open Bangcolt Arena! (Fighting/Sol) (RP)

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

@@Mars Orbit,

 

Pinkie Pie watched as Skitz burst through the window below; she then began jumping on the roof.  The constant pressure and force exerted upon the roof was too much so it fell through. She was right over head of Skitz as she belly flopped onto whatever was below her. 

@, @, 

 

-snip-

Night Tracer looked at Celestia; she had only addressed Caliber and Lektra so he figured that he and Luna didn't have to pay attention and they could fight. "Alright, let's go," he thought, then Luna spoke and he rolled his eyes. "We aren't ever going to start this,"  He let out an impatient groan and looked up at the non attentive Luna and softly spoke to where others couldn'tunderstand him besides himself and Luna, "You know, if you weren't immortal and have such a loving boyriend, you'd be so dead right now. I have two swords, some cyanide and a few other tricks, the kinds of pain you'd be in is unimaginable. Yet, you're still not paying attention to me; ok." 

He then turned his attention to Celestia, "What seems to be the matter?" he asked, since everyone else was and he didn't really have much to do but wait on her to speak before they could continue with what they were doing like everypony else. 
 

 

Well that explained the reason she looked under the table. Speed and Flash kinda put a hoot each in the ear that was facing the group at the time, massaging it. Boy they were loud. "It's nice to meet you, but please don't yell like that." said Speed as her brother nodded. Their ears were ringing a bit.   "Rightthen. It'snicetoseeotherkidsaroundhere. Wewerelookingtofindourbigsisterwho'ssetupshopherebetweenfights, butwe'realwaysunderhoofandmaybethefiveofuscouldhangoutabit? Whatdotheydoforfunaroundhere, exactly? We'refromManehattanandneverbeentothisareabefore." Speed said as she took a bite of a slice of floating cake. "I'msorry, wouldyoulikesome? Wehaveplenty."   Flash nodded and ate some of his. "Do you have any siblings or the like competing in the Arena too?"

 

 

"Sorry," the answered together.

As Speed talked they tried their best  to keep up with her but it was close to impossible; somehow, they caught a bit of what Speed said. 

"Sure we'd love too!" Sweetie Belle's voice sharped and deafened everyone's ears, "Oops, Sorry."

Applebloom and Scootaloo covered there ears, "That's alright I guess..." 

"So, Y'all want to know what we do for fun? Well we..."

"Come here and hang out..."

"Try a bunch of different things to earn our cutie marks; hence, the Cutie Mark Crusaders..."

"Go on adventures..."

"Hang out with the elements of harmony..."

"Burst out into random song..."

"Buy some apples..."

"Etc..."
 

"More etc..."

 

"Dido"

They burst out into high pitched childish laughter combined with a snort or two. They had completely forgotten about the other two foals, they were so busy enjoying each other that they almost forgot about the other two.

But they refocused and sat up in their chairs, wiping tears of laughter from their eyes.

 

"Yeah we have siblings, my sister Applejack and she does it fight. She's a six shooter with two of the strongest stemps in all of Equstria! She could beat a warthog to the mud pin on hot summer day if she wanted to. Besides that she owns and manages the local bar and is one of the six elements of Harmony."

"Her sister is cool and all; not to mention dependable but my sister is the coolest! She's Awesome, her name is Rainbow Dash and she's the fastest flyer in all of Equestria; she's even better than the Wonderbolts! She also trains Fillys and colts that want to fight."

"Yeah, Yeah, but neither of them are as beautiful as my amazing big sister Rarity. She fights  like them but she does it with much more grace and style. She's an absolute beauty to watch unlike the other two ruffians."

"What did ya just say about my sista?"

"Don't take it personally, they just don't pay much attetion to their style. It's sort of brutish--,"

"That's not even a word!" 

"Yeah, and Rainbow Dash doesn;t need style, She's awesome! And she can make SONIC RAINBOOMS! I've never seen Rarity do that." 

They bickored back and forth, and back and forth and back and forth then a little to forth and not enough back but then it balanced out since forth became tired and back still had some in the tank, y'know? Eventually they became physical and got kicked out of The Sweet Shop, 

"Man, did you see her face when she was all like, 'Ya here kids best not be behavin poorly'," Applebloom made a funny face and spoke mockingly; they all laughed hysterically. 

"Huh, what should we do now?" Scootaloo asked.

