Justin ZW

@@Fivefs Swordpoint sat in a quite uncomfortable chair as he waited for Rune Breaker to awaken. I suppose I should contact Princess Celestia. She may have wisdom for me. He closed his eyes and focused on the energy of his lance. He grasped it mentally and called out to her through the void. "Princess Celestia... can you hear me?" The Princess' voice came through clearly. "Yes, Swordpoint. It is well that you have won your match... and spared Rune Breaker's life." "But of course. How could I kill him? He does not deserve death. He deserves freedom from his curse." "Wise words indeed. But the magic which Knightfall has cast on you... I am sorry. Twilight is researching it as we speak, but there is very little information on the Draconians here..." Her voice conveyed her sorrow. "I understand, Princess. And what of Rainbow? Have you been successful in your attempts to locate her?" For a moment, there was only silence. "... I am sorry." Swordpoint sighed. "I expected this much. The royal guardians are skilled in foalnapping... Courtesy of the vile Omnia." "Yes... I know." There was pain and sorrow in Celestia's tone when she said this. "Forgive me, Princess. I did not mean to revive painful memories." "It is quite alright, Swordpoint. For now, I would suggest that you rest. Take a nap while Rune recovers some of his strength. When he awakens, he will be able to explain Knightfall's dark magic to you." "Yes... That seems prudent. I am still quite exhausted, although the medics have performed their duties well. The healing magics they wield are powerful... and I made certain that I observed every spell. I may be capable of recreating their effects... or at least conveying the technique for use in Equestria." "Swordpoint... Sleep. You cannot place the weight of the world on your shoulders. Your efforts are truly admirable, but you mustn't overexert yourself. I will be watching, and I will provide you any advice which I feel can help you." "Very well. We shall speak again, Princess. Thank you." Swordpoint opened his eyes and released his connection to Celestia. He stood and walked to the empty cot near Rune Breaker. He prepared to lie down, but then stopped. He picked up a piece of paper and a pen from the nearby table and wrote a note to Rune in the event that he awoke first. "Rune Breaker," it read, "We have much to discuss. I have arranged for you to join me in the hotel where the contestants are to be housed. When you read this, please rouse me if I am not awake. We shall leave as soon as you are ready. Also, I believe I have healed the damage done to your horn by our battle. I hope that it eases your pain. -Sincerely, Swordpoint." Satisfied, Swordpoint placed the note on Rune's chest. He then turned to his cot and lied down. His final thoughts before sleep found him were of Rainbow Dash.

Swordpoint lied on the infirmary cot, deep in thought. I wish I knew she was safe... If only just the slightest indication. And now... this foul magic Knightfall has cast upon me... I must not forget. I cannot. One of the tournament staff entered the room noisily. "Swordpoint?" he asked in a monotone. Swordpoint lifted his head. "Present." The scruffy stallion raised an eyebrow. "Your accomodations have been made. We're ready to take you to the hotel." Swordpoint glanced at Rune Breaker. "Not until he has awakened," he said coldly, pointing to Rune. The stallion sighed. "Look, if you want to have some crazy fun, you do it outside the hotel." Swordpoint stood at once. "You should learn to watch your tongue, lest it find you trouble." His eyes glowed gold. The other pony only laughed. "Oh, please. I'm just here to do my job. You lowlifes aren't even worth half of my paycheck." Swordpoint began to glow, and the pony was lifted into the air. "I warned you to watch your tongue. Your participation in this foul tournament taints you. I can kill you easily, and I will if I must." Swordpoint glared at the staff member. The pony began to panic. "A-Alright! Fine! Just put me down! We'll wait for him, too!" Swordpoint lowered him gently to the ground. "A wise decision. Now leave us." The stallion didn't need to be told twice; he galloped from the room as soon as his hooves touched the floor. "Man, I don't get paid anywhere NEAR enough for-" he muttered as he ran. Swordpoint didn't catch the rest of his sentence, but he could piece it together in his mind. Swordpoint turned to Rune Breaker, who lied nearby. The medics had done a wonderful job of fixing him with their magic... something Swordpoint could not do. Swordpoint was struck with pity once again as he watched the unicorn sleep. He noticed that the cracks in Rune's horn were slightly smaller than they had been before. But he also heard something. Faintly. In the back of his mind, almost. It was there... but it wasn't. "I could certainly use some rest. Perhaps I should wake him so we may find proper sleep at the hotel. But... I suppose there is no harm in allowing him to rest for a few more minutes. Rune has been through a great ordeal..." He placed his hoof on the cot and examined the scar his lance had left. It was completely healed, but it must have been painful. It was quite large, and the skin was folded where the lance had pierced Rune's hide. "Rune Breaker," Swordpoint mused, "I promise that I will find some way to help you. You do not deserve this curse. And your words before the match... Yes, I think they ring true. We are brothers in this. When this tournament is over... and if I survive... I shall bring you to Equestria with me. Yes... You have wandered for too long. You must have a home... and a guardian." Swordpoint glanced at Rune Breaker's horn. His horn seemed to heal when I cast that spell on Knightfall... Perhaps it could help further... His eyes began to glow and a golden aura surrounded Rune Breaker. He focused it on Rune's horn and released the spell. The light grew bright, and Swordpoint watched in awe as several of the larger cracks in Rune's horn began to heal. When the light dissipated, Rune's horn looked just as it had before their battle. Swordpoint smiled and lied down on his cot. "Well... at least I have helped him in some way. If I can heal his horn... he may be a powerful mage. Perhaps he will agree to share his knowledge with the Princesses." Swordpoint sighed and waited, remembering to keep Rainbow in the front of his mind.

