Jack Baker

I'm sorry guys, but I forgot to mention I'm gonna put the rp on hiatus for a while. School's been keeping me busy for the past few weeks, and I haven't found a good chance to post. This is about as much as I can do at the moment, so please bear with me.

Steel smiled at everyone, a bit surprised that they cared for him this much. Not too long ago, he had left his home, branded a traitor. Now, he was surrounded by friends that treated him almost like family. To him, it was unbelievable. He nodded towards The Custodian, silently thanking him. "You are welcome, my child," he said to him. Steel looked at the others. "Alright, alright, that's enough hugging," he said with a laugh, getting up from the ground. "I think I need to stretch my wings a bit," he said. "May I?" he asked The Custodian. "By all means, go ahead," he said, gesturing for him to do so. Steel extended his wings, bending them and stretching them out. Then, with a powerful leap, he took off, flying right above the others on the ground.

They killed gp for a design change... That's a very complicated way of changing a character's design in a game, I must say

The Custodian quietly stood behind the excited ponies until Lightning asked what would happen next. "Normally, I would need to create an entire new vessel-- that is, his body-- for his soul to use," he began to explain. "However, since you've brought me his present one, which looks to be unharmed, I will be able to use this one." He gently set Steel's body on the floor, laying it flat and face-up. "All that is left is to place the soul back inside..." He then took a deep breath, and suddenly his entire body was surrounded by a bright, white aura. He extended a hoof towards the spirit of Steel, which flashed brightly, turning into a small orb of light floating towards the Custodian's hoof. He knelt down and gently let the orb float above Steel's body, just over the chest area. Slowly, it began to float downward until it disappeared inside the corpse, which glowed for a few seconds, the returned to normal. At first, nothing happened. Then, Steel jolted upward, sitting upright and gasping for breath. He coughed a bit, feeling as if he hadn't breathed in a long time. He looked around, then looked down at his hooves, examining them, then put one of them on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. Finally, he stood up, and looked towards his companions, some of which were a bit surprised. "...What?" he said, a bit surprised himself at their reactions.

Steel looked at Hurricane. "First off, never call me stupid," he said to her. "And second... I know I'm dead! I understand that part. I just didn't know there was a way to return--" He paused when he heard what Lightning had said. "...What?" he said, quickly approaching Lightning. "Quickdraw's dead? After what I did to save him?!" His face showed signs of anger, then sorrow. He sighed. "But... the only reason I sacrificed myself... was so he could live..." Royal went up to the Pegasus. "He knew that, but he sacrificed himself as well to save us. He also knew you had much more to live for, so he wanted to make sure you could live your life to the fullest. That's why his dying wish was for you to come back." The Custodian observed them, then once they were finished talking, approached Steel. "My child, have you decided what you want to do?" he asked him. Steel looked at his companions, then at The Custodian, then at his body. "If that's really what the old stallion wants... I won't let him down. I'm in," he said.

Steel Tempest felt a mix of emotions when he saw his companions. He first felt happiness, then... confusion. What were they talking about? Coming back... "Hold on," he said, looking at all of them. "I don't understand what you're talking about..." He sat down on the floor. "Start from the beginning. What do you mean 'come back'...?"

@Lightning Bliss The Custodian overheard their conversation, and turned to face them. They had stepped on a small circular platform which began to rise up, until they reached another circular platform, which appeared to be an open air observation deck of some sort, providing a fantastic view of the strange setting sun. A sole Pegasus was standing at the edge of the observation deck. " If you are so curious as to if he will come back... why don't you ask him yourself?" The Custodian said to them, gesturing at the Pegasus in front of them, who turned around. It was Steel Tempest.

As The Custodian walked, he began to speak. "The truth is, your friend is here, living amongst the rest of the departed. I have observed your battle with the Keeper of Souls. Thanks to you, more of the departed have come here, back to where they belong..." He sighed. "You know, The Keeper wasn't always evil. In fact, he was once one of us. The Keeper was the second Divine to be made, created by me. He was responsible for nurturing souls before they were made, and for taking them back here when their time in the Mortal Realm had come to an end. He was a kind, gentle being, who would protect the souls he cared for at any cost. However, that all changed when he strode into Tartarus, the place where all vile and evil souls lie. He believed he could save the souls trapped there, and reform them to become good and pure, despite all that I had told him about how those who were put there were there for a reason. Once he stepped foot past the gates, it wasn't long until the evil found him and took hold of him, becoming what you have witnessed..." "Now, as for your friend, I will revive him, as your boon for traveling all the way here. The question is, however... will he want to go back?"

@@Lightning Bliss,@@Pripyat Pony, The Custodian looked at the two alicorns for a minute, then nodded. "Very well," he said. "I shall honor both of your requests." He looked at Lightning Bliss again. "However... at least stay with us for Clover's test and, if she succeeds, induction." Raze was observing the conversation, when he almost forgot that he was carrying Steel on his back. "Wait!" he said, approaching the Custodian. "There's something I need to ask of you..." He gently set Steel's body on the ground. "There were more of us in the group, you see... two more; an earth pony and a pegasus. However, we were both ambushed by this demon creature thing, and it took both their lives before we could defeat it. However, the earth pony's dying wish was to have us bring the pegasus back, since we read that if we found this place, we would be rewarded for it..." He paused, then continued. "What I'm saying is... can you revive him?" he said, pointing at Steel. The Custodian listened with interest, then looked at the body. "Follow me," he said, motioning them to follow. With his magic, he lifted Steel's body, hovering it in front of him as he went forward.

Well, with what has been said above me, is anyone gonna post? I don't want this to die out now, especially considering how far we've gotten into it.

Hey, it's been awhile since the last post. Just wondering if anyone was still in this.

"As I have said, if you want them to," The Custodian said to her. "However... times have changed, and I have allowed some of my Divines to live in the Mortal Realm and help directly, with their powers hidden of course. They are only allowed to use them in times of great danger. Perhaps this is what you would like, if you change your mind: to stay in Equestria, but as a Divine."

The Custodian waved his hoof in dismissal. "It is alright. Let me speak to her..." he said to Clover and Hurricane. Then, in the blink of an eye, he had teleported to Lightning's side, no one even noticing that he had left his original spot until a second later. He held a hoof under her chin, gently bringing her face up to meet his. "My child, I understand how important family is to you," he said to her. "Yes, I know what you are thinking; I created you after all. I also know that you feel you are not ready for something such as this. Why, you even think you can barely handle being an alicorn! You mustn't think that way. If Celestia did not think you were ready, she would have not made you an alicorn in the first place. Now, about your family... know that I would never think about separating anyone from their loved ones. They will be allowed to live here with you if you become a Divine, if you want. You and your husband can be together..." He paused, then continued. "I know you have your mind made up, but, please... do think about it." @@Lightning Bliss,

The Custodian merely looked at Lightning as she headed back to the portal. "Hmm..." he said, then faced the group. "Not many can handle the truth. I have seen quite a few alicorns who came here react the same way..." Raze raised a brow. "Exactly how many of them came here?" he asked. "Not many, actually," The Custodian replied. "The ones who came were Celestia's most trusted alicorns, a small group of princes and princesses whom she thought were worthy of becoming a Divine." "But some, like your friend, believed they were not ready to handle it, and left. I could not stop them; they are free to choose their own paths, I merely push them towards the right one." He paused, then turned around, looking at the obelisk tower in the center of the mega-city. "Becoming a Divine isn't something that is required of every alicorn. It is a big responsibility, something only those who are truly special can do. I believe your friend is one of them; she shows potential to become something greater, as I have observed from her acts in the Mortal Realm. However, if she wishes to live the normal life, then so be it... although I want her to understand something before she leaves." He then turned to Clover. "But first... what about you? Are you still set on this path?" @Pripyat Pony

"That is why I shall test you first," The Custodian said to Clover. "Those who wish to become one of us must prove themselves. All that have come here have gone through it, and those who have passed are guaranteed a place amongst us, to act as the invisible force that guides ponykind towards the right path..." He turned around. "Follow me," he said, then began to walk towards the mega-city. Raze and the rest of the group did as they were told. While they were walking, The Custodian spoke again. "I will tell you some secrets," he said. "The world you live in was created by none other than us. In the beginning, your world, and even this one, never existed, it was only a dark, empty space where it should have been. That had all changed when The Seed, the source of all magic and life itself, had created me, the first of the Divines. It had bestowed upon me one simple task: to spread it's life and magic across the void. So I did; with its guidance, I created this place, and I created some of the other Divines that helped me to shape your world. To give it life. All of you, that are here, walking with me, along with everything and everyone else, are of our creation. But I am the one who forsees it all; watching over every living soul in the Mortal Realm, and acting as the invisible hoof that guides them towards the right path. Hence my name, The Custodian. There is also a reason why alicorns are the only ones who can become Divines. It is because your powers were bestowed upon you by those who were once Divines before. When we created your world, it was still incomplete. We needed someone who would watch over ponykind directly and help them live in peace and harmony. However, we did not want to make our presence known outright, for fear that they would rely on our powers too much. We weren't sure of what to do, when two Divines stepped forward: Celestia and Luna. They offered to watch over the Mortal Realm and its inhabitants directly, in exchange for permanently inhibiting most of their power, so it would not be abused. I was reluctant, but accepted, and soon they descended from here to Equestria, from becoming Divines to alicorns, and exchanging their omnipotence for mortality. From there, they shaped the rest of the world, creating the Sun, and the Moon... and the rest, I am sure you already know." "So what does this mean? It means when Celestia bestowed you your alicorn powers, she also made you half Divine. The power is there in its entirety, but it is inhibited by her bestowing it to you when she is also not at her maximum strength." He stopped, then looked back. "Do you understand now? Why you are what you are?" ((OOC: AKA Official headcanon for the rp considering alicorns, their power, and the origins of Equestria and the rest of the world of MLP. Hope this isn't too confusing))

The Custodian smiled from underneath his mask. "Oh no, you are very much alive," he said. "The portal is a way for those who are still alive to enter here without dying. It also serves as our way of traveling to the Mortal Realm by way of the Other World... or in other words, Equestria through the Edge of Equestria." He walked forward. "This place is known as The Origin. Where life is created and, when it ends in the Mortal Realm, returns here, to the center of it all..." He faced forward to the rest of the group. "...Also known as the Realm of the Divines. Which I believe is the reason why two of you are here today..." He looked at Lightning and Clover.

The masked pony looked at Hurricane. "Relax, my child. I mean you and your group no harm. However, you seem to be distressed; if you wish to relieve your emotions through a duel, I will be happy to oblige. I only ask why you are here..." He then looked at Lightning Bliss. "...And it seems you have answered my question. Does she speak for all of you when she says this?" He looked at Raze, as if he knew he was the leader of the group. Raze slowly nodded and the masked pony looked back at Lightning. "That is all I needed to hear..." he said to them, stepping out of the way of the portal. "Welcome, my children. We have been expecting you..." He turned around, and put his hoof near the top of the portal and brought it down. When he did, the portal opened up, and the pony began to step inside. "Join me, will you?" he said, and he disappeared into it. Raze wasted no time going in, and when he came out, the first thing he saw were thousands of giant floating circular platforms floating amongst an endless , blue sky, colored gold by a setting sun. Each platform held some sort of building on it, with the platform he was standing on containing a tall skyscraper-like building that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. The outside of it looked smooth and metallic, like a gigantic obelisk, and was surrounded by other buildings that were almost of similar nature, forming a sort of mega-city. He was in awe of how imaginary this all looked, but it was real... very real. The masked pony was waiting for them. "Beautiful isn't it?" he said. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am The Custodian."

Raze looked into the portal, then suddenly realized he had no idea of how to open it. He looked around it, trying to find something that looked out of place, but... nothing. He reached into it: the portal bent sideways away from his hoof. Becoming a bit annoyed, he kept trying to grasp at it, but couldn't... "You're not going to open it that way," said a voice behind the rest of the group. Raze turned around, and found himself face to face with a pony wearing a white, hooded robe, along with a white mask, the hood and sleeves colored black. "No, no... you cannot open this gate, for you do not own the key... and who else would own the key but the gatekeeper himself." He walked towards them, and past Raze, stepping in front of the portal. "But first I must ask you... who are you, and why have you come here?" he asked gently. "Not many know about this place... so there must be a special reason as to why you are here." ((OOC: Reference picture (I like posting visual aids so you can picture who people actually look like): (Just imagine that in pony form))

((OOC: Eyyy, welcome back Hurricane )) As Raze walked on, he had just realized that the snow... stopped falling. In fact, each flake was suspended in the air around them, unmoving. All was quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop from miles away. He began to think to himself Had they done it? Were they finally here? His question was answered when he saw something in the distance. It looked to be a distortion in the air, a rip in space itself, appearing to be... a portal of some sort. And right next to it was a hat, a wizard's hat, with bells lining the brim. He automatically knew who it belonged to, and that could only mean one thing. "We're here..." Raze said under his breath, quickening his pace, he approached the portal. "This is it! We're here!!" he said aloud, observing the portal.

@@Lightning Bliss, Raze looked at the alicorn, then offered a slight smile and a nod. "Yeah... of course. But you really need to stop doubting yourself," he said, looking ahead. "You're not a hindrance to any of us; just because we've done all the fighting and you haven't doesn't make you less of an importance than anyone else. You mean something to everyone here. Remember that..."

Somewhere... A flash. A sudden burst of white light surrounded him, and he felt his entire being whisked away somewhere, until he found himself... lying on a white table made of marble, surrounded by a white void. He was confused for a second, not sure where he had ended up. He looked down, seeing he was wearing a robe of some sort. As he sat up and got off the table, the white void cleared, and he found himself on a platform... a floating platform in the middle of a great, blue sky, colored gold by the sun and surrounded somewhat by clouds. Where was he, he thought? Who was he? Taking a step forward, he saw a pony, clothed in a hooded robe, although it was not completely white as the one he had on; the parts covering the hooves, along with the hood, were colored black. The pony was staring beyond the horizon. As he approached, the pony turned around. He had a mask on. "Ah, you are awake at last," the pony said, the voice being male. "Tell me, did you enjoy your rest?" He didn't know what to answer. "Where... where am I?" he asked the masked pony. "Hmm... that is always the question to ask, isn't it?" he responded. "When you find yourself in a place you have no memory of..." The pony walked up to him. "Tell me, what is your definition of... paradise?" He did not know how to respond, so he stood there for a few seconds, hoping the strange pony would move on and actually answer his question, but he didn't. So he tried to come up with an answer. "Uh... peace and quiet? Listening to some soothing music? I don't know..." From underneath his mask, the pony smiled. "That is quite alright. Not many know the answer to that question... although sometimes, the answers are right in front of you." He gestured for him to walk. "Come. There is much for you to see." He looked over the pony's shoulder, and saw that there was nothing else to walk on. "Wait... see what? And how will I see anything if the ground ends... right there?" He pointed at the empty space in front of the platform. The masked pony laughed lightly. "Have faith, my friend. There is always a way for one to get where he needs to be..." He began to walk, and as he did, more platforms began to materialize out of thin air. The pony looked back, and motioned for him to come forward. He did, and he began to follow, until the pony disappeared into a thick cloud. He kept walking straight, trying to find him, until he walked straight through the cloud. What he saw next, made his eyes open wide with awe. Thousands of huge floating platform were in front of him, each platform holding giant, foreign structures, with one especially large circular platform, too huge for him to measure, holding a giant, skyscraper-like structure in the center, which was surrounded by smaller buildings, which in turn were surrounded by even smaller buildings. The skyscraper was made of some sort of strange, smooth looking metal, which covered the entire building. Looking up, he saw that the top seemed to stretch forever, disappearing into the clouds. It was a floating city in the sky, he thought. He then saw the masked pony just a few feet away from him, coming towards him. "No, my friend, this is more than just some floating city," he said to him, somehow knowing exactly what he was thinking. "Welcome... to paradise." He lifted his hoof towards the city, then put it down. Paradise, he thought. As in... heaven? Was he... dead? Dead Suddenly, he remembered. Crystal, an apparition, an explosion... it was all coming back to him now. He looked at the pony, who noticed he remembered. "Ah, it's all coming back to you now, is it?" He asked him, smiling under his mask once more. "Yeah. It was only a matter of time," he said. "Leaving the mortal world has that effect on all who come here. But let's see if you remember everything..." He came closer. "What is your name?" He took a deep breath, and looked at the masked pony with a smile on his rugged face. "Steel Tempest," he said. "My name's Steel Tempest." "Well, Steel Tempest, allow me to show you around... I feel you will have visitors soon... better not keep them waiting." And with that, they both walked into the city together. ((OOC: Sneak peek)) ------------------------------------------- Meanwhile ------------------------------------------- Raze walked out of the cave and into the opening Elok'Tar made for them, which led to another open field of snow. He was determined to do it: to bring Steel back and fulfill his friend's dying wish. He looked back. Everyone else seemed to be with him, although some were still a bit distraught over the recent loss. He took a deep breath, and continued to venture forth...

Royal picked up Quickdraw's gun, and examined it. It was broken, but not fully beyond repair. He would have someone fix it. It was the least he could do for him. He then looked at the body and cast a spell on it, cleansing the blood surrounding him. Now it looked as if he were truly at rest. Elok'Tar approached the body, and gently breathed around it. A transparent crystal tomb began to form around it, protecting it from harm. "He shall be preserved here, as a testament to his heroic efforts," the dragon said. "I may not have known him, but what he did was truly remarkable... truly remarkable indeed..." Raze looked up at the dragon, and gave a solemn nod. "Thank you," he said. "We won't forget your kindness to us." The dragon bowed. "Till we meet again..." he said to them. With a flap of his wings, he flew away into the snowy sky.