"Hey, you two. How bout you pick what we do next." Sweetie Belle insisted. 

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edited June 26, 2015 by louisvillepride

[Mars Orbit 729]

"What's that?" Skitz listened to the noise coming from above him. "Wooo jumping." Skitz started jumping. Then the roof broke. "MY BONES!!!" He screamed as the roof collapsed on top of him.

The floor he was jumping on also broke and he fell through both of them. "I think...I broke...everything..." he stood up. "Wait no I'm good. Except that." His wing was bent and probably broken. "Yeah that makes more sen-AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" He reached for his satchel. "Oh no. Nononononononono not that. Anything but that." His satchel was missing. "I need to think." He activated skitz force. "Alright. Focus." He searched for Pink and didn't see her anywhere. "Then I wait."

[Unicorncob 5,677]

Tyra eventually regained consciousness, sitting upright on her haunches and letting out a long, loud yawn while stretching her limbs. She let out a breath of relief as her legs clicked and popped, ready for the day.

 

She hopped onto her hooves and shook herself off. "Aahh, what a lovely rest. It is time to look for some worthy challengers!"

She smirked and trotted outside, not thinking to look for Lorec. If he wanted to fight, he could find her.

 

She wandered around the arena grounds, looking for something to do.

[J.R. 3,183]

Blizzard was still within his mind at a steady loss of energy rate. He was able to calculate how much time he had left, via his level of fatigue, "Let's see...how much....oh my bucking god. It's already 3:00 PM in the real world." this angered him severely. He was wondering if any of his friends actually cared enough to look for him anymore, "God-buckity-dammit! Crap son of a gun! I can't believe this. I don't bucking belive this. Grr.......why am I even trying? Just bucking why? Come on dude, I still have a little over a day left. DOn't freak out. Don't freak out....." he said with a steady frown.

 

"I'm gonna be just fine right?! I'll be outta here and I'll date Rarity again right?! It's gonna be just fine right?!" he said crazily, eyes twitching.

Edited June 25, 2015 by Ice Blizzard

[MozillaToast 233]

Colours and shapes that the fireworks and pyrotechnics created from their explosions danced and waved around the room, then forming into shapes and creatures that intrigued him. He sat there in awe as the show continued on, "I can see where the illusionist part of your self proclaimed title came into light. But what about your stage performing?" He asked aburptly.

Edited June 25, 2015 by Tempest Shift

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

The rain had finally cleared up and the clouds that hung over head were not dark nor gloomy, but they were white and puffy. Tempting to lay on, nestle your muzzle in and drift off to sleep.

Cadence and Shining Armor were stopped by a river, they were about a half way through their trip and they needed to get a drink. 

Cadence and Shining Armor hadn't exchanged any sort of words since the incident before hand about 1 hour and a half back. 

Cadence walked over to the river and leaned over to take a drink; Shining Armor did the same. He looked up at Cadence who was right next to him and noticed quickly that he was staring at her. She raised an eyebrow ever so slightly.

"What? I already said I'm sorry." Cadence looked away from him and bent down to drink some more water, ignoring Shining Armor. "Hey, At least speak to me, I'm trying here." 

Cadence didn't stop drinking but she looked up at him out of the corner of her eyes to see him still staring her down. "Come on?" He pleaded with a bright smile. 

She thought about speaking but decided against it, instead she just offered a smile. Then, suddenly, she swung her right hoof through the water splashing water all over Shining Armor and she giggled. Then began walking away from the water. 

"Pfft, Why? Sometimes I think you just enjoy being a big ass." She stopped and smiled, then kicked him right in the flank with one of her hind legs and spoke, "Yeah, but as not big as big as of ass that you have." She laughed, leaving Shining Armor in the water, while she walked back up onto the trail. 

Shining Armor resurfaced, and spit water out of his mouth; "Hey! Wait."  She stopped and turned her head half ways around to see him and waited for him to continue. He smiled, "Love you." He said stupidly.