Ooh. I'm eager to see how Swordpoint will turn out. Glad to hear an update. There's no rush, of course, especially since this isn't a commission. I've just never had a pic drawn of Swordpoint, and I'm all giddy to finally see an image of him fully realized and with a cutie mark! =D

@@Fivefs Swordpoint stared at Rune Breaker. "Do not blame yourself, Rune. He is powerful... I was afraid that I could not pacify him. He could have easily torn me to shreds." Rune stayed on the ground. Swordpoint reached his hoof out and picked him up, wrapping rune's forehoof around his shoulder. "Come on. Let's get you to the infirmary." The ref stared unbelievingly. "I-I guess that Rune Breaker forfeits...? Swordpoint is the winner by default!" The crowd grew angry. More shouts of "Traitor!" and "Weakling!" came, along with various items of garbage. Swordpoint glanced into the seats and spotted the pony from the waiting room... the organizer of the tournament, Rail. He was glaring at Swordpoint. Swordpoint met his gaze with a snarl and continued to support Rune through the exit. The angry shouts of the crowd slowly began to die. "I just keep her in my mind, yes? Just as long as I make sure to keep her in the front of my mind... I won't forget." This is bad... I could have used that wish to free Rainbow... But if I forget all about her... What will become of my life? I cannot live without her... I would rather die again. But I will not give up. I cannot. If even Celestia and Luna cannot help me... then I shall find the answer myself. Rune had fallen unconscious. He was bleeding from his side where Swordpoint had gored Knightfall. His hide was also charred in several places. As Swordpoint entered the infirmary, he carefully laid Rune down on a bed. He then turned to one of the surprised medics. "Fix him," was all that he said. The medic gave him an angry look and started to speak, but Swordpoint stopped her. "If you do not help him, I will kill you. Am I clear?" His eyes began to glow, and a red aura enveloped her. Hastily, she agreed and went to work tending to Rune's wounds. He let the glow disappear harmlessly. Swordpoint sighed and sat in one of the chairs. I suppose I must speak with him when he awakens. He felt the adrenaline rush begin to die, and he became dimly aware of the pain in his wounds. He scoffed and charged a spell, surrounding himself with golden energy. He released it and his smaller wounds healed. He would have no choice but to let the medics tend to his larger scapes, however. The medic cautiously turned to Swordpoint. "So... you've heard about tonight's arrangements?" Swordpoint eyed her curiously. "No. What arrangements?" She inhaled nervously. "Well... the fighters are staying in a hotel for the night. Once you're done here, they'll escort you to the hotel and your room." Swordpoint nodded indifferently. "Very well. I want him to come with me." He pointed to Rune Breaker. The medic began to play with her hooves. "But, uh... that's... we can't..." Swordpoint sighed. "You've paid for my room. What difference does it make if he comes with me in the room?" His eyes glowed subtly. She looked around. "Well... Uh... I guess that... can... be arranged..." Swordpoint smiled. "Good. Keep working."

@@Fivefs Swordpoint landed gently beside Rune Breaker. "Are you alright, Rune? You were screaming so terribly loud... I am sorry if I harmed you." Rune did not stand. "Perhaps... do you know what he meant? My strings cut? I do not understand, but I will not pretend that it does not trouble me. I am free of strings... I serve Celestia and Luna because I can. There is much I have taught the guard... but my life is not dedicated to them as it was to Omnia. I still live my life with... with..." He suddenly drew a blank. "Blast... what was her name...?" Swordpoint thought for a moment before it came to him. "Rainbow! How could I have forgotten?!" Swordpoint's stomach sank as a grim realization struck him. "... no. It isn't possible." He stared at Rune, who was still sobbing on the ground. "I swear it, dragon, you will pay for your crimes... and for what you have done to me this day." He turned and looked at the faintly glowing runes in the arena. The circle had dissipated during his battle with Knightfall, but the runes still pulsed lightly.

