Hello, hello, hello, what's happenin' readers?
This is my New Year's special 2012. I do apologise for the delay. Let me stress now that this event was made by me and isn't based off any events Jagex may have made (Jagex don't normally make New Year events). I hope you all had pleasant festivities and I wish you all a Happy New Year. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Jagex, RuneScape, or any of the RuneScape characters. All I own is the plot of this fanfiction and some of the characters in the story. I am not making a financial profit from this story.
Chapter 10: White Knight New Year
"The Bluerite sword is an ancient and beautiful sword that is made by the talented Imcando dwarves," I murmured. "I really need to remember that line in particular. Wow, this is more challenging than I originally thought it was going to be."
I was currently pacing around a spare armoury in the White Knight Castle, reading from a scrap of paper and feeling panicky. Sir Amik Varze had approached me, asking me to recite the tale of my quest to find the Bluerite swords to an audience in his New Year party. I'd accepted the offer, not fully appreciating the true scale of what I'd let myself into. I left the armoury nervously and I peered out the window at the crowds of people currently occupying the courtyard of the White Knight's Castle. It was late evening, the party was now just kicking off and I was due to read my story within two hours. Scared was an understatement.
Massive preparations had been made for the party. Sir Amik Varze had paid a large team of chefs and cooks to prepare a delicious buffet, which currently stood on the far side of the courtyard. However, I was too restless to think about food. I didn't truly understand why I was so concerned. After all, I'd actually experienced the quest itself and could speak from memory. I was nervous nevertheless.
Sir Amik Varze had also hired Aggie, a group of assistants, and Greyzag to prepare the giant firework that would be lit on the New Year. I didn't understand why Sir Amik Varze hired Greyzag. Greyzag was needed because of certain enchantments on the firework he needed to check and adjust. Why Greyzag over any other wizard? It confused me. Greyzag was an evil person who had a nasty habit of ruining holidays. Aggie wasn't very happy about the situation either apparently, but was forced to make sacrifices.
I'd originally planned to spend the New Year with the wizards in their alternative Wizard's Tower but I decided to go to Sir Amik Varze's party instead. After the festivities, Sedridor would destroy the alternative Wizard's Tower and close the portal connections. I would be sad to see it go, since it'd be confirmation to me that the festivities were really finished. It had been an excellent Christmas and I didn't really want it to end.
Deciding to take a break from my practising, I left the tower and entered the courtyard. I stared around me, impressed. A small stage had been set up on one side of the courtyard, and I would be telling my story on it later. A program of the evening's events had been written and my slot was straight after a performance given by a troupe of dancers. On the other side, a long table stood, with the delicious buffet spread out across it. The courtyard was steadily filling with people. White knights stood around overlooking the party with a hawk's eye. I was considering the possibility of returning to the armoury to practise some more before a jolly Osrie1 stumbled towards me.
"Okay, friend?" Osrie1 boomed, his orange hair flying everywhere. "How're you enjoying this party? It's the season to be jolly." He burped loudly, and then continued. "You should try the chicken pieces. They're nice, they're nice." He grabbed my shoulder and marched me towards the buffet table, filling my hands with chicken pieces. I reluctantly ate them. He walked away from me and tried striking up a conversation with Capablanca. I ate some more delicious pieces, wondering how much Osrie1 intended to drink this evening.
Eventually Sir Amik Varze walked onto the stage and the audience burst into applause. He bowed slightly, looking pleased. I smiled. Sir Amik Varze deserved the appreciation; after all, he did Falador and even RuneScape in its entirety a massive service by running the white knights. After the applause died town, Sir Amik Varze spoke.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to my New Year's party," he shouted. "I thank you all for coming today. Another year has passed. It has been a successful year for the white knights, not only in financial terms but in terms of what we've been doing to keep peace and combat crime. Hear more about that later this evening in the white knight's financial account, delivered by yours truly. We have an exciting evening for you. We have many guest speakers on this stage, talking about the year from their perspective and the year from our own perspective. The famous RuneScape Rockers will play for us, a dance troupe will give us a performance to remember, and battle-scarred hero Mainiac97, who has battled the likes of Delrith, Count Draynor, and evil mastermind Master Samuel previously, will tell us a tale. We will count down to the New Year at midnight, with a fireworks display courtesy of Aggie the witch and a representative of the Wizard's Tower." I shuddered at the reference to Greyzag. "I hope you enjoy your evening, ladies and gentlemen, and have a safe journey home." The audience applauded and Sir Amik Varze bowed again before leaving the stage.