She smiled at the goofball, "Love you too." she beamed, "Now come on tank flank, we got to get going. I don't want to sleep in another cave." She shuddered and kept walking towards the trail, with Shining Armor soon to follow

@@Mars Orbit, 

 

Pinkie Pie was still a level above Skitz, she landed on hundreds of glass shards because of the broken window. She had about a thousand paper cuts all over her body. She looked to her left to see Skitz's satchel. She took the remaining waffles out of it and slid a Party bomb in it. When the party bomb would go off it would be so loud it was bound to deafen him, busting his eardrums. She smiled happily and slid the bomb into the bag. Then pushed it thorugh the whole and  it landed right behind Skitz. She stayed above and waited for him to open the satchel so the bomb would go off

@, 

 

"Come on my little friends," Fluttershy asked as she guided a family of ducklings through the city; from her cottage to Saddle lake across town where she assumed their parents would be due to some of Angel Bunny's tracking. 

She continued backing up and leading the ducklings until she bumped into someone.leaving the Princesses castle, she turned around to find a stalllion in front of her, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to get in your way kind sir, go right ahead. We can wait." She said softly

@@Unicorncob,

 

Twilight was in search for an Earth Pony, she trotted her way down to the bar to look for her friend Applejack but someone caught her eye; who was walking out of AJ's bar. Tyra. She had never met her before but she had what Twilight needed. 

"Hey, Excuse me?" Twilight asked, "Could you help me with something if you aren't too busy?" 

Edited June 25, 2015 by louisvillepride

[Mars Orbit 729]

Skitz heard some shuffling and then a soft thud as his satchel fell to the floor. "A gesture of kindness in the middle of match? I don't know." He reluctantly picked up his satchel and felt a weight difference. "What the bu-" he was interrupted by the explosion. "BAH!!! WHAT HAPPENED?!? I CAN'T HEAR ME!" He he quickly moved towards a pile of rocks in a corner. "I can't hear anything. Ok that is a minor set back." He thought to himself.

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

@@Mars Orbit, 

 

Since skitz couldn't hear and he was focused on the satchel and what was in front of him, she made another hole in the celing above and slipped down to the floor behind him. She landed loudly but that didn't matter. She pulled out a party canon filled with rocks given to her by her sister Maud. She rolled it up to the distracted Skitz and aimed it right as his back. If he didn't notice, it would have enough pressure to send him out the window and plummeting towards the ground. 

She fired, leaving Skitz miliseconds to react.

Edited June 25, 2015 by louisvillepride

[J.R. 3,183]

@,

Kevin was bumped into by a pink and yellow mare. He didn't make so much of any discernable noise, and thought to himself, "Watch where you're going."

 

He then spoke in his monotonous voice, "No problem..." a part of his swarm crawled along his face and began to inspect the mare. His dark goggles hid his expression of interest. "Hmm...I can sense a decent personality within this one. Not an enemy."

 

"Where are you going without watching yourself? You should be more careful. Are you ok?"

[Mars Orbit 729]

Skitz felt the floor move as pink landed and felt the rumbles as the undoubtedly heavy party cannon rolled towards him. Skitz quickly threw himself to the side and landed on his broken wing. He screamed in pain as he landed. He quickly moved to pink and threw an extremely hard right hook aiming to knock her out entirely.

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

@,

 

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just taking these little ducklings home." She then noticed a bunch of bugs flying around his mane, she shrieked quitely. "Oh, my! I've never seen those bugs before. I wish we could talk about them but I've got to get going with these little guys," She motioned one of her hooves toward the bright yellow ducklings, "Unless... you were to walk with me if that isn't too much of a burden?" She smiled sheepishly.

 

[Unicorncob 5,677]

Twilight was in search for an Earth Pony, she trotted her way down to the bar to look for her friend Applejack but someone caught her eye; who was walking out of AJ's bar. Tyra. She had never met her before but she had what Twilight needed. 

"Hey, Excuse me?" Twilight asked, "Could you help me with something if you aren't too busy?" 

 

Tyra perked up as someone called in her direction, and spotted a purple alicorn walking her way. She stopped before her and asked for her help.

 

"Not at all!" She chirped, puffing out her chest and grinning widely at the taller mare, "What is it that I can help you with?"

Edited June 25, 2015 by Unicorncob

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

@@Mars Orbit,

 

Pinkie Pie was taken back as Skitz reacted so quickly and punched with so much force that she flew right into the wall. She was left indented into the wall; stuck in a Pinkie Pie shaped whole. She was dazed as her eyes spun around in circles.

Blood oozed from her temple and dripped onto the ground, her pupils shrunk as well as her iris and one of her eyes went lazy. Then her mane deflated and became a dark pink color. She stock raving mad. 

