood looking at the machine a while longer after the others left. His brothers disappearance has to have something to do with this machine, but he was a blacksmith. Not an engineer, and even if he was. This was gnomish technology. He went back into the city that night but got no sleep. Instead he consulted with another officer of the guild. Maybe some Goblin ingenuity would bring his brother back. "Wuzzle, please. I can only ask this of you." "Korin listen, Guildy or no I can't just go messing with gnome tech for free. I've got a reputation to keep." "I will pay you then, every gold I have." "Sorry kid, it ain't necessarily about the gold either. I read the report, It's not just gnomish tech. There is old magic involved. Twilight Magic..." Bishibosh, Fayt, and Applejack came up to the orchard where they dragon was slain. There it's corpse lay. The memories were burned into Bishibosh's mind. Laying infront of that behemoth, about to be wyrm food. If not for Twilight he would have been dead for sure. At the thought of Twilight, Bishibosh noticed something he hadn't noticed before (probably because of the night). This was of the twilight brood, the glowing purple scales and golden eyes, and the twilight flames still burning. "Gosh I thought Big Mac would have the fires out by now. Well, guess that's our job now." Applejack states as she makes her way toward the fire but before Bishibosh can jump in she gets to close and the flames come to life. It comes down to seconds when dealing with twilight magic, and Bishibosh had nothing but seconds. The flames singed Applejacks mane but rather Bishibosh take the scorching flames it was Fayt who was on the ground bathed in flame. "Fayt!" Bishibosh yelled casting his healing water onto his friend. "Argh!" Fayt grunted when the two magics clashed on his body. The healing waters eventually cleansed the flames and Fayt was no worse for the wear. Bishibosh rushed to wear Applejack lay on the ground, wide eyed and panting. "In all my days on this farm I aint Never seen a fire do that! It was almost as if the darn thing was alive and coming at me!" Applejack exclaimed. "Yes, Twilight magic is uncontrollable. Not even Neltharion had complete control... I'm more concerned with why the twilight flight is here on your world..." Bishibosh began to sweat as he thought of the possibilities. "You don't think it's possible..." Fayt hinted. "No. I don't even want to think of that. We need to find out were this thing came from, find the nest, kill the brood mother, and smash the eggs if there are any. "Now wait a dag gone minute, what in tar-nation is going on here? Twilight magic? Do I need to get Twilight down here?" Applejack asked "No, actually.... yes. we could use her, and her dragon." Bishibosh said. "Actually... I know someone who may be better suited to dealing with a dragon. Even if she doesn't want to admit it." > A Righteous Tail > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Six Korin once again stood infront of the strange machine, only this time with the goblin mage Wuzzle. Turns out the risk was worth proving gnomish engineering inferior to goblin ingenuity. Wuzzle began tearing the machine out bit by bit and reconnecting wires. The more he worked, the more hope gleamed in Korins eyes. At last he would be the one to save his brother. Wuzzle began pulling on an abnormally tight wire connected to a strange gnome gadget. "Trans... dimensional... gah forget it. gnome crap, might as well yank it out of there." At this the machine burst into an explosion, and for a moment Korin thought Wuzzle was gone. It was until a giant ice black came crashing down with Wuzzle frozen inside that Korin was worried, now he was dis trout. His only way back to his brother, destroyed. Wuzzle said farewell, eager to be done with the machine, and teleported away. Korin was left by the machine wreckage, or so he thought. The smoke finally dies down enough to reveal a portal floating just about the wreckage. The portal shown with bright colors and rainbows. Korin could almost hear... singing... He lept into the magic hole to find his brother. "No! I will not! You already made me deal with one dragon, I am not going after another!" Fluttershy meekly stated in a stern quiet tone. "But Fluttershy, we need you. This is a threat to all of Equestria, and I thought you were over your fear of dragons." Twilight pleaded. Twilight showed up shortly after Applejack, Fayt, and Bishibosh arrived at the dragon corpse. "No...." Fluttershy moaned. The ponies tried to plead with Fluttershy but didn't seem to be making much progress. Bishibosh hatched an Idea. "Flutter, If I may call you that. We havn't been introduced. My name is Bishibosh, but you may call me Bishi for short." Bishibosh said in a friendly voice. Fluttershy looked up at the new pony and backed away, cowering her head into the ground. "It's ok, I am a friend of Twilights and Applejacks. You can trust me." "Fluttershy, this here cowpony (Author snicker here) just took down that big dragon the other day. He saved my orchard, and all the little animals who lived there." Applejack said. At this Fluttershy raised her head, eyes wide. Slowly trotting up to Bishi, she looked him eye to eye. This made Bishi a little shy himself. "Applejack is the most honest pony in Ponyville, if she trusts you, then I trust you." Fluttershy finally managed to speak to Bishi. "Good, now I'm going to help you with your fear of dragons. ok?" Bishi asked. "H- how?" "Like this..." The sand beneath Bishibosh began to mold up his four legs. Sand coming from almost nowhere just climbed on him and formed a shell of sand and stone. Golden gems erupted from the shell, suprising enough to make all three present ponies jump. Twilight was the most intrigued. The shell was finally formed, and only seconds after forming it cracked from the top down. Two golden wings burst from the shell and a gemmed claw rose from the bottom. Slaming down on the ground, the shell was shattered, and in the midst of the sand and dust Bishibosh stood. Wings out regally, the new dragon form then folded its wings and stood before the three ponies. All three ponies stood in absolute awe. Twilight had researched transformation spells but never anything of this scale. The magical prowess of this earth pony was amazing to behold. Applejack just stood before the dragon, jaw dropped to the floor. Fluttershy however stared at Bishibosh, and began to walk towards him. Fearful but knowing she was safe, after all, Applejack trusts him. Just as Fluttershy was close enough to touch the hard rocky scales, something exploded behind them. The sound was familiar to the three ponies but foreign to Bishi and Fayt. "A sonic rainboom..." Said the three ponies in unison. "But that's not Rainbows... It's gold... and... white?" Twilight observed. The trail behind the shockwave went straight into the ground, and the trail above just ended abruptly. As if dropped from nothing. At this Bishi bolted into the air, unaware of his first class passenger. Korin was shot towards the ground at lightning speed. The shock of changing realms almost knocked him senseless but he recovered. Focusing his magic he began to form his holy wings to slow his decent, but the speed was too much. They formed but were left behind him. He felt the air beating harder on his face and his body curved downward, and his body had a sensation it never felt before. He began to flex these new muscles on his back trying to relax them but doing so only sped up his decent. He closed his eyes and focused one more burst of the light from his body. The fall was only getting faster and Korin felt a pressure building on his face, it was as if the sky itself was giving resistance. At this point it was either keep falling and be crushed by this force or chance the divine shield for a landing, but first he had to break this invisible barrier crushing him. Conserving enough energy for the shield, Korin focused what was left into a judgement on the barrier. The golden blade of light thrust from his body and peirced the barrier cruching him, following after the sword shattered and the barrier exploded behind Korin, launching him into the ground. not even seconds to cast the spell he released all the energy he could. He saw trees, and then black... Fluttershy held on as tight as she could as Bishibosh raced to the crash site. Completely unaware of her presence Bishibosh nosedived into the woods. He landed and folded his wings, and the sandstone began to chip and crumble off of his coat, along with a certain blond coat, pink mane, shier than all get out pony. "Flutter! I'm so sorry I didn't even feel you on me back! Oh god... I just made you even more terrified of dragons... Dammit!" Bishi ranted but Fluttershy clumsily walked over to him and fell forward onto Bishi immediately turning both ponies fifty shades of red. "I'm so sorry! that was an accident! but... I'm not scared of... I mean..." Flutter began to trail off. "It's fine Flutter, lets go find out what that crash was..." The two ponies made it to the crater, and it looked just as expected. Smoking, burnt tree's, and looks like half a pack of Timber Wolves. From the smoke came a dark figure, mostly clouded by the smoke. But Bishi recognized him even in a pony form. There was no mistaking the judgement armor of his only brother. Korin Creststrider. > Azerothian Threats. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Seven Korin took his first steps out of the crater, tripping over himself but blaming it on the shock of the fall. He didnt even notice he was on all fours. The divine shield worked perfectly for him, the surrounding forest not so much. As he peered through the smoke he saw two shadows of horses. Stepping further out he noticed that one wasn't a horse but a pegasas, and the other was just staring blankly at him. The strange thing was, it was dressed... in what looked like his brothers shaman vestments. "Korin!" The grounded horse said. Korin stepped back in shock. Never in his life had he ran into a talking horse, he had seen cows, dogs, cats, and pandas talk but never a horse. "Who are you, and how do you know me!" Korin demanded an answer. "You don't recognize me, and I can understand that, but you have to believe me when I say I'm your brother! Bishibosh!" The horse claimed. "My brother is a proud Tauren, not a miniaturized... pony!" "It's this world, it transforms us into this form, look!" The grounded pony cast a healing rain spell. The drops of water filled the crater, and Korin peered into the reflection. He saw nothing wrong. "Take off your helmet!" Korin glared at the grounded horse and then went back to the reflection. Lifted his hands to pull off his helmet and fell forward into the water. This made the pegasas laugh. As He pulled himself out of the water he noticed he had no hands, and in place were hooves. The shock nearly knocked him back into the water. He pulled off his helmet with one hoof and peered back into the water. His eyes widened, his jaw dropped. He looked behind him to see what the other two were doing but his vision was blocked by two wings! Black fur connecting to blood red feathers. "You, who claims to be my brother! Explain!" At this, Bishibosh began the long story of how him and Fayt came to this new land. Korin listened at first with doubt, but as the tale went on he quickly started to believe. This horse, this... pony... was his only brother, the proud tauren he was trying to find and bring home. At this time, two more ponies showed up at the scene with Twilight and Applejack. One with a bright blue coat and a rainbow mane, the other with a silky white coat and a dark blue mane. "Fluttershy, darling. We came as fast as we could! Please tell me your delicate self was unharmed in the commotion." The White one ranted franticly. "It's ok Rarity, I'm safe. These are friends of ours." Fluttershy began softly. "Alright! which one of you ponies are responsible for that display!" The blue one yelled. "Rainbow, calm down please. It's fine" Fluttershy continued. "No Fluttershy, these three need to give us some answers. Like what is going on here! I was just about done with such a pretty dress..." The white one named Rarity pouted. "Listen up everybo... er... pony... I can explain everything." Bishibosh began. "Yeah you better talk fast! I want to know where that rainboom came from NOW!" Said the light blue pony. At this Bishibosh again went over the whole story. Jeeze... you would think their friends would have briefed them. Upon getting to the 'rainboom' all the ponies were listening as only Fluttershy was really there to witness it all. "And this is Korin, my brother from Azeroth." Bishi finished. "Ummm, hello?" Korin stated awkwardly. "Why hello, Korin. Somepony as well... garbed as yourself must be a respectable pony. You may call me Rarity." Rarity proclaimed. "Uh yeah, and you can just call me Applejack." "And I'm Twilight, nice to meet you!" "And... I'm... Fluttershhh..." "That's Fluttershy, she is just a little shy. I'm Rainbow Dash, and I want to have a word with you about your Sonic Rainboom." "My... what?" Korin asked. The group stayed there and went back and forth with new questions for hours until they decided it was time to get back to business, finding this dragon lair. But first Applejack insisted that everyone go back to the farm for break away from the drama, and a bite to eat. None of the ponies objected. On the far end of the Everfree forest there is a tall mountain. From the outside it looks like nothing more than just that. A mountain, but on the inside... Metal spikes curl in a familiar fashion. Skeletal dragon