Author's Note:
In the last week I watched the entire Rocky movie franchise, I learned something: We ourselves are our own worst enemies and that we must face ourselves, not others.
How this might apply to a fanfic writer. Let's just say I realize I'm putting obstacles in my way.
Sometimes I spend days pondering potential ideas, not to mention the complicated feelings I experience with each new work published.
I'm clearly too serious or sensitive about my favorite pastime.
Anyway, I'm trying to have fun with this chapter.
XXX
Story Arc: Welcome to the Crystal Empire
Episode 1: The Arrival of the Chosen "Hero"
Chapter 3: King Sombra VS Traveler
Plot: The trio of heroes reach the Crystal Palace, Traveler takes care of the guards, enters and immediately faces King Sombra, starting a magic battle, all under the watchful eye of Paimon, Autumn Gem and numerous prisoners.
XXX
POV Narrator
Before long, Traveler, Paimon, and Autumn Gem reached an open square in the center of the city.
Before the trio appeared the royal palace, a crystal castle resembling a huge single tower with four arched legs and other towers inside it.
"It vaguely reminds me of the Eiffel Tower," Traveler comments, recognizing a similarity in the basic architecture.
"This palace is beautiful." Paimon comments, flying into the middle of the group.
"As always, you're an easy Fairy to impress." Traveler said, fiddling with the futuristic device on his forearm.
"What are you doing?" Autumn Gem asks, watching with interest.
"I'm sending new orders to my spy drone and checking for the latest updates." Traveler said, getting a zoomed-in image of the Crystal Palace base.
Four main entrances, each under one of the arched legs of the palace, each entrance protected by two guards, for a total of eight guards.
"What's a drone?" Autumn Gem whispers to the White Fairy. The mare's knowledge is that of a common plebeian in a fantasy world; science for her is a concept akin to that of foreign fairy tales.
"A creature made of metal that obeys the commands of its maker. They are often small in size and shaped like animals or vehicles." The Fairy explains with a small smile on her face.
Paimon enjoys occasions when she knows a topic and can explain it to someone. She's often the one in the room who knows the least.
"I see." Autumn Gem said, imagining a creature resembling a living statue in the shape of a bird.
The Planeswalker, finishing reading the information, turns to the Mare.
"Before we proceed, Autumn Gem, put this on." Traveler said, as he pulled from his cloak a solid gold medallion with a serpentine S inlaid in gleaming green stone on the front.
Autumn Gem immediately realizes that the locket is worth more than everything she owns, perhaps more than everything her family has owned since her great-great-grandmother's time.
"What is it?" Autumn Gem asks, hesitating to touch the amulet for fear of ruining it.
"This is the Locket of Salazar Slytherin. A jewel originally owned by Salazar Slytherin, a Wizard who lived 1,576 years ago, from a faraway land. I obtained it long ago, as payment for teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at a magical school." Traveler explains, handing the amulet to the mare.
"Why are you handing this to me?" Autumn asks, slowly taking the amulet into her hands.
"The amulet is a magical artifact, offering various protections to its wearer, the most important of which is the provision of mental shields to safeguard one's thoughts." Traveler explains what the Locket of Salazar Slytherin is capable of.
"If it's such a useful artifact, why don't you wear it? You'll need it if you want to face King Sombra." Autumn Gem said, not wanting to deprive Traveler of one of his precious tools.
"I can do without it, I have more of a protection on me, while you have nothing but your clothes on you to protect you from magic." Traveler explains, before turning towards the crystal palace.
Without saying anything else Autumn Gem puts on the amulet, as soon as she puts it around her neck, she feels a warm sensation pervade her body.
"Magic is amazing." Autumn Gem said, as she placed a hand on the amulet, being able to feel the difference between before and after.
"If we're prepared, let's go conquer the castle!" Paimon exclaims, raising his fist in the air.
"This enthusiasm is both reassuring and frightening at the same time," Autumn Gem thinks, still doubting their chances of success, even though they grow stronger with every wonder she sees.
The Planeswalker raises his hand, keeping his fist clenched, and begins to channel magical energy into his hand, specifically into one of the rings he wears.
"Invisibility Dome." Traveler declares, opening his hand, releasing blue magical energy.
A semi-transparent dome of light blue color appeared around the trio.
"Level 7 spell of the Blue Magic School, creating a dome with a circumference of three meters. Those inside the dome cannot be seen or heard by those outside." Traveler explains, walking slowly towards the palace, holding his right arm in the air, keeping the spell working.