 

She pulled out a balloon string from behind her back  and started walking towards Skitz with the string stretched out between her hooves. She twisted her neck about 180 degrees so Skitz looked upside down, "It's time to hang the Pinata." She laughed maniacally. 

[J.R. 3,183]

@,

Kevin knew he should be looking for rare and exotic species so he can thrive with his findings when he gets his reports finshed, but he saw something within the mare, "Hmm..I also sense a great amount of fauna-based experience. If anypony, this is the mare who can potentially be of some help to me."

 

"Sure. I'll walk with you. I'm Kevin by the way..." he said while stretching his hoof out to shake.

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

@@Unicorncob,

 

"Hi." Twilight beamed, "Well I noticied that you looked very strong, for starters you're an Earth Pony and you seem to have the natural build I'm looking for. Just follow me." She said as she motioned her to follow. They began walking towards her library. "I'm not sure how big you are on physical labor but I need someone to run at a high enough speed to help me with a potion I've came up with and wit enough kinetic energy it should do what it is supposed to do, I can compensate you if you'd like." she smiled.

 

Then felt embarassed as she had got so caught with her intentions that she forgot to introduce herself, "Sorry, I'm Twilight, Twilight Sprakle," she still smiled as she extended a hoof.

 

@, 

 

Fluttershy turned to her animals, "Come on little ones, we're going and Mr. Kevin and his friends will be coming along with him so please be kind."

She turned away from them and back to Kevin, "I'm Fluttershy, it's nice to meet you." As she extended her hoof to his.

[Unicorncob 5,677]

"Hi." Twilight beamed, "Well I noticied that you looked very strong, for starters you're an Earth Pony and you seem to have the natural build I'm looking for. Just follow me." She said as she motioned her to follow. They began walking towards her library. "I'm not sure how big you are on physical labor but I need someone to run at a high enough speed to help me with a potion I've came up with and wit enough kinetic energy it should do what it is supposed to do, I can compensate you if you'd like." she smiled.

 

Then felt embarassed as she had got so caught with her intentions that she forgot to introduce herself, "Sorry, I'm Twilight, Twilight Sprakle," she still smiled as she extended a hoof.

 

"Well met, Twilight Sparkle," Tyra greeted, bumping her hoof against the alicorn's and putting it to her chest, "I am Tyra Shatterhoof, of the Frozen North's Shatterhoof clan."

 

She tilted her head at the proposal, a little unsure. "A potion, you say? What will it do?"

[J.R. 3,183]

@,

Kevin had but one objective: Document his new findings. He could tell that this mare has experince with dealing with animals. Maybe she could provide him with some guidance, "So Fluttershy. Have you seen any signs of exotic entomological life forms in this area?"

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

@@Unicorncob,

 

"It's intended to be veritaserum; a truth serum, is what it is commonly referred to as. And it's purpose is to well, get people to tell the truth." She explained, "I also need a test subject, which I don't know if you'd like to do that. You don't have to if you don't want to. I have my assistant Spike who could do it but I believe with him not being a pony than it could alter the results." 

​ @,

 

"Not as of now, the most exciting thing we have this time of year is crickets, but there midnight chirping sessions can be wonderful if especially if they get noticed by a mate." She said.

"But in the town South of here; Ponyville , the Breezies come by once a year through their migration route and they are super rare and beautiful. They are scheduled to go through in a few days and I'm going down to see it. Would you like to go with me?"

[Mars Orbit 729]

"YOU CAN BREAK YOUR OWN NECK NOW HUH?!?!?" Skitz stared at her. "YOU KNOW WHAT?!?" He deactivated and calmly walked up to her. "You are nothing compared to me. You broke some bones and burst my eardrums and I won't be able to hear your response. But I'm still gonna stand back up." He got into a ready position. "Now show me what you got."

[Unicorncob 5,677]

"It's intended to be veritaserum; a truth serum, is what it is commonly referred to as. And it's purpose is to well, get people to tell the truth." She explained, "I also need a test subject, which I don't know if you'd like to do that. You don't have to if you don't want to. I have my assistant Spike who could do it but I believe with him not being a pony than it could alter the results." 

 

Tyra tilted her head, listening to her instructions. A truth serum did not sound too dangerous; she would simply tell the truth and nothing more. No harm in that, is there?

She nodded, grinning widely. "Very well, I will try this potion! It does not sound too dangerous!"