remains lay scattered throughout the caverns. In the deepest part of the caverns lay the core of a faction known as... The Twilight's Hammer.... A familiar gnome paces back and forth across the ground in a pitched tent. Much older than he looked before, Wizzle Bang Tinker Torch was sent to this realm only second before Bishibosh and Fayt but was put in the realm years before that appeared. He has been keeping close watch on Equestria for their coming, and now they were here. Thalion was the first of many twilight dragons hatched in his lair. Being a male he was of no use to Wizzle besides as an attack dog, but now he is dead, but it is of little consequence. Now the first female to hatch has come, and with spells 'borrowed' from this lands books and a trinket that needs stolen from right under that purple ponies nose... The Alicorn Amulet... the broodmother would be of proper age for mating very... very... soon... Upon arriving at the farm, Applejack walks the crowd of ponies to the barn. Before opening the door she gives it a good few knocks. At this the other ponies begin grinning while Bishi, Fayt, and Korin are left confused. Opening the door reveals a dark room that all the ponies save for the three newcomers enter. The they follow in, when suddenly... "SUPRISE!!!!!!!" Shout all the ponies in the room, many that none of our heros have yet to meet. "Like oh my gosh this is great isnt it! I totaly got this hole party planed just for you two.... wait...." Pinkie Pie notices not two but three new faces... "STOP THE PARTY NOW!" Everyone freezes in place as Pinkie has a minor conniption fit. "You.... what is your name..." Pinkie asked as she closed in on Korin. "Uhh... you may call me Korin?" Pinkie rushes to the cake in the middle of the room and pulls out an tube of icing. She quickly doodles on the cake and stops, takes a moment to admire her artwork, then smiles. "Ok, all better. We can keep partying" Bishi walked over to the cake and read... Welcome to ponyville my new best best best best best best best friends Bishibosh and Fayt! and crudly written under that And Korin! For the first time in a long time... Bishibosh shed a tear of joy... Perhaps this world isnt as bad as he thought. The three heros partied with their new friends almost all night long... > Peace and Legends > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Eight The party was over, everypony went on home to sleep and prepare for the trek to discover the dragon roost. With an estimated day's worth of preparation time, everyone was eager to get done so they could enjoy the last day in Ponyville for a while. Twilight went back to her library and pulled out every book she could find on dragons and twilight magic but found none on the latter. Bishi followed to help with her research, Fayt stayed at the farm, no doubt scaring the fillies who hung around. And Korin went with rainbow dash to learn how to fly. Bishi and Twilight arrived at the library. The morning light had just barely peeked out from the horizon and Twilight had a gleam in her eye. As soon as the door opened she rushed inside and started pulling books off the shelf and skimming them for anything worth reading. Bishi grabbed a few himself and started reading as well, at least until the books were pulled from his hoofs to Twilight for her to read. He finally just sat down and watched, until He noticed a book on the desk. 'Magic and the Elements' By Unknown. Not quite unknown though. "Twilight, where did you get this book?" Bishi asked. "Oh, it just showed up one day. I've read through it but..." Twilight began to remember what was in the book, and it was ripped through the air into her eyesite as she burned through the pages. "Ah HAH! Twilight magic! Used by a cult of twisted zealots called The Twilight's Hammer, ushers of the appocalypse? I've never heard of such, surely Celestia would have picked up on such a threat." "Unless they have somehow cloaked themselves from her site. The Twilight's Hammer is a cult from Azeroth. My world. And that book is also from my world, written by one of the, if not THE, most powerful shaman to exist. Go'el, or more known as... Thrall" Bishibosh stated with a cold silence. "They have almost destroyed Azeroth three times now, with the aid of an old god..." At this Twilight was silent, Bishibosh sounded like he was telling a horror story but he spoke with the utmost certainty. She then began writing a letter to Celestia informing her of what they have discovered. Fayt was taking a stealthy walk through the orchard, trying to avoid Applejack and her work habits. Fayt had no business bucking tree's so she put him to work in other ways, like rotten apple disposal... Fayt took a turn through a thicket and discovered a small tree house. He ran inside. There he waited for all of ten minutes before he heard clopping going up the wooden ramp. He was cornered, He knew he didn't have the physical strength to fight off Applejack and her perception and speed were to match with his. He laid down and pretended to take a nap thinking maybe she would be easy on him if she thought he was still tired from the party, but when the door opened it wasn't one big pony, but three smaller ponies. "Hey! who are you and what are you doing in our tree house!" said the short red pegasas. "Yeah! This is priva... privabt... uhhh" said the little white one. "Private property Sweetie Bell, and yeah! what they said!" said the little yellow one. "Shush! or else she will find and KILL me!" Fayt pleaded. "Who? is someone trying to hurt you!? We will protect you!" Said the yellow one again. "Uh Apple, I don't think that's a good idea." Said the red one. "Scootaloo, what if this is how we get our cutie marks!? cant you imagine? The saving a strangers life mark!" Said the one named Apple. "I think it's a great Idea! who are we protecting him from?" Sweetie Bell Asked. "Uhm, her." Fayt pointed out the window to a large shadowed pony. Lighting struck from nowhere and lit up the terrifying face of a pissed off mare. There was nothing on the face of Azeroth that scared Fayt, but in Equestria there was at least one. All three of the fillies all backed up next to Fayt with the same terror, when Apple Bloom got an idea. "Sis, wait don't hurt him. He was up here helping us! We drug him up here because we thought he could help us get our cutie marks! I'm sorry we stole your help..." Apple Bloom said in her most pathetic sounding voice. Both the other fillies chimed in and Fayt just started nodding and smiling. "Well... I guess it's ok, THIS time, You got lucky Fayt. Next time you sneak out on work I'll tan your hide myself." Applejack glared at Fayt and walked away. All three of the fillies then immediately started staring at their flanks. "Do you see anything?" "Nope, not yet. how about you two?" "No..." "Nuh uh..." The three sighed and sat back down with a dejected look on their faces. "Ok, whats the matter with you three?" Fayt asked with his dry grumbly voice. "We were hoping to get our cutie marks, We have been at it for a looooong time..." Apple Bloom responded. "Uh... cutie mark?" "Oh you know, it the mark we get on our flanks showing we found our unique talent!" "Unique talent... so this just appears on your ass when you find out what you're good at eh?" "Hey watch your mouth! We can't have that kind of laung... longu..." Sweetie Pie Began. "Language Sweetie, and yeah! but yeah, it shows up when we find out what we are good at, which is why we saved you!" Scootaloo said. "Huh... so... your talents and traits are based on this... mark?" All three fillies nodded and smiled. "And... you follow it blindly?" Again all three smiled and nodded. "Sounds like a load of shi... crap... to me" "But mister Fayt, it happened to every pony! It's like... fate!" Apple Bloom then began laughing. "I don't believe in any fate but one." Fate stated "Everybody er... pony... has but one thing in life they are fated to do, and as long as you three live, you do everything you can to stay away from that fate. Otherwise you may end up like me..." "Wow... Mister Fayt, that was... so corny!" Scootaloo cracked and All three of the fillies fell down on the ground and laughed. "Wait, Mister Fayt, YOU don't have a cutie mark!" Sweetie Bell pointed out. "Hey you're right Sweetie! He doesn't!" Apple Bloom agreed. "You know what this means?" Scootaloo asked. "Oh boy... what could you three miscreant urchins have in store for me..." Fayt asked sarcastically. "You should join the CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!!!!" All three fillies screamed in unison. Fayt stared at the three fillies in obvious un-amusement, but then he cracked a smile. "Ok, I'll be a crusader. Why the hell not..." "Come on slow poke! What happened to all that speed before!? I want to see that gap closed in ten seconds! Flat!" Rainbow Dash screamed as Korin was trying to follow behind. Rainbow dash agreed to be his personal trainer seeing as how he is a grown stallion and thus not quite fit for the academy. He wasn't doing too bad, but he still had a lot of air to cover, and Rainbow was not about to make it easy on him. "Hey my pet turtle can flay faster than you! Pick. Up. The. Pace!" Korin was flying as fast as he could, even though he volunteered to wear his plate mail in the air he had wish he didn't. The sheer weight of the armor on his now weaker pony body was almost unbearable, but he remembers his sunwalker training. He presses on. Rainbow flew back and slowed down to his pace and started faking weaknesses then flew off laughing. Even though he recognized her superiority in the air, he was not amused by her prodding. "Come on Dash, think. This guy made a sonic rainboom not five seconds coming here. What can I do to goad him into doing it again. I got it!" Rainbow said to herself. She flew onward for a ways and darted down to the ground only to loop back up. Unbeknownst to Korin she had grabbed a few rocks to chuck at him from behind. She threw them and hit dead on the bottom of his wings, temporarily causing him to fall. He couldnt get his wings back to flying, so he just fell. and fell. and fell and fell. until at the very last moment... A flash of light just before hitting the ground, he had protected himself with the divine shield once again. Rainbow flew down angrily. "What was that!? Why didn't you do the sonic rainboom!?" Rainbow complained. "The what? I thought you were teaching me to fly, not do tricks!" Korin protested. This went on for hours until finally Bishi and Twilight caught up. "Rainbow! Hurry!" Twilight yelled. "Twilight?" Rainbow asked as she turned around. Seeing her friend running she bolted towards her. Korin followed but at a slow trot on the ground. "What did you need Twi" "Rainbow! we need your help!" "With?" At this Bishi stepped forward. "We need you to fly around the general area of ponyville and watch for signs of dragons." "Uhhh ok, why me?" "Because, no other pegasi could out fly and out maneuver a dragon." Rainbow glowed with pride. "I'm your girl..." > Have Group, Will Travel. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Nine It was the beginning of the next day. Rainbow Dash returned from her scouting mission with the location of a possible roost but nothing else. The skies were clear, everypony was present, and there were no immediate threats. This news relieved Bishibosh as he made a few final preparations for the trek. After spending the whole night communing with the elemental spirits of this world, he concluded that the twilight's hammer was not enslaving any of them, as of now. That meant that the dragons were the only threat to worry about. Bishibosh had just one more concern. "Twilight, may I have a word with you in private?" Bishi asked. "What do you need? I'm kind of organizing our supplies into daily meals." Twilight responded. "I just need to cover some statistics with you" "That doesn't sound very private" "Well I'de rather speak of them away so that everyone can prepare in peace." "Ooooooo-kay" Twilight followed Bishibosh to the other side of the hill they are preparing on. "Twilight, what exactly is Fluttershy's talent? You suggested we bring her because of the dragons and I trust your judgement. I'm just curious" "Well, it's hard to explain. We took her to a dragon's lair once and she kinda... stared it down." "Stared it down..." "Yeah... Now that I think of it, these dragons are a little more fierce than the last she faced." "Much more fierce if it submitted to a stare down. Perhaps I should go speak with her" Bishibosh went back to the group and approached Fluttershy, who was dawned in an awkward looking suit of pillow armor. "Uh Fluttershy?" Bishi tried to conceal his obvious smirk. "Y-yes?" "May I speak to you in private also?" "Y-y-you want to talk to... me?" "Yes, it's rather important." Fluttershy backed her head into the pillow armor and nodded, and then followed Bishibosh away from the group, only this time Rainbow Dash snuck up behind to listen. "I had a talk with Twilight, and she told me of your last experience with a dragon." Bishibosh started. Fluttershy just watched, almost like she was expecting to be scolded. "It sound's impressive and very brave, many warriors in my world have met their ends trying to stare down a dragon." "H-h-he was really big." Fluttershy whispered. "I bet, but the reason I'm bringing this up is, these dragons are not going to be the same. This is dangerous. Very dangerous." "I will be bra..." "I want you to stay behind where it's safe" "-ve what!? but that if the dragon eats you!" Fluttershy shot out at Bishi pressing her hooves to his chest, the second of her being on him felt like forever to both but then she lept down and blushed. "What if you don't come back?" Bishibosh, still recovering from the shock of Fluttershy almost tackling him struggled with an answer. Rainbow almost lept out at the mention of Fluttershy staying behind but was caught by Rarity, also spying on the conversation. "What gives Rarity!" Rainbow whispered angrily. Rarity just shushed and motioned for Rainbow to watch. Bishibosh was speechless. He just looked at Fluttershy. Closing his eyes and shaking his head, he raises a hoof and places it by her cheek. "I will be fine Fluttershy, but thanks for that." "F-for what?" "The concern. I promise I will be fine, I've handled bigger monsters than dragons." Bishibosh turned around and began making his way to the group. The look in her eyes tore at his heart, he could feel what she felt because he knew the feel as well. Before he made it five feet... "I'm going" Fluttershy whispered as he walked away, but he didn't seem to hear so she said it again. "I'm going." He still didn't pay any attention. "Bishibosh! I said I'm going!" Fluttershy yelled at the top of her lungs. Bishibosh jumped at the shock again, but turned around. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Yes, my friends need me, you need me, and I cannot be scared. I may get hurt but if I stay behind and none of you return then I'll just be alone... So I'm going!" Bishibosh couldn't help but smile. Maybe he was wrong, maybe she has what it takes to bring down a dragon, after all. She did it before. As Bishibosh and Fluttershy made their way back to the group, Rainbow and Rarity rushed ahead so they didn't arouse suspicion. Rainbow wanted to jump out and tackle Bishi for telling Fluttershy to stay but Rarity was right to stay her hoof. Even if he didn't intend it, Bishibosh inspired more courage out of the timid shell of Fluttershy than they could have ever hoped for. The nine ponies left for the roost site, but none of them were sure if they hoped to find it empty or full, one thing they were sure of, they wouldn't be returning until the threat of another dragon was over. The trek lasted almost two days, and finally they stopped at a clearing near the end of the second day. It was a nice spot to set up camp so everypony unloaded their tents and made camp. "How ya holdin up there Rarity?" Applejack asked. "Oh, just fine darling. I'm about to have this place looking much more presentable." Rarity commented as she pulled out a long rubbery looking sheet. Pulling a string on the end made the whole tent fling up into a mansion of tents. "Jeeze, I thought this was camp, not Silvermoon..." Fayt sighed. "Well, you certainly dont expect a lady to sleep in such a primitive looking creation. And whats this 'Silvermoon' you are talking about" Rarity sneered. "It's the capital city of the Sin'dorei, or the blood elves as they are calling themselves. Golden city, very elegant. Runs almost completely on magic." Bishibosh explained. "It's a nice city but us primitive folk prefer the moonlight and stars." "Why it sounds especially Gorgeous! Say, if we find a portal to your land can we go in and visit? I would loooove to see it." Rarity began to ogle the thought. "I don't see why not, that is unless the portal changes you from ponies to an Alliance race." Bishibosh said. "Alliance race?" Twilight asked. "Yes, this must seem foreign to you all, being as this land isn't war torn like ours, but the many races that inhabit my home land are in a constant war against each other." Bishi continued. "That sounds scary..." Fluttershy commented. "It is, it's very scary... The war has been raging for as long as I can remember. It's between two factions. The Alliance which you heard me say, and the Horde..." "And that side were you on?" Rainbow asked. "Korin, Fayt and I were with the Horde. Stood proud over it as well, until recently... Bishibosh spent the night telling all his new friends about his home world and all the battle he had fought in. Everyone was enthralled by his stories, they could not believe that a world could get so bad. At that point Bishi said... "But it wasn't always as bad as I make it sound, there were times temporary alliances were made. I have shed blood with soldiers born of human and of orc, to me they all dye the same... That is why I left the horde, and joined The Earthen Ring, now I fight to defend that war torn land. Well, I did. Now I fight for this peaceful land." "What about when you find out how to get home?" Applejack asked. "I... don't know yet." Bishi replied. "Of course you know brother, you will come back home and celebrate our victory!" Korin rocked his brothers side and cheered himself. "Yeah... maybe" The group called it a night, they had a very long day ahead. > The Mad Whispers > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Ten The sun was not up, but Bishibosh was. He had tried to sleep but something kept him awake, some unnatural vibe that filled the air around him. They had just left the forest filled with all kinds of strange creatures, but they didn't give off this same feeling. It had Bishibosh on edge. He trotted out of his tent and examined the dark landscape, trying to discover the source of this strange feeling. He just barely saw a dim light coming from a bush across the clearing, right between Rarity's and Rainbow's tents. It could have been a fire fly, but something urged him to investigate. Be it known, Bishibosh still had a fear of the dark that came from his childhood, so this event was all the more terrifying for the shaman. He stepped forward and considered lighting the area with a lightning bolt, but didn't want to alert the rest of the camp until he knew it this was a threat. As he moved closer the light got brighter, making it a little easier to move forward more. Finally he made it to the bush, and he knelt down his head to peer into what would be this strange light. Reaching his hoof into the bush, he felt a solid object. It was cold to the touch but when he pulled it out he knew exactly what it was. He found a Twilight ember. Many years ago, Bishibosh was sent to the region of Mount Hyjal. There was conflict with the Twilight's Hammer he was meaning to stomp out. One particular instance he was sent to gather ingredients for a tonic to cure the madness many lives were claimed to. One such ingredient was a twilight ember. A stone cold to the touch but bathed in purple flames, said never to extinguish on their own. These were signs of a twilight encampment. Seeing as how Bishi found this in a bush led him to believe it was hidden for a reason. He wanted to crush the stone but felt the need to keep it. He stowed it in his vestments and went back to his tent. He never got to sleep. Hearing the commotion outside his tent, the shaman crawled out into the light. It hurt his eyes, but he squinted the pain away. Everypony was packing their tents back up and getting ready to head out again. Bishi pulled the string on his tent and it collapsed. Gathering all the sticks and cloth into one bundle, he then strapped it to his back. He thought about telling the others about the ember but kept it to himself. The embers alone were never known to cause harm. "Darling, you look sick. Here, let me take that for you, I have plently of room in my wagon." Rarity offered. "Thank you, but it's fine. I just didn't get a good night's rest." Bishi explained. "Well regardless, I must take it off your back. Lack or rest is a viable excuse after all." Rarity winked. She had been trying to suck up to Bishibosh so that he may teach her some of his magic. He had considered it. "Ok, you convinced me." Bishibosh chuckled. Once everypony was ready they began to move out, Bishibosh drifted in and out of consciousnesses occasionally but stayed on track with the others. Everypony moved as one group with exception of the pegasai who flew ahead to scout. Rainbow and Korin were the ones doing most the scouting. Fluttershy stayed back, keeping an eye on Bishi. She noticed him dosing off and felt like she needed to watch over in case he passed out. The sun rose to the top of the sky when finally Bishibosh fell over. Everypony stopped and rushed over to check on him. Twilight and Rarity felt a strange aura coming off of Bishibosh, in fact they could almost see it! The air was thick with energy, the other ponies seemed un-phased. "Whats wrong with him?" Rainbow asked. "I don't know, he just... collapsed..." Fluttershy commented, shaking in shock. "Well, we can't just leave him here, let's get him on the wagon." Applejack suggested. "Wait! let us try something." Twilight said with Rarity by her side. Both the unicorns began using their magic to try and find the source of the aura they felt. They had no luck until Rarity managed to pull a shining gem from Bishi's vestments. The gem shone like a star but radiated the foul energy that was undoubtedly making the shaman sick, but for some reason Rarity couldn't just get rid of it. The gem called out to her, it seemed to whisper into her ear. Rarity, you don't need these peasants... you could be a queen, just take me and runnnn.... Rarity stood there in a blank trance, enthralled by the gem and it's dark whispers. She drew it closer and raised a hoof to grab onto it but it was ripped from her magic by Twilight. She could hear the whispers as well... Don't you want to impress your teacher? Don't you want to be her equal? or even perhaps... surpass her... As the gem drew closer to Twilight, it was once again in the magic of Rarity. Both unicorns began to mindlessly tug at the gem. This went on for several minutes before the gem was grabbed from the air by Bishibosh, feeling well enough to break both ponies magic hold. He pulled out a box that also whispered, but it's whispers were not captivating but frightening. The silent, sleeping, staring houses in the backwoods always dream. It would be merciful to tear them down. You will all be alone in the end. Beneath the shadow of the darkened spire, there is no light, no mercy, only void, and the chaos within. As Bishibosh held the gem close to the box, the whispers went silent. The aura faded and the two unicorns were left baffled. "What... what happened? And why does my head hurt." Rarity dazed around. "I... I almost..." Twilight knelt down and cowered. "Do not worry you two, the call of an old god is difficult to resist. They promise everything you could possibly want, and the overwhelm your mind with mad whispers." Bishibosh said as he knelt down with Twilight to help her back up. "But I almost gave it, I almost took it..." Twilight cried. "It's all right Twilight, don't worry about it. Very few can say they heard a promise to an old god and lived." "Now wait just a minute, once second those two are frisking you with their magic, the next they are playing tug-o-war with a rock. Now you you are talking all this old god stuff and the rest of us are lost!" Applejack ranted. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful but if this... old god thing can do that to Twilight and Rarity with just a little rock, I want to know what exactly it is!" "It's sounds scary..." Flutttershy added. "You have no idea... Lets get back on the road, I'll fill you all in on the way." Bishibosh stated. Once again they were on the road, and Bishibosh told the stories of Yogg-Saron and C'thun. Two of the most terrifying monsters he had ever dealt with. Everypony was in agreement that they wanted nothing to do with these old gods... > Dragon's Breath > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Eleven There it was. The smoking cavern in the side of a mountain. It reminded each of the ponies of the same dragon lair they had visited a while back, which gave them a sort of confidence in their mission. All they had left to do was climb the mountain, convince the dragons to leave, or if that failed find a way to make them leave, and get back to Ponyville. That was in the minds of the original six ponies. In Bishi's Fayt's and Korins minds was to clear out the cave, destroy any eggs, and find anything that could get them back home. "Ok ponies, I see two ways of scaling this mountain. The pegasai and I can fly to the roost point and carry a passenger with them, that would get everyone save one. It's either that or all the grounded ponies climb while the fliers keep a birds eye view in case of danger." Bishibosh stated. "I say yall go on and fly up, I can climb this here mountain myself." Applejack declared. "Or I could stay behind and set up traps for any dragons that escape." Fayt also suggested. "Wait, I thought we were only dealing with one big dragon, are you saying there might be more in there?" Rarity questioned. "Well, this is a dragon roost you know, that means baby drakes and the such. We will also want to get rid of any eggs lest one be another broodmother." Korin smartly suggested. "Eggs? why would we want to get rid of the eggs?" Twilight asked concerned. "Leaving a hatchery full of eggs alone is a mistake Twilight, they would hatch and likely seek vengeance on their fallen family." Fayt remarked. "The dragons are completely aware while they are in those eggs" "Spike wasn't" Twilight scowled, she detested the idea of destroying eggs. They had every right to live. "He was also from you're world. The dragon that attacked before was definitely of our world, somehow the genetics must differ. But I understand your concern Twilight. I take no joy in ending the young lives inside, but dragons are clever and vindictive. They would certainly rise up against their broods killers." "Killers!? We are going to KILL THEM!?" Twilight began shaking in what seemed to be a