Canterlot Castle:
Princess Celestia has just read Twilights friendship report and found it interesting. Luna came over to wish her sister goodnight but was concerned with the look on her face, "Dear sister, what's wrong? Why do you look like you're displeased?"
Celestia shook her head and smiled at Luna, "It seems the girls saw what the boys really look like. In their natural form."
Luna's eyes went big, "You mean to tell me those boys aren't really ponies," Celestia shook her head again and Luna lowered her head, "I thought they were just super powered ponies from another country who called themselves overlords."
Celestia put a comforting wing around her sister to lay her down, "No sister, these boys are the real deal. Mauve was not of this world and we could do very little against something like him."
Luna put on a proud face, "We are the princess of the night and is strong enough to take down anything."
Her sister chuckled again, "I know you are, but we lack the knowledge on how to defeat such enemies and certain powers as well. Besides... wouldn't it be interesting for you to see what they look like," she asked with a smile.
Luna tapped her chin with her hoof to ponder this, "I guess it would be, suppose we pay a royal visit tomorrow," Celestia nodded. Luna got up and yawned, "Well, time for bed. Goodnight sister," and trotted off to bed.
Celestia said her goodnight and looked at the letter again, 'I am most curious about the scratching behind the ears... sounds interesting.'
Alchemy House:
It was the next morning and Laharl sat at the island in the kitchen reading the newspaper, still wearing the same shorts from yesterday. He yawned and drank some coffee to help wake him up. The sounds of doors opening got his attention and he smiled to see Issac up. He had his special glasses on with long black shorts and a white, button up short sleeved shirt which was open to reveal his chest. "I'm up and I'm starving," he announced.
Laharl pointed at the leftover's fridge, "Just try not to make a mess again." Issac smiled and went over to chow down. There was a knock at the front door and Laharl went up to get it.
He opened to reveal the six girls smiling at him, "Mornin' sugarcube, how y'all doin'," Applejack asked.
He rubbed his face and groaned, "Got a late start and I'm still out of it."
Pinkie bounced inside and said with a smile, "Well time to say bye-bye to those sleepy monsters cause we're here to brighten your day."
He smiled and rubbed his eyes, "How lovely." The sounds of someone eating in the kitchen caught the girls' attention.
"Who is making those ghastly chewing noises," Rarity asked covering her ears.
"Issac, he's up and wanted food," he answered looking a little disgusted.
Pinkie jumped with joy, "Yay Izzy's up," she zoomed into the kitchen leaving behind a small fire trail which quickly disappeared.
He gave the girls a confused, "Izzy?"
Twilight giggled, "Oh she came up with it on the way here." Laharl sighed and led the other girls into the kitchen. They were surprised to see the fridge was empty and Issac not big.
He was smiling, "Hey Laharl, how about a party later?"
Pinkie lunged and grabbed Laharl by the legs, making a sad face with her big blue eyes staring at him, whimpering, making her lower lip quiver. He looked at her and sighed in defeat, "I can easily say no to a face like that but in this case, I will not. Let's have a party." Pinkie and Issac cheered and got busy in the kitchen with what they needed for the party. Laharl sighed again, "It's like watching kids opening gifts on Christmas."
Rarity giggled, "Speaking of children, we brought over some guests with us." He was about to ask who when he was tackled by the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"Wow, so that's wut you look like Mister Laharl," Apple Bloom said excitedly while jumping on him.
"He looks sooooo cool," Sweetie Belle said doing the same thing.
"Yeah, but not as cool as Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said doing the same thing as the other two.
Rainbow smiled a little at that. The fillies got off and Laharl got up, brushing himself off, "Ah, more fun for the this evening." The girls smiled and looked around the kitchen and was amazed at everything. Laharl looked and saw that Twilight and Fluttershy left the room, "Uhh, where did Twilight and Fluttershy go," he asked.
Rainbow pointed a hoof at the door, "She said something about going to see your library, ha, what an egghead." He left the kitchen and into the hallway to find the library door open.