[Fractured 2,684]

@Orion Caelum

"I'm fine Wilhelm. It's just intense nausea and third-degree burns; i'm fit as a fiddle!"

 

Anette tried tried to laugh, but her body had other plans, and it instead exploded into a series of weak coughs as pain racked her body.

 

"Ow. Okay, maybe not," she said with a chuckle, before her face became more serious.

 

"Wilhelm..." she said almost distantly as they walked. She was holding him tightly. "I'm glad I found you."

 

-------

 

The lights around him froze suddenly in a catatonic state before vanishing into trailing lights. An indignant  voice echoed from around the room in response to Aknor.

 

"So impatient! Fine, we shall skip to Great and Powerful Finale!"

 

Suddenly, sparks crawled out from behind the stage, building on each until they formed massive Chineighs fire rockets that pointed upwards towards the ceiling. The same ceiling from where a large glass box slowly began to protrude, as if it was moving through the wood itself. As it descended further, it revealed a shock; Trixie, tied to the top by a single string of rope, bound, gagged, upside down, and blindfolded, with seemingly no way out. Suddenly, from the floor, the fuses on the rockets began to ignite, moving down to the rockets themselves. When they released, they would blow the box to pieces, along with destroying whatever was inside it.

[J.R. 3,183]

@,

Kevin was conflicted. The 'Breezies' did indeed sound like an interesting life form, but it was already documented. He was looking for NEW species. Ones of which the Equestrians are either too afraid or too lazy to seek after themselves.

 

After giving it some thought, he made a decision, "Hmmm...sounds interesting. I might be there to see them if I have time. However, I'm looking for whole new species to document. I'll just have to keep looking...."

[Ranger22 179]

@Ice Blizzard

Walking through pony lands have taught me quite well how easily frightened they could be. However luckily for me the ponies here are quite used to a striped being like me. With my cowl in place and my saddlebags rustling I was wandering the town to see if they had the proper type of herb I needed to make a potion I was trying out. Though ponies are used to zebra by now thanks to zecora they still steered clear of my path when I went shopping. However what beset my eyes were two ponies having a conversation.

 

 The yellow coat and long pink mane were easily recognized as the towns local animal caretaker fluttershy. Yet I did not know of the one of who she spoke to. His appearance would lead me to assume he was a well taught and mannered sort of pony, but my mother has always told me to be wary of assumptions. "Hello my good pony folk may I introduce myself for we have not spoke." I said with a joyful tone, rhyming was actually limited to zecora herself but I think I'll go with it as a joke.

[Vae Victis 742]

Darkrai was astounded. Each living memory was a fatal mirror to her own past. She had no idea of this griffon's prior life experiences until now. 

 

As she predicted, Kaz's younger life wasn't easy. But she wanted to learn more about him, so without regrets, she pointed a hoof to the next orb, "давай"("Bring it on")

Ezerepth, still staying disembodied, spoke again.

 

" War... is a tragic pastime of mortals. Lives are lost. Both sides suffer. All for what they feel like is a righteous cause. Even more terrifying, is a civil war that pits brother against brother, and father against son. Leovia suffered a civil war when a potential usurper named Gorven rose to prominance. Kazas already told you why Gorven followed the path that he did... but he did not tell you what that entailed...

---------------------------------

[MEMORY OF KAZAS, 15 YEARS AGO]

 

The metaphysical mindspace warped again into a familiar setting; Sebes village. However, only the location was the same. It was night, with a crescent moon looming overhead. There were no clouds, only black smoke. Sebes village was in flames. Nearby, two groups of Griffons could be seen, clashing blades with each other. Among them, Kazas and his father could be seen, among with some of the other griffons from the previous memory. They were into their adolscelent stage at this point. Kazas and his father were surrounded along with a few of their other fellow royalists. Four of the surrounding griffons charged at Kazas and his father, hoping to take them down. Instead... in one instant, Kazas's father lifted his claw and pointed it towards the oncoming group, and a burst of flame seemingly gushed out of his claw, setting them ablaze. Screaming, the immolated group of griffons fell to the ground, burning to death. He was still the Phoenix knight at that time. Kazas's father roared loudly.

 

" YOU ALL WOULD DARE BETRAY EMPEROR RAZIAK FOR THE SILVER TONGUE OF A TRAITOR? HAVE YOU ALL LOST YOUR SENSES?!?"

