|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:29 pm
Vengeance stood quietly, thinking to himself for a moment before answering the stallion. "I suppose you're right." He said. "Even if someone tries to fix something, it's never truly undone. In the past, present or future." The stallion shook his head a little. He was thinking entirely too much lately and his head was beginning to hurt. Well, if Thanos felt the need to keep his past to himself, that was his business. Vengeance wasn't even going to begin to pry. He doubted it would get him anywhere anyway.
Ah, another question. There seemed to be a lot of those lately, whether they were asked by himself or someone else. But were there enough answers? The stallion just didn't know. "To be honest? I'm not entirely sure. I'd like to find a nice mare eventually, do some of the family stuff. Right now though I'm not really set on any particular future. If my memories come back I might need to take care of a few things. Until then I just plan on living the life I was never really given the chance to have. The circus life isn't exactly natural." If Thanos didn't want to share his secrets, that was fine. Vengeance, however, didn't mind. They were his old life, they were Sky's memories. Not his. So why should he care if he shared them?
The stallion quickly bit at a fly that had landed on him and then turned back to Thanos. "What about you? You must have some plans for the future." Who didn't? Whether it was revenge or to start a family, there had to be something Thanos wanted. Though he doubted the stallion was looking for love.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:10 pm
Thanos nodded his head slightly as Vengeance spoke. The young stallion was smart, that was good, they needed smart horses in the herd. Perhaps this stallion would end up doing great things if given the opportunity. His ears flickered slightly as Vengeance spoke of the possibility of starting a family. Was that really what he wanted? To start a family? Well I guess that was something that could be done with one's life. "Family life huh?" Thanos said quietly.
"Oh a family. What a nice thought." Peace said happily.
"Ew, wretched vermin children are. They should all be put to death!" War chirped.
"That's your answer for everything isn't it? To just kill off everything."
"Of course. What would you have me do, love everything?" War replied with a disgusted look on her face.
Thanos rolled his eyes. Ah yes the sound of them bickering was as familiar to his as the beating of his heart. In an odd way he wouldn't have it any other way. What an interesting question, he thought. What was he going to do now that he was back in his old homelands? This was one of those questions he didn't quite have a full answer to. Sure he had plans but was that the only reason to have returned? "Yes I have plans. Though I doubt I will do such things as starting a family. I mean, could you see a mare falling in love with this?" He said as he glanced back over his rotten flesh. "As for what I plan to do, well that is an unending answer. I came back to recover what was lost to me long ago. Something I was taken away from, perhaps too early." He looked at Vengeance, and noticing the look on the young stallions face he realized it wasn't as good of an explanation as it could have been. "My youth." He replied to the question he was sure Vengeance was to ask. The thing he was hoping to recover was some parts of his youth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:43 pm
The stallion shrugged. Yes he maybe eventually wanted a family. But that would be far into the future and was not going to be happening any time soon. "Eventually." He left his response at just one word. He did not need to justify himself. Although he might not be completely sane he could still try to have the life that he never did.
No, to be honest Vengeance could not see Thanos starting a family. Although strange things did happen, after all, they were all supposed to be locked in Hell for all eternity yet here they were, back on Earth and alive again. As for a mare falling in love with him, Vengeance wasn't sure how to respond. It seemed possible that someone might love him, it did look as if he used to be quite handsome and he was sure some of the mares in the herd might have shown interest. Then again they could all just be power hungry too. As for any sort of normal mare falling in love with the stallion... well that was highly unlikely.
"What about some of the mares in the herd? There's poison Ivy for one." He suggested, then left the subject alone to answer the leader's other statement. "Your youth huh? I suppose mine was taken away, but now that I'm back on Earth I'm still five. How do you suppose to get it back?" Now that was what Vengeance really wanted to know. How were you supposed to get your youth back?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 1:39 pm
Thanos looked at the young stallion and he knew what he was thinking. Yes it would be almost impossible to find a mare to love this decayed body. Did he mind? Not really. There were more important things that finding a mare and starting a family. "They don't interest me." He responded to Vengeance's suggestion about a herd mare. True they were his responsibility, but that didn't mean he had to like them. "That, I haven't figured out yet." How would one get their youth back when they were old now. Thanos wasn't very old, no he still had a good many years in him, well at least he did before dead had consumed him. Surely he could pick up the pieces somewhere.
"Test him! Prove his loyalty!" War chirped as she bounced around him mane.
"Why test him? Has he not proven himself loyal by staying with the herd." Peace replied.
"He must be tested!"