confused rage. "We can't kill them! They havn't done anything to deserve it!" Fayt was about to mention the dragon attack on the farm but kept his mouth shut. He wanted to see Bishi dig his way out of this one. "Twilight, you saw how deadly the last dragon was. These things are not the dragons of Equestria, they are mean from the egg, and hostile from their blood. Any other kind of dragon I would suggest otherwise but these are Twilight Dragons! Corrupted from the shell and raised to hate! Unstable, unpredictable, and non-negotiable. The pain the dragonling must have felt in the egg as the Twilight magic fused with it's futile self must have been unbearable. Listen to me when I saw this Twilight, all of you, Death is a mercy for these things." Bishibosh finished his speech and all the ponies save for Twilight had changed their faces. Instead of anger, now was confusion and sorrow, but Twilight remained unconvinced. Still scowling at Bishibosh for even suggesting death. "Twilight, listen." "No, you listen. We are ponies, not some band of merry adventurers who slay dragons at will. We carry magic wing and hoof in the place of sword and shield, and in place of war we have diplomacy. Those dragons must listen to reason! Come on everypony!" Twilight stormed up the mountain path. All the other ponies looked between her and Bishi, and one by one followed their Friend. Eventually it was only Bishi, Fayt, and Korin. "I admire her heart but naivety will get her killed." Bishi sighed. "I say let em go and figure it out themselves. After the first breath they will be back down in an instant." Fayt chuckled. "No, we need to get up their before them!" Korin exclaimed. "Oh you three arn't going anywhere..." Said a familiar voice to the shaman and rogue. The ponies made it to the dragon roost, Twilight was still steamed about Bishibosh's suggestion to kill them all. Never had she needed to kill anything save for Timberwolves, and they just got back up anyways. As they neared the roost, a small voice made a suggestion. "Maybe we should wait on them to join us? Just in case..." Fluttershy muttered. "Yes darling, I know they didn't give us the best option but his words did have a ring of truth about them." Rarity confirmed. "No no no no NO! We can't just kill the unborn because they MIGHT be a threat, It's inhumane!" Twilight defended herself. " We do this the right way, with diplomacy and kindness." "Sugar, I agree with you. It's not right to just kill em, but it's them bigger one's that got me worried" Applejack said as she moved towards Rarity. "Ugh... Fine! We will wait five minutes, if they are not here by then I say we move on with my plan." Twilight groaned... The six ponies waited and finally the five minutes were up. Twilight looked up at her friends and the still looked concerned. "Ok, times up... lets do th..." Before the finished her sentence a dragon roared from inside the cave, the piercing roar stabbed into all six ponies like a dagger, felling their resolve and whatever bravery they had mustered to come up here, bu it was what came out of the cave afterwards that scared them the most. The beast looked reptillian, standing on it's two hind legs and raising up to a height none of the ponies could guess, the purple glowing creature glared down at the six ponies. It's chest was clad in armor, a tri-horned helmet rested on it's giant head. One of the brutes massive arms held a sword that was bladed front and back. Twilight inched forward. "Ex-ex-excuse me s-s-sir, but y-you see, we a-are..." Twilight coughed and sucked in a big breath of air. " We are from ponyville and one of your dragons had found it's way to our little home. Unfortunately it was killed as it crashed into a farm on our lands. So I just wanted to ask you to move you're home so that maybe this wouldn't... happen... again?" At this the dragon was visibly irate, and it roared again and raised it's blade to cut down the purple pony who sat before it. Twilight barely had time to let out an "Eep!" as Rainbow Dash flew in to snag her out of the way of the giant drakonid. All six ponies then ran back down the mountain side, turning back to see the drakonid return to his lair, but something worse pulled it's head out of the crevice. The sheer size of the dragon's head was at least five times the one who attacked Ponyville. Twilight wanted to freeze up in fear but as she slowed her friends knocked her in the head and snapped her back to reality. The dragon drew in a breath and flooded the mountainside with twilight flame. Bishibosh's trio had heard the roar and immediately began to worry for their pony friends, but Wizzle's arcane prison had them locked tight, and as long as the gnome channeled the spell they were helpless. This magic was new to them, they had seen similar spells used by the kirin tor but on larger scales. The mana Wizzle mustave been expending to keep the prison up would be taxing on the little gnome body. This triggered in Bishi's head as a red flag... He was still a gnome! "Wizzle, I recognize you. The gnome we through into that strange device that teleported us here. You look much older than I remember." Bishi mentioned. "Ah yes, the Cow and the Corpse that killed my envoy from the alliance and ruined my plans to neutralize Thunder Bluff. I remember you, and I see this land's magic affected you as well!" The gnome couldn't help but start laughing. Bishi noticed the prison fade for a split second. He had his way out. "Yes, the portal turned both me and Fayt into ponies. Even my brother here was changed when he approached the machine. That doesn't answer why you look so old. And why you are still a gnome." "Ah yes, well you see, My theory is that since I was pushed into the portal first, I was sent back much farther in time that you two would have. As for me retaining my form, I noticed objects that have mechanical properties were also unphased. I then thought that my history with the mechano gnomes and being turned into one left me with an immunity to the shapeshifting magic of this land." Wizzle proceeded to explain, Bishi knew gnomes loved to explain science and theories. If he could get the gnome distracted enough maybe he would lose focus on the prison. "So you mean that because we pushed you in first, you were thrown back in time along with to a new world?" "Well, not technically to a new world. I would suggest this is an alternate reality. See, our world was set in a galaxy that had massive doors connecting different doors together, such as Azeroth to Draenor, or rather Outlands. This world has no such doors, and is mostly ran on magic rather than logic. Even the night cycle is controlled by two physical beings using magic." "I see, and because you were transformed into a mechagnome that made you immune to the magic of this land." "Well not quite, you see I have taken a blast or two from those blasted pony guards. I tried to get into the main city but was blocked at everypoint, and when I tried to polymorph them they just shrugged it off and blasted at me." Bishi again saw the prison barrier fade but the gnome didn't even notice. "So what was the plan to neutralize Thunder Bluff?" Bishi asked again. Wizzle took offense. "You think I would tell you!? I don't think so. As long as you stay here and I escape I can just retry until it works!" "But you were discovered almost immediately as you entered Mulgore." The gnome was fuming. "It was all that damn humans fault! He wanted to charge in and slay the mighty Tauren but I wanted to play it safe and sneak by the goblin mining operation but nooooo he had to go running into the first village he saw and..." The gnome began ranting and raving about this human. Bishi remembered him, and how he almost got an explosive wrench thrown at him. Fayt remembered him too and was disgusted, The man was relieving himself when Fayt killed him and the bastard pissed down Fayt's leg. The shaman noticed the barried fading into almost nothing. Gnomes were smart, but were gullible as anything. as soon as the gnome's raving made him pace around Bishi blasted the prison with a lava burst that also hit the gnome in the back, knocking him unconscious. Bishi this turned into his dragon form as Fayt hopped into his back. Korin was already flying up the mountain side. A giant dragon was bathing the mountain in flames. The six ponies were hiding behind a rock protruding out of the mountain surface. None of them sure what to do. The heat alone was roasting them behind the rock and Twilight wondered how long until the rock just burst into magma and cooked them alive. She kept the nasty thought in her head. She just wanted this day to end... > Victory Comes with a Cost > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Twelve Bishibosh sat on the edge of Ponyville, the border of town and field. The night sky was lit by the stars and a full moon, as if to give him light in this dark time. His face was soaked in tears, but his gaze was stern and proud. The celebrations in town called for him but he felt no reason to celebrate. The battle on the dragon's roost had a great cost, and everyone knew how much it wayed on the ponies mind. A soft presence made itself known by a crack of a twig, a slight squeek, and then a sigh. Bishibosh knew who it was already, but he was lost in the past... not but a few hours ago was one of his most trusted ally's taken from this world... "I told you we should'a waited!" Screamed Applejack as the flames continued to cook the six ponies. "Now look at the mess we're in!" "I know! I'm sorry!" Twilight shouted back visibly torn. Her friends were stuck in this mess with her and if she didn't figure something out soon then they would all be cooked under this heat. Fluttershy was cowering on the ground soaked in tears, Rainbow was right beside her angrily staring down the mountain path looking for a break in the flames. Rarity was also screaming in terror. Even Pinkie Pie respected the danger that they could all be fried in an instant. The six ponies stayed there, mainly without choice. The dragon's breath was unlimited it seemed, for there was no stop to it. Twilight knelt her head down and covered it with her hooves, praying that somehow, somepony would save them. If they were to perish here, the thought flooded her mind and she too began to sob. All the faces of her friends, present and not flashed through her head. All of her six friends here, Celestia, and Spike... Spike would be all alone... She wanted to change her thoughts but with death just overhead it was hard. finally she looked up and saw sheer terror. The rock that had protected them for this long was cracking and melting beneath the heat. Red ooze came pouring down from the overhanging edge. How long would it be before it finally gave in, and as if the rock itself heard, it shattered under the flames. Twilight closed her eyes... Death wasn't so painful, she thought, her eyes still closed. She felt a warmth surround her, a protective shield of some kind. It lulled her to sleep, tempted her to go into that long endless dream, but she refused. opening her eyes she saw the mountain again, still bathed in the purple-blue fire of the dragon above, but the rock was gone. Shattered or incinerated by the heat. So what was keeping the flames from burning them alive? She looked up to see a golden figure with a White Gold shield warding off the flames. This being was so regal, rivaling even the princesses in magnificence. The flames didn't make impact on his shield, they danced around it. What was this strange magic that protected the regal knight? not long after did the flames depart completely, and Twilight saw what she wished not to see. Bishibosh was knelt down beside the smoking pony that was his brother. His bright red armor now black as charcoal. A soft panting came from inside the mask. Bishibosh pulled the mask off of the black shell of armor, to reveal the dark coat that was his brothers face. Eyes barely open, and his mouth softly panting. Korin raised up a burnt hoof to his brother. "Bro...ther... They... are... safe..." Korin struggled as he breathed. Bishibosh struggled to keep himself from falling apart at his brothers struggling. "Hush Korin, brother. Save your strength. We will get you back... back..." The shaman trailed off as he saw a scroll half burned in his brother's open prayer book. "Divine Intervention... brother..." Bishibosh's eyes filled with tears and he pushed his head against his brother's. "Do... not... blame your" Korin was inturupted by a cough of blood spurting onto his brother's now close face, his brother was too tormented to notice "self... These po... po... ponies... they are pure... I had... to... pro....tect..." At this Korin's eyes rolled back. The Divine Intervention spell complete. He sacrificed his own life to shield the ponies from certain death. The act was honorable, but Bishibosh wouldn't see... He couldn't see... His own brother... now gone... The dragon raised it's head and released what could be confirmed as a sick laughter. She drew in her breath once again to finish the group of ponies invading her lair. She drew in and released and the fire raged down the mountain side towards the mourning shaman. The shaman stood up and slowly turned to the oncoming inferno. Twilight noticed the sky darkening for a storm, but hadn't noticed any other pegasai in the air. No, this storm was something else completely. Lightning crashed down near the shaman, time seemed to slow down to a stand still. The scorched rock turned itself over into fresh brown and grey stones. They raised infront of the shaman and piled and piled into a mountain of themselves. They