The night wore on and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. I ate a little bit and had a beer, deciding that it would be wise for me to enjoy the party while it lasted. I didn't drink too much, though; I didn't want to be drunk and embarrass myself in front of an audience of dozens. I saw many wise and experienced people on the stage, talking about the year gone by from their perspective. A funny man who offered a comedic perspective of the year had the audience crying tears of mirth. The RuneScape Rockers performed and people enjoyed the music. While the dance troupe was giving their performance I was called into the castle to prepare myself for my tale. I panicked slightly and even briefly considered the possibility of running away before discrediting the idea, branding it a cowardly and foolish idea. I just breathed deeply, kept as calm as I could, and reassured myself that everything would be fine. I watched with fear as Sir Amik Varze walked on the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he yelled. "Our next act is a young adventurer who has the experience of an older man. This man has been a hero and has saved the day numerous times. This man, ladies and gentlemen, saved Falador all those years ago by defeating the wicked Master Samuel and ending a dreadful war. He recently did the white knights a huge favour by acquiring a number of legendary swords and giving them to us, and now he wants to share with you the tale of how he acquired them. Give a round of applause to Mainiac97!" I walked onto the stage and waited awkwardly for the applause to die down. It felt very different standing in front of an audience of dozens. My fear seemed to evaporate.
"We've had an excellent winter," I told the audience, who all seemed to nod in agreement. "It snowed and the temperatures were so cold that the moat of this very castle had frozen, allowing people to skate over it. One day, I was skating across this ice. It was very cold, but that never bothered me. I peered through the window of Sir Amik Varze's office and saw him standing there, looking immensely troubled. It turned out that he was dreaming of the Bluerite sword. The Bluerite sword is an ancient and beautiful sword that is made by the talented Imcando dwarves. So, I decided to set myself a challenging quest. I set out to find an elusive Imcando dwarf so I could get the Bluerite sword to give to Sir Amik Varze."
I continued with my story, speaking about the miserable Imcando dwarf, the Bluerite cave and the red-berry pie with enthusiasm I didn't realise I had. The audience appeared enthralled by my tale, gasping at all the right moments and applauding at others. There were times when I forgot what I'd rehearsed, but it didn't matter because I'd actually been through the quest and I could speak from memory. This was healthy because it made the story more organic. I made certain funny comments occasionally, inspiring chuckles from the audience. I concluded the tale, speaking of the happy dwarf and the even happier white knight leaders. I bowed and left the stage, blown away by the tumultuous applause. That night, I discovered a new passion, something that I loved doing; I loved telling stories.
The night wore on and it drew closer and closer to midnight. People approached me, congratulating me on my story and congratulating me on my achievements. Sir Amik Varze offered his financial statement and his own word about the year gone. Eventually the giant firework was brought onto the stage by a group of assistants that were being overseen by Aggie the witch and a smirking Greyzag. People gasped at the size of the firework. I was impressed, but not entirely amazed; I'd seen an equally big firework when I was at King Roald's party several years ago. Greyzag shot me a wink, and I growled. Trying to ignore my growing anger, I watched with interest as Greyzag cast some final enchantments on the firework while Aggie watched suspiciously.
The clock struck 11:55. Chairs had been set out in front of the stage and people were beginning to relax and settle down. I sat down next to Osrie1, who seemed reasonably merry but not terribly drunk. Amy11 sat down next to me and greeted me, offering her congratulations. I greeted her cheerfully and thanked her. We chatted for a bit before the final minute before the New Year arrived, the firework was lit and the countdown began.
"Ten!" everybody in the courtyard chanted. "Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!" The firework shot into the sky and everybody watched with amazement as it travelled upwards. Half a minute passed and the rocket showed no signs of stopping. People began whispering among themselves and Sir Amik Varze looked concerned. Everybody gasped as the firework turned sideways and began travelling in Draynor's direction. Greyzag cackled.
"It's too late now!" he yelled. "The firework is heading towards the Wizard's Tower, and you cannot stop it! All the wizards are currently in an alternative version of their own tower in the Land of Snow, very drunk. The firework is so massive it will demolish the tower and everything inside it, break the portal connection and trap the wizards in the Land of Snow with little to no supplies and no way of returning in the foreseeable future. If I'm lucky the explosion might even spread through the portal and cause some damage on the other side as well. This is why I think they are so foolish, ladies and gentlemen! Now if you'll excuse me, I must leave and watch the fireworks. Happy New Year!" The audience all cried and gulped while Aggie fainted and the white knights ran forward to try and capture Greyzag.
There was a large burst of smoke, and when the smoke cleared a tall black demon with large wings and rippling muscles stood. Greyzag jumped on its back and it flew off, roaring. I saw an opportunity and I bounced over the seats and jumped on the demon, hoping to defeat Greyzag and maybe stop the firework. The audience started cheering; the cheering stopped abruptly when the demon smashed its tail into a nearby wall and almost threw me off.
I clambered further up the demon, a difficult task when flying through the air. I punched Greyzag in the face, and he spun around, hissing. He cast a bind spell on me, and although it failed it disorientated me and made me slip down the demon and almost tumble to the earth below. I watched with fear as we approached Draynor and as the firework flew over the tower and made its way downwards. Greyzag giggled with glee and I watched hopelessly as the firework rocketed towards the tower.
I was surprised to see the firework stop abruptly just as it was about to collide with the tower. It hovered in the air for a full minute before changing course and flying towards us instead. I resigned myself to a painful death while Greyzag yelped and teleported with a puff of smoke. The firework collided with the demon and the demon fell to the earth, crashing into a house in Draynor.
