Author's note: Two new characters coming in this time, not far from completing the main cast now, then more of an actual quest/adventure dynamic will begin. Thank you very much to The Terror of Dimensions for your help in this one!
Chapter 3: The Vampire and the Witch Doctor
The group traversed through the Everfree forest, Murphious and Rainbow Fury looking out for any possible threat while Pinkamena and Twilight talked, too loudly for Rainbow's liking.
"Would it kill you to keep it down?" Rainbow Fury snarled. "You have no idea what's in these woods. I, on the other hand do."
"I'll have you know that I was immersed in studies upon the creatures of the Everfree Forest." Twilight narrowed her brow.
"Great, if anything attacks us, you can bore them to death." Murphious rolled his eyes. Just then, they heard a loud "Psst!" and a figure suddenly rushed through the shadows at lightning speed. It was followed by a creepy, almost crazy laugh, as if someone was enjoying himself too much.
"Great." Rainbow Fury sighed, preparing her bow. Murphious grabbed the large battle ax from where it hung on his back.
"Alright! You can come along promptly, an' I can put y'out of your misery, or you can put up a fight, and die a slow and painful death." Murphious called out.
"Great. Call the creature." Twilight rolled her eyes. "The bigger they are, the dumber they are." The figure, whatever it was, stopped in a patch of shadow at ground level, just enough so that his image was concealed but enough of his image could be seen to give away a few features. It was around Twilight's size, just slightly taller with orange-yellowish eyes that looked draconic in appearance. The eyes glowed in the shadows and gave off an intimidating glare. It was staring at them with a look that seemed to confirm what it was thinking: kill.
"Alright bookworm, what's this thing?" Rainbow Fury asked.
"I... I don't know." Twilight remarked, clutching her satchel.
"I'll tell you what it is." Murphious said. "Dead. Meat."
"Bad choice of words," the figure said in a male voice, probably around 18 years old. Suddenly, with blinding speed, the figure leaped out of cover and struck Murphious hard in the chest. Surprisingly, it actually threw the giant several feet back. The figure snickered as the light revealed some more features on him. He was blood-red in color, with a darker shade of red for the mane and tail. His hands had sharp claws on the ends and when he smiled, a pair of fangs sprouted from his mouth.
"You're trespassing on my territory," the figure stated, "That makes you food."
"You want food?" Rainbow Fury snarled. "Eat this, creep!" She said, firing off an array of arrows at him. "Pinkamena! Guard Twilight!" She ordered. "Or at the very least guard her satchel!"
The figure simply smiled, and right when the arrows were about to connect, he erupted into a cloud of bats that swiftly flew up to Rainbow Fury and grasped her by the throat.
"Nice try," he said as if complimenting her, "but it wouldn't have done any harm either way. You really should've thought twice before taking on an Emperor Vampire."
"An you shoulda thought twice before striking me and not killing me." Murphious grinned, grabbing him by the calve if his leg and swinging him like a club, smashing him into nearby trees and rocks.
The figure yelped in pain.
"Did you have to do the pointy rocks?" he asked, before tossing Murphious off him once again. He then used his bat teleportation to rush past all of them, including Pinkamena, and tackled Twilight to the ground. He snarled and bared his fangs as he prepared to go for a killing bite to the neck. However, he suddenly took a good look at her and seemed shocked at what he saw.
"What the- Twilight?!" he exclaimed, his focus breaking entirely.
"Get off of me!" She growled, trying to squirm out from under him.
"Stay still." Murphious grumbled, preparing his ax to swing through his neck like a farm chicken ready to be turned into a dinner.
"Wait!" the vampire shouted, getting off of Twilight. "Stop... I didn't realize she was with you."
"You also don't realize how little I care." Murphious growled.
"Who's to say this isn't some stupid trick?" Rainbow Fury added, skeptical of this newfound behavior.
"Hands where we can see them!" Pinkamena added, not nearly as menacing as the other two, but she was trying her best.
The vampire looked to them, then over at Twilight.
"What's your association with her?" he asked, "I promise I'm not gonna hurt you... anymore, at least."