Alchemy House: Library:
Twilight and Fluttershy were standing on a metal platform looking into the darkness, wondering where the books are. Laharl entered with Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity and the fillies who also wondered where the book were. "Some library," Rainbow said and started laughing. Laharl turned on the lights and her laughter died down when rows upon rows of case of books were revealed in the light. The amount of space looked like the size of Ponyville.
Twilights eyes grew big as she levitated up and floated towards the books but was stopped when Laharl pushed her onto the platform. She looked up at him with those big eyes, asking for permission. "No," he bluntly said.
Her eyes returned to normal, "Why not?"
He pointed at the ground floor to reveal several machines with brooms and rags, cleaning, "It's cleaning day and they don't like it when they're disturbed."
Rainbow flew upwards, "Yeah, but I'm the fastest flier in all of Equestria, no slow poke machine is going to get me," and she dashed towards bookcases. The girls stood up to look over the railing to see her while Laharl rested his arm on the railing and looked at his nails on the other hand. Shortly after there was a loud smack and Rainbow was flying towards them, screaming and Laharl lifted his free hand and grabbed her by the tail, preventing her from hitting the wall.
He sat her down and she was shivering, "It came out of nowhere, I was about to get a book when all of a sudden... " The girls but Twilight went over to comfort her.
She looked up at him, "How long before they're done?"
He thought for a moment, "If they are in this section... ... then two more days."
She looked shocked, "How... your library can't be that big... can it?"
He pointed to a machine with a speaker and a spin dial, "That helps me get the section I want, there is a lot more than what you see here."
She started drooling, "Can I come back when they're done?"
He smiled, "Only if you behave yourself."
The conversation was interrupted by Apple Bloom shouting, "Mister Laharl, wut are those black cases for," she pointed at one on the ground floor.
He looked to where she was pointing, "Oh that's one of the cases I put dangerous stuff in. Rare dark book, weapons, artifacts, grimoires... "
He was cut off by Twilight being really close to his face, "YOU HAVE GRIMOIRES... WHERE DID YOU GET THEM?"
He shrugged, "Here and there." She tried to dive into the lower level, but Laharl grabbed her by the tail and carried her out of the library.
Everyone else followed him out and he placed Twilight on the ground and she rushed back into the library, only to slam into the door. She pawed at the door wanting back in, but couldn't. The fillies went into another room and everyone chased after them.
Alchemy House: Atelier:
The girls stood in awe at the large dark room filled with various vials, jars, plants and other things. Their attention then came to the big black cauldron in the middle of the room. They started to walk towards it but was halted when Laharl scooped them up in his arms. Sweetie looked up at him, "What's this room for?"
He smiled, "This is my atelier, where I perform alchemy." Twilight looked around and was amazed at what he had.
Rarity was reluctant, "Why is this room so messy?"
He put the girls down and sighed, "It helps me and I like it messy in here. It's one of the very few rooms that I leave messy." She scrunched her face and backed away from the room.
Fluttershy gasped at the some of the jars that had little dried up animals in them. She looked at him with sad eyes, "Why are these like this?"
He shook his head, "Alchemy has a sick sense of humor and that's it. Some ingredients are things you really don't want to use."
She walked over and looked him in the eyes, "You don't make them like that... do you?"
He shook his head again, "No... I get them from... other sources." He walked out of the room, "Let's get out of here. Not much else to see."
Alchemy House:
Laharl sat down on a chair in the living room and rubbed his eyes, 'Why am I so tired... God this sucks.'
Twilight walked up and coughed to get his attention, "Um Laharl, what is that ink marking on your left arm?"
He moved his hand and looked at the tattoo on said arm, "Oh, I got that when I was in the Army Rangers."
"So you're a military man," said Applejack as she and the others came over to see it.
"Yes, I was a medical officer and Issac was ground assault."
Rainbow raised an eyebrow, "How come he was in combat and you fixed... others up?"
