Warning there is Death and pain in this story. It has ghosts after all. So, fair warning that If you can't handle blood, Perversion, Mutilation and Poetry don't read this story. I do Not Own any Characters in this Story.
Weak, Again. He hated being weak. It leads to all the worst times in his life. He was to week Too stop his father, Too weak to tell Madeline how he felt, Too weak to best Phantom, And worst off all too weak to stop the GIW. When had he ever really won anyway? His whole life had been one failure after another.
A few tears shed from his eyes, Vlad masters thought that he would never cry again.
The only tie he had ever one was ironically without his powers. To create a business empire that no one could destroy. But that didn't help him now. Not with an arm missing, bleeding out and at the mercy of the Guys in White. His last ditch effort to escape this hell had failed.
Three years, three long hard years of being ripped apart molecule by molecule. To experience dissection, form the frogs point of view. TO feel the bite of a bone saw as his body tried to repair the damage. All the time too Weak to do anything about it.
Worst of all, He could not entirely blame them. Especially not Madeline. I put their son at risk, endangered people and brought in far too much property damage with my ghostly plans.
Once I had the power, Once I was king, once every ghost feared my name. They flocked to me or rallied against me. A battle raged till I was captured by Phantom. I was given over to the GIW for safe keeping. After all no Ghost prison, could hold me. They gave their word they would imprison me and keep me here. But they did so much more. Experiment after experiment, first small cuts then full blown amputations. However, I truly broke when they brought in Madeline and Jack to perform a molecular autopsy. I don't know why they did it. Or care anymore. But being ripped apart molecule by molecule was the hardest thing I have ever been through. Guess jack got his wish.
After that it was my solemn wish to just die. And for a time, I was depressed beyond belief. Could not move at all. But slowly depression Turned to apathy and then a desire to see more than just four white and green walls.
When the chance came, I escaped my bindings. A new guy had not restrained my arm to the table as he should have and I ripped off my bindings. Running from the facility I had much reistence and no weapons. I made it about twenty rooms before my arm was shot off and I was downed. Oh, but by now missing a arm was all but common place. Trying to rise but not having the energy I looked up at the barrels of dozens of Fenton Ghost weapons. GIW agents surrounded him with both some hostile but others apathetic looks. A single agent stood out from the rest and walked over to Vlad.
"Before you die I'd like to thank you. You may have been an Evil son of a gun but with the knowledge we got from your body we have advanced medicine by centuries. We can now regrow whole limbs and cure cancer. For this we can give you a quick death. Any last words?" The GIW agent pressed his barrel into Lads temple, A small sad smile on his face.
Vlad nodded, He thought about what he wanted to say and the words to a poem came to mind, words he like and had nothing to do with ghosts and his life but ones he would hum to himself in a half-remembered chant. Now all he could remember was one line and if he was going out, it was to this.
"When Light is dim
And dark is gone
When the world falls
Look to me my shining Star
And I shall guide your light.
As the last part of the poem left his lips there was the sound of a laser firing, Then Vlad heard No more. As his eyes glassed over and body slumped, stating even now to dissolve into nothing, The GIW Agents who were there at the beginning took their hats off to him.
His grave would be unmarked and no one would ever know what happened to Vlad masters.
..… ….. ….
Everyone agreed Silver tong was an odd one. Even his parents, for all the love they held for him will admit that he was odd. When he was a small foul he learned to Fly before he even knew how to grip objects. His first word had been Photosynthesis. He never complained about chores but would shower his parents with love. Heck he remined them to be responsible most times.
In school Silver was top of the class without much effort. Seeing he was bored he went to Celestia's Magic academy/ pegasi version. While it mostly catered to Unicorns Pegesy have their own magics and could train there.
Then It happened.
Silver POV.
Why These ponies feel the need to have the weather managed to a T is beyond me. I can understand monitoring it and moving it about for safety or drought purposes but to not even let the small clouds go free? That was just ridicules.