@@Fivefs Swordpoint fought to stay standing as the fire burned into him. It didn't hurt at all, and that worried Swordpoint. He forced his hooves to the collar and undid it at last, throwing it to the ground. He felt his strength return to him, but a voice spoke inside his mind and he froze. "You want to win," the voice said. Immediately, Swordpoint saw himself with Rainbow Dash. They stood beneath an old oak tree, her leaning her head on his shoulder. His lance and armor lied beside him. There was another bright flash, and he saw Rainbow's home. He watched himself fly to the doorstep and open it. He felt his heart hurt when he saw two foals inside... one a light brown pegasus with a blue mane, and the other a green pegasus with a rainbow colored mane. "It could be yours, all of it. One wish, and then a perfect life... What could be worth more? What wouldn't you give for that?" Swordpoint stopped. "I would give anything... except my soul. I will not give my soul to the darkness... Though I would willingly give my life and my soul to death, I would never walk the path of destruction again. If I save her but lose who I am, then I have accomplished nothing. I would not be the stallion she loves." Swordpoint heard a growling sound which died quickly. There was another flash of light as memories came flooding back. He was suddenly watching himself again. He stood before a door with a candle pattern. He knocked slowly and waited. When it opened, a blue pegasus stared at him. Her mouth fell open. “Good evening, ma’am,” he spoke urgently, “I am here to meet with a miss Sparkle. My name is –“ Before he could finish, Rainbow hit him in the face with her hoof, knocking him to the ground. “YOU! You have some guts coming here and trying that charade again!” she screamed. Her teeth were clenched and she was poised and ready to strike. Swordpoint coughed and spat out a mouthful of blood. “Ma’am, please, I don’t understand!” he pleaded. Rainbow pounced and struck him again. Twilight hurried to her and pulled her away. Everything fast forwarded to the night in the frozen north. He watched himself walk through the cold snow until he found a place to sit. He remembered this... lost deep in thought over the peculiar actions of Rainbow's friends. Lightning Dust's sacrifice... He couldn't understand it. He watched as Rainbow came to him, and they spoke. The strange feeling he'd felt then, the feeling he now understood as caring for someone... That was the first time. Another flash. This time, the Crystal Empire. His duel with Speartail, when the deranged royal guardian nearly killed Rainbow in front of him... And the brutal death that he gave Speartail in return for it. More light, this time in the nexus. He took Rainbow's hoof. "We are so close. Should anything happen to either of us..." "Don't say anything, you idiot, just kiss me," Rainbow said impatiently. He leaned in and locked his lips with hers. There was more light, and then everything faded. He saw himself in front of the library again, but this time, Twilight answered the door instead of Rainbow. Inside... Rainbow was nowhere to be found. The next scene played again... except no one came to speak with him in his time alone. And at last... the Crystal Empire. When Speartail arrived this time, Swordpoint left with him without so much as a second glance to his companions. He returned to Ponynesia... where he would spearhead the invasion of Equestria, killing the survivors of the reapling attack. Swordpoint screamed for it to stop. Life without Rainbow... he would still be a monster. He would be a cold killer, no different than Knightfall. "What would you be willing to do to keep her?" the voice called. "To not forget forever? It's what you would never sacrifice, but how much would you sacrifice to save it?" Swordpoint realized what was happening and composed himself. "Your mind games are worthless, Knightfall! I WILL NOT GIVE IN!" Swordpoint broke free from the spell at last. Knightfall was standing in front of him, holding his mane up slightly. Swordpoint hit him in the face with his hoof and jumped into the air, flapping his wings once more. "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR GAMES, WYRM!" He lit his wings and a glow surrounded Knightfall. "That little trick certainly took a lot of your strength. This spell can easily pacify you and allow Rune to regain control. Now sleep again, foul demon." Swordpoint released the spell, and the aura around Knightfall grew intensely bright.

@@Fivefs Swordpoint growled. "Their holds on me? I do what I know is right. I serve Celestia and Luna, for they are fair and true. I am no one's puppet. You claim to have known death? I have seen the infinite, the abyss of time. I gave my life once... for her... and for all of Equestria. I stared into the very fabric of existence... and I crossed that threshold without a second thought. You understand? I gave my life to save her. All the wrongs that I've done... I made up for them by saving them all. That I have been given a second chance is testament enough of my redemption. @ Swordpoint glanced up at the pegasus in the sky. "Your kindness is welcomed but unnecessary. I am not done. I will soon have the strength to stand, and then I will remove this collar. He knows this, and he is only buying himself time. I look forward to facing you later. And rest assured, I will be the victor, not this wyrm." @@Fivefs Swordpoint turned back to Knightfall. "What could you force me to give that I have not already given? There is nothing that I would not lay down for my friends. And as far as you, I do not hate you. I pity you. You live a dark existence, filled with nothing but delusions of grandeur. Look at yourself. You are trapped in the body of a pony. Your neo-draconians are dead by my hand. And once I have won this battle, I will find a way to excise you from Rune Breaker. Then, I shall allow time itself to pass judgment onto you. Now stop stalling." Swordpoint forced his back legs to move. He managed to bring them beneath himself, at which point he did the same with his front legs. He pushed them against the ground as hard as he could... and stood up. He was grunting and panting furiously.