inferno made contact with the stones but instead of rushing around as water would a boulder, the flame was consumed into the earth. Reclaimed by the burning core. The dragon noticed and stopped it's burning carpet of flames. When the last of the flames were consumed by the stones, they rose in the air, red with energy. They then coalesced with the shamans body. The storm over head grew more violent. Lighting struck and rain poured, putting out the flames remaining. The stone form rose, and in a way that Twilight had never imagined, formed a bipedal creation of molten life. This creation released an emotion Twilight recognized. Rage... The elemental monstrosity seemed to levitate as it extended it;s rock like arms, but before he made it's next move a mudslide poured down the side of the mountain, rain water and debris filled the mud that picked up the six ponies and rushed them to the surface. All unharmed, except Rarity who was frozen in shock as her entire mane was covered in mud. The stone like hands reached for the ground, the dragon was extending outside of the cave and had itself halfway out of the exit. Bishibosh knew now was the chance. Inside the stone ascendant he screamed for justice of his brother and he forced all of his rage imbued energy into one burst of power into the mountain. A single earthen spike ripped into the dragons soft underbelly, spilling the rotted entrails over the ground. The dragon screeched in agony but still continued to pull from the cave, splitting itself apart. Before the dragon could spill itself over the edge of the mountain the energry Bishibosh released convulged in the core of the mountain. The entire formation of rock collapsed inward, sucking the dragon back into the cave, and crushing the life out of it, but Bishi didn't stop there. He continued to release energy into the mountain, imploding it, crushing all life inside. Drakonid, egg, drake, all... The Twilight Flight was no more in Equestria, and Bishibosh wanted them to feel the wrath of the earth. Shedding his shell of earth and magma, he stumbled his exhausted body to his brother's still laying corpse, protected from the convulsion of stone by a barrier of rock formed in the process. He knelt down and squeezed himself under his brother's body, and carried him on his back. He walked the entire way back to Ponyville, the seven other ponies following silently. Fluttershy approached Bishibosh and sat down beside him, he had just lost a friend. No he just lost a brother, The Element of Kindness sat there silently before she finally worked enough courage to unfold one of her wings and wrap it around the shaman's back. Bishibosh broke down into tears at this, turning towards Fluttershy he fell into her chest and wept liken to a child weeping unto his mother. Fluttershy was shocked but raised a hoof to pat the shaman on the back. Silently she whispered "There there, just get it all out". Bishibosh sat there and wept for hours on end before he finally fell asleep in the arms of the kindest heart he had ever felt. > From Death, Life > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Thirteen A light sprinkle of dew fell from an overhanging tree branch. It fell from a single leaf that floated down after it. The drop of dew landed square on Bishibosh's nose, as he snuffled and attempted to turn the leaf also floated down onto his nose, closing the gaps of air. He lay there for a second longer before leaning up to remove the leaf so he could breath. Groaning he looked down at the yellow coat and pink mane of Fluttershy who sat there asleep with him in her hooves. He remembere breaking down infront of her but he had no idea he actually passed out. Unfolding out of the mares tight grip he lay her down on the soft grass. She had sat there all night just to comfort him in his loss. He leaned in close to her face and whispered softly into her ear. "Thank you" Walking down the path towards the site he left his brother, thoughts ran across his mind. He remembered raising his brother after the Grimtotem infiltrated Bloodhoof Village and murdered their mother. He remembered the funeral, how she was place on a bed of sticks and stone. The fire that consumed her and left nothing but ash's on the stone bed, and finally the tree that still stands today, marking where her ashes were put back into the earth to create new life. The druids believed in death, no matter the cause, there would follow life. It is the idea of the green dragonflight. This is how his brother would be sent off, in his death he would give new life. He found the stone alter he put up shortly upon returning to the village, and Applejack made sure to bring the wood he had asked for. The wood was wet, freshly cut. A reminder that death is unexpected, and a lesson to be prepared. Applejack was smart though, she laid the wood out in the sun to let it dry. Larger logs were already split were as the smaller twigs and branches which the bed would be made from were laid out individually in the clearing. He was about to dig the trench to contain the fire when Applejack showed up with a cart full of straw. "You can't really get wet wood burning without some dry kindlin stuff you know." She said trying to lighten the mood. She shook off the reigns of the cart and walked over to Bishibosh and patted him on the back. "He died a hero ya know. Nobody could ask for a better way to go than defendin yer friends." "I know... Apple, do you want to know something about his death that really shook me?" Bishibosh asked. "You don't have to dwell on it for my sake, but if it makes you feel better I can sit through it." "At first I thought he just ran in the way of the fire, tried to take it with his protection spells. But when I saw him laying there, he was clutching this..." Bishi pulled out the burnt scroll. "What is it? "It's a page in the paladins prayer book. Divine Intervention." Applejac just stared at the half burnt scroll, unable to understand it's strange words. "Divine Intervention is when the paladin creates a shield, indestructible by any means. But it costs him his own life force." "Oh... he meant to... I'm so sorry" "Don't be Apple, he found something he was willing to give his life for. I don't understand what he meant when he told me but it's not important." Applejack sat silently and absorbed it all in. She thought what Bishibosh thought at first, Korin flew in and tried to survive the blow but it was too much for him, but the scroll means he planed to give his life from the very beginning... She never liked people making sacrifices for her, especially not like this. "Do... do ya need any help with that?" She asked. "No... actually... I wouldn't mind the distraction of company." Applejack and Bishibosh spent the day working with the alter and the wood preparing it for tonight. They talked farm life and livestock and even family tied. Bishibosh amazed Applejack with his knowledge of the land, he had lived off of it from his youth, where as Applejack even showed him a few new tricks. Across town in Raritys boutique she was slaving over making funeral attire. Keeping her mind distracted by adding different designs to match each wearer, but in the end just left them to traditional black. She didn't make one for Bishibosh as he refused to wear anything but his own armor to the event. His hopes of his brother recognizing him as he left the world. Twilight notified Celestia and Luna to the event's and with the shamans permission invited them to attend. Both decided to make time to make an appearing. As for everyone else, they just went on with their normal day to day duties awaiting the time... It was an hour till nightfall, and Fluttershy still lay there thinking about the night before.Just hours after witnessing him level an entire mountain in a fit of rage, the shaman was then bawling like a child in her chest. Emotion is a powerful thing she thought, yet even in the brink of rage he had control enough to protect her and her friends from the destruction. Still she felt a certain warmth in helping him, and when he just fell into her and cried, it was almost as if he truely needed her, but she put such thoughts aside. It was an emotional response for sure. But she still treasured the thought. Nightfall had come, Luna guided the moon across the sky and everypony who wished to see the hero off from this world gathered in the clearing. Even Celestia herself showed, concealing her shining brilliance in a veil fitting the occasion. Soon after the nightfall was complete Luna hovered down next to her sister. Everypony was silent in their black veils and gowns. The only light was held by Bishibosh as a torch to lite the pyre. Fayt kept his distance, he knew death well but his tears were already shed for those long gone. One by one each pony approached the alter and thanked the young Pegasus for his bravery. Rainbow Dash even placed a badge she kept from her academy days and gently thanked him, offering a few words for the deceased. "You passed, now go show you're ancestors who a pegasus pony flies..." Twilight was next, she knelt her head before the alter, then turned towards Bishi. Jumping up on her rear legs she hugged him and gave a short pout. Bishibosh patted her back with his free hoof, then she pulled off and went on her way to find a spot to sit. Applejack showed up next. "I di'nt know him that well, but he made the biggest sacrifice you can make, that makes him ok with me" She stated hugging Bishibosh as well, then she made her way next to Twilight. Pinkie Pie was shooting streams of tears from her eyes as she approached Bishibosh, he had to carefully avoid the water jets cries so as to keep the torch ignited. She was followed by Rarity who showed up in a mildly glorified black vestment. She made her way up to Bishibosh and also hugged him. "Anytime you need to talk dear,My home is your home" The Element of Generosity offered. Fluttershy meekly followed next and blushed as she hoped up to hug Bishibosh, but before she could hop down he wrapped his hooves around her and tightly hugged back. "Thank you Flutter, you have been so kind to me in my time here, especially with the loss of Korin. I could not ask for a better friend." Fluttershy turned six shades of re and this and smiled, meekly responding with a soft "You're welcome... my lo..." She trailed off. After ten minutes of other ponies from town offering their condolences, the two princesses ended the line. Celestia first placed her hoof on Bishibosh's shoulder. "Be strong in this time of pain, I believe it was said some time ago that in weakness you may find strength." "Thank you Princess" Luna simply nodded at Bishibosh, and softly stated "I am indeed sorrowful at your loss. May your ancestors watch over him in the after." Everypony was seated and awaiting the end of the ceremony. Bishibosh stood on a pedestal within range of the pyre. Before he lit the pyre, he gazed on the crowed. There in front of everypony were Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Apple, and Pinkie. Directly behind them were the citizens of Ponyville who wanted to honor Korin's death. Behind them yet were Celestia and Luna, side by side. And yet behind them, the stars and the moon shown in a magnificence greater than the princesses before them. It was as though his ancient ancestors traveled to think unknown world to honor the death of their distant son. "Friends, both new and old. Tonight, under the silent moon and stars, our ancestors watch down upon us. To my people it is they that we honor, for they guide us every step of our lives. Tonight the ancestors accept another soul in their midst, the vigilant gaze of a holy warrior known as a sunwalker. Korin Creststrider, I release your spirit into the earth mothers warm embrace. Watch over us in our trials to come. Friend, Ally, Brother..." Bishibosh fell silent as we knelt down, dipping the torch into the sun dried hay at the base of the alter. The villagers and him watched as Korin's body was burned to ash. Most the village left before the alter was completly burned. The only ones who remained were the princess Luna, the six elements of harmony, and Bishibosh himself. He pulled out an urn he had laying to the side and scooped up the ashes that remain. Trotting over to a pile of soil Applejack and he had prepared, he then dug a hole. Reaching into his vestments he pulled out an acorn. Placing it in the hole, he then sprinkled the ashes over top, then through the rest to the wind. Then he covered the hole with the seed, which had already began to sprout. By this time the remaining ponies approached and noticed his ritual. "If I may ask shaman, what is the purpose of the seed?" Luna inquired. "The ashes hold the remaining life force of the deceased. The energy is dormant and useless. We bury a sprinkle of ashes in the ground with a seed so that the energy may then give life to the seed." Bishibosh answered. At this time the sprout had already grown to the size of a small bush. "This is the way our people believe. In our death, life continues." "A beautiful Sentiment..." Luna marveled > Across the Universe, Dark Deceptions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Fourteen Wizzle awoke but he was surrounded by darkness. It was a strange darkness, one that seemed to pierce his very soul. He floated there in the space of this realm, thinking he had died. That he had gone to the underworld, after all he did betray his own people for the power of the old gods. He closed his eyes and tried to pinch himself awake, but as the pinch connected... Creature of the world above, you have failed in the path I have laid out for you Wizzle