'The chances of success are getting higher and higher.' Autumn Gem thinks, feeling less anxious than before.
"Having a Sorcerer as a best friend brings you so many advantages," said the Faerie, boasting of her friendship with the Planeswalker.
XXX
In less than five minutes, the trio, hidden from view, are in the center of the square, having a view of the four entrances to the Crystal Palace and the eight guards.
Each gate is guarded by a pair of Crystal Ponies, clad in black armor that hides any distinguishing features, and holding simple spears in their hands.
The intimidating helmets have an eye slit that displays an unnatural green glow, a sign that they are mere puppets of King Sombra.
"You'll defeat them without harming them, right?" Autumn Gem asks, having complicated feelings about the palace guards.
The black-armored guards have been the source of many of her nightmares and have helped harm hundreds of ponies.
But all the guards are completely subjugated by King Sombra's dark magic, they have no choice but to obey.
"If they were just obedient minions, I'd have no problem cutting off their heads..." Traveler's speech was interrupted by a certain Fairy.
"Why are you so obsessed with cutting off heads?" said the Fairy, more annoyed than concerned.
Over the many years that Paimon has been close to Traveler, she has often heard something that can be summed up in this formula: Problem X can be solved by decapitation.
Hearing Traveler's proposed solution, Autumn Gem's face became paler and her gaze lowered.
"If you'd let me finish my speech," Traveler said in a cold, stoic voice, not appreciating being interrupted.
The fairy smiles embarrassedly, perhaps she should have thought about the sentence instead of saying it.
"But the guards are completely devoid of willpower, they're victims, innocents. I'll have to immobilize them without harming them too much." Traveler said, creating a small sphere of blue light in his raised hand.
Autumn Gem let out a deep sigh of relief, placing a hand over her chest.
"This sphere should power the dome while I deal with the guards." Traveler said, lowering his arm, leaving the sphere floating above.
A moment later, Traveler vanished, leaving behind a puddle of ink and the smell of smoke.
"What happened?" Autumn Gem asks, covering her nose, not bearing the smell.
"Traveler is an Archmage, he is an almost peerless genius in magic, but that doesn't mean he is good at all branches of magic," explains the Fairy, not making a face at the smell of smoke, being used to it.
"Teleportation, like all other spatial magic, is something Traveler has a hard time with. Therefore, when he teleports, he leaves behind remnants of the dimensional plane he uses as an intermediary for his travels." Paimon said, pulling out one of his more complex sentences.
"You're smarter than you look," Autumn Gem said as a compliment.
"Paimon, I hear it often." The White Fairy replies without getting angry, being used to this too.
Paimon knows it's not the sharpest sword in the armory, but being with an arch-sorcerer for over three-quarters of his life has allowed him to learn a thing or two.
XXX
Traveler appeared in mid-air, above the guards at the north gate, wasting no time, she performed a perfect split, hitting the heads of the two guards.
The two guards fell to the ground unconscious without having a chance to understand what had happened.
The other six guards saw what happened and reacted according to their instructions, taking a step forward and pointing their spears at the intruder.
Unfortunately, the six of them are too slow to do anything significant.
"Gandr." Traveler declares, moving his fingers to imitate a gun as if he were a child.
The Planeswalker's arms become covered in fluorescent purple computer circuitry-like symbols, and he points them at the guards at the East and West gates.
From Traveler's hands, magical energy is concentrated on the tips of his index fingers, creating small black-red spheres.
The spell was fired like a bullet, hitting the guards right between the eyes.
Gandr is a form of curse originating in Scandinavia, frequently used by wizards to weaken their opponents by depleting their physical health.
In short, magic bullets that don't kill, but make the target feel like they're suffering from the worst disease of their life.
Traveler, being a Sorcerer with an inhuman talent for dark magic, enhances the Gandr's natural qualities, making it a blow that knocks out the target, leaving them unconscious for a couple of days and weakened for weeks.
In five seconds, 6 out of 8 guards were defeated with minimal effort.
"Stop, intruder!" one of the guards at the south gate exclaims, attempting to throw his spear at the Planeswalker.
Keyword, he tried. Traveler teleported behind the last guards.
"Gandr." Traveler said stoically, firing two point-blank shots at the back of the guards' heads.
The effect was instantaneous, the targets falling to the floor like dominoes.
Traveler turns toward the south door and snaps his fingers. The invisibility dome has dissolved, revealing a fairy unsurprised by the outcome and a speechless mare.