He sighed, "It's what I wanted to do."
"Did you see combat?"
He chuckled, "Oh yes I did. A good part of it was helping others, but I got to shoot a gun... excuse me." He walked off to his room and came out with a long sleeved, open white shirt. Then a knock came at one of the doors. "It's open," he shouted.
The door opened and out came Valvatorez and a tall skinny man with bronze skin, long white spiky hair and same styled tail, a red open jacket, black leather pants and boots. Laharl smiled, "Hey Valv, hey Fenrich."
Valv spoke in his normal tone, "Ah Laharl, I came to see how your healing process was and yes, I brought Fenrich with me."
Fenrich put his hand to his chest, "Lord Val told me what happened and I just had to see the results of the battle."
The girls came over to see the strange men and Applejack smiled, "Well howdy again Valv, how y'all doin?"
He smiled, "Quite well knowing a friend is doing better."
The fillies stared up at them and Valv and he spoke in a loud, authoritative voice, "Do not fear children, I, Valvatorez am not a bad vampire," he waved a hand over to Fenrich, "and this is my steward Frenrich, a werewolf."
Fenrich bowed, "It is a pleasure to meet you all." The fillies ran and hid behind Laharl as well as Fluttershy.
He sighed and pinched the ridge of his nose, "Must you talk like that when you meet new people and creatures?"
Valv just smiled, "I am just letting them know who I really am."
Apple Bloom poked her head out, "Y... y... your not gonna drink our blood are you Mister Vampire sir?"
He chuckled, "Of course not, I don't drink the blood of friends and friends of Laharl are friends of mine."
They slowly came out from behind Laharl but Fluttershy stayed behind, still shaking. Rarity came over and examined Valv and Fenrich's unique outfits. "Such... strange outfits you both have."
Fen looked at her funny, "This is what demons wear in the Netherverse."
"I suppose other introductions are in order," Laharl said pointing at the girl, "Valv, you remember Applejack."
He nodded and Laharl continued on, "The white one looking at your clothes is Rarity, the cyan pegasus is Rainbow Dash, the purple unicorn is Twilight Sparkle," he moved to reveal Fluttershy, "and this is Fluttershy." She squeaked and hid behind Laharl again.
Valv looked down at the fillies again. Apple Bloom spoke, "I'm Apple Bloom," she pointed at her friends, "this is Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and we're," they stood in formation and said in unison, "THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADER!"
Valv and Fen gave them confused looks, "Cutie Mark Crusaders," Fen asked.
Scoot jumped up and down, "Yeah, we're on a mission to get our cutie marks and find ourselves in this world."
Valv closed his eyes and smiled, "Find yourselves eh... might I suggest," he spread is arms, expanding his cape and yelled, "SARDINES!"
Laharls eye twitched, "Really... sardines... are you out of your mind." Everybody was taken back by what Valv suggested.
He relaxed his body before he spoke, "Sardines are a nutritious and helps the body grow. It also cleanses the blood and helps you burn fat... "
Laharl looked up, 'Please... let something come to stop him', a knock came from the front door which made him happy.
He rushed to the door and opened it to reveal Princess Celestia and Luna. He welcomed them in and they saw Valv and Fen and were surprised. Issac and Pinkie came out of the kitchen to see what the commotion was and she got excited to see not only the Princess, but new people in the house. Laharl smiled a little, 'Looks like today is going to be ever eventful.'
Outside:
It was the evening when the party started. Some tables and seats were set up with various party platters and drinks. Everybody was dancing, even Fen who normally doesn't. Pinkie came up next to him, "So Mister Wolf, are you enjoying the party."
He smiled a little, "Normally I find parties to be unnecessary, but this is marvellous."
She smiled and walked to Valv, carrying a tray of cupcakes. "Mister Valvatorez try a cupcake," she asked presenting the tray. He gently pushed it away, "No thank you Miss Pie, sugar is not really good for vampires." Her face grew sad but then was happy again as she put the tray behind her and pulled out another one with sardines on it. He started to drool, "The smell, the color and the texture," he grabbed the tray and ran off giggling like a madman.