shot his eyes open and was face to face with... nothing... We have been patient with you gnome, allowing for our blood to be shed for your sake The little gnome tossed and turned trying to find the source of these voices. BUT OUR PATIENCE IS RUNNING THIN VILE CREATION, YOU WOULD BE WISE TO HEED THIS ADVICE A third voice rang in his ears almost deafening him. "Wha-What would you have me to do... Dark ones?" Be gentle brother, we do not wish to scare the young thing. He has simple tread off the path Unfortunately for the creature, I agree with brother. His rage is not misplaced He just need's a gentle push in the right direction "Dark masters! What may I do to reclaim my worth to you!?" TRAVEL TO THE CITY OF BLOOD AND IRON, LEAD THE BOISTEROUS FOOL INTO WAR! Yes, and also go to the city of royal stone, and trick the arrogant king into our hands But more importantly than that... take my power... of persuasion... Wizzle felt a surging power inside of him, the power felt good, invading but...pleasurable... the love of his gods... FAIL US AND YOU WILL BE RIPPED FROM YOUR MORTAL SHELL AND BANISHED TO THE SUNKEN CITY OF LIES! The power overwhelming him, hurting him, ripping at his very core. And always remember... we. are. watching..... The darkness spiraled away from sight, but the voices rang in his head but the last thing he heard scared him more than anything had before. Watching..... > Peace for a Time > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Fifteen It had been weeks since the funeral and Bishibosh was still shook at the experience, but the more he walked the streets of Ponyville the more at peace he became with his brothers sacrifice. Two foals were playing in the streets followed by who Bishi assumed were their parents. He gently smiled at the young ponies fun and went on his way. Fluttershy had stopped by the orchard to ask his assistance with her animals. Over time Bishi began to feel close to her and her pets, and she began to feel the same. It was only an hour ago that they finally cleared the damage from the first dragon attack and tomorrow Applejack had plans to replant new trees. Bishi and Fayt were to take care of them, mostly because Bishi still felt bad for the destruction. Fayt was still disgruntled about work. As the shaman made his way to Flutters cottage, he picked up the smell of something he remembered but couldn't quite put his nose on it. Trotting his way to the door he raise a hoof to knock. He heard a soft voice. "Come on in, the door is unlocked" the voice sounded a little shaky. Taking the invitation, Bishi then opened the door and trotted on in. There sitting at the table with Fluttershy were a great many animals all gathered around a big pot of some vegetable soup Bishi's favorite, and joining them was a tall strange creature he hadn't recognized. It was tall, with a slithering type body. Every appendage was from a different animal, and Bishi was frankly impressed. "Wow Flutter, I thought the creatures I've seen thus far were interesting but this one takes the cake." At this the tall creature stood from the table and grinned. "Yes, I do find myself rather interesting if I do say so myself." The creature shrewdly pointed out. "Oh! My apologies. I had assumed you to be a simple beast" Bishibosh apologized. "Oh no! I must be the one to apologize, see I came here simply to spend some time with my dear friend Fluttershy. I wasn't planed, Imagine that. But alas, I do believe I hear the princess calling for me, so I must bid you two a due." The... whatever Bishi was to call it stated. "Oh, and between you and me" It said as it huddled close to Bishibosh. "She is a real keeper" At this the creature vanished. "Uhhmmm... who or what was that?" "Oh that's Discord, he is a friend of mine. He represents the lack of harmony in Equestria and used to be evil. He is reformed now so..." "Ok, ok... I get it" Bishi smiled. He noted before Fluttershy's tendency to ramble when he was around. "So what did you nee my help with?" Fluttershy's eyes got really big "Oh my gosh! with Discord coming I completely forgot! Follow me!" She softly (yelled?) as she ran to the door. Bishi followed her out. He had noticed the pet pen outside her home but took nothing of it, until she stepped in and beckoned him to follow again. "Ok, so what is it? is one of your animals hurt?" "Oh no, nothing like that. I just felt bad, we all have a pet but I havn't seen you with one yet." Bishi smiled again, something about her just made him think of happier things. He reached in his bag and pulled out a peace of coal. "I have a pet, but she is real timid" Bishibosh placed the lump of coal on the ground and with a flick of his fingers the coal ignited. Within the flames came what looked like a little kitten, fur replaced by fire and with a cute little helmet sitting on top of his head. "This is Sparky, in my world she is known as a Cinder Kitten." Fluttershy looked as though she was bursting with joy when she saw the adorable little frame of the kitten. She just about reached her paw to pet it but Bishi stopped her, and put a glove on her hoof. The glove had three slots to fill but it still fit snug on her hoof. "That is to keep her from burning you. Just ignore the finger slots. In my world I had a few of them." She barely heard him as she bowed down to the kitten's level. Both her and the kitty were too shy to make the first move, but once again Bishi pushed. Grabing her hoof with his, he pulled it over to Sparky and gently set it on the kittens head. Fluttershy gasped at the warmth and as she began to pet the fire kitten, Sparky began to purr. Fluttershy was sqeeing softly in excitement. "See, you both made a new friend!" Bishi added with his best attempt at excitement. "So your name is Sparky. I am Fluttershy, it is very nice to meet you" She spoke to the kitten, then rose her head to Bishi. "These are native to you're land?" "Technically no, Sparky was rescued from The Firelands. The plane of fire. I found her sitting there pouting so I adopted her so to speak." "Wow... She is beautiful" "Yes... She really is" Bishibosh muttered to himself as he stared at the mare playing with her new friend. Fayt was sitting in the Cutie Mark Crusaders club house as they were coming up with ideas on how to earn their cutie marks. He had been in here for every meeting they had and when Applejack allowed it, he even went out and played with them. However he avoided them when they mentioned medical cutie marks. The last time they went down that field his exposed bones were knitted together with polka dotted cloth sample provided by Rarity, who giggled at the site of the multi colored pony before giving the girls cloth patterns that matched his fur. Even though he was attached to the mangled look, Rarity convinced him that it was not appropriate in front of her little sister. Now the three fillies had plans to sneak into Twilight's Library to spook her. Fayt enjoyed this idea very much. At first he was skeptical about these fillies, but in time they really managed to grow on him. He always had a soft spot in his still heart for animals and in his mind these three fillies were three adorable woodland creatures that he frolicked through the Tirisfall woods as a child with (Oops, promise me you wont tell him I said that). Applejack had noticed how much fun her little sister was having with him and decided to herself to let him be a sort of babysitter, rather than steal him away from them. "Alright Crusaders, tonight's mission entails the infiltration of Twilight Sparkles library." Scootaloo began with a strong military accent. She pulled a switch from under her arm and used it as a pointer to slap random marks on a poster hung on the wall with Twilight's home crudely drawn on it. "We will need speed, stealth, subterfuge, deftness, dexterity, flexibility, adaptation, perception..." "We get it!" Applebloom shouted. "Right, anyways luckily for us we have a professional among us today!" Scootaloo stated pointing her switch at Fayt. "Fayt here is a veteran of over six hundred thousand missions of stealth!" "Well, that is a good number. But still an understatement" Fayt laughed. "He will lead the mission tonight! Would you like to take the stand honored crusader?" "Of course, honored crusader" Fayt picked himself up and trotted to the 'stand' wherein Scootaloo handed him her switch. Fayt began to teach the three fillies the fundamentals of stealth operations. They sat and listened the entire time not taking an eye off Fayt as he stood there and taught. Occasionally he even started swatting the poster randomly as well to add effect, and the fillies loved it. As he was in that tree house, Fayt felt a warmth in his chest he hadn't felt since before his death. It was enough to draw a small tear to his eye, which he quickly dried to keep up his appearance to his young students. In the back of his mend he thought. Twilight, you are in for a scare tonight. The day was late, and the sun was setting. Yet there was Bishi still enjoying his time with Fluttershy and her animals. Sparky was also having fun with some of the animals but being careful not to burn them. Sparky was amazing the other animals by shooting little fireballs from her mouth and doing fireworks shows. Bishi and Flutter watched and laughed. The fun lasted for an hour when the sun was red and the moon was peaking above land. The two ponies gathered up the animals and put them to rest, and when all of them were sleeping soundly Bishi bid Flutter good bye. Before he reached the door though she stopped him. "Bishi, wait please..." Bishibosh stopped at the door and turned around to see Flutter approaching him, her cheeks glowing red. "What is it Flutter?" "Well... I had alot of fun today, It's not often I actualy have somepony else here just to play with the animals." "I enjoyed it" "Yes, but now you have to go back to the orchard. Do you... want to do this again?" Bishibosh smiled at the thought. "Yes, I think I would really enjoy that. But Fluttershy..." Now it was the shamans turn to turn red. "Maybe next time we could spend more time.... with eachother?" "Wha-What do you me -EEP-" Bishibosh couldn't help himself, he pressed himself against her soft lips. He had expected this to go very wrong, thought she would back away and cower, maybe she would get angry, but she just stayed there and closed her eyes. He placed a hoof by her cheek and held her there for a moment longer before releasing off of the kiss. "I mean more of... that" Bishibosh smiled, still visibly red. "Yes... I would very much like that." > New Enemies, New Prospects > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Sixteen Bishibosh stood on the edge of his birth home. A small hut on the Elder Rise, just beside Thunder Bluff. He had come to this very spot to watch the peaceful plains of Mulgore. The lynxes and the wolves and the mighty kodo all shared the land in peace, not to say it wasn't violent. A pack of wolves stalking a kodo calf or taking advantage of the elderly bulls was a fearsome sight indeed, but such was nature. Bishibosh was joined by his love who stood by him and gazed over the land, but the skies darkened with ominous shadows pouring down as rain. Mist and fog rose from the grounds beneath him, as they thinkened they blotted out his surroudings. His love was gone, his home was gone, everything was gone except him. The mists and fog and shadows coalesced into a single entity before the shaman. As the shadows coiled up into legs and arms as if they were vines on a tree, one deathly eye rose from the shadowy stalk. Then came the whispers. The war you escaped is following shaman... the whispers hissed in Bishi's mind. He attempted to speak but was choked by the darkness. Just as they were stripped here, so shall everything you love be erased from your life Bishibosh was still struggling to breath but the more he struggled, the tighter the darkness strangled. I serve as an offer of mercy to your ungrateful kind. You have rejected the masters and now they come for you Bishibosh began to black out as the final whisper penetrated his mind. Run... and maybe the masters will spare them... maybe... they will spare... her... Bishibosh shot out of his slumber with a shout of terror. Taking a quick glance of his surroundings, he noticed the couch he was on, the warm house he was in. Her house, Flutter's home. As if she was beckoned, Fluttershy came hovering down the stairwell, her face showing signs of worry. "Are... are you ok?" She asked softly. "Y-you were having a nightmare... I tried to help but when I got close you began to choke, I was really scared..." Bishibosh felt sick to his stomach. Even though he had no control over the vision, he felt terrible for scaring Fluttershy. They had been together for almost a week and everypony had noticed. Probably her giddiness outside, more so than usual. Now she was standing there, with a look of fear in her eyes, which were red, obviously from tears of worry. "I... I am fine love, it was just a bad dream" Bishibosh assured her, "And don't ask, it had nothing to do with last night." Bishibosh winked, attempting to calm the distressed pegasus. "O-ok, well Twilight and Rarity stopped by looking for you, before the nightmares I mean. Twilight wanted us to meet them at her library" Flutter sounded better but still shaking. Bishibosh trotted up and put his fore-arms around her in a hug. "Lets go Flutter, it will be alright." The two of them walked together outside to go meet with the two unicorns. Bishi couldn't help but wonder why they both needed him. It wasn't unusual for either one to call on him but both at once, he was