 

From the other side of the conflict, another griffon yelled.

 

" yes! And we'd do it again! Leovia can't survive the way we have been anymore! Annexing hunting grounds, resources, and farmland are the only ways we can survive!"

 

" There are more solutions to our problems than going to war with other nations! Of course... we could always thin the population... in which case.... I will do so MYSELF WITH THE BLOOD OF YOU TRAITORS! COME! I WILL SHOW YOU WHY THE INAROS ARE THE EMPEROR'S RIGHT CLAW!"

 

With that, multiple griffons stepped in to charge at Kazas and his father. Kazas raised shield and sword, and was immensely afraid from the looks of it, shaking profusely. There were five griffons charging at them. Kazas's father charged at them himself, sword drawn. Quickly, he cuts four of them down with masterful cuts, but was unable to slay the fifth one. Turning to see the griffon charging at kazas and the boy clearly shaken, Kazas's father yelled.

 

" Kazasssssssss!!! "

 

The griffon jumped into the air, with sword in claw. It was one of the two griffons from the earlier memory, grown up. " your mine, B**** of Avae!" Using his wings to gather height and momentum, the griffon commenced an overhead smash with his sword, intending to split Kazas's skull.

 

It was then, that instinct took over. Immediately, he stopped shaking. He lowered his shield, and in one quick motion, side-stepped the other griffon at the right moment as he was coming down. The other griffon had put too much into his attack, reeling forward from the weight. Without thinking, Kazas rose his sword, and brought it down on the griffon's neck as he was reeling forward. Under the strength of Kazas's swing..... the Griffon would no longer have the means to spurt blasphemies against him. After realizing what he had done and seemingly coming off of the adrenaline high, Kazas's face contorted into one of terror and guilt. He falls to the ground, heaving and starting to sob. This was his first kill. And given his personality, it was not sitting well with him.

 

The memory fast forwards, to the aftermath of the battle. Kazas and his father are alright, with minor cuts and bruises, along with other fellow royalists. The battle had been won, and the flames of Sebes quelled. However, there was no sense of victory. A village, split down the middle in ideals, had just consumed itself in the flames of war. Alone and near a tree that had caught the breath of the flame, Kazas wept and mumbled quietly.

 

" I'm... I'm sorry... I... I didn't want to... Avae, I am sorry. I didn't mean to do that! I... I wanted to disarm him, but I was afraid, I was... why.... why..."

 

The memory freezes. This time, Darkrai had the option of trotting near Kazas in this memory. She couldn't actually touch anything, as it was a metaphysical construct, and would just phase through. She could observe what she wished, as Ezerepth spoke.

 

[EZEREPTH]

 

" that was not the only kill that Kazas would experience that night. He slew neighbors, former classmates, and many others who had chosen to attack him. While jt was self-defense, Kazas... never forgave himself for what he did on that night. The village was so evenly split between the royalty and the rebellion that this was inevitable. All Kazas ever wanted to do was to become a healer. But fate would not be so kind. This war forced him to lose his innocence, and what is worse, is that he volunteered, thinking he could talk down the other villagers and keep the peace. It was not so. In his heart, I could feel the guilt and shame that he had felt. That he still feels. Tonight... was the first night that he hasn't thought about all of that in a long time. Thanks to you. I have frozen the memory. Feel free to observe what you will. Speak when if you want to continue when you are done, should you choose to explore."

[J.R. 3,183]

Ezerepth, still staying disembodied, spoke again.

 

" War... is a tragic pastime of mortals. Lives are lost. Both sides suffer. All for what they feel like is a righteous cause. Even more terrifying, is a civil war that pits brother against brother, and father against son. Leovia suffered a civil war when a potential usurper named Gorven rose to prominance. Kazas already told you why Gorven followed the path that he did... but he did not tell you what that entailed...

---------------------------------

[MEMORY OF KAZAS, 15 YEARS AGO]

 

The metaphysical mindspace warped again into a familiar setting; Sebes village. However, only the location was the same. It was night, with a crescent moon looming overhead. There were no clouds, only black smoke. Sebes village was in flames. Nearby, two groups of Griffons could be seen, clashing blades with each other. Among them, Kazas and his father could be seen, among with some of the other griffons from the previous memory. They were into their adolscelent stage at this point. Kazas and his father were surrounded along with a few of their other fellow royalists. Four of the surrounding griffons charged at Kazas and his father, hoping to take them down. Instead... in one instant, Kazas's father lifted his claw and pointed it towards the oncoming group, and a burst of flame seemingly gushed out of his claw, setting them ablaze. Screaming, the immolated group of griffons fell to the ground, burning to death. He was still the Phoenix knight at that time. Kazas's father roared loudly.