"Seven seconds, not bad, but not your best time." Paimon said, as she floated toward the Planeswalker.
Autumn Gem walks behind Paimon, careful not to step on the unconscious guards.
"I'm on vacation, I'm in economy mode, using as much energy as I need to fix the situation," Traveler said, not using his full capacity.
"You beat up eight guards in seven seconds with three moves and you're not putting in any effort?" Autumn Gem asks in an incredulous voice.
"Paimon, I advise you not to seek out a rampaging Traveler up close; he's practically a walking calamity. Thank goodness he's learned the art of restraint," the Faerie said, knowing how much damage a Planeswalker can do, especially one like Traveler.
Traveler's good eye and horns began to glow faintly, a purple-pink color.
The same glow appears on the armor and weapons of the guards, who have risen as if they were puppets.
The unconscious guards were arranged around the trio as if they were an escort carrying the prisoners.
"The Trojan Horse tactic." Paimon said, understanding what Traveler wanted to do.
"I don't know who that Mr. Troy is, but I know the trick of pretending to be prisoners to get in front of someone important or inside. I've read some books in my life." Autumn Gem said, moving closer to Traveler for extra security, feeling uncomfortable being near the guards.
Even though the mare's cutie mark is gardening, that doesn't mean she can't enjoy a book.
Traveler concentrates for a moment, reducing the glare emitted by his horns and the guards' equipment.
"Let's not waste time chit-chat, girls. I want to get this all over with before sundown." Traveler declares, striding into the crystal palace with his head held high, accompanied by his escort.
Paimon chased Traveler without hesitation, while Autumn Gem glanced at the empty square, then at the fairy and the sorcerer entering the monster's lair with an unconscious entourage.
The mare decides to chase Traveler and Paimon as it is too late to return home.
XXX
The trio is walking with the "escort" of eight guards through the maze of corridors of the crystal palace.
The interior is similar to the exterior, a building made of glass, clean, illuminated and with a certain elegance.
The palace seems made to host the classic fairytale princess, but its fairytale atmosphere is ruined by the presence of several dozen guards who patrol the area like mindless drones.
To make everything more believable and avoid too many fights, the trio hold their hands behind their backs, pretending they are wearing handcuffs, and remain silent.
Once they entered a long, empty corridor, with no guards in sight, Traveler signaled to the girls that they could speak.
"We're inside the crystal palace and with these actors in the background, no one stops us to ask questions, but do we have any ideas where to go?" asks Autumn Gem, having never set foot in this place.
"Paimon doesn't worry, Paimon knows that the Traveler has an innate talent for arriving in the right place at the right time or the wrong place at the wrong time." said the Fairy, flying near the floor, pretending to be walking.
"At the moment, I'm not relying on Fate, nor am I listening to the Voice of the Cosmos, I'm following the magical signature, a much easier task than expected." Traveler said, speaking in a calm voice, able to multitask.
"Are you following the magical signature? You mean like a dog follows the scent of a missing animal?" Autumn Gem asks, trying to understand what Traveler is saying.
"You're more or less right, Autumn Gem. Traveler has often been compared to a bloodhound, even though his eyesight is better than his sense of smell," said the Fairy, knowing a lot about her best male friend.
"Every existence is unique—natural scent, magical signature, psychic energy—no two are alike. While every Crystal Pony emits a low level of magic, there's a single true source of magic in the entire city, making it easy to find if you know what to look for." Traveler explains, turning the corner.
"I learn so many new things," Autumn Gem said with a small smile, continuing to walk behind the Planeswalker.
"If you stay with us long enough, you'll see everything and learn some useful tricks," said the Fairy, being an expert on this subject.
"We've arrived at our destination." Traveler said, stopping in front of two enormous doors.
The Planeswalker gestured with his hand, the guards lined up against the wall, then the telekinetic support abandoned him, leaving eight unconscious guards to fall into a mass of unconscious bodies.
"They'll be in a lot of pain when they wake up," Paimon said, certain the guards were not in comfortable positions.
The Fairy stops looking at the unconscious guards and returns to floating behind the Planeswalker.
The enormous doors, made of a stone much heavier than the surrounding crystal, are covered in gold in the form of an inscription in the old language of the Crystal Ponies.
Traveler places his hand on the surface and begins to push.
"Wait a minute, Traveler, those doors are too heavy for one Pony to open." Autumn Gem said, before the wailing sound of the doors filled her ears.
