Obsidian and Jack stood in a park in the Ryborian Kingdom. "You go and find Silver. He won't be happy to talk to me, but I believe Venquis will be more reasonable. We only have so much time, make sure you get him to understand the situation as best as you can... and remember to mention even Serketh is at risk. He went after Silver, so Silver at least has to have SOME "I must be the one to end him" mentality. It just seems appropriate." Obsidian nodded. "Tricorna is Ven's wife. If he won't listen, she shall. Now, I must be off. Hummingbird." Obsidian quickly grew a small pair of yellow wings, which started fluttering rapidly. He sped off into the sky in a blur, leaving Jack alone in the park. "Ok. Find Venquis. Start at the castle... ugh. I ALMOST miss having Demitry doing things for me." He turned towards the castle of the kingdom and started walking towards it. "I really hope none of the guards there remember who I was..."
"Miss Hope, it is time for you to wake up." The Changeling butler expertly dodged the pillow throw at him and opened the curtains, allowing daylight to pour into the room. "My apologies, but your parents have informed me that an old friend of theirs is on the way. It appears that he wishes to speak with you." Hope groaned, and rolled out of bed. "Fine, fine... I'm up. Did they say who it was?" The butler shook his head, and she responded with an eye roll. She didn't really care. An 'old friend' of her parents was almost certainly going to be somepony they knew during the war. She sighed. The war. Her parents brought it up almost every day, despite the fact that it ended before she was even born. Why couldn't they understand the obvious? Princess Luna and Queen Chrysalis had been friends and allies for thirty years. The Phoenix Queen was long dead, her soul imprisoned in the deepest pit of Tartarus. Equestria and the Hive were at peace. Nothing was going to change that.
It was another day for the Eriborian of Ardelan. He got out of bed at sunrise every morning, performed his morning duties such as brushing his teeth and having breakfast before spending the remainder of the day looking after his kingdom. For Venquis, the day came and went. And since the end of the war thirty years ago, the Ryborian had not seen proper combat since the final battle against the Phoenix Queen. Moonsaber, the sword of Venquis, had not seen use since that day. But it remained in the same flawless condition in a display case since then, hopefully never needing to use the weapon ever again. With his relationship with Tricorna blossoming until the two of them became wed in an enormous ceremony, the two of them had remained faithful to each other since the day they first met. The Ryborian himself appeared to haven’t aged a day in nearly thirty years due to his lifespan, time was kind enough to keep his appearance in tip-top shape. Venquis was in the royal bedroom, dressing himself in formal clothing. The past couple of nights had taken a toll on the Eriborian, having major nightmares about him losing everything he loved, especially his wife and people. The previous afternoon, the Eriborian had a vision while walking down the hallway. It seemed cryptic, but he understood what the message was. All he seen was Neromia and the entire visible horizon aflame while hearing the innocent screaming victim’s cry out in agony. Finally, on that same night, the goddess Sihana was warning him during his dreams about events that she believed could have impacted all life in the mortal realm. It was not the first time that she had spoken, and certainly would not be the last, but what she had told him had made the Ryborian sick in the stomach. He knew that at some point, he would have to fight again. Then, the Ryborian felt a presence that he had not felt in a very long time. Heading downwards to the main hall, he seen the one who had formerly been corrupted. The one who managed to imprison Sihana. “It’s been a long time Jack.” Venquis spoke with a touch of deepness, hoping that Jack was here to speak to him about what had been happening. “I’ve felt uneasy, the goddess has been warning me about something that is likely to happen in the near-future. Then...nightmares and visions. Something is wrong, I take it ?” (I'm thinking of playing as another OC, possibly the child of Tricorna and Ven if they had any. Or another character in general.)
Hope went downstairs and found her parents waiting for her. In the thirty years since the war, they had aged considerably. Her father's jet-black mane was streaked with gray, and her mother had started spending more and more time in her Earth Pony form. Despite her claims that used the form to keep her abilities sharp, both her daughter and her husband knew that she was simply trying to hide the fact that she had gotten old. Hope looked at her parents impatiently. "Skitter says I'm about to have company. Who is this time?" It was right about that time that she noticed that her mother's eyes were red and puffy. She had been crying. A feeling of dread shot through her as she stared at her parents. "Wait... what's going on?! What happened?" "The time has come, Hope-of-Tomorrow..." Silver Crescent stepped out of the shadows, his face grim. "Time for your generation to lead Equestria to everlasting peace..." Nightshade appeared beside him, her ever-present smirk nowhere to be seen. "...or total annihilation."
