Written for the JoJo's Bizzare Adventure General. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Ruler of the Darkness >Shadow Lord >Cowards, all of them, naming you again and again to deny your true nature >King Sombra, the true ruler of the Crystal Empire. That is your one and only name! >Yet in spite of your tremendous power...it was not enough >About a thousand years ago the rules of the Sun and the Moon banished you from the throne, rightfully yours >About a thousand years later you struck back, in their weakest moments >And yet...the power of Love swept yours away >Amazingly, there are but two things keeping you alive...one of them is hatred >Hatred for those fools, for taking away what was yours from the beginning! >... >Perphaps you were the fool. Perhaps it was you who made a mistake >In your years of commanding legions, you were not prepared for their retaliation >You did not expect such power...much less from those weaklings >... >...and you yourself are not any better >In your current state...you can barely keep yourself together >You can barely even move...or speak...or think... >Your thoughts are weak, it's like you've been holding your breath for more than a year >...there are but two things keeping you alive >One of them is hatred, hatred for what these ponies have done to you >But there is another thing, one that drives you even further >A dreadful feeling, an unspeakable sensation that invades your being >Fear >Fear of the oblivion, of the place for the forgotten, of the sleep that will never end >How ironic, the Ruler of the Darkness, afraid of the eternal void awaiting for him... >Well, you have been thinking of embracing this feeling more than once... >But not now >You cannot rest peacefully just yet >There are still many things that need to be done... >... >...a cave >...it has been two weeks of near endless storms out in this desert >Two weeks of perpetual torment, and at long last... >A cave...there is a faint yellow glow coming from the inside... >For once, in your existence, the light is very...attractive >And as you approach the walls of the cave, you are quite relieved >For the first time in two weeks, you feel...calm...at peace... >This sensation...this pleasure...this...tranquility >And yet, you cannot let it overflow your being >You cannot rest peacefully just yet >Not without settling your objectives first...your goals... >And once again, those old sentiments of hatred and fear return... >Those emotions that kept you alive, drive you deeper into the cave >Deeper in the heart of the unknown, slowly but steadily >... >And deeper you went >... >And the light became brighter >... >And the light came to be a torch >Here you stood, the outside world shined through the distant cave entrance >But now, like moths attracted to light, you stood before the flame >And as the cave went deeper, you saw another faint glow in the distance >One that was struggling to survive, like a prey mortally wounded >... >And deeper you went >... >And the light became brighter >... >And his voice became clear >His voice. Shaky, but determined >''...we'll get out of here cutie pie, understand?'' >There was another noise after. That of heavy breathing >And a feminine voice was heard, right after >''...I don't...I can't...'' >It quickly fell apart. What came next was what can only be described as a sorrow melody, the tragic screams of a mare who met an unfortunate fate >Crying, sobbing, desperate for help >''It's okay...it's okay...here...'' >As he said this, you stopped >The light suddenly came to a halt. Something had obscured it >Vaguely, you could make out the shape of a stallion >It's back was exposed to you, its hooves were moving left and right >A box, bandages, a fur coat...those were the things he was desperately grabbing and leaving behind >And in front, laid a mare. You could vaguely tell her face from the tears rolling down her eyes, reflecting the torchlight from the cave >The stallion, on the other hand, was determined on curing her wounds... >''You're going to be alright cutiepie, I promise, you're gonna be alright!'' >His last sentence echoed through the cave. >... >and the distant cave entrance was devoid of any light >''Look at me. Look at me, there's nothing to fear as long as you're with me, okay?'' >The mare cleans off her face with her hoof. She continues to weep, much more silently now >... >''See? Much better now...'' >... >''What's that?'' >Two days passed >...perhaps it was not wise to unleash your hatred amongst those ponies >At that moment you did not care much. Your hunger was too strong, it was only natural you did what you had to >And after consuming the final life