To the mare's amazement, the entrance gate, which normally could only be opened by the magic of a skilled wizard or the coordinated movement of four adult ponies, was opened as quickly as an ordinary door.
"Weren't Magical Sorcerers supposed to be physically weak?" Autumn Gem asks, her voice surprised.
"In most cases, yes, but Traveler has always been a unique case, outside the normal patterns." The Fairy explains something that should be obvious to everyone.
"The Boss's room is open to us." Traveler declares, finishing swinging open the gate to the throne room.
XXX
The throne room of the Crystal Palace is a huge room, with a very high ceiling, supported by elegant columns.
The style combines Gothic and classical elements, with white walls and gold details that recall regal colors.
At the back of the room, on a raised platform (podium), stands a large crystal throne.
Basically everything seems fine, the classic throne room, too bad there is an Evil King and he added his own personal touch to the place.
Bulky black crystals placed in random spots around the room, black banners with white symbols atop columns, a few lit torches.
But the most disturbing thing are the "servants" at the base of each column there are mares and stallions, chained like dogs.
The stallions wear rags, are dangerously malnourished, and show signs of severe beatings.
The mares are dressed in skimpy clothes, they are not skin and bones like the stallions, but their eyes are... empty.
Sitting on the crystal throne is King Sombra, a demonic unicorn with a gray coat, red eyes with dragon-like slits, a flowing black mane and tail, a curved red horn, and sharp teeth.
His attire consists of metal armor, a red royal cape, and a gray helmet with two curved spikes on each side, a small cylinder on the front between two red spikes, and three black parts covering his muzzle and the sides of his face.
Sitting on the ground beside the throne is a mare named Emerald Scroll, the former royal assistant and advisor to the one who reigned before King Sombra.
Emerald is a rather attractive mare, with scarlet hair and tail, an emerald green coat, and light green eyes.
Her cutie mark is a cloth scroll next to a red book.
She wears an elegant white dress, a golden collar, and a golden chain bind her to the throne. Her hands and hooves are restrained by golden manacles.
Emerald Scroll is not just one of the many mares currently chained and gagged in the throne room of the Crystal Palace, she is King Sombra's favorite.
This provided her with treatment, which is both better and worse than that given to other mares.
When the doors opened, everyone expected the guards to come and bring new victims to King Sombra, or the servants who provide the bare necessities for the chained "trophies."
Instead, a two-horned creature, unknown to all, entered the throne room.
The creature walks with its head held high, keeping its one visible eye on King Sombra.
The way he walks, the air he exudes, is completely different from anyone who has ever set foot in the throne room in time immemorial.
"My name is Traveler." The Planeswalker said, placing a hand on his chest.
"I came here to take your head, you good-for-nothing Tyrant," Traveler proclaims boldly, pointing his finger at King Sombra as if it were a gun.
A silence like a grave fell in the throne room, all the Crystal Ponies remained silent, but their eyes were fixed on the stranger.
The silence was broken when I entered the room, a small white floating creature and an anxious-looking Crystal Mare, but she was well dressed and wore an expensive-looking amulet.
"Paimon is acting like a bad guy for you, Traveler! Beat up the Bad Unicorn, then we'll storm the kitchen and treasure room to celebrate!" the White Fairy exclaims loudly, showing positive feelings and no trace of fear.
Autumn Gem's legs are shaking, but she raises her arm as if cheering and shouts, "Defeat him, hero!"
"You should improve your cheering." Paimon whispered to Autumn Gem.
"Who do you think you are to come to me and say such nonsense!?" King Sombra asks aloud, rising from his throne.
"Gandr." Traveler replies, firing the first shot.
BLAST!
King Sombra was hit in the chest, the impact was strong enough to push him against the throne, forcing him to sit down.
"I repeat myself. I am Traveler, an Arch-Sorcerer come from far away to slay you, vile unicorn." Traveler said, raising his voice, walking forward, preparing a second Gandr.
"You will die miserably!" King Sombra exclaims, trying to intimidate the intruder.
But his words have less effect when his face is grimacing in pain and he holds one hand to his chest where he was hit.
"Gandr." Traveler said, firing his second shot, this time aiming for the head.
BLAST!
The Evil King, seeing the blow coming, channels his magical energy into his horn, immediately creating a defensive barrier for himself.
SMASH!
The barrier resisted Traveler's Gandr, which earned the demonic unicorn confidence.