 

" YOU ALL WOULD DARE BETRAY EMPEROR RAZIAK FOR THE SILVER TONGUE OF A TRAITOR? HAVE YOU ALL LOST YOUR SENSES?!?"

 

From the other side of the conflict, another griffon yelled.

 

" yes! And we'd do it again! Leovia can't survive the way we have been anymore! Annexing hunting grounds, resources, and farmland are the only ways we can survive!"

 

" There are more solutions to our problems than going to war with other nations! Of course... we could always thin the population... in which case.... I will do so MYSELF WITH THE BLOOD OF YOU TRAITORS! COME! I WILL SHOW YOU WHY THE INAROS ARE THE EMPEROR'S RIGHT CLAW!"

 

With that, multiple griffons stepped in to charge at Kazas and his father. Kazas raised shield and sword, and was immensely afraid from the looks of it, shaking profusely. There were five griffons charging at them. Kazas's father charged at them himself, sword drawn. Quickly, he cuts four of them down with masterful cuts, but was unable to slay the fifth one. Turning to see the griffon charging at kazas and the boy clearly shaken, Kazas's father yelled.

 

" Kazasssssssss!!! "

 

The griffon jumped into the air, with sword in claw. It was one of the two griffons from the earlier memory, grown up. " your mine, B**** of Avae!" Using his wings to gather height and momentum, the griffon commenced an overhead smash with his sword, intending to split Kazas's skull.

 

It was then, that instinct took over. Immediately, he stopped shaking. He lowered his shield, and in one quick motion, side-stepped the other griffon at the right moment as he was coming down. The other griffon had put too much into his attack, reeling forward from the weight. Without thinking, Kazas rose his sword, and brought it down on the griffon's neck as he was reeling forward. Under the strength of Kazas's swing..... the Griffon would no longer have the means to spurt blasphemies against him. After realizing what he had done and seemingly coming off of the adrenaline high, Kazas's face contorted into one of terror and guilt. He falls to the ground, heaving and starting to sob. This was his first kill. And given his personality, it was not sitting well with him.

 

The memory fast forwards, to the aftermath of the battle. Kazas and his father are alright, with minor cuts and bruises, along with other fellow royalists. The battle had been won, and the flames of Sebes quelled. However, there was no sense of victory. A village, split down the middle in ideals, had just consumed itself in the flames of war. Alone and near a tree that had caught the breath of the flame, Kazas wept and mumbled quietly.

 

" I'm... I'm sorry... I... I didn't want to... Avae, I am sorry. I didn't mean to do that! I... I wanted to disarm him, but I was afraid, I was... why.... why..."

 

The memory freezes. This time, Darkrai had the option of trotting near Kazas in this memory. She couldn't actually touch anything, as it was a metaphysical construct, and would just phase through. She could observe what she wished, as Ezerepth spoke.

 

[EZEREPTH]

 

" that was not the only kill that Kazas would experience that night. He slew neighbors, former classmates, and many others who had chosen to attack him. While jt was self-defense, Kazas... never forgave himself for what he did on that night. The village was so evenly split between the royalty and the rebellion that this was inevitable. All Kazas ever wanted to do was to become a healer. But fate would not be so kind. This war forced him to lose his innocence, and what is worse, is that he volunteered, thinking he could talk down the other villagers and keep the peace. It was not so. In his heart, I could feel the guilt and shame that he had felt. That he still feels. Tonight... was the first night that he hasn't thought about all of that in a long time. Thanks to you. I have frozen the memory. Feel free to observe what you will. Speak when if you want to continue when you are done, should you choose to explore."

Darkrai looked around intently at what was happening here. This was off the charts in terms of a normal way to be raised, but then again, her own life wasn't exactly normal either. She walked up close to the frozen Kazas and looked him over, slosely and intently. She dropped a tear near his side.

 

She then turned to the village itself which was in complete ruin. It looked as if it was caught in a firestorm. After awhile she spoke again to the voice, "What's next?"