"Traveling partners." Murphious said.
"And kind of Princess appointed bodyguards." Pinkamena added.
"I take it... for whatever reason you haven't really heard of us." Rainbow Fury said. "Don't know how, we're kind of a big deal."
"You're with Celestia?" the figure asked. He then seemed to recollect something. "OH, you're the Bearers, aren't you? Forgive me, but I expected you guys to be... well, older. And I most definitely didn't expect to see her in the group." He pointed to Twilight when he said that.
"We are older." Rainbow Fury said. "But thanks to these we're still in our prime." She pointed to the golden chain necklaces around their necks that held their stones of power.
"Chrysalis has taken over Canterlot, Celestia and Luna were able to help me escape with the stone of Harmony so that Chrysalis couldn't get it, now we're searching for the Bearers so as to take Canterlot back." Twilight explained.
"Canterlot?" Rainbow Fury asked. "It's more than Canterlot, in fact, half of Equestria is Changeling dominated now."
"Well that would certainly explain the buzzing," the vampire muttered, "But all that aside... you seriously don't recognize me? Well, on the other hand, it's understandable. After all, I'm supposed to be dead officially."
"Considering you're the only thing I've ever fought that I didn't bring home to the taxidermist, I cannot say I recall you." Murphious admitted.
"And... I never studied anything about vampires in the Everfree Forest." Twilight said.
"Hence the reason I moved here," the vampire said. "It's the perfect hiding spot. But, I see we need some introductions..." His fangs disappeared and his claws retracted, disappearing perfectly. He then gave them a friendly expression... or an attempt at one; his eyes still stayed the same.
"Before my 'death,' I was known as Mage Dragoneyes. Former court magician of Princess Celestia."
"You were a court magician?" Pinkamena asked. "Cool! I used to be a jester and a bard in Yakyakistan!"
"Emphasis on "used to be"." Murphious chuckled, a smug grin on his face.
"So what are you doing in the Everfree Forest, are hikers a better source for food?" Rainbow Fury asked.
"No, it's more like living in solitude," Dragoneyes stated, "Plus, not many seem to care how many animals disappear here. So... yeah." His eyes turned back towards Twilight and his expression turned into one of genuine disbelief. "I'm still amazed that you're here among them. Last time I saw you... well, forgive me for saying it, but you didn't really seem like the adventuring type."
"She still isn't." Rainbow Fury laughed. "She didn't even know how to get out of a simple arrow pin."
"She's here because Princess Celestia trusted her, that and she knew we'd never actually read the letters that were sent out." Murphious added.
"That actually may have been my fault," Dragoneyes said sheepishly. "I kinda scared off the last pony that came through here before you guys."
Suddenly, he snarled at them menacingly, then immediately recoiled.
"Sorry!" he exclaimed, "I should really get something to fix that before I tear you guys apart."
"Yeah." Rainbow Fury just said.
"Well, it was quite delightful meeting you, fighting you, nearly winning in that fight, we definitely would have won, yadda yadda yadda," Murphious said cordially. "But, we have a quest to continue, so, good day, and may you find the best and fattest elk or whatever you eat for dinner."
"Wait!" Dragoneyes shouted. He rushed into the forest canopy for a few, then came back wiping his mouth. He also was carrying a lot of cool-looking gadgets and weaponry.
"Mind if I come with you?" he asked, "It gets boring after ten years of simply hiding. The last time I remember having fun was when I was a vampire hunter." Then more to himself, "Ironic huh? Vampire killing other vampires? Besides," he looked towards them with a cheeky smile, "you won't get far trying to protect the Stone of Harmony in this place."
"Great. Another anchor on my boots." Murphious thought to himself, before he could say anything, Pinkamena smiled and waved him over to the group.
"Of course! The more the merrier!" She smiled.
"Thanks!" Dragoneyes smiled. He snapped his fingers and all of his gear levitated itself onto his body, attaching themselves to where they were needed. Among other things, they could see vials of water, wrist crossbows with silver bolts, a cane-like weapon with a curved end on it, and a silver stake. He also wore an amulet of some kind and a golden ring with an amber stone in it's center.