Darius woke up to his father Robin hurrying him to get dressed. For some reason he had to travel to canterlot with his dad who simply told him he needed to learn what its like to be an Earl especially since Robin only had about 13+ years to live thanks to him now being the grand old age of 67. Darius was now being taken with Robin to every single upper class event. Something Darius didnt really mind, he was the son of an Earl after all and he loved the luxury of it, no matter what his dad says he always prefers the rich lifestyle however his dad keeps reminding him he's never had to live in a forest for 20 years being an outlaw and that he had it easy. Darius finally got up and put on some upperclass attire while his dad wore his rubbish old armour saying that its somewhat of a symbol to the people of one of the main heroes who brought down the phoenix queen. After 15 minutes they arrived at the palace, they met up with fellow earls from across Equestria, such as Fillydelphia, cloudsdale and rainbow falls. before being ushered into what looked like a dining room with a long elegant wooden table and chairs in the middle long enough to fit about 30 ponies. They sat down as the day of boring talk about the future began. Everything from latest technological and social advancements and city planning to talk of crime and prophecy. the last two were the parts darius was more interested in. though he simply sat next to his father and soaked up everything.
"Good to see you too, Venquis. No I've been fine. Good to see you have too. Always about dire situations. Gods in danger right? The ONLY reason I could be here?" Jack stopped rambling for a second. "I mean, well, yes. The gods are in severe danger. An... unknown force... has been killing them. All of them are in agreement, that the greatest mortal force is the best bet to fight it... hence why Obsidian and I have come to get you and Silver... as well as any of the old warriors..." Jack stopped again. "They... only said warriors... I'm sure not all of them age as slowly as you do... and you will need to lead your people. Perhaps they didn't send me for you. Dammit! I always have to second guess myself with the gods. Even when they are at stake they act cryptic! Ugh... anyway, I need someone to help fight with me. Some unknown neutral force is killing gods over the war for the world. Etcetera. That's the short version." Obsidian arrived at the changeling embassy with a look of confusion. "This is... not where I was expecting to find him. Oh well." He sighed and leaned on the wall just outside the door. "He'll know I'm here."
Venquis thought for a moment, his facials turning to serious concern. If he helped, he would be breaking the promise he had sworn to the Divine’s... and his wife. If he didn’t, there would not be any divines nor gods for that matter. The balance would have been broken and judgement day would have befallen upon the mortal race. He remained still for a few moments after pacing himself around the throne room. He eventually stopped walking himself around the room and sighed deeply. “I’ll do it. Tricorna and the Divines won’t be pleased about me entering combat once more, but this is for the greater good.” Venquis said before looking at the stairwell. “I’ll be upstairs getting prepared, I’ll be down in a minute. You might have to explain to her why I need to leave, I don't think she will be happy. ”
Several hours after they arrived, Silver and Nightshade walked out of the Embassy with a nervous-looking Hope in tow. Her parents stood in the doorway, watching her leave with a sorrowful pride. They both wished that they could go in her place, but their days of fighting were in the past. They had to trust that they had prepared her for what was to come. As the trio reached the gates of the embassy, Silver suddenly grinned. "Obsidian! It has been too long, old friend! What brings you here?"
