private A new paradise (Private with The Cerbus)

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

As eventually, Jack was almost back at the surface, the earth pony teleported in front of the group.

"Hello my friends, you might want to give it some space, things are going to be a bit dangerous soon."

The stranger, however, had a look of fury in his eyes, and draw a knife he had found earlier.

"You can drop the fake look Canibal, you are not fooling me with that disguise."

The earth pony just looked at him with a smile on his face.

"Is this really how you would talk to a fellow brother? I had expected a bit more of a *friendlier* welcome."

The stranger said nothing but gave the earth pony a dead glare at the earth pony.

The earth pony then turned to the others.

"We meet at last, I wanted to appear earlier but I had to take care of some things. My apologies."

 

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

"Was your appearance in the tunnels one of them? I saw what happened there." Grin asked rather coldly but Nameless interrupted him, "I think I saw you in the forest few days ago, who or what are you?". TC-308 moved a little so he was standing between the Stranger and the Earth pony. 

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

"You are correct, I had to make sure everything was flowing as it should. But I believe I was doing a pretty bad job at hiding my identity there." He said chuckling while giving a glance at Grin.

"I wish I could have delayed the confrontation a little longer, but unfortunately that demon was getting impatient, so I had no choice but to step in."

"And for what I am, I am from the very same race that our angry companion is. Or at least, I used to be before fate decided that mutation had to be necessary."

"I might as well drop this disguise since you are aware of my presence, but be warned, my look is not for the feint of heart."

His form changed immensely, from the once earth pony into a cat creature similar to the height of Jack, he had a brown fur and a very crumble stance, his movement looked like that of a werewolf and an old man at the same time.

But his body had some really horrible appearances, a part of his chest constantly changed in colour, and there came a activate purple aura from him that affected the area around him like smoke.

His eyes had a purple colour, but for those who stared into its eyes, it constantly changed in shape and colour like an optical illusion.

The stranger's instincts seemed to kick in as he attacked the creature with an immense force.

But as he was about to stab him, his body got covered in a purple glow, his movement becoming incredibly slow and sluggish.

The creature simply grabbed the knife out of his opponent's hand and threw it far away.

As the purple glow vanished the Stranger collapsed on the ground from paralyzation.

"That thing is not a toy, you should be more careful when you decide to swing it at strangers." The creature said. 

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

TC-308 and Nameless looked just little surprised and Grin didn't react to the transformation. After the attack-event, Mask floated next to the creature, around him, scanning his whole body, "Power...." Nameless stopped mask from speaking, again. "What should we call you?" "And why does he..." Nameless pointed at the collapsed Stranger "...hate you?"

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

"I go by by many names, but in your language, I am called Montarion Soulshaper."

"And I do not blame our friend, many strangers would be hostile because of my origins. Just like him, i am from the planet Raukan itself, but some our kind have walked the fate wich refers to *The path of the Exiled*. But what we are truly are part of is called the Blood Cult, a large group of Raukan who pledged their soul and services to the devourer himself, wich grants us these powers, but also is our damnation at the same time, for our power is very unstable, and can lead to mutation because of its dangerous nature."

He then gave a glance to the stranger who still lay there.

"His reaction was rather neutral, seeing as mostly the older generation of Raukan seem to know of our existence, while to the rest of the galaxy we are but a forgotten memory. Wich is for the best since I am rather peaceful compared to my fellow brothers, the more *exposed* members do not take any effort hiding their true nature, wich consists of cannibalism and sacrificing the souls of the living to our deity."

"But do not be afraid of me, i am a wanderer, i am not a full dedicated servant like them, after all, the only reason i am one of them is because my mother was a full member, and i merely got this all from her genes." he smiled.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

"Aright, so Montarion it is then." Nameless said and then pointed at TC-308 and Grin, "They are TC-308 and Grin, with his floating mask, and one in the tunnel is named Jack if you didn't already know it." "And I don't have a name, Jack calls me Nameless and Grin calls me Traveler." Just after he finished, the creatures came to view carrying Jack, and when they reached the group, they put him down and broke into fog and disappeared. 

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

Montarion nodded.

As Jack was brought to the surface, he was put in some sort of sleeping state where purple energies where masking the wound.

Montarion walked over to him and checked the wound.

"Aye, this bad, it turns out the demon intentionally tried to overwrite all his organs in a desperate attempt to speed up the conversion process. The poison is still in there, but luckily my powers managed to temporary halt it."

"Everyone stand close to me, I am going to teleport us all out of here, I might be able to save him, but the chance is slim. And then there is the thing with those Eldritch warriors attacking us, so we had best hurry."

He said as he gave a quick mention with his head.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

The ponies looked at each other and then shrugged, "We have nothing to lose." then they got closer to Montarion "Ready when you are ready."
The Mask looked at Jack and was talking to itself "What pitiful demons, can't even take over a body without weakening it first."

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

The group teleported, and they eventually arrived at the crash site where Jack had first landed.

Montarion walked over to Jack and placed a hand on his stomach.

He gave a look at others.

"Sadly my powers are going to have trouble with reconstruction his left lung, especially with the corruption tainting his body, i am going to ask help from some of my brethren, but i will give you all a warning, when they arrive, try to suppress your magical powers to the lowest you possibility can, the devourer finds magic user alot faster then those who don't possess it."

He then stared at the sky and purple energies started to envelop the area, and his voice became distorted, and he started speaking in an unknown language

"ar yt saxu, rmkogx ot coghc! atr ym tc advt, t t st rmhtk togx bo ac ixoytc!" (Head my warning, devourer of souls! Aid me in this action, for I will deliver your boon as promised!)

Everything around them started to go dark until the entire group was surrounded in a dark void of nothingness but darkness.

After a few seconds 4 other beings appeared behind Montarion, they looked similar to him, but some of them had even further mutation, while others had bones and skulls attached to them as accessories. Their bodies were all purple transparent.

"sqav tc togx o sr?" (What is your offer wanderer?) one of the beings asked in the same language.

"ft ym togx atr tc vacn, x qtc yt ktvah bmtm qtc dcgyivt!" (Give me your aid in this task, restore his missing vital before his consumption!) Montarion said back.

"a o davgx togx o t ogx cktd yoaxt?" (Are those creatures your offering for our services Montarion?) The one who spoke pointed a finger at the group.

"uo, vt a iaxv ot tcqa'c ixoidt, vt a tx txoy qtc mkha tx." (No, they are part of isha's prophecy, they are free from his everlasting thirst.) Montarion countered back.

"bgv tcqa tc uov... sqav yan tog n vt st bm mwdmivt txoy q osu tat?" (But Isha is not... What makes you think they will be an exception from her own faith?) One of the creatures spoke, anger could be seen on his face.

"v xyfdm ot v xtdm bu... st sahn tc ihm co afa." (The reemergence of the thrice born... He will walk this plane soon again.) Montarion said with a grim undertone.

"tc st a o-vtym o sr bgv mwimdv iat tbg 4 yo dtdh." (This will a one-time offer wanderer but expect to pay tribute in 4 moon cycles.) one of them said.

Montarion looked back at the group

"This is going to take a while, my friends, this won't be an easy task to accomplish."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

All three ponies nodded and best to their abilities, each on their own way, hid their magic, leaving The Mask to be only thing with notable magic, but even for it, it resemble magic of an artifact. No pony said anything when Montarion said about it taking a while, they just nodded in understanding. 

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

Montarion and the 4 other beings gathered around Jack, Montarion then put his hands on the wound.

Energies came out of his hands as he sprayed the magic over Jack, the result was pretty astonishing as everytime the energies would go over his body, his skeleton and insides could be seen, even more, detailed than an x-ray machine.

The other 4 beings started chanting words, while the same purple energies were leaking out of their transparent forms, wich all went into Jacks body.

Eventually, all of the energies started creating a physical form, wich started to form from all the purple energies, wich started to construct Jack's new left lung.

After 5 minutes it was done, and the 4 other beings vanished.

Montarion held his head close to Jacks air and whispered a specific word.

"Saim......"

He said those words with a voice that sounded totally different from is usual voice, instead of sounded like the voice of an old dragon.

When those words reached his ears, Jack's caused a chain reaction wich made him wake up with an intense shock.

Jack's expression looked he had seen a ghost, he looked at his hands, testing every muscle in his body.

"Welcome back to the living world friend, your legacy is far from completed yet." Montarion said with a grin.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

The ponies were looking at each other, they were speechless of what just had happened so they didn't say anything.  But the Mask started slowly looking around, like it was searching for something. It the floated little distance  away from the ponies and started speaking unknown language with no distinguishable words, sounding almost angry. 

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

Jack was also pretty much speechless, still shocked how he managed to escape from the brink of death.

"I... I am alive... How? What happened?" he said

"We restored your missing vital, the demon tried to replace all of your vitals with its own modified vitals, but luckily we managed to backtrack its powers and block it, tough this doesn't mean you are safe, however, we only stalled the inevitable."

"I- I don't know what to say... Thank you all. Jack said while looking at the group."

He then looked back at Montarion.

"There is one thing wondering, how did you that specific word? I have never told a single person about that, ever," he asked curiously.

"You are hiding far more than words Jack, some of wich you are not even self-aware off. The prophecy was *family* originated after all."

"Yes... Perhaps more than you know.."

He then looked at Mask.

"What is up with him?" he asked.

Montarion was silently chuckling, not being able to hide his amusement at whatever was going on.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

Grin sighed."I think you could say it's...Family Drama" From where The Mask was, the light blue mare from earlier walked out from a bush, surrounded by red magical barrier. She looked angry, and was yelling at The Mask with same language as the mask was speaking, "In short, She has broken, what could be called contract, that all of us who bear The Mask have made." "So they don't really get along." The mare seemed to try get away from inside the barrier but couldn't. "But, to be fair, nopony with half a brain could come along with either of them."

Edited May 13, 2017 by The Cerberus

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

"I see... So something has happened that caused a mirror of unyielding resistance to stand between them?"

Jack looked dumbfounded, trying to figure out what Montarion was planning on doing.

Montarion walked over to the even that was taking place.

He walked over to the barrier and knocked on it to get their attention.

"It seems you 2 have quite of an argument, perhaps I could be of service to solve this dispute?" Montarion had a smile on his face, it was hard to figure out whether he was serious or not.

Jack then whispered into Nameless ear.

"I don't like the look of this, Montarion seems to be acting weird out of the sudden." he said with a hint of worry in his voice.

Edited May 13, 2017 by Mickey Adaptus

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

Both, The Mask and The Mare looked at Montarion, "And what you think, you can do? You only know what Grin told you." the Mare tried to take up the opportunity to leave but was cut short by the magical barrier around her again.

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

"Then perhaps you could fill me in my dear friend? I can solve more than you think. he said a playful tone.

"Tell you what Mask, you share some of your secrets and I will tell some of mine, it's a win-win situation for the both of us, isn't it?"

Montarion was clearly planning something, but it was hard to figure what his purpose was with all the questions.

He then reached out to the mare's mind and tried talking to her telepathic.

'What would you be called miss?'

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

"I'm not your friend creature, such things doesn't exist for me." "And there is no secrets to tell, my existence is only that, I exist." "And I can hear your telepathy to her..""I am called different names by every living being, but those who know me, simply say She"

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

"Very well then."

He then looked at the mare, a smile on his face.

"Would you not get tired of feeling so empty? So.. lifeless? I can fix that, I can make you an interesting offer. What would you say if I would make a working body for you again?

Trust me, it would benefit you a lot more, perhaps even achieve some more... powers...".

 

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

Grin's eyes widened, he turned towards Jack, "He is offering living body to Her"
The Mask said something to the mare with the unknown language again and the mare shouted something back. She then looked back at Montarion  "Living body you say? But what's a catch?" "What do I lose? And would I become ugly like you?"

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

Mortarion giggled.

"I could forge a living body for you, not something mechanical or spirit wise, I am talking about the flesh and bone type. My last name is called *Soulshaper* for a reason.

And you won't have to worry about the mutation, what I will give you won't mutate unless you would want it to. I know the feeling of being a spirit all too well, in battle it may prove useful but for most cases, it doesn't go well among the living."

He then gave a glance to the mask.

"Especially since a certain mask kept telling how he despised the living, you can prove him wrong there." Montarion winked at her.

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Jack had a look of worry on his face after what Grin told him.

"Oh no...." he buried his hands in his head.

"He cannot resist it can he?"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

"She has been dead for 300 years, she became sadist and unfeeling after first hundred, she will take the life, if there is no obvious downsides."

"I don't despise living, but life and the weaknesses it brings." "Your offer sounds indeed very good, but I know, nothing is free." "So what I lose, if I take this deal?"

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

"There no downsides unless you make them dear, you will only lose anything if you make that happen.

Montarion used his powers on a bunny that was hopping around, it got consumed by the energy and started changing considerably.

Its body started to grow as it started to twist all around, after a while it got a form and had been turned into a unicorn mare.

 "Such is life itself, every being is born anew on birth, but what happens when you miss use that opportunity?"

The newly created mare started changing a bit, her eyes started glowing a golden colour as her facial features were changing considerably, she started growing fangs, they were ash black and dripping with venom.

"You start embodying the darkness and corruption among you and give away all that you held dear for power and revenge... Such is the fate that every being choose when they pledged their services to Valtrek. You can avoid that choice, and start anew..."

"Your new body will be like any other pony around this planet, but if you would wish the additional powers... there are going to be downsides.."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,677]

"I want no additional powers." "Wanting powers is what brought me this in the first place." The mare looked at The Mask angrily, "It took everything I had, including my life and death." The Mask dashed towards the mare but Grin moved his head away from The mare, and said something that was  too quiet to hear, causing Mask to stop and look at him. It looked like it tried to get to the mare again but wasn't able to go any closer to her and every time it was stopped, it looked at Grin. The mare looked at Montarion "There is no way it could be worse than the last 300 years." She seemed like she was struggling with a word "P...P....Please, Give me my life back."

 

[MickeyAdaptus 2,211]

"In these moments, life is being barren by death and destruction at every wake, millions of brothers and sister being gathered out like animals.

But we can change that, and perhaps preserve the future of our galaxy, may Isha guide save us all again."

After saying those words, Montarion changed the once evil looking body of the unicorn mare into something the body that resembled his client's body in her previous life.

Montarion's eyes glowed and the spirit was glowing in a purple energy, only for a second later to be flung into the new body.

Eventually, the body and the spirit connected, becoming one.

"You walk the path of the living once again friend, do not waste this opportunity, become the mare that you want yourself to be."