"I am King Sombra of the Crystal Empire! I will not be defeated by a self-proclaimed Arch-Sorcerer!" King Sombra declares, rising from his throne, keeping the defensive barrier active.
Traveler's good eye seemed to glow faintly for a moment, King Sombra sensed something that almost made him tremble, he put more energy into his barrier, increasing its size, making it a small dome.
"Is that all?" Traveler asks in disappointment, lowering his arm.
"Feeling the fear and desperation in the air, I would have imagined that at the very least I would encounter someone of some significance. Perhaps a demon possessing a corpse or an ancient creature posing as a local," Traveler said, imagining something more exotic.
"But looking deeper, I just see an idiot, incompetent, who thinks he's a genius for knowing three spells, arrogant, cruel, cowardly, sadistic, ruthless, tyrannical, power-hungry, and extremely unlucky with women. All in all, a bad joke, the kind I've seen before," Traveler declares, criticizing the demonic unicorn for his flaws.
"What!?" King Sombra exclaims, with a murderous look, feeling so angry.
"If to get a woman you have to kidnap her, chain her, and use magic to break her will, then you're a failure as a male. In fact, you're worse than a failure, a disgusting worm, without dignity or honor," Traveler said, speaking ill of his opponent, calling him scum of the worst kind.
"I will burn you alive and trample your ashes!" King Sombra shouts, hoping for a lightning-like magical attack.
BLAST!
Traveler simply moves and dodges King Sombra's blow, which ends up damaging the floor.
"The fact that you threaten me with death instead of denying it means my accusations are true, you miserable worm," Traveler said, treating this all more like a debate than a real magic fight.
The Arch-Sorcerer's words brought the ghost of a smile to the Emerald Scroll, as King Sombra looked ready to go mad with rage.
"Traveler, you should also talk about Mister Sombrero's stupid hair!" Paimon exclaims, adding fuel to the fire with his invented nickname for King Sombra.
The demonic unicorn gritted its teeth, unable to bear to be mocked by a small and insignificant creature.
"After him, it's your turn to die, mosquito." Sombra said, threatening Paimon, looking away from Traveler.
"No one threatens Paimon." Traveler said with a cold voice and a gaze as cold as steel.
Amulet number two on Traveler's right arm shines with a golden yellow or amber color.
The Planeswalker punches in midair, and an amber gem the size of a basketball explodes from the floor.
The first blast of amber shatters King Sombra's barrier, leaving him speechless.
Traveler teleported away, leaving behind a puddle of ink and the smell of sulfur.
The demonic unicorn looks left and right looking for its opponent.
Traveler reappeared behind King Sombra, holding his ceremonial dagger in his right hand, the blade engulfed in red flame.
SLASH!
In an instant, Traveler's dagger slashed King Sombra's right cheek, creating a large gash.
"You better try hard or the game won't end on the first turn." Traveler whispered before summoning a gust of wind with his left hand, blasting the demonic unicorn away.
Now only Traveler and Emerald Scroll remain on the podium.
The mare had the good sense to hide behind the throne, but sticks half her head out to peek, not wanting to miss the outcome of this fight.
King Sombra landed on his belly in the middle of the throne room.
"The game is on." Traveler declares, watching as his opponent gets to his feet and touches his bloody cheek.
King Sombra's shocked and incredulous expression was a delight to all the Ponies present.
The Planeswalker stowed the ceremonial dagger under his cloak, then sat on the crystal throne as if it were his own.
"This throne is nice, do you mind if I take it for my collection?" asks Traveler, speaking as if he were an art collector looking to purchase a new masterpiece.
XXX
Behind Sombra's back, about ten meters away, the non-combatants are talking among themselves.
"You're a lovely, brave, and sneaky little thing." Autumn Gem said, realizing that Paimon had "encouraged" Traveler to take the fight seriously.
"Paimon, she has been protected by Traveler for an eternity; anyone who threatens her will earn Traveler's wrath, which manifests itself in a drastic increase in efficiency and lethality." The Fairy said, smiling mischievously.
'Who is more dangerous? The hero who can fight a monster like King Sombra or the person who whispers in his ear?' Autumn Gem thinks, realizing that the Fairy is much more than she seems.
XXX
Returning to the fight.
"I will kill you for this outrage," King Sombra said, so angry he didn't wipe his bloody cheek.
"Many have said similar words, but I am still here alive, and they are not," Traveler said, unimpressed by his opponent's threats.
King Sombra's horn begins to glow brightly as if it were on fire.