Thanos snorted, War did have a point there. Testing his members would not only prove their loyalty but also give him a better understanding of what they were capable of doing. He stood tall, his head held high and stared at the younger stallion. Well damn he didn't have a plan as to how to test him, so he stood there just staring at him for the longest time. How dare War tell him to something and then not explain what to do exactly. He had to think fast. Come on, what would you do in a situation like this before Hell? Oh yes, there it was. Now to do this right. "Tell me young Vengeance, what do you plan to do within the herd? Do you think to idly sit by and do nothing? Or do you strive for something more than being my follower?" Yes, that was a good start, now to finish it off. "When you joined me you were a broken thing, with no memories of why you were there. But now with your memories restored you are different, are you not? Can you see yourself as my minion for the rest of your life? Will that please you? Or is there more to this return than meets the eye?" There, that was about as good as he could pull off with no help from War, and on the spur of the moment. Had he had more time surely it would have turned out better, but perhaps the young stallion would figure out what he meant. This was merely the beginning of the test, yes, more would come. He needed to make sure he could trust this young stallion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 3:02 pm
Vengeance nodded at his leader's response and then was immediately taken aback by his next words. A test? Well that was surely unexpected but is it not what he wanted? This was his chance to prove himself to the black stallion and he couldn't go around screwing it up. But how should he respond? It looked like he was going to have to do some more of that thinking again. Had life always been this complicated? He had always wanted to serve his master and here he was trying to do it again. NO! Anger flashed through him at that thought. No Thanos was not his master. He could leave at any time and would not be merely just a minion. He would prove himself. But how?
Well, he could only do his best. He did scoff at the young part though. Really, just because Thanos was older didn't mean Vengeance didn't know anything. He just hadn't had as much time to learn. At least he had recovered most of his memories. The stallion kept that particular thought to himself.
"Well," He began carefully, he needed to think all of his words through. "I've never been one to just stand and do nothing all day." He glanced at his hooves again. Perhaps in his old life he had done so, but that was Sky. He was Vengeance now. "I suppose I have changed. Sky died along with my old Master." His leader's words were a bit confusing but he worked his way through them. "A minion? I think not. Don't get me wrong, I live to serve you and the herd but I will not merely stand back and be a mindless pawn." He rather hoped the response would be adequate for Thanos. He feared that if he said anymore it might be just a little too much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:57 pm
Thanos' head bobbed slightly as Vengeance spoke. Good, this was all good. The young stallion had figured out what he was asking, even with all the broken questions. His tail twitched a bit as the young stallion said he lived to serve him. Yes, he liked that sound of that. Sure, Vengeance wasn't about to become one of his mindless minions. But this was a good sign. The stallion had potential. Potential for what Thanos wasn't sure, he would ask his rats about that later. Surely they would know the answer. They always had the answers when he was unsure.
"A mindless pawn is of no use to me. I am glad you will not be such a thing." It was about as good of a compliment as Vengeance could get at this point. It showed that he had indeed pleased his leader with his answer. His ears twitched a bit as one of the rats crawled up his neck to perch on top of his head.
"He could be of great use to us. I see a hatred buried deep in him, if we could mold that to our purposes nothing could stop him."
"He certainly does have a good head on him." Peace said idly. Not like he wanted to encourage forming the young stallions hatred, but the way he answered Thanos' questions did impress him.
His head tipped slightly, could he have heard that right. Did the rats just agree on something? What an odd thing to have happened. This must be a sign. Surely they would not agree just to play with his mind. No, they always fought, always disagreed. Ah yes, he would certainly ask them about this later. But not now, not in front of Vengeance. He couldn't show his one weakness in front of this stallion. Not now. That will only show himself to be a mindless pawn. He looked at the young stallion giving him a...satisfied look. Yes, this one would do nicely for his plans. Now to remember what those plans were.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:19 pm
Vengeance nodded at his leader's words. He was glad that his response had pleased him, he hadn't been entirely sure he would. Luckily the stallion hadn't found any sort of threat in there. One could never be too careful though, especially since Vengeance did want power, just not complete leadership. What was to come next? The gray stallion wasn't sure but he didn't want to wait too much longer. Too much thinking and talking was making him impatient and with talk of a test he was becoming a bit nervous.
Slowly the stallion twitched his tail nervously while he waited for the next task or question. When it didn't come the stallion spoke up first. "Mindless pawns can be useful in some cases. Especially if you need bait. Other than anything else though..." The stallion shrugged allowing his voice to trail off. He didn't feel that the comment had needed any more elaboration then that.
"You spoke of a test?" He asked. "I'm assuming your question was only the beginning of it." Perhaps if he prodded the stallion along a little more his leader would tell him what he needed to know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:00 pm
His head bobbed slightly, yes it was true, mindless pawns could have their uses. But in the end they needed direction and he may not always feel like telling them what to do. Sometimes it was nice to have those that could think for themselves, and from what he could tell Vengeance was one of those. Yes, he did think that, although he would need to double check with his rats later. He snapped out of his current train of thought as Vengeance spoke once more. Test? What test? His ears flickered as he struggled to remember what test that was supposed to be.
"Don't stop now you fool. He is right where we want him. Begin the molding process and his will prove to be a great ally." War stated.
"Does he really need to be tested further? Did he not just prove himself?" Peace quietly added.
"He must be tested more! If he leaves it at this we will have wasted our time and effort." She said to Peace before turning back to the stallion. "Look out there," she motioned with her paw to the meadow that stood in front of them. "There are bound to be other horses out there. Don't you think he should go meet them?"
His shoulder flinched slightly as the rats moved about him to point out the target of their plan. Yes, there were likely horses out there. But even if there were why exactly did War want the young stallion to meet them. That didn't make any sense at all. She always wanted to hurt or kill things not make friends. Wait a second...now he understood. Ah yes, meet others. It made sense now...for the most part.