@@Fivefs Swordpoint felt his rage boiling inside him again. "A craven wretch such as you will never understand. I was like you, once. Ruthless and uncaring... But I found my redemption and lived with her... and I was happy. If you dare to so much as speak her name... I will kill you. I will hunt you to the ends of this earth and the next one if I must. Just rest assured that you will die. Because for her, no sacrifice is too great." He turned to the audience. "Is that what you want to hear, you worthless lowlifes?! Yes, I was forced to participate. My only love has been taken from me... and the condition for her release was my participation. I want nothing more than to save her, but I will not sacrifice my soul. I have atoned for my sins... and I shall not stain myself with more. I have seen things you never could... All of existence laid out before me..." He closed his eyes, remembering the shifting colors and surreal feel of the nexus. "You could never comprehend my sacrifices because you would never make them yourself. So do your worst, and I will live. I will live, and I will save Rune Breaker along with Rainbow Dash. And you, foul wyrm, will be cast into the dark." Swordpoint reached inside himself and found strength. He pushed with all his might and raised his hoof to the collar. However, it was no use. He fumbled helplessly with the clasp, requiring two hooves to undo it.

Oops. Fixed. But yes, Stuck in Time is one of my favorite songs Bronyfied has worked on. The Living Tombstone's voice kills it for me sometimes, though. He's not a terrible singer, but Aviators is better.

Yaaaaaaaaaawn. *turns over* YO, WTF?! Was I drinking Tequila chased with roofies last night?!

@@Fivefs Swordpoint choked on the rancid stench of the collar. "I warn you now, wyrm, if you take my body, you will not take my mind... and I will kill myself before I let you do that." Swordpoint tried to move, but the collar restricted his movement greatly. He could do no more than twitch his legs and turn his head. "Well? What will it be? Shall you make good on your promise to kill me? Or will you perhaps attempt to possess me, as I expected? Or... perhaps you will torture me. In any case, do your worst. I will not beg for mercy." Damn you, Knightfall... Rune is in there somewhere... But how can I call him out? A twisted grin touched Knightfall's lips, but Swordpoint only stared back, his face like a stone statue. "Perhaps you misunderstand me, wyrm," Swordpoint spat, emphasizing the word "wyrm," as Knightfall always acted as if insulted when he used it. "I do not fear you. I am not a foal fresh from the womb. I have killed far greater enemies than you."

So two of my favorite artists around YouTube are the talented Bronyfied and Aviators. Bronyfied is a Finnish guitarist who produces metal brony music, and Aviators does electronic music. They've done numerous collaborations, and every single one has been fantastic. Aviators sings well, and Bronyfied has some serious skill with a guitar. Plus, Aviators always add in that electro feel along with the music. One of their latest endeavors is Heroes, from Aviators' newest album, seen here. Now tell me, do you think they'd make a fantastic band? I do.

Teenagers should stay inside instead of going out and getting all drunk and fucked up on various substances. Seriously, after my teenage years, I'mma tell my teen they can go out on Friday nights but that's it. I've found it far too easy to get away with partying way too hard.

@@Fivefs Swordpoint struggled against the weight of Knightfall, but the whip was draining his energy. He could not summon the strength to push him off. This is it. He means to take me for his own. I cannot allow this. I am sorry, Rainbow... and I will see you on the other side. Swordpoint struggled to conjure energy, but he could not. His magic had been leeched. So... you deny me even death. Well, then, you craven wyrm... take my body. You shall not take my mind. Swordpoint at last ceased his struggles and waited for Knightfall's next move.

@@Fivefs Swordpoint struggled violently against the force of Knightfall's whip. He tried to charge a spell, but found that he was drained of magic. Knightfall was directly in front of him. Swordpoint swept his back leg across the ground in an attempt to sweep Knightfall's legs out from under him.

@@Fivefs Swordpoint felt the claws dig into his stomach, but he swiftly rose into the air with a quick flap of his wings. He examined his lance, which had been charred. He thought for a moment before levitating it into the air and surrounding it with a golden glow. He then made the lance disappear. "If you will use such a vile weapon, then you will face my magic." He lit his wings, and the ground beneath Knightfall quickly turned blue and began to spray large chunks of ice.