force, the final speck of magic, you finally were able to breathe >...you felt cold. You felt weak. You felt...alive >And here came again that feeling of relief, of tranquility, of knowing you were given a second chance to redeem yourself >Once again, you are at peace. You...are. >But as a price to pay, came other feelings >The wrath that kept you alive is long gone and instead remains the fear of failure >Shortly afterwards, desolation >You are but one, after all, to die here would leave nothing else of you >And even in your prime, you were still defeated by something greater >The tragic thing is, it is far too late to go back. This journey was not made in vain, and you will not rest peacefully yet >Vengeance has consumed what little remains of your soul >What other choice do you have? Monsters are born too big, too strong, too destructive >All you can do to prevent everyone from trying to slaughter you is to fight back and annihilate everything that stands in your way >It is your tragedy, a life with power, but without peace... >Unless >Two days ago, you had a taste of peace, a glimpse of what could've become of your kingdom if no one else bothered >That feeling was present today again >If you could find the balance between hate and peace, you could accomplish wonders >If you had a moment of peace shortly after a moment of rage...! >If you made these ponies suffer without breaking your soul further! >...They will know true terror! Chaos will make way for order! And you will be King once more! >...your thoughts are interrupted by the sudden pain, hitting the back of your head >... >...so you take a step to the outside of the cave >... >...and another step into the night >... >...and another towards the Crystal Empire >... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >...it really be one of those days >You planted as many apples as you could, harvested as many apples as there were, carried them up and down until your back started to hurt >But now, the sun is settling down, and there is nothing else to do >You're exhausted but very satisfied with your work >Work pays off at the end of the day >And now, you get some time for your own as well >If only you had something to do...Cherry Lee is out of town, Applebloom is with her friends, AJ and Spike said they're gon do friendship stuff with Twilight... >Nope >Looks like it's one of those lonely days again >One of those days where you sit on yer flank and look at the sunset >...even a stallion, with as many friends as you have, will agree that nothin can beat a good ol time with yourself >Only the sound of birds, the wind carrying the leaves of the trees, and the sunlight caressing your face >...eyup. Nothing beats this feeling...not even that galloping noise coming from behind you >...the noise is getting stronger... >Alright, that bout it, who thought... >Oh it's just...you forgot her name >She's pulling a caravan on her own, one big hecking caravan you might say >Poor unfortunate mare, she might need some help and...welp, you got nothing to do, nothing to do >You stand up and walk towards the blue unicorn, you still can't remember her name >She too is exhausted, breathing heavily while resting on the floor >Her wizardry hat covers her face, but not after she notices the sound of your hoofsteps >She quickly gets up in all fours >''You dare to approach me? The Great and Powerful Trixie needs no help!'' >Oh yeah! That was her name >She immediately begins to pull her caravan. It stands still, it seems there is no more strength left in her body >She'll probably give up at this point...yup >She grunts heavily and gives you an annoyed look before asking >''At the very least you would've shown concern over a poor mare like I!'' ''Well...'' >She did say she could handle it on her own, but at the same thing, you know she can't ju- >''Fine! ...'' >She's struggling to make her words clear. Most likely out of exhaustion, or maybe it's her pride >''I am in need of help. Your help! '' >Well that was fast. You reluctantly >... >So you pulled the cart over the hill >... >Naturally, the mare... >Trixie was tired, who knows where she comes from but >''Can you BELIEVE how many days I had to pull this big useless car? If not for the kind townsfolk of Somnambula, I would still have sand in my nostrils!'' >Oh, Somnambula. You've heard of it before! It's a nice...dessert... >You look at her. She's visibly annoyed, breathing heavily, most likely about to errupt in anger >...she doesn't, thankfully. She catches her breath, before proceeding >''Well, Big Mac...'' >How'd she know your name? >''...I am truly grateful for your help. I would've never gone past the first couple of trees'' >It wasn't even that steep, but you understand regardless >''As a showcase of my gratitude, I will let you take a look inside my magical caravan!''