just glad the nightmare was over, but it wouldn't leave him. He even thought it to be a vision. Twilight and Rarity paced the library waiting anxiously for Bishibosh to arrive. Both were excited but for two different reasons, despite how well said reasons coincide. Rarity was especially nervous, for the longest time she had asking Bishi for favors to use his water spells to inspire her. He was more than willing but, alas, he was not always available. Twilight had been waiting for the opportunity to present itself that she may observe him using his spells in greater detail. Finally the door knocked and both unicorns raced to the door in excitement. They both made it and struggled to get the door open as they both were in the way. Rarity quickly gave up and allowed Twilight the privilege. Fluttershy stood at the door by herself. "Fluttershy? where is Bishibosh, didn't he stay with you last night?" Twilight asked. "Yes dear" Rarity huddled her into her forearm and closed her mouth to her ear. "You must spill the details." "Oh no Rarity, it was nothing like that. We just cuddled for a while until Sparky poped out. I got really scared trying not to touch her but she was really big and I didn't want to get hurt! So he was kind enough to take her downstairs and put her back to sleep. Once she gets that fiery though it can take a while to get her calmed down" Fluttershy meekly explained, leaving the two unicorns with their jaws dropped. Then the cinder kitten poked out from around Flutters leg and let out a cute 'meow!' "Oh, there she is now! Who's a cute kitty? You are! You are!" "Uhhh... ok?" Twilight awkwardly smiled as she changed the subject. "So where is Bishi?" "BOO!" Twilight shot towards the ceiling at the sudden burst, and looking down saw three little fillies and two stallions, all wearing black jump suits. "You guys are NOT FUNNY!" She scolded hanging from the ceiling. "Good job girls, any luck?" Said one of the masked stalions. "Nope" "Nattah" "Uh-uh" the three fillies muttered as they peered at their backsides, peeling off the lower half of their jump suits. "Well, don't you three worry! Operation Rain-bonk is still ago!" Said the Stallion from before. Both Stallions pulled off their masks revealing Bishi and Fayt. Fluttershy let out a soft snicker at Bishi as his mane was flattened to his neck, but after a quick shake it was back to it's shaggy, soft, lovable self. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Fayt were exiting out at the time all four laughing and enjoying themselves. "Thanks for the help Bish, I will get these kids their cutie marks if it ki... well... you know what I mean" Fayt cackled. Twilight teleported herself back to the ground, and while trying to be a good sport about it, forced a smile. Rarity was appalled that her Sweetie Bell would go to such levels as scaring her like that. But she had other concerns to deal with now. "So... now that that is over with... Bishi, me and Rarity both had a favor to ask you" Twilight mentioned. "Ok, whatchya need?" Bish responded. "Dear, I am getting worried that my consistent prodding of your powers has become over bearing on you" Rarity elegantly put. "No, it's quite fine. I have nothing else I need to use it on. It may as well be for..." "No, it is quite not fine. Thus I have decided to train my own magical prowess under your watchful eye" "Uhhhh... what?" "You will take me under your metaphorical wing and teach me how to be a shaman! shaman-ess? Water!" "Well, Rarity, it isn't quite as simple as walking you through the spells. You need a certain... connection." Bishibosh stated, hoping not to sound mean. "I assure you I will acquire this connection! Uh, what per say kind of connection?" Rarity smiled. "One to the Elements. Anyone... pony rather... can become a shaman in theory, but it requires a certain unity with the primal powers around us. The Elements must deem you worthy, so to speak, and I don't know if fashion would be considered a worthy pursuit for an elemental" Bishibosh tried to explain but Rarity was adamant. "I will try, please? please please please please?" When Rarity got this way, Bishi knew there was no getting out. "Ok, I will try" "Excellent! I just know I can create beautiful dresses with that kind of ability!" Rarity excitedly exclaimed. "Yes, now for my favor." Twilight mentioned. "Since you are going to be training Rarity, I wondered if perhaps I may watch and observe. Celestia had given me the assignment of studying the magic of friendship, but the way you use your powers suggest a certain... friendship with the elements. It could be valuable to my work." "I see no problem with that, like I said, anyone, or pony in this case, has potential. It would be a disservice to hide it. Besides, I guess it couldn't hurt to try being a teacher once. Wizzle was just outside the giant iron walls of Orgrimar. The spell that the masters had given him was working as he was given the appearance of a kor'kron scout. The Horde had been moving out recently, many kor'kron moving into the barrens and south towards the Echo Isles. Wizzle had no idea what was going on but he knew he had to speak to Garrosh. Garrosh Hellscream.... there was an orc he had never wanted to meet. The hulking Mag'har Hero, who raided Icecrown against the Alliance and led the Horde to victory against Arthas. The orc who spear headed the assault on the Twilight Highlands and nearly pushed the Wildhammer completely out, and here Wizzle was charged with fooling him into sending an army into an unknown portal. The gnome/orc paced his way to the massive iron wall when he was confronted by a larger orc. His armor was obviously battle worn, and had seemed to still have fresh blood on the shoulder pads.His Axe was nearly as tall as he was and he was holding it out with one hand! It was looking angrily at him. "You there! Grunt, why are you not in position!? I was under the impression Garrosh had all the scouts sent to Elwynn." The orc yelled and grunted. Wizzle was terrified that the orc would cleave him in two. Watch young one, as my power is unveiled Wizzle watched as an other worldy tendril rose from the hard iron and wrapped around the orc, who gave no resistance, as if he were put in a trance himself. The tendril lifted him into the air and then seeped into the cracks of his armor. The orc was set back down soon after. "Follow me, honored scout." Wizzle followed. Garrosh sat on his throne, imagining his rule on Azeroth. He counted his victories and smiled. How many Alliance fell today he wondered, how much blood was shed by his Kor'kron soldiers. His thoughts were inturupted when one of his honor guard walked in, followed by one of his scouts he had just dismissed a few days ago. "What is this pathetic wretch... a coward who tried to run home when the sun got too hot?" Garrosh spat on the ground before Wizzle. "No Warchief. This scout has word of an Alliance base of operations he had discovered" The charmed orc stated. "Speak worm" Wizzle flinched. Here he was standing before the leader of the Horde, who if at a glance saw through his disguise would have him killed in an instant. He began to shake hoping the Warchief wouldn't notice his fear. Must I do everything... he was correct about the 'worm' comment Wizzle felt words falling from his mouth but he had no control of his speaking. "Esteemed Warchief, I have spotted Alliance patrols marching into a strange device. One such was discovered near the Tauren Capital of Thunder Bluff but was destroyed when attempted to retrieve it. I for one suspect foul play from our... allies..." "Interesting... you do good to bring me this news scout. And you bring honor to your name. Tell me, were exactly was this... device?" Garrosh gave a grin that cleaved Wizzled mind, one as sharp as the axe which he wielded. "Ok, focus. The meditation is for naught if you cannot keep focus on the elements around you. Imagine the world, the core of fire that is both dazzling and destructive, The shell of Earth which contains it, the magnificent Oceans that swallow the land, and the gentle breeze that cradled the land. Now envision them as one entity, four elements combined as a whole. Perfectly in balance, in complete harmony." Rarity could see it all as one big picture. Her expert mind of detail allowing the imagery of her planet in total harmony. She felt whole, a feeling she had not felt before. "Now, you have seen the world in peace, that is only half of what a shaman is. You can envision the world in perfect bliss and feel at peace, but it is only when you understand chaos..." Rarity then saw the world she imagined slowly dying. Jets of flames shot into the sky, the oceans flooding the land. As the oceans flooded, the fires boiled. Lava raged from inside the core. The earth itself bleeding it's last. Rarity stuggled keeping her mind clear. these thought just came and flooded her mind, but she held through. She continued to focus to bring her world together, but the more she struggled the more she failed. Finally she couldn't take it, and released her world to oblivion. "Ugh... that... hurt my head..." Rarity awoke from her trance, dizzily trotting around. "You did good, for the first half. The second was... well an attempt." "I don't understand, I tried everything I could to save the world but it kept getting worse. I finally had to let it go." "And that is the first lesson you learn." "Wait what?" "Nature is both beauty and beast, with the ability to create and destroy. One must learn that nature cannot be controlled, thus it is not meant to be controlled. I say that realizing that in this world the pegasai control the weather, but they do not have full control of it. That can never be obtained. The Elements respect those who respect them." The rest of the day Rarity trained, even when Bishi was ready to stop. Her insistence was just as adamant as she was herself, so he stayed. Fluttershy stayed by Twilight as she buried her head in her notes. Flutter thought if Twilight wrote any faster her paper would burst into flames. The Quill was already letting out smoke. > The City of Royal Stone > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Seventeen Wizzle now found himself in a familiar setting, he stood in the small town of Goldshire. Taking a walk towards the nearby lake, he decided to peer at his reflection to see what form he had taken this time. Now he stood as a human, by the looks of it a scout again. Chain mail armor painted with the typical Stormwind Guard colors. Light, easy to move in. Wizzle grabbe his own rear end. Comfortable too. He was born the wrong race, he joked in his head. DO NOT FORGET YOUR TASK PATHETIC GNOME Wizzle jumped at the voice that rumbled his body. He quickly looked around to make sure he was alone. Turning around he then marched towards Stormwind, in hopes of meeting the king on good terms. His trip through the human capital city was much less eventful as Orgrimar. The guards were not moving out, nor were they oppressive. It was a normal day. He made it to the kings throne room but it was empty, save for a couple honor guard. Then he felt a tap on his shoulder. "The King left for Iron Forge, he had hoped to rally the dwarves to join our cause against Hellscreams now encroaching armies. Do you have a message you would have me deliver?" A tall knight, very... knightly in his armor. Must have been the Guard Captain. "Uh, Yes sir! I was on my way to report Horde movement just on the edge of Westfall and Duskwood" Wizzle stood at his best attention pose and stated. "At ease soldier, and we are aware of some strange magical reading out there. Hmmm I suppose it could be the Sunreavers planning a magical based assault. You say you saw movement eh, elves?" The captain asked. "Orcs sir, and alot of them. No sign of anything else sir" "Hmm just orcs... I have heard murmurings of the Horde falling apart from the inside. Still if they are mobilizing this close it needs to be put to a stop. Scout return to your family, you deserve a rest." "Thank you Sir!" "Please, just call me Dan" Wizzle walked away from the guard captain a ways before sulking into a shadow. He was worried that he failed, the King was gone and he sent someone else in his stead... but then the whispers came back. Very good my child, you have impressed your master. Return home so we may... reward you... Wizzle barely had time to get up before a vacuum sucked him into the shadows. Azeroth never heard of the gnome again. Rarity was excelling in her training. Even though she preferred the water based spells over the other three elements, Bishi felt like she definitely would make a potent shaman. Maybe even a qualified healer for the town. She managed to cast her first healing spell and was using it over and over again to celebrate her success. She raised her hooves again to cast it a final time but the water refused to come up as Rarity slowly fell to the ground. She simply passed out. "Rarity! What happened to her!?" Twilight exclaimed with worry. "Don't worry, she simply drained her mana supply. "Uh... her what?" "You do know what mana is right?" "I've heard of it but I never heard of a pony having a supply of it" "Do you get tired after casting spells all day?" "Well, yeah. It's exhausting. Whats your point?" "That is the same thing. Anyways she is fine. Just needs rest, like a few others of us." Bishibosh laid back on the grass and stared at the afternoon sky. Flutter came by and lay down next to him, happily snugged up beside Bishi. Twilight could't help but smile even if she was still worried about Rarity, but if Bishi said she is alright who is she to doubt him? While the ponies rest