"Vampire hunters always come prepared," he said with a chuckle. "I also happen to be a rather handy spell-caster."
"Well I didn't think you did card tricks." Rainbow Fury said. "Come on. We shouldn't waste any more daylight, I know where we're going, but we won't make it there at this pace."
"Alright!" Dragoneyes shouted dramatically. He then looked to Twilight. "We really need to catch up sometime in the future. I'm sure I've missed out on a lot."
"It's been... a lot." She nodded.
"I'll say," he chuckled as they started walking along, "I think the last I saw of you, you were still in school. How were your classes by the way?"
"I excelled in every one." She said smugly. "Then, one day Chrysalis decided to take over, I get sent out on this quest, it's... a major adjustment."
Dragoneyes gave her a smile. "I knew you'd be an A-student! Guess Luna owes me fifty bits when this is over... assuming I remember to hold it to her."
"She didn't think I would be?" Twilight asked in a form of shock.
"To be fair, the day I met you, I knew you were at least a grade A weenie." Murphious bellowed a laugh.
"I'll cut out that tongue," Dragoneyes threatened, then back to Twilight, "It was more like she felt you weren't ready. I seriously doubt that she didn't think you could do it."
"I understand that." Twilight said. "And, don't worry about him. He's actually really nice, according to his wife anyway."
"I can tell," Dragoneyes noted. His eyes seemed to change for her, giving off a more caring look. "I'm guessing that you felt like a fourth wheel at first, didn't you? I know I felt that way once."
"Oh you know, just a bunch of warriors who are all old friends and one fresh out of school apprentice? Yeah, I feel like an outsider." Twilight chuckled.
"To the socially awkward," Dragoneyes joked, pretending to make a toast then drink from an invisible glass.
"Here here." Twilight joked with him.
Dragoneyes looked ahead at the group. "Is this getting uncomfortable for you guys, because there's plenty where that came from."
"Speak all you like." Murphious said. "I'm busy thinking."
"Never took much." Rainbow Fury joked.
"Well, then prepare thine ears, because this is gonna go on for awhile," Dragoneyes stated, "Undead or not, I'm a rather lively pony most the time. However, if I start to get too excited, please stop me. I want to keep my benefits."
"What benefits?" Rainbow Fury asked.
"Oh you know. My final rites, the will I wrote for when I died, and the fact that I'd give everyone back at Canterlot a heart attack upon seeing me again," he stated.
"I think after a surprise Changeling invasion it'll be seen more like a welcome surprise, kid." Rainbow Fury remarked.
"Kid?" Dragoneyes looked to her, "I may not seem like it, but I guarantee I'm the oldest in this group. That is what I would call a cruel irony, due to my appearance."
"Why'd you pick that age to stop aging? I woulda waited till at least my thirties." Murphious remarked.
"Instead he got stuck in his mid forties." Pinkamena giggled.
"Because some vampires don't get a choice," Dragoneyes stated bluntly, "I was bitten in the middle of the night by another vampire. Hence the reason I became a vampire hunter. Sounds sick, killing off your own kind. But I like to see it as weeding out the bad apples of the bunch. I've met a few good vampires before, and not all of them are the kind you should kill on sight."
"You don't think I haven't killed another giant before?" Murphious asked. "There's no problem killing off your own kind."
"True, but it still sounds bad on paper," Dragoneyes replied.
"Lotta things do." Murphious nodded. "To some, a giant marrying a ponyfolk sounds bad on paper."
"When are you going to let what I said go?" Twilight asked.
"I'm not gonna judge it man," Dragoneyes replied, "I've personally seen plenty of things that sounded bad on paper, but in truth were actually quite nice. Besides, who am I to get in the way of love? That is a game I've never won in the few times I've tried it."
"Wow, rational thinking, never would have guessed." Murphious remarked. "You just may learn a lot from him." He said to Twilight. They continued their trek for hours until they reached a swampier part of the forest, Rainbow remarked that they were close now to their destination, and to keep their eyes peeled.