Fen saw this and let out a frustrated sigh, "Lord Valvatorez, have some self control," and went after him. Pinkie and Rainbow saw this and made curious faces and then looked at each other. "Dashie," Pinkie said.
"Yeah Pinkie," Rainbow responded.
"Laharl and Issac sure have some very, very weird friends."
Rainbow nodded, "Oh yeah."
Fluttershy saw Laharl sitting on a bench seat and walked over to him. She put her forelegs over his right leg and looked up at him who looked tired, "Um, Laharl... are you enjoying the party?"
He looked at her with a disgruntled look, "Every time... Valv goes with me anywhere, we go see him or what not... he always behaves like a weirdo when sardines come into the conversation."
She just giggled, "Yes, he is a funny friend."
He finally smiled, "Yeah, he will do everything he can to help a friend." She smiled and when he saw it, it made him feel warm inside but the feeling left when he saw Celestia go into the house with a very angry look on her face. He gently lifted Futtershy's legs and put them on the ground, "Be right back," he said and followed Celestia. Fluttershy grew concerned about the situation.
Alchemy House: Atelier:
Celestia looked around the room and felt disgusted at everything that caught her eyes. Then her eyes were set on the cauldron, the root of the "Evil". She glared at the cauldron, 'You are the reason he is gone... the reason he changed... Now', her horn started to glow, "BEGONE FROM MY WORLD!" She was about to unleash her magic but stopped when she turned and saw Laharl petting her and stroking her mane.
She shook him off, turned and glared at him, "How... how could study such... such... such," she waved a hoof around the room, "an evil art?" He walked past her and put a hand on the cauldron. "Answer me," she demanded.
He looked at her with a sincere look, "What happened to him?"
She looked surprised by his response, "How did you know?"
He smiled a little, "Lucky guess."
She knew he was lying but didn't bother with it and sat down with a sad look on her face, "His name was Dimitri. He was an alicorn like me and Luna but his magic was... unique." Laharl raised an eyebrow and Celestia continued on, "All he could do was tricks and illusion, he couldn't do real magic like me. Other ponies made fun of him, but he brushed it off, it never bothered him. He did have a talent for... ," she was hesitant to say the word.
"Alchemy," Laharl finished for her.
She nodded, "Yes and it was amazing at first." She chuckled, "He turned a huge boulder into a piece of gold, smashed it into small pieces and gave the pieces to poor ponies who had no money and couldn't afford to live in poverty. Then a darkness came into our world and he wanted to help us. He put together a creature from various parts of other animal, a guardian as he wanted to call it. It also had a red heart gem inside of it which he said would give it life and power enough to help. When it was completed, Dimitri wanted it to stop the dark entity, but the guardian didn't respond to any commands, as if it didn't wake up. Dimitri was devastated but knew what he had to do."
Her face grew sadder with her continuing on, "He sacrificed his life and magic, which made the creature come to life and with its power, banished the dark entity from our world... but now he looked like a misshaped creature from a nightmare. But I still had... feelings for him. When Luna was older, could fly and do magic, she came along with me and him on adventures. One day we stumbled upon an underground cave and found eight large, colorless gems with a magic in themselves. Luna got excited and went up to the gems and a rainbow light beamed down on her and she started screaming. I went over to get her but I was caught in the light."
She made a pained look, "It was like something was sucking up who I was... like my kindness and generosity was being stripped from me. Then Dimitri stepped forward, took the gems from the wall and held them close to himself. He yelled in pain as the light grew brighter and then there was a big blast of rainbow light. When the light disappeared, the gems floated over to me and Luna and Dimitri stood before us... with an evil look in his eyes. He let out a horrible laugh and went up into the surface to find him touching ponies on the head and they changed into spiteful ponies with hatred in them. Luna and I felt the power of the gems and we unleashed their power, turning Dimitri into stone and the ponies that were turned, went back to normal."