"You finally display some form of higher magic." Traveler said, rising from his crystal throne, preferring to fight on his feet.
Around the evil unicorn, a dozen black crystal stalagmites have sprouted from the ground.
"Your last words?" asks King Sombra, too sure of his victory with this attack.
"You are incompetent even as a ruler. The people are starving, the city's infrastructure is lacking, the castle guards are as good as passenger scarers, the more I look around, the more flaws I find," Traveler said, continuing to slander his opponent's flaws.
King Sombra responds not with words, but with an animalistic growl, launching his attack.
Dozens of bulky black crystals flew towards the Arch-Sorcerer, who summoned his "master weapon"—a custom-made walking stick—into his hand.
The staff is 108cm long and is divided into two parts: the first half is made of elegant pitch black wood, the second half is made of a strange dark purple mechanical wood with white lines.
The staff's handle is silver, shaped like a raven's head. Amethyst-colored gemstones are set on both sides of the handle.
Decorations reminiscent of precious rings or imaginative trinkets have been inserted around the shaft of the stick.
"You live inside a house of cards. Even if I hadn't appeared, sooner or later it would have fallen from the inside or the outside." Traveler said stoically, hitting the floor with his cane.
One of the staff's gems glowed dimly.
A vortex-like portal appeared before the Planeswalker, swallowing up the crystal stalagmites before closing.
The first gem went dark as if it was discharged.
King Sombra opened his eyes wide as if he were an owl, he had never seen a spell like that in his life.
"Who are you, really?" asks King Sombra, finally realizing he's not facing just any stranger.
The Planeswalker slams his staff against the floor again, his black cloak having changed shape and finally been removed, revealing his entire outfit.
At the base is a skintight black jumpsuit with purple trim, which covers the entire body, starting from the ankles to the bottom of the neck, from the shoulders down to the knuckles.
The exposed sections are the feet, the backs of the feet, and the fingers. However, there's also a small exposed section near the coccyx, which allows a reptilian tail covered in dark purple and lilac scales to emerge.
The feet are covered in metallic magitech boots, which reach up to the knees, their frame is a metallic black, decorated with neon purple lines.
On both thighs are straps with lavender holsters.
The holster on the right, a simpler, more traditional style, holds a device that resembles a silver pen/wand, with a black rubber grip.
The holster on the left, a more futuristic style with some sort of safety, holds a pistol that looks like it came out of a Tsutomo Nihe sci-fi film.
Around his waist, Traveler wears two belts positioned to form an X.
The right belt is a lavender-colored adventuring belt, with four large pockets, four medium pockets, four small pockets, and a series of modular pouches that can hold a variety of items, such as potions, ammunition, gadgets, or small weapons.
The belt on the left is a silver superhero utility belt that looks like it came straight out of Batman's closet.
The two belts are connected by a buckle with a dragon logo on it.
Over the tight-fitting suit that covers his torso, Traveler wears metallic chest armor in shades of purple, glossy indigo, and dark gray. The torso contours his abdomen with shapes that suggest musculature.
Finally, the cloak has transformed into a long, sleeveless leather coat that looks like it's straight out of a cyberpunk world. It's colored mostly black, with neon purple stripes, and topped with a hood trimmed with silver feathers.
Attached to one of the coat's many pockets is a kind of metal identification card with a photograph of Traveler, a symbol, and some illegible writing.
"Here and now I swear to you that I will travel across the infinity in search of knowledge and worthy when evil appears my way, I will defeat it regardless of the form it my world, for my ancestors, for my descendants, I will keep watch." Traveler declares, repeating a vow he made in his youth with the founding members of Gatewatch.
As he finished uttering his old oath, glowing neon purple circuitry-like symbols appeared all over Traveler's body.
As if a fireplace were burning wood, a black mist of dense magical energy poured out from the Planeswalker's body.
High up behind the Arch-Sorcerer, they began to form semi-transparent, dark purple constructs, essentially ghost weapons.
The floating weapon set consists of: a simple, sturdy sword, a double-bladed axe, a majestic katana, a gigantic shuriken, a regal longsword, a war hammer, a monstrous chainsaw-like greatsword, a long, sharp spear, a dark scythe, and a noble scepter.
"What are you? A dragon? A demon?" asks King Sombra, only able to hazard a guess.
In the background, the White Fairy takes Autumn Gem by the hand and drags her behind one of the columns of the throne room, knowing that when those ghost weapons appear, Traveler will start to try harder, and consequently, do more damage.