"Nothing good, Silver." Obsidian noticed the half-changeling at Silver side. "As I'm sure you are, somehow aware, there is a little tif going on over the fate of the world, and the gods are being killed. I'm just going to list the facts to you. We need warriors to hunt down whatever is doing them in. Sihana, Discord, even the dark gods like Serketh, are at huge risk, and while getting rid of the dark ones would be nice, we can't really just let the killer run free. Jack and I are trying to collect the warriors that have fought "the god killer" back when the title belonged to Jack." Jack stood quietly in the large room, until a polite voice made him turn around. He turned to see a doe charging him head first. Tricorna slammed him, sending him flying a short distance. He landed on his back, seeing stars. "I will not let you take my baby back into your godly affairs. I have been there more than he has. The gods want Martyrs, not warriors!" "If I can- ugh... Excuse me a second, I'm dizzy after that..." Jack stood up and steadied himself before continuing. "A-hem... As I was saying. I'm going to explain this to you simply. Gods good. God killers bad. Gods powerful. God killer just as powerful. VENQUIS just as powerful. You see the math here, right?" "I am queen Tricorna and I will not be talked to like I am a child! I understand that he is more powerful than almost every mortal, BUT HE IS STILL MORTAL! I will not let him die on the battlefield for an unthankful group of super beings, like I almost did..." Tricorna sighed and approached Jack, putting her head on his shoulder. "I just don't want him to die... I know more about you than you would like to know Jack, and one of those things is how your father died. You understand why I can't let him go. Please." "You would dare bring my father into this concern? I see why he likes you." Jack had tears growing in his eyes, but his emotion and stature did not change. "I will personally ensure he will return to you. Even if I have to use this." Jack pulled a small pin from his cape. "Your original Ryborian companion told you about this, I'm sure. It transfers life from the immortal to a corpse, leaving 2 mortals." "I trust you as far as I can throw you, pansy of the gods..." She sighed. "But I can throw you very far... THE SECOND HIS LIFE IS AT RISK, YOU GIVE HIM THAT PIN!" Jack just silently saluted Tricorna, and she turned to head to where Venquis was preparing. (wow. Wall of text)
The Eriborian appeared once again as he walked down the staircase that led downwards to the throne room, fully dressed in his signature black and red Spell-Sword armour. He had every weapon available on him, his Helacrusa dagger and some free pockets around his belt. However, Moonsaber was not in its holster, still remaining in its case from which it has not moved in thirty years. Walking down the stairs, he could see that his wife now knows about what was happening. There was no point hiding it, he was preparing for a war. He sighed deeply as he headed downstairs, walking to the display case that contained Moonsaber. He turned around and stood nearby Jack and his wife. He didn't say anything, the fact he had walked past both of them in silence already saying that there was something on his mind. (School is brutal at the moment, not to mention having no internet at school in general. That means I have to wait hours until I can post again. Sorry if I'm slowing down progress.)
Silver sighed. "Unless this god-killer happens to be Dark Plague, I'm not interested. You know how I feel about the gods. They can all rot in Tartarus, as far as I'm concerned." Nightshade gave her father a none-too-gentle punch in the shoulder. "If the gods are at risk, then we are too. The God of War and the Goddess of Change, remember? That was what Sihana called us after... that. Like it or not, we're not mortal anymore. We have a responsibility to look into this." Hope looked at her teachers, puzzled and more than a little annoyed. It was true that neither one of them had aged in the past thirty years, but this was just ridiculous. "Okay... just what the heck is going on?! You told me I'd be helping to fight a crazy Alicorn! What's all this about you two being gods?! And just who the heck is the Deer?!"
"I was going to ask you the same thing, young one." Obsidian smiled at her. "You think this one can handle Midnight? I'm sure she could be a help with everything in that case... and I didn't know you were after him... It's quite possible he is the one doing this..." Obsidian thought for a second. "Oh, and to answer you, I am the demi-god of animals. You should study your mythology of war better. It wasn't even a century ago. I can assure you Midnight is high on our list, but for now we have recruiting to finish up, and we need to report to the main gods, who have agreed to a sort of meeting for this main purpose. IF you are not going to help, and will just seek after Midnight... me and Jack will have to stop you from interfering if we find he IS our target. So, all things considered, I would like your answer as soon as possible." Obsidian's chain lit up with a faint red glow. Jack's voice flowed out of it, with a sort of choir-like echo. "Venquis is coming, and leaving Tricorna in charge of the Ryborians. I hope Silver can hear this because his specific presence has just been requested by 3 of the gods who will be at the representation. You hear that, you chaotic jerk? Your insane powers are actually getting someone's attention. I'd LOVE for you to come so I don't get b-" the voice cut out for a second, quickly replaced by a soothing baritone voice, accompanied by the same echo. "Silver. I know you can hear this message. You will come. I know you will because I have your little friend from my trapped dimension. Thanks for destroying that by the way. It was making my job far too tedious." "Well... Jack and Serketh seem to REALLY want you to show up... so... No pressure I suppose I should say."
Venquis opened the display case that contained Moonsaber, the Spell-Sword of the Eriborian appearing as sharp as the day it was put to rest. He leaned against the display case, looking downwards at the sword. The Ryborian looked somewhat depressed, but knew that this duty had to be done. He was called back to action. Just as he was levitating the sword, he remembered the day after the Black War when he became the owner of a small tavern while the Ryborians went back under the leadership of the Elders, something that had not occurred in hundreds of thousands of years. Since the Ryborians were on their Original homeland. Just as he put the weapon in its sheath, he turned around to face Jack. "I'm ready when you are." Venquis replied. "So...we're going to the Elder Realm for this meeting. The ones in Tartarus must have had their's already, the divines likely didn't put them on the invite list."
Silver shrugged. He wasn't worried about Serketh's threats, but he knew that Nightshade was right. It always a good idea to know as much about an enemy as possible. "Alright, I'll join you. Before we go, I suppose introductions are in order. Obsidian, this is Hope-Of-Tomorrow..." "Just 'Hope,' actually. I hate how pretentious my full name sounds." "Very well. This is Hope, daughter of Cricket and Blackout. Hope, I am sure that your parents have told you about Obsidian." Nightshade yawned. "Alright, now that we all know each other, let's get going, shall we? A portal to the Elder Realm opened before them." A portal to the Elder Realm opened before them, and Nightshade stepped through with Silver. After a moment of hesitation, Hope followed after them.
"I wouldn't say there was an invite list per se... Come on, you'll see." Jack pulled his sword out of his cape and spun it in a circle. The tip glowed a faint pink before he let go and the sword continued on its own. It's spinning formed a pink portal, before flying back to Jack's grip. Jack stepped through the portal, arriving in time to see Hope come through Nightshade's portal. The trio were shortly joined by Obsidian who appeared in a puff of yellow mist. The room itself was a large circular room with a very high domed cieling. The walls were lined with stain glass windows and there were no doors. Each window depicted one of a massive array of gods. Obsidian looked around quickly and nodded towards Jack. "We've arrived before the gods. Allow me to quickly explain what this is. This is an emergency meeting location specifically for situations like this. All the gods who choose to show, will appear in their respective windows. This is so they can communicate in a group style without all being in one place. Far safer than actually grouping up."
Hope looked confused. "This seems almost... cowardly. What are they so afraid of? If they're so powerful, why don't they just work together and fight this god-killer themselves? Whoever he is, I doubt he's strong enough to beat them all at once." Silver and Nightshade looked at each other and grinned. She had said what they were both already thinking.
Jack walked to the group and laughed. "Little... Whatever you are... The god killer is not the threat that is making us use this room. The gods themselves are. This whole war thing has opened up massive new reasons for the gods to hate each other. The two sides of the "divines," meaning the good ones, and the dark ones, are at the point of going into another war... and having, I don't know... Lavannah the goddess of volcanoes accidentally agitating Sihana in person... It could easily make wherever they were meeting the "final battlefield" as I like to call it."
Silver chuckled. "You know, I really don't see any problem with that. Let the fools destroy each other. The mortal world would be better for it." Nightshade glared at him. "They're not all fools, Dad. Some of them still care about Equestria. Would you see them destroyed, as well?" Hope ignored the bickering pair, and wandered over to one of the windows. Bored, she cast a weak dark magic beam at it, and was shocked when it exploded. "What the... that wasn't supposed to be that powerful!" "The window repaired itself." The window repaired itself, and Nightshade walked over, laughing. "I should have warned you. Magic is much stronger here, without the restrictions of the mortal world."
The Eriborian wandered around before eventually find a seat nearby Jack. He knew that the Ryborian Divines would show up, all nine of them having their reasons. Alokora, the Ryborian god of fire was present, alongside the rest divines. However, one of the divines that was supposed to meet up had not appeared yet. It was then that the Ryborian goddess of creation and the afterlife, Sihana had appeared at her window. Venquis remained quiet. He could speak to Sihana afterwards, but there was a pressing issue to attend to.