I moaned and I pulled myself from the wreckage. I felt my ribs and found several broken ones. My armour was dented and I was covered with cuts and bruises. I wondered why the collision hadn't killed me before I realised that the demon had cushioned my blow. I was still alive. The same couldn't be said about the demon; it'd been reduced to a burning corpse lying in the middle of Draynor. The sky was currently filled with sparks and small explosions. The firework had still set off, obviously. Despite still being alive I still felt awfully weak and I started losing consciousness. Sooner or later I completely lost consciousness.
The cold wind blew through Greyzag's hair as he sat in the wooden chair, chained down. Greyzag inspected his surroundings, feeling terrified. He was in a wasteland of sorts, surrounded by nothing but filthy soil. Judging by the black clouds swirling in the air, Greyzag guessed he was somewhere in the Wilderness. Suddenly, three people appeared. Greyzag opened his mouth to speak but found that some spell was restricting his speech. Two people out of the three were the MCMs while the third was the mysterious villain in leather armour who'd robbed the God Rune and killed James to replace him.
"Why exactly have you taken him here?" one of the MCMs asked the man with the God Rune. "Also, I don't understand why you stopped that firework from colliding with the Wizard's Tower. Can you explain that to me?" Greyzag expressed surprise when he heard that the man with the God Rune was the one responsible for stopping the firework.
"Cloned man," the man with the God Rune whispered icily, making the hairs on the back of Greyzag's neck stand up. "Do you not understand the potential some of the artefacts in the Wizard's Tower have? The Wizard's Tower is famous for protecting numerous magical artefacts. This bumbling, imp-summoning fool here almost destroyed the Wizard's Tower, destroying everything it holds in the process. The tower itself is useless to me. I couldn't care less about the tower. Cloned man, what really attracts me to the tower is the valuable artefacts and spells it protects. Trust me when I say keeping the tower intact will be beneficial to us. I'm keeping this man as my prisoner, not only because he is a fool and could potentially ruin my plans, but also because his abilities could be useful to us." The MCMs look ready to argue, but the man with the God Rune stopped them. "Cloned men, he doesn't just summon imps, he can summon demons as well. Look at the potential behind that ability."
"Very well," one of the MCMs muttered. "Either way, we've been working with you all this time and we still don't know your name. You killed James, our old leader, and have assigned yourself the new leader. You've continued work on the potion, you've plotted numerous things and we've been obedient all this time, but you've never given us your name. What should we call you?"
"You will never know my true identity, clone," the man snapped. "But... you can call me Fiend."
I woke up suddenly, coated with cold sweat and breathing heavily. I sat up and stared at the sparks that still filled the air, reflecting on what I'd just seen.
I hadn't experienced a vision for a long time and it felt odd to experience one again. Perhaps it was a sign that the shadows of the past were truly haunting me. I'd learnt numerous things from that vision. The man who'd attacked the Wizard's Guild and taken the God Rune, the man who'd hidden his facial features with a spell, the man with black, spiky hair, the very same man who'd saved the Wizard's Tower from destruction because of the artefacts that hid inside it... his name was Fiend. It sounded like a pseudonym that he used to protect his true identity, but it was still a name and it was still something to go by. I was shocked to hear that he'd killed James and taken Master Samuel's place and was now continuing with the potion. He seemed like a formidable opponent with great power if he was capable of robbing the Wizard's Guild. Greyzag was now the prisoner of this Fiend man. The conclusion I pulled from this was a frightening conclusion; my enemies were active again, and RuneScape was once again in danger.
The coming year was going to be an interesting year... that much I was certain of.
I hope that was to your liking. So we now know the name of our new antagonist... Fiend. What are your thoughts/theories on what Mainiac97 learnt in his vision? I'd love to hear your feedback.
I am still open to names for Mainiac97's tinsel snake.
Ah, 2011... what a strange year it has been in terms of writing this fanfiction. This time last year the first story had come to an end and I was wondering whether writing a sequel was wise. I started a poll on the subject and the results of the poll were promising; thank you to all who voted. I was reluctant to write the sequel because I simply wasn't feeling inspired to. I had ideas, don't get me wrong, but I just wasn't feeling inspired enough to put them on paper (or, in this case, type them out). I stalled the sequel massively, writing one-shots for 'The Adventure Through RuneScape: The One-shots' as well as writing seasonal specials. Eventually, during the summer of 2011, I felt inspired and I decided to write the sequel. 10 chapters in and I'm glad I started writing it. 2012 will be an exciting year for this fanfiction, I can assure you that. Mainiac97 will see some old friends and may even see some old enemies. There will be fighting, there will be romance, and the odd quest will probably be completed as well. Who knows? If things go exceedingly well, maybe we'll know a thing or two more about Mainiac97's past this time next year. Only time can tell. So, that's my paragraph on 2011. Happy New Year, guys.
Next chapter... "The planning is finally complete," Aubury whispered. "We're ready."
Until next time, toodles!