"I've already introduced myself and I won't repeat myself, especially to a walking dead man." Traveler said, pointing his staff at the demonic unicorn.
The first weapon to be fired like a projectile was the simple sword. Sombra immediately created a barrier with his magic to defend himself.
CRACK!
The sword broke through the barrier and grazed Sombra's shoulder, creating a large gash that billowed out blood and smoke.
"haaaaaaa!" Sombra shouts, covering the wound on his shoulder as he nearly falls to his knees.
"Weapons with anti-evil and anti-darkness properties that harm both flesh and spirit are terribly effective against you," Traveler said, learning a lot about his opponent from the way his body reacts to his weapons.
King Sombra lets out an animalistic growl, then fires a huge bolt of lightning from his horn.
BLAST - BIRI BIRI !
The fog around Traveler shifted, enveloping its creator, creating a barrier of sorts.
The black unicorn watches in anger as its attack hits its target, but does nothing else.
The fog shifts, revealing an unharmed Traveler.
"You, Nightmare Pack, come to me." Traveler said, tapping his staff on the black, casting a spell.
From the mist appeared a multitude of different familiars, creatures of pure darkness, with red eyes, taking forms such as: bats, crows, rats, wolves and a large bear.
"I'm not Jackie Estacado, the vessel of Darkness, who can create an endless legion of shadow monsters, but I know my stuff," Traveler said, speaking of things only he understands.
Snapping their fingers, the pack of nightmares leaped upon the black unicorn.
"I will not die killed by pathetic beasts!" Sombra shouts, emerging a black crystal sword.
"You know how to use a sword, so you're not completely inept." Traveler said, deciding to leave the scene to his pets for now.
"Haaaaa!" King Sombra roars, beginning to fight like a beast possessed by rage and hatred.
XXX
"Three minutes, seven lightning-based magic attacks, and twenty-five sword strikes to defeat the nightmare pack." Traveler said, listing what King Sombra did to defeat his minions.
The demonic unicorn is still alive, but he is out of breath, his cloak is lost, his armor is damaged in several places, and his head of hair is disheveled.
"I was saving this for Celestia and Luna, but I'll use it against you!" King Sombra shouts, knowing he must use his secret weapon if he hopes to win against the Arch-Sorcerer.
"This is your last move, make sure it's memorable." Traveler said, allowing his opponent to use his ace in the hole before he finished him off.
The demonic unicorn raises its horn which begins to glow, immediately all the ponies in the throne room, except Autumn Gem, begin to feel pain.
The black unicorn's tired appearance begins to invigorate, her anger replaced by arrogance, believing she is close to victory.
"You torture these innocent souls to literally feed on their pain and fear," Traveler said, realizing what was happening.
"How do you know?" King Sombra asks, his confident expression fading.
"Experience, this is nothing new to me," Traveler said, knowing the trick of using people as batteries.
"Impossible! I am the first to have the genius and audacity to do such a thing!" shouts King Sombra, believing himself to be the pioneer of this dark art.
"Perhaps among Ponies, but I've seen similar feats performed by other monsters on a more extensive and refined scale, through magic, science, and a combination of the two." Traveler said, tapping the screen of his futuristic device, having a plan.
"I summon you: Angel!" Traveler exclaims, initiating a more Magitech summoning method.
A string of numbers and runes from an unknown language appears on the device's screen. In a flash of light, a creature made of pure aether appears above the Planeswalker's head.
The name of the being invoked is Angel.
Her appearance is that of a female figure with large, light gray feathered wings. She has long blonde hair and wears a black eyepatch decorated with a white eye symbol.
Her outfit blends angelic elements with a BDSM-inspired aesthetic, including a black costume made of straps and chains. A long silver chain wraps around her body, floating around her.
"Is that an angel?" asks King Sombra, unable to believe his eyes that he is seeing such an entity.
"Angel uses Sea of Stars!" Traveler orders, having control of the summoned creature.
The summoner clasps his hands together as if praying and is preparing to use one of his innate techniques/spells.
Traveler's ten ghost weapons began to float around Angel, forming a sort of ring, and their purple glow turned golden yellow.
"Sea of Stars." Angel said, creating a flash of holy light that was amplified more than tenfold by the presence of the spectral weapons.
The curse on the Crystal Ponies was broken, and at the same time, they received a high-level cure that many of them needed.
King Sombra fell to his knees, screaming in pain, as if his blood had been turned to acid.