"That'll be easy, especially since I brought my peeler," Dragoneyes joked, then more seriously, "I've never seen this part before. It's almost as well-hidden as my lair."
"She always did prefer a life of solitude." Rainbow Fury said.
"Cool!" he exclaimed, then with slight worry, "Uh, she doesn't kill vampires on sight, does she? I wouldn't want to end up killing her on accident. Then again, unless she has something made of silver or some garlic powder, I'm basically unkillable."
"You won't have to worry about her killing anything on sight, Chompy." Murphious chuckled.
"I have lost my vision, yes that is true. But I can still pose a threat to you." A voice echoed around them.
"It's her." Rainbow Fury said.
Dragoneyes chuckled. "Of course it'd be her. If we were in a different universe, I guarantee I'd have bought a charm from her to keep me from going feral as a newborn vampire."
"Who is it that passes on my land, are you a foe or are you a friend?" The voice called.
"Nice rhyme." Murphious rolled his eyes.
"Zecora! It is Rainbow Fury, we come with urgent news!" Rainbow called out.
"Wait, THAT Zecora?!" Dragoneyes was joyfully surprised, "Wow, what are the odds? So much for being a myth, Nanny."
"Two newcomers I can sense with smell, one more regal, the other spawn of hell." Zecora remarked, still invisible.
"Ouch." Murphious laughed.
"Hey! I'm not a demon!" Dragoneyes shouted, "And I'm pretty sure the 'spawn of hell' would look a whole lot uglier. Besides, I've been blessed by a sun god. Or goddess? Yeah, memory's a bit fuzzy there. Probably an aftereffect. But hey! It was part of the initiation to my vampire hunting guild."
"You talk too much, your mouth keeps spinning gears, I wish that I had kept my eyes at the cost of my ears." Zecora laughed.
"Yeah, you think I'm a ball buster." Murphious chuckled to Twilight.
"I admit, I'm a chatterbox," Dragoneyes said bluntly, "So, are you coming out or are we going to play a game of riddles?"
"I stand before you, just next to this tree, a fact so obvious, even I could see." She stepped forward, her fur was a light gray with black stripes, Her mane sticking up like that of a mohawk in the same striped pattern as her fur. She was not a ponyfolk, she was of another race known as zebrafolk, a race that she was one of the last of. she wore a long brown cloak and large boots, around her neck a good chain necklace which held her power stone, shaped like the sun in a dark gray. She walked forward, tapping the ground with her walking stick. Her eyelids cauterized shut.
Dragoneyes looked at her and a low whistle escaped him. "Just like your description," he said. "I almost wish I had my sketching book with me. Wait... do I?" He started rummaging through his equipment, searching for his elusive item of interest, almost oblivious to the fact that there were ponies watching.
"What brings you out this way, after all of this time? To this rancid hallow of pond scum and grime." Zecora asked the other Bearers.
"Zecora, Equestria is under attack." Murphious explained. "Queen Chrysalis has returned and claimed Canterlot and half of Equestria, her armies advancing through town by town as we speak."
"We need to come together once more, the Stone Bearers. It's the only way we can save Equestria!" Rainbow Fury nodded.
"So far, we've just got Rainbow, Murphious, and I." Pinkamena added. "We still need you and the others."
"I see... Chrysalis is claiming the Equestrian empire..." Zecora nodded. "And without all the Bearers, the situation is quite dire."
"So you're in?" Pinkamena asked.
"By reason of eliminating Chrysalis alone, after that, I don't intend on leaving my home." Zecora nodded.
"Spoken like a true introvert." Murphious chuckled. "Come, we've still two others to find, luckily I know where they are."
"Please tell me they don't live in the Everfree forest too." Pinkamena whined.
"Nay, we can only hope that the Crystal Empire has not yet been conquered." Murphious hoped.
"They've got the best defenses in all of Equestria, I'm sure they're fine." Rainbow Fury grinned.
But upon their arrival, Rainbow Fury couldn't have been more wrong...