Silver never understood the need but perhaps it was just a superiority thing. Pegasus thought they were the only ones that could move clouds so they abused it to no end.
Raising a book in his hoove as he walked out of the library he was blindsided by a unicorn Levitating a large sack of books onto his head. Falling to the ground and rubbing his sore head he looked but at a Light Purple Filly with light purple and pink hair. He was intensely staring at a book and didn't even look back at him.
Not one to be ignored intentionally Vlad matched right up front of the Filly and every time she tried to sidestep (Unconscious Book lover skill) he would stand in her way. Finally noticing that there was someone in front of her the socially acquired unicorn looked up at the face of an angry Pegasus.
She was instantly filled with fear at the angry look and wondered if this was one of those bully situations. She didn't have any but she heard the existed.
Since they were in the library when Silver opened his mouth and said in a quiet but strong voice. "Your levitated a whole stack of books and slammed them into by head. It Hurt. Next time Watch where you are going or something worse than a concussion might happen to you. Got IT?" With each sentence his voice got more threatening until the Small Filly was shaking in her boots.
"Is there a reason that you are threatening my student?" Turning around Silver took in the visage of princess Celestia. She was a massive Alicorn, beautiful and radiant like a summer day and as poised as any past princess he knew. However now it seemed that he had earned her ire if the look on her face was any indication.
Most ponies have a near instinctual need to prostrate themselves before her. So, any bullies she encounters of her student normally think twice about picking in anyone near her. As they say 'Nothing like a little fear to make a paper man crumble'.
However, Silver was made of sterner stuff. He looked the princess in the eye and said "Yes." Surprised at the boldness of his claim and that he would look her in the eye she asked "And what pray tell justifies you threatening my student?"
Still looking her in the eye he used all the ability of his silver Tung, the purple pony Hiding now behind the princess next to a small purple dragon. "The fact that she has half-hardly been swinging large stacks of books and papers all over the library, posing a danger and risk to everyone. No one here is going to pay attention, to engrossed in their own reading or studying to notice her. So, they could or in some cases have been beamed in the head by said stacks. Those are heavy iron bound books that could cause a concussion or damage a unicorn's horn. While I could easily forgive on offence she has repeatedly smacked, bludgeoned and otherwise annoyed the good patrons of this library. I myself being on the receiving end thrice just today. I have seen her take notice a time or two of hitting someone but she persists. So, if kind words won't work then a little fear might save someone here some injury." To prove his point, he dabbed a spot on his head and came away with a bit of blood where the books corner had hit him.
The princess was at a loss for an argument for a few moments. She had not expected the Colt to have a good argument and that he was just another bully. So, she was momentarily floored. Also, that a colt to reason out such an argument so quickly.
"And what right did you have to take up this responsibility instead of a more mature pony?" Celestia argued.
"The right of inaction. The other ponies respect you far too much to even think about disciplining your student. No one else was going to step in and I was not going to let myself or any other pony get brained again. As is clear in equestrian Law." The princess had to relent at that since she had few options left open. Especially since she saw a few ponies around the room that had a bandage on their heads and looking sheepish.
"And you do not respect me?" She jibed. But silver would not be dissuading.
"Perhaps it is my respect that made me correct your student instead of allowing her to continue on in ignorance."
Sighing in defeat. Not something she experienced often. She looked back at her student and gave her a nod to come out. "Sorry twilight but he is right. You can't go about carelessly levitating things at ponies. Do you promise not to do it again?" Taking a quick glance at the Black Colored Pony and she was nodding her head at break neck speeds again.
"Good next time just levitate them over your back or head. That way no one gets hurt." With a nod at the both the princess and the small Purple pony he left to find a bandage for his cut. Mother would smother him to death if he came home bleeding. He took his copy of Griffon law practices and walked out of the library.
… … …
Looking over maps in Weather class Silver Wrote out his destination plans. Feeling frustrated at the rate he was going and the funds he would need his Planning was forestalled by the Teacher, Merry heart, Making a announcement. "Today class we will be partnering with Class 1-A to do a group project. You will be designing, making and testing a Cloud. It can be any cloud and I expect you all to behave while we use this time with your peers."
A cloud was something Silver would only need an hour to do and maybe some extra material all on his own. If his group were not complete dunderheads, then he could teach them the proper method is a half hour and supervise.
Walking into the large and tree themed classroom was the 1-A class was A heard of unicorns. And judging from the looks of it Twilight Sparkle was one of them. Best to avoid any problems with her.
The groups all divvied up and Silver got stuck with a colt Names Iron Back with a Hammer as a mark and a Filly named Red Blossom with a flower for a mark. They were however competent even if messed around a bit. "Ok guys this is the part we have to be serious for. One wrong move and we get a storm on our hands good hooves. So, Red put only three drops of Hydrogen extract into the cloud and Iron make sure to Drop that cup of Water in five seconds after she drops it in. After that we got a nice warm cloud to take a nap on." At that we all perked up. Silver didn't like naps but most other pegesi did. Red being the only unicorn flouted in the drops and then Iron quickly counted the time and threw in the water. "very good, now all we got to do is wait five minutes. By the way what are your favorite colors?" Iron Back Looked up at the odd question and responded with "Midnight blue." Red responded with "Orange with polka dots."
"Oh a challenge I like it." Considering his bag Silver took out a small lab kit and proceeded to mix some chemicals.
"So, what does your cutie mark mean? It's just a planet with some wings. Docent even look like equestrian.
"No idea, I woke up one day and it was there." Finishing up with his chemicals while the two looked back at him in surprise. Most people new from the get go what their talent was when they got their mark.
"We have a decision to make. It I add in this Mixture into our cloud then we will do something cool. However, we will probably fail the assignment. Or at least not get a high grade. And this has a small chance of failing anyway. I'll do what you to want." Huddling in on themselves the gray Pegasus and red unicorn Whispered. After a quick deliberation, they said. "Tutor us for a week and you got yourself a deal"
"You want me to tutor you?" silver was surprised since Iron was a loner and he had just met Red.
"Yah Your one of the smartest Fouls in our year and unlike Twilight sparkle or Number Crunch we can actually understand something when you explain it. So, we can at least make up this grade, now quit stalling and do your thing." Iron back said more in that one statement then he ever had in class.
Sliver's emotions were normally so subtle that no one had been able to perceive on from him at all. Only his parents could hope to get what he was feeling. The only time he had really show anything was during the princess situation. But now eyebrows raised but with a rare small smile he tossed the content of the vile into the cloud and stood back. The pristine white cloud that was growing began to spin on an adjacent axis and close in on itself before expanding again this time in a swirl of color. Then the cloud Split itself into three clouds. Iron Backs cloud was a Dark blue color and when touched had the consistence and smell of smoke from a forge. Red Blossoms flour had a polka doted cloud with a dark red backdrop, her cloud would feel like laying on a forest floor and smell like a grove of flowers.
Silvers cloud however was a little different. His was solid black and rumbling like a storm cloud but without the sound. His Would also feel like a storm and vibrate him to sleep.
The two kids loved their Clouds and immediately began to play with them. Iron back reclining on his and Red bounding on hers like a trampoline. "These should last for a good decade and are magic resistant. So, take them home as chairs or something." He instructed as they molded their clouds into whatever they wanted.
They did indeed fail the lesson but they each had so much fun with their clouds that they kept them for years to come. If the teacher had looked closer she would have noticed the clouds were not a failure but had been modified to have extra properties. Something that even the best weather scientists would find impossible. Any deviation on the stranded cloud would always dissipate in a day.
The following days were consistent of tutoring and experimenting. The sessions went well and Iron Back and Red Blossom got used to his dry and sarcastic sense of humor. They would become good friends and would help each other out when they could till Silver told them his plan.