. The way she stands makes it look like she's waiting for an applause >Well...you're used to walk outside the farm at midnight, to make sure those pesky bats stay away from the apples >A little glimpse won't hurt and, well, you can still see the twilight in the distance >You move behind the caravan, and immediately after, a little firework explodes in front of you >Trixie stands in front of the closed curtains, the smoke coming from below her hooves inviting you to the unknown >''And now...feast your eyes with the magic artifacts I have collected!'' >Just as she says this, the curtains behind her suddenly open, covering Trixie in a dark cloud of smoke >And just as quickly as this happens, the smoke dissapears. In Trixie's place, there are three fireworks, lightened up and about to take off >You quickly jump back, one of the fireworks nearly hit you up in the face! >...the trio of rockets take flight, and gain height before exploding one after the other! >In blue colors, the words ''DARE'' ''TO COME'' ''INSIDE'' appeared in the sky, and disappeared as quickly as they came, leaving nothing but sparkles in their place >''Well then...?'' >Trixie looks at you with a giant grin on her face. Her hat is missing, and there are blue sparkles all around her >It kinda makes you wonder, despite being so tired earlier on, she's still willing to pull off an ace up her...hat >And surprisingly, you still don't know why >Either she did it to not make herself look bad... >...or maybe, despite being tired, she still wanted to surprise you >The curtains close behind you as you step inside, you notice the wagon appears to be bigger than what it looks from the outside >And all around you there is glitter. There's an absurd amount of shining objects, you might go see the doctor after this! >Maybe the only thing that isn't shining is a door, and Trixie is peaking through the other side >''Try not to touch all you see while I, prepare myself! For...for...'' she closes it before finishing >...alright >You're used to walking under the moonlight at hours like these, making your way back to the farm before Granny Smith gets too worried... >Well, this is more or less the same. Instead of looking at the darkened landscape, you take a look at... >There's a cup made out of bone, a red sword! It reminds you of your Ogres & Oubliettes campaign >Or as Spike and Discord calls it, Dungeons and Discords >...well, there's also a golden apple >Quite a lot of gold as a matter of fact. A golden arrow. Golden sunglasses. But you think only one of them would be a better gift for the family... >...or maybe for yourself even >The sound of Trixie falling on her face when opening the door stops you from touching the apple >You now realize, she was just putting her pajamas on >''Oww, worry not! Trixie's just tired...maybe too tired!'' >She struggles to even keep her eyes open, she didn't even notice when you helped her get up on all fours >''...Trixie doesn't show this room much often, she is sure there's something...'' >...she can barely keep her head up >''There's something that might interest you! Is that right?'' >...well, it's just a golden apple... ''Eyup'' >''EXCELLENT!'' >She jumps excitedly >''Trixie's Wagon is filled with junk at this point, it was once meant to be filled with gifts for my audience. But now...'' >She smiles, somewhat saddened. >''If not for the fillies in Somnambula, Trixie would've sold most of these things for a piece of food'' >... >She yawns, but the look of sadness still remains on her face >You know this face very well >It's the look on your face, on the days you think of it all as very tiresome >But much like the hardworking mare in front of you, the joy of life makes it all worth it >''...well, what is it then? Maybe it's...!'' >She raises her hoof and puts it behind your ear >You feel something funny, and what do you know! She pulls out a Golden Apple from it! >''...behind your ear?'' >And just like a young colt, fascinated by the way the plants grow as the Sun rises... >You are fascinated >She, on the contrary, looks at it as if it was a bad apple >''Can't remember how this one got here...but it's nothing too bad'' >...each word of hers is less enthusiastic than the other >''As the old saying goes, every pony can become a magician, but a great magician will make the magic out of you'' >... >''Sleep well, Trixie is tired and wishes to slumber'' >As do you... >... Author's note: I had just turned 18 when I wrote this. One of my first greens ever, and it shows.