Then Celestia broke down and started crying. Laharl walked over and started to stroke her mane again which made cry a little more. She finally settled down and Laharl pulled out a cigarette and started smoking. "Fuck," he said, "Dimitri sounds like a noble guy, but made choices he couldn't help."
She looked at him with wet eyes, "What do you mean?"
He sighed, "The red heart gem was a ruby prism. If it was a philosopher's stone, then he wouldn't have needed to sacrifice himself. But if he had a philosopher's stone, then he would've known how to make it and he wouldn't do that. The ruby prism he made didn't come out right and he knew what he needed to do to kick start it."
He looked over and she looked at him with pleading eyes, "Can you put him back the way he was?" Seeing her like this made him hurt inside but the answer he knew, she wouldn't like it.
He shook his head, "No... by now it's too late to physically help him, but maybe you can fix him mentally and emotionally."
"How," she asked hoping to get a better answer.
He let out a big sigh, "When I was younger, I was nothing but evil. What Dimitri did, didn't compare to what I did and I'm not proud of them."
'What happened to you child', she asked in her mind.
He continued, "Then one day... a... friend did something for me that no one has ever done and it helped see things differently. It was my kick in the ass to change and you have to find Dimitri's." Celestia leaned over and placed a foreleg around Laharl, giving him a hug. He just patted her on the back, "There, there, it will be fine."
Outside:
He helped her up and walked her out of the house, only to be greeted by everybody there. Twilight approached, "Your highness, is everything alright?"
Celestia just smiled, "Yes my little ponies... Laharl was just comforting me, that's all."
Fen coughed and elbowed Valv and Valv said, "Well I'm afraid Fenrich and I have be getting back to the Netherverse. It was an exciting day and we must do it again."
"Indeed," Fen responded and they both went into the house.
The girls looked at each other and nodded in unison. "Well," Applejack said, "Ah think it's time me and Apple Bloom here mossied on home now. Y'all have a nice evening." Everybody said their goodbyes and went home except for Celestia and Luna.
Celestia put on a serious face, "I know you both are still recovering but I need one of you for a mission."
Both guys sighed and nodded. "Good, a large group of bats have been discovered at the Sacred Bell Shrine and every night, they carry away large crates of what we believe is echo stone."
Laharl raised an eyebrow, "Echo stone?"
"Special magic stones that are said to record sounds, voices and music," Luna answered.
Celestia nodded, "Yes and we need one of you to find out what they plan to do with it. You will be undercover as a bodyguard for the Canterlot Symphony and their guests."
Both guys looked at each other, "Rock, paper, scissors," Issac asked. Laharl nodded and they proceeded to play. Laharl drew scissors and Issac drew paper.
Laharl smiled and pushed Issac toward the princesses, "And here is your man for the mission."
Luna nodded, "Brave Issac, we admire your courage."
"Oh," Laharl said, "you have to tell the town about our real selves before he leaves out."
Celestia smiled, "We will tomorrow. Now get some sleep young Issac."
Both princesses flew off into the evening and Issac walked up to Laharl, "What did you and Celestia talk about?"
Laharl stood blankly, "Oh, this and that."
Canterlot Castle:
Celestia laid in her bed, still sad about the story she told Laharl. She used her magic and pulled an old photo from behind a small painting in her room. It was a photo of a young alicorn stallion with a dark brown coat, black mane and green eyes with party favor pictures on his flank. She cried a little, 'Dimitri... please come back to me.'
Ponyville:
Trixie was hiding in a lush forest to hide from her attackers. It looked to be a small group of griffins who have been stalking her ever since she left the hospital. They looked familiar from her travels when she was caught up in the affairs of Mauve and his cult. She laid down and closed her eyes tight, 'Trixie is sorry, she will fix this... '
...
Author's Notes: Number 12 redone. Normally this would be a two parter but I turned it into a one piece. Ciao!