"You're going to leave?" Asked Red with a high squeaky voice noting her displeasure. They had just finished up homework for the day. Or at least having Vlad teach them the important bits, then he sprung up his plan.
"Not right now but it is a goal I wish to achieve." Sipping at a small cup of tea he looked away from their gazes. Not being to quite look them in the eye.
"It does seem rather ambitious of you, what brought this on?" Iron Back, not the one to let any emotion rule him held back his own dissatisfaction at his new friends. He would be the first to admit that Vlad was odd but this was just strange.
"There was once a time I would just sit in my room and study, plan and just make money, I toiled over books far past the point of sleep and absorbed everything. I read about Chemistry, Magic, Geography and even legends. I told myself that books were all I was ever going to need. I wasn't friendless mind you, still went out at times and played with other children. Had some fun, but then something happened. Something that reminded me there is just more to life."
"It was back in the month of august. About four years ago. I was visiting Celestials Castel with my parents. Not to see her mind you, but my parents had some business with a Stuart. I was forbidden from going to the Library and with little else to do I decided to explore. I may not look it with my endless Amounts of patience. But I despise boredom with a passion. It is an affront to life ITSELF. I explored the castle at my leisure going further and further into its debts. It was mostly boring, but the farther down I went the Older the older things seemed. Granit walls turned to stone, Pictures became paintings. It wasn't till I had reached the very bottom that I saw it. The Portal to Tartarus." Red and iron gasped. Tartarus was not a place to be held lightly. It was the place all the worst evils in equestrian were stored away.
"I had read about it before. Many times. But to see it. To feel it, it was like everything had become clear and crisp. Even as the sounds of Inmates came to my ears I just stood there and took it all in. It was then I realized IT. I was in a world of Magic and splendor. Even the evilest place in all the world was as beautiful to me as a Blossoming Flower to you Red or a Hot iron to you Iron. It was then I realized. I was squandering my life. I was repeating the same thing over and over not even looking outside."
"So, I wanted to go visit all the places the books that my books had talked about. I didn't want to sit and home and read the next adventure novel, I wanted to experience it." A look of true longing came across Silvers face as he thought of all the places to see. In truth, he had realized that he had been just repeating his old life, but now he had a second change, He was not going to miss it.
"So, I came up with a Plan, almost finished. I would go to all the places that were unexplored. I would see everything this world has to offer and then some. It was a week later that my Mark Appeared." He refused to say the word Cutie in any and all capacities. It drove his teachers mad but there was little he could do.
"I've calculated the costs, packed the provisions and made my routes. I will fly the skies of this world." This may have been the only time that a visible smile was on Vlad's face and both red and Iron knew that they would not be able to dissuade him.
"At least take someone with you." Red tried to plead but Silver just shook his head. "No, I feel that this is something I will have to do alone. It may not seem like much to everyone but It is something I will have to do. In a month, I turn Sixteen. An equestrian adult and I plan to go out and see."
They sat there is silence for what felt like hours, Taking all this in. On one had they knew he was crazy. No one called Tartarus beautiful and could be sane. On the other hand, he was also the smartest and dependable Colt they knew. If anyone could do it, it was him.
"All right. What do you need us to do?" Iron lamented as Silver went back to his normal look. "I, just wanted to tell you guys. You two are the only Ponies I consider to be real friends of mine." He didn't know why but he felt that they should be the first to know.
They drank the rest of their tea and began to make their way back to School grounds. "Besides it's not like I'll be gone all the time, I will be back every month or two for a few weeks."
As they were walking they did not know that at that time Twilight Sparkle was performing her own little experiment. She was a little annoyed that some of her teachers had liked Silvers experiments more than hers. Especially since she did hers correctly while theirs were often a failure. When she made a wonderful huge flower like the book said, Silver made a small one smelling of Oranges. He failed but since her teacher loved oranges she still asked to keep his flower. When he said it was for her in the first place Mrs. Nest blushed for some reason.