"You won't believe me, but I understand the pain you're feeling, but you have only yourself to blame. If you know the light is your weakness, you should have sought protection." Traveler said, casting a restraining spell on King Sombra.
Under the demonic unicorn appears a magic circle from which chains emerge that immobilize it.
"Before I finish with you, I have to keep my word." Traveler said in a cold, serious voice, throwing a punch so hard it ripped his opponent's jaw from his skull.
"No one threatens my best female friend." Traveler said, causing the metal part of his staff to erupt in crimson flames, transforming into a blade.
SLASH
The staff's blade passed through King Sombra's horn, robbing him of his natural focus for magic.
"Checkmate." The Traveler declares, firing his final shot.
With his right hand he struck a blow with his staff, cutting off the unicorn's head.
At the same time, with his left hand, he pierced King Sombra's chest, straight to the heart.
"Your heart is my prize from this vile duel." Traveler said, ripping the heart from Sombra's headless body.
A devilish grin appeared on the Planeswalker's stoic face.
Using a simple spell, he sent King Sombra's severed horn flying off the floor and straight into his coat pockets.
The restraining spell's chains disappeared, leaving the headless body to fall to the floor and bathe in its own puddle of blood.
Wasting no time, Traveler turns his back on the lifeless body of his last opponent and begins walking towards the crystal throne.
The ten spectral weapons, whose powers are still mysterious to the public, rained down on Sombra's corpse, literally tearing him to pieces, then dispersed into particles of magical energy.
At that moment, Paimon came out of her hiding place, dragging Autumn Gem out with her, who was left petrified at the sight of what remained inside the demonic unicorn.
"Another splendid victory for team Paimon and Traveler!" exclaims the White Fairy, leaving Autumn Gem behind to float alongside her male travel companion.
"It was no big deal, we've seen stronger and more worthy opponents on our previous travels." Traveler said with a small smile, truly caring for Paimon.
The Arch-Sorcerer nonchalantly ascended the steps leading to the podium where the crystal throne stands and above it stands his summon, Angel.
Without saying anything else, Traveler turns and slowly sits down on the throne, holding his opponent's still-warm heart in his left hand and his staff in his right.
"I know what you want to do, Traveler, so let me help you," Paimon said, then she reached out with her small hands to the Planeswalker's face and removed his gas mask.
"Thank you, Paimon." Traveler said, appreciating the small gesture.
The White Fairy, smiling, hovers in midair to the right of the throne, wearing her friend's mask. From there, she spots Autumn Gem and greets her.
Traveler waves his staff, and all the chains that held the Crystal Ponies captive are shattered.
"Congratulations again on your victory, Traveler, and bon appetit." said the Fairy, closing her eyes, knowing her male best friend's unusual appetite.
"I only do this for worthy enemies or special occasions, I believe this is a pretty special occasion, my first kill of a demonic unicorn that uses black magic." Traveler said softly, holding King Sombra's heart in front of him.
Licking his lips, Traveler takes a bite of his meaty trophy.
"Traveler truly has an extremely complicated family tree. Fairy, Incubus, Dragon, and human blood from his biological mother. Ysatnafian Witch blood and something ancient and probably demonic from his biological father. The compulsion to eat hearts is a disturbing biological impulse, a rare blessing." Thinks the White Fairy, keeping her eyes closed until the Planeswalker's meal is finished.
The Crystal Ponies could no longer resist, seeing a strange creature brutally kill King Sombra had already overturned their view of the world.
But seeing that creature sit on the crystal throne and eat the heart of the demonic unicorn.
The less said about the presence of the Angel and the Fairy, the better.
Like a herd of crazed animals, the Crystal Ponies fled from the throne room, running out of the Crystal Palace and straight to their homes, ready to tell everyone what happened here.
The only Crystal Ponies left in the throne room are Emerald Scroll, who has remained hidden behind the Crystal throne, and Autumn Gem, who is now standing at the base of the podium with an embarrassed expression.
"So, Traveler, do you like your hearts raw or well-cooked?" Autumn Gem asks in a joking tone, not wanting to judge what her new male friend and likely savior of the Crystal Empire has done.
"Raw if they come from intelligent and evil beings, cooked if they come from magical, bestial creatures or slaughtered animals." Traveler replies, finishing his meal and wiping his mouth with a handkerchief from one of his coat pockets.
"So, girls, what do we do now?" asks Traveler, savoring his moment of triumph.
Continues ...
XXX
Author's Note:
In some ways, this was some of the most enjoyable writing I've done in the last month.