during the day, on the far side of equestria, Celestia felt a strong disturbance in the magical flows of the land. The same kind of disturbance she felt upon the new comers arrival. She sent her own royal guard to investigate. Commander Dan Tagon and a contingent of foot soldiers were marching through Westfall to investigate the claims of Horde movement. He never enjoyed Westfall, it was constantly in trouble. If not the defias, it was elementals, if not the elementals it was gnolls. The land never quite healed after the sundering. He remembers when it used to be farmland all across. Pretty to the eye but he grew up on those farms. He had no intent on going back to that life. They were nearing the Duskwood border when he was stopped. A small group of Night Elves had set up camp. One elegantly dressed elf approached. "Elune Adore warrior. Have you come to investigate the strange magic as well?" She asked. "Yes, as well as reports of Horde movement. We assume Sunreaver involvement." Dan responded. "We have seen no others besides our own here. The occasional beast to be put down." She returned back. "You may call me Elora Sunfrost, perhaps you would allow us to help you find this strange magic?" "A pleasure Elora, I am Commander Dan Tagon, but I prefer to be called Dan. And yes we would be honored to have your expertise among us." "Good, as you can see I am Highborn. I have studied magic from a young age, I am eager to discover what is causing this disturbance" Dan and Elora merged their forces and sought after the anomaly. It wasn't long before they found it. "My lady, we believe we have found the source of magic." An elven sentinel reported "There is an ogre den nearby and the magic radiates from it. We are lucky that the magic has driven the ogres away." "Hmm, approach with caution sister. No need to run headlong into a trap. The commander and I will follow shortly." Dan was staring into the woods, he felt an aura that made him sick to his stomach. As if this was all really wrong. There was no Horde here, and unless the magic is a portal and not cloaking field of some kind... this could be very bad. Elora approached him and informed him of the magics location. His contingent followed him into the woods after the elves. Together they all approached the den, and in the back they could see the magic radiating from a cave. All the ogres were gone and of that Dan was glad. Ogres were a pain. Him and Elora lead the men and elves into the cave, not expecting what was to come. The cave was long, and dark. Dan was relying on a torch he was fortunate enough to grab from outside for light. The elves had no problem traversing the darkness so him and his men just followed them. After what seemed like hours they finally came to an exit. Dan had expected the tropic jungles of Stranglethorn but this was far from it. Here he stood on an empty plain, the magic was think in the air and he could feel it. He looked at his elven allys and they were knelt on the ground in worship to their god's. I guess when you rely on magic so much, this place may seem like heaven. "Alright men, set up camp. I want scouts in that forest tracking any hostile movement. And watch for damn sappers this time! I don't want to loose anyone to a suicidal Goblin!" Elora was amazed at the land. So full of magic, so full of... energy... peace... happiness. > Blood and Thunder! For the Horde! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross Realm Raiding Chapter Eighteen Any normal leader would take this situation seriously. They would weigh the consequences and provide a favorable outcome. They would do everything they could to avoid conflict. Garrosh Hellscream is not a normal leader however. Rumors that his Tauren allies were hiding this portal to a new land was all the evidence he needed to brand them traitors. They had motive the day he defeated their leader in single combat, and word that a certain sunwalker was even aiding the son of the Alliance King was just fuel to the fire. Garrosh ordered Mulgore and Thunder Bluff to be burned. The assault was as brutal as it was swift, and it all started with the assassination of Baine Bloodhoof, chieftain of the tauren. After he fell most of Thunder Bluff fell as well. None of the warriors knew how Garrosh had built such an army, but the invading orcs ravaged the plains of Mulgore. Fires were lit and animals were butchered. The kodo were captured and used as beasts of burden. The remaining tauren were executed. The carnage was unending, watched by the watchful eye of a certain orc warlord. An orc of untold origins, who simply went by Kar'Dash. "Warlord, we have found the machine" a lone orc grunt reported. "Really... and what is being done to it?" Kar'Dash responded. "We have our engineers studying it no." "And what are YOU doing about it?" "Uh... I was... reporting our... findings to... you?" The grunt answered nervously. "Hmmm... I smell something in the air..." Kar'Dash sniffed. "Wh-what do you smell sir?" "I smell... fear... doubt... weakness..." "Uh... sir?" a flash of steel cut the grunts words as Kar'Dashs axe cleaved through the grunts skull. Surrounding orcs watched, as well as the near death tauren captives. "This grunts... this is a coward... Take a wiff, smell his fear. The TRUE Horde has no place for cowards! And this is their payment for their cowardice!" Kar'Dash ranted as the orcs surrounding him cheered and yelled. Many of them calling for more tauren deaths. Kar'Dash smiled as Mulgore burned... "NO!" Bishosh jumped from his bed, shaking and quivering. Fluttershy shot up just as fast as he did, then looked at him and frowned. "Nightmare again? Do we need to take you to get checked? Maybe Twilight can help you" Fluttershy offered softly. "My home... destroyed..." "What? You are home love, and it is just the way I left it when we went to bed." "No... Mulgore... burning... my people are dead..." "Are you sure? You just woke up, it was only a dream." "It was too real... I felt it... The axe to my neck." Bishibosh stopped and remained silent. "I'm sorry, I should have kept that to myself. You are right my love, let's go back to sleep." Bishibosh laid back down and wraped his fore-arms around Fluttershy, who was still worried up until Bishi began to pet her mane as she fell asleep. Bishi couldn't sleep though, he knew his dreams and he knew his visions... this was a vision. He almost crawled out of bed when Fluttershy let out a silent, yet cute, yawning noise. He then decided he wasn't going to worry her anymore, so he forced himself to sleep. "This is the portal?" Kar'Dash asked as a half legion of goblin engineers hustled with the machine, fearing for their lives. "Yes, this is it... The beginning of a new conquest" Garroshs eyes gleamed with a dark red. "If I may inturupt my War Chief, but are we not already spread out across Pandaria?" Kar'Dash's question was answered with a hand held to his throat. Garrosh lifted him up into the air to meet him eye to eye. "Do you doubt your abilities?" Garrosh asked, strangling Kar'Dash. "Do you doubt The Horde?" Kar'Dash was gasping for air as he clawed at massive orcs arms. "Do you doubt... me?" "N-n..." Kar'Dash gasped as he let out a final breath. "No..." Garrosh let him go. "Good... now gather your men. I want to see this strange land under Horde control, I have some unfinished business to attend so I leave the conquest in your capable hands." Kar'Dash was still on the ground clasping his neck, but he understood his War Chief perfectly. This was the glory of the Horde. Gaining his breath he raised a fist in the air screaming at the top of his lungs... "FOR THE HORDE!" The countless numbers of grunts just beneath the hill followed, their shouts were heard all across the barrens... War was coming... > Friends Comfort > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross-Realm Raiding Chapter Nineteen The night was long, full of visions about death and flame. Bishi saw the darkspear rebellion, and he saw the elves waging war with the mages of dalaran. He has been gone for a long time for things to devolve as far as they have. His mind was still haunted, however, by the images of his homeland under siege. He half expected it, but not for a while yet longer. Wishing it was a dream, but knowing it was real. He wondered if Fayt knew about it as well, but he doubted it. Bishibosh opened his eyes from his meditation, to find a trey on his bed. The trey held a bowl of ground wheat mixed with water, steam rose from the bowl. There was also a glass of juice beside it. Despite his worries of home, he had to smile at Flutter's kindness. After finishing the mean left for him, he climbed down the stairs of Flutter's cottage. He half expected her down there, but instead found a note attached to the inside of the door. Pulling it off the door, Bishi read. Bishi, Rarity wanted to show off her new magic she learned from you. I guess she has been practicing all night, she said she would meet us on the outskirts of Ponyville near the river. I hope your nightmares didn't leave you too worried to leave the house, Rarity would love to see her teacher's reaction. P.S. I hope you enjoyed breakfast! With love, Fluttershy A smile crept across Bishi's face, but he was still in the shadows of his mind. He figured he would go see how well his student managed, maybe Fayt would show as well. The shaman gathered his gear and trotted out the door, on his way to the river. Still battling the visions from the night before, he fought them back with the idea Rarity made progress with her magic. The shaman also entertained the thought of starting a branch of The Earthen Ring here, but that was a goal for another day. Right now he just wanted to get things off his chest. Bishibosh trotted into town on his way to the river when a familiar bouncing ball of nightmares and joy came charging at him. He let out a sigh as he knew what was about to happen. "BISHI!!!! Hi Bishi! How are youuuuu?" Pinkie Pie bounced around the shaman in excitement. "Have you gone to see Rarities new spell yet!? It's Super Duper Spectacular!" "I'm certain it is Pinkie, but if she is showing off at the river... Why are you here?" Bishibosh shrewdly asked, hoping for the obvious. "OH! Fluttershy said you had a bad night with nightmares, and you know what I say about nightmares!" "Actually no... I don't know what you say about nightmares." "LAUGH! Things always get better when you laugh!" Pinkie smiled really big in Bishi's face. He appreciated her enthusiasm but he could do anything but laugh at the time. "So, Flutter mentioned my nightmares... Did she say what they were?" "Well, she might have but I left in a hurry to come cheer you up!" "Of course you did... Pinkie," "Yes? Am I helping? Am I making you smile? Huh huh huh huh?" Pinkie prodded until Bishibosh grunted. "Yes... see?" The shaman did his best fake smile he could do to appease the ecstatic ball of energy. "Nope, that is a fake smile. Let me show you!" Bishi was about to object when he felt Pinkies hooves burst into his jaw and stretch his lips up his face, revealing every tooth he had in a ridiculous smile. "Just like that!" "Pinkie! Stop!" They both heard coming from down the road. Applejack was running right at the two of them and had to shove her hooves in the dirt just to stop. "Ah'm sorry there Bishi, she just kinda run oft as Fluttershy was tellin bout your nightmares. I hope she didn't aggravate the tar outa ya." "Wait, what do you mean aggravate? I was only trying to get him to sm -Eep!" Pinkie's voice was cut out by a hoof in her mouth from Applejack, who turned her around and began mumbling to her so Bishi couldn't here. He knew exactly what was being said however as he watched Pinkie's bright smile sink into a concerned frown. She turned her head back to Bishi and knelt her head down. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." "It's fine Pinkie, you just wanted to help." At this the pink pony's smile crept back into place as she shot a hug at the shaman. "Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Now I don't feel all down and dumpy!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she shot off in the direction Applejack came from. "Thanks A.J. But it wasn't necessary." "Ah horse hockey, Ah just wanted to be sure Pinkie didn't piss ya off any." Applejack smiled. "It's fine, really." "Do ya wanna talk about it?" "Well... I guess I can a little bit." Applejack lead Bishi to the river while he confided his vision to her. The images that overflowed Applejacks mind mortified and scared her, but she remained a strong outlook if only to keep the shaman talking. "You're whole kin? As in... All of em?" Applejack asked with concern. "Yes... betrayed by the very race we were allied to..." Bishibosh coldly stated. "And you're sure this was some vision? Not just ah scary dream or somthin?" "Certain, visions are not mistakable." "Well... Ah'm sorry partner, Ah don;t quite know what to tell ya." "It's fine, I guess I should be happy they were killed rather than enslaved..." "Now don't go sayin things like that. How do ya know they all been killed? Some may even have escaped." "But where would they go? To the alliance? The Grimtotem? I wouldn't put it passed Garrosh to have the Taunka killed as well!" Bishibosh sighed at his outburst. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten mad. Go on ahead, I need to stop and think a while yet." "Take yer time sugar, Ah'll go tell the others. But don't go takin too long now, Rarity has been talkin bout showin her new spells to you all mornin. Maybe seein how well she pulled it off will cheer you up some." "Yeah... I won't be long."