So now she was doing a Magic experiment in her own room on a hunk of metal. Trying to change its properties so that it bounced. However, what she did not know was that Silver Never Just randomly did his experiments. They were only a byproduct of countless hours of research and Safe experimentation done by him. However, Twilight had not yet been taught the proper experimental procedures yet.
Twilights horn glowed and the metal block began to change shape. The Square block of metal ore was now a sphere of steal. "YESSS." All but squealing in excitement. Hers scream was so loud that princess Celestia rushed over as soon as possible. Not as fast as she could of course. The walls and floors would not survive that and She didn't think that her Student would be Shouting yes if she was in danger.
Stopping at her student's door she slowly opened the door.
Inside she saw she student dancing around a black ball of some sort, it was hovering in the air and she could sense some sort of transformation magic on it.
"My student, what has happened."
"Oh, Princess Celestia." Quickly bowing to her princess, she stud back up and brought her Teacher over to the ball. "Look, I made this using Laconia's transmutation Law and Ablators Energetics. It should make any metal a bouncing ball."
The princess looked over the ball and felt something familiar about it. "Are you sure that it is safe my student? I don't see any protections around the room for experiments." Getting a bit nervous she knew her student could get consumed in her work and it could at times cause problems.
Walking over to the ball with the princess at her side she Poked the ball with the tip of her hooves Gently. "I'm sure it will be fine princess…..." As soon as she lightly pushed the Ball it rocketed Its way around the room in Hight speeds. Destroying parts of the Walls as it went. The princess barley had the time to erect a barrier before it slammed into either her or Twilight. She realized were she had herd of such a combination before. It was long ago during a war meeting when a war engineer was killed by his old creation using just such experiment. It used the latent energy of the steel to propel itself and cause damage to whatever it hit. It would not stop till all the energy of the steal was spent. They never used it since they never found a way to control it.
Before she could stop it herself the ball blasted once more off her shield and out the window. Into the day it went and who knows where. "Are you Ok Twilight?" Twilight nodded but was still shaking in fear. A gold-plated guard rushed into the room and looked around. "Look after Twilight, I have an emergency to attend to." She rushed out the window and went after the Bouncing ball of death. Some pony could be really hurt by it.
… …. …
Silver, Red, and Iron whirled around as they heard a loud Boom. A black ball was bouncing about the halls and breaking whatever wall, it hit. Not even taking a second he ordered "Iron Barrier magic, Small but strong. Rose Find us some cover." He yelled as the Ball started to bounce at them. Just going with it Iron Build up a small but Song iron shield. It took the form of a kite shield, Red in appearance with a + on the front. The ball hit it once and in an impressive display It managed to bounce back off the shield and out into the hall again.
Looking behind him Silver noticed a lot of stunned ponies. Red then said "Silver, There's a post building with really small windows and a sturdy behind us."
Nodding Silver raised his voice and shouted for all to hear. "Get to the Post Building. It is strong enough to protect you." With command in his voice he watched as all the ponies that didn't move away already sprinted away to the store.
While the last of the Ponies made it in all that remained was Silver and Iron with his shield. The Orb came hurling back at them and Iron moved his shield again to intercept but this time as the ball hit cracks began to from. Seeing that the ball was going to win this battle of strength Silver made a snap decision. With adrenalin fulling his body he rushed at iron just as the Orb blasted the shield to smithereens. Silver pushed Iron out of the way. Irons eyes being held shut under the strain. Pushing him into the doors of the post office he was caught by another pony and dragged in. Silver was about to Rush in as well but then a searing pain originating from his Hind leg left him stunned and out of breath. At first it was just the inability to control that leg. Then a warm numbness washed over the leg like water. Finally came the spike of pain as his nerves caught up to the damage. "AAARRRHH." Screaming out he was unable to see the ball come back once more and deliver a devastating hit to his back. Once again writhing in pain he looked to the side to see his leg was not only broken but the bone was sticking out of the side of his leg. His wing once a proud black and primed to perfection was now hanging on by just the muscles as the bone had been pulverized.
Silver did not know hoe but just looking at the wounds made the pain so much worse. Pain tolerance can only do so much. It lets you deal ad work past the pain but that did not negate it or cause you to feel it any less. Witch was why when he used his front hooves to crawl to the entrance of the Post office he had to stop every other pull.
No one had noticed that he was in pain as they were still looking over Iron. After a few seconds of looking him over Red and a few other Ponies looked over back at Silver, expecting him to be back already they turned to congratulate him. All were shocked to see the broken and dilapidated state that the colt, no stallion was in. "SILVER." Shouted red, trying to get to Him just as a smarter Unicorn had the foresight to hold her back, least he also gets blasted.
Vlad was close to the door now and just within reach for a unicorn with a brown and Red coat to Grab him with a Red aura and haul him in. He was not in a good state and would need medical attention fast. But with That ball of death bouncing around out there no one could go anywhere. Everyone looked on at the Small Pegasus that had saved them and especially Red and Iron were crying tears at the sight of their friend. They had never felt so useless in their lives.
"IrOn, Red." Silver tried to say over the pain. He hoped none of his ribs had been not pierced his lunges or speaking might just kill him. "Have.. The Cast..A Shild, Ad te Doooor, And Windooows." He managed to wheeze out. "Silver Don't talk.' Red stammered out as they went to organize any Unicorns that Could. Unfortunately, none of the unicorns were healers. One new some healing spells but after his bee keeping mark came in he lost the ability to cast it with as much strength. He tried anyway but only managed to heal some of the smaller cuts Silver got from the fall.
The ball did indeed try to get into the building but the combined efforts of the unicorns and quick thinking on Reds part to move some furniture in the way made it bounce away.
… … ..
Princess Celestia Flew as fast as she could but the Ball of Metal had already gone so far away. It took far longer for her to get to it then she would have liked and by the time she reached the ball where it had gotten stuck on Lantern Street.
The street was all in ruins. Shattered windows and crumbing walls. Light posts ripped off their hinges and plants smashed into past. She all but panicked for a second at the destruction. But did not see any bodies anywhere. So, before this could go on any further she brought forth her power and enveloped the Ball in an Anti- Kinetic Energy Filed.
The filed Took all the Kinetic Energy that the Ball was using from the Metal and changing the energy into Friction causing the Ball to stop rather than Go. However, as it continued to try and make more kinetic energy resulting in the ball getting smaller and smaller as the energy that made the metal was used up. Finally dissipating into nothingness.
While she could have just blasted the blasted thing she had no idea if the pieces would have kept on bouncing and that would have been a disaster of epic proportions. As it was she would have to reprimand Twilight for this then cover up the fact it was her. No need to have the already anti-social girl to become a pariah.
She did however wonder where all the ponies in this area where? While she was glad that there were no bodies that did not negate the fact of missing ponies. "Hello is anyone there."
A shuffle could be heard from the Post office as Shields went down in the building. How she missed that she would never know but she would blame the panic for now. As the ponies were leaving they all bowed down to the princess thanking her for saving them.
"I am Glad to see that all my little ponies are Ok. That ball had escaped its confinement in the labs and I was worried someone could have been hurt." At that all the ponies realized that there was in fact someone hurt. Their faces fell and once again once again a ice cold feeling developed in the pit of her stomach.
Two earth ponies made way for her into the post office to the sight of a Stallion bleeding out on the ground. A Millenia of being a princess has taught her how to act immediately so quickly she encased him in a magical vitality bubble that would work like a first aid treatment till she could get him to the hospital. At the back of her mind she noticed that the Stallion was the same one that had intimidated twilight and argued his way pasted even her.
Rushing him off and trusting her guards to take statements and take care of anyone else, she rushed out to the hospital to hopefully save the poor Stallions life.