He glanced at Vengeance. "Come along." He said as he walked off towards the grass filled meadow. The two stallions walked along together for some time, Thanos leading the way, his head held high. Soon enough he began to hear the sounds of other horses, and a quick look told him they were not part of his herd. They were pathetically normal. Their perfect bodies disgusted him. He came to a stop and surveyed the small herd. After a few moments he spotted a horse that was a good distance from the others, it was a young mare. That one would do nicely. "There is your test." He said to Vengeance as he gestured towards the mare. He left it at that, no further instructions. He would merely sit here and watch, because honestly even he wasn't sure what he wanted done here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 8:57 pm
Vengeance had carefully followed his leader quite puzzled. At first he hadn't understood what the leader wanted from him but then, as Thanos gestured towards the mare, he knew what he needed to do. He gave one quick look to Thanos and then moved closer the the mare. If this was his test then he would excel at it. Besides, he was good at this sort of thing.
Vengeance was careful to block the lead stallion from the mare's view. It wouldn't do any good at all to alarm her out right. Yes, Vengeance was a bit of a sight himself but no where near as bad as Thanos. "Hello there," He said rather charmingly. Yes, this was going to be fun.
The chestnut mare grazed idly a little ways away from the rest of her herd. They were entirely too gossipy today and she had wanted no part of it. Oh, she was still within distance if she were to get into any trouble, but they hadn't encountered anyone for days. What could possibly go wrong today?
A few moments after her last thought had fluttered through her mind, a grey stallion trotted up to her. Hmm that was odd. He seemed to be in pretty bad condition and yet he was relatively cheerful. Well, she couldn't be rude now could she? "Hello. I haven't seen you before. Are you alright?" She responded eyeing his wounds.
Vengeance studied the mare before him. She seemed too trusting. Perfect. "Oh these? Nah they're already healing. Just a run in with one of those mountain lions. He won't be bothering anyone again." The stallion beamed at the mare ever so charming. He had perfected his look and his act time and time again. So far it never failed. "I'm Sky. Who are you?" He asked her using his old name.
Hmm well if he was sure then he must be alright. A lion though! Wow he must have some good strength. She had seen some of what those creatures could do and they weren't easy to fight off. "Oh well, okay then." She smiled at him. "Oh goodness! I'm so sorry I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Nura. It's nice to meet you Sky. Where are you from?"
Good, good. She was falling for his trap and it was working nicely. "Ah well I travel with my herd. We're not too far from here. Would you like to meet them? We haven't really seen anyone for a while and it's nice to meet others." The stallion hoped he wasn't coming across too strong with that but she seemed dumb enough to go along.
Oh wow, he wanted her to go with him? Well he did seem nice enough and she hadn't had any sort of adventure in a while. "Sure I'd love to."
Now this was too easy, but Vengeance wasn't going to complain. "Alright follow me then. My leader's just over here and I'm sure he'd love to meet you." He waited a moment and made sure that the mare was following him and then then moved forward trying to block Thanos from the mare's view. Then as soon as she was close enough and could see the stallion's side, Vengeance moved just out of the way.
Nura wasn't sure of where they were going exactly, but she followed Sky anyway. She wondered if his herd had any foals. She did like foals they were just adorable! The mare was lost in thought and didn't look up for a few moments until she was only but a few feet away from the figure in front of her. In fact, she wouldn't have stopped if it weren't for the shadow that he cast upon the grass. She stopped then and looked into the face of..... Was that a face? It was a corpse! Nura was frozen for a few moments in sheer terror. Then the mare screamed and without another look back ran in fear back towards her herd.
Vengeance stood next to Thanos and chuckled for a few moments as he watched the mare run. Well, it wasn't exactly as epic as he had hoped for but it was still amusing all the same. "Foolish mare." He snickered and then waited for Thanos to speak.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:29 am
Thanos stayed hidden within the trees as he watched the younger stallion go off toward the indicated mare. Not only would this give him a moment to judge the stallion in such a situation but also a chance to talk with his rats. "What do you think?" He asked them once Vengeance was out of earshot.
"He does seem eager to please you. That is always a good thing. He has a good potential about him. But don't let your trust in him go too deep or he may use that against you." Peace responded. He did indeed like the grey stallion. He showed devotion to his leader but at the same time was more than just a worthless minion for Thanos to play with.
"He has so much hate in him. This is a good thing. We can use him to reshape this world." War gave her two cents worth. Then did something very rare for her, she agreed with Peace. "But listen to Peace, you can't let him use your trust against you or all will be lost."
Thanos bobbed his head while listening to the rats. Yes, don't let the trust be used against me, he thought, that could turn out badly. While the young stallion did seem to stand out from the rest of the herd so far he would not allow himself to play favorites. No he would need to....test the others as well. Yes, test them...but how? Surely they would need some sort of test, but if he couldn't think of one for Vengeance how would he think of ones for the others. Another task for the rats, he supposed.
Wait a second, did War just agree with Peace? How odd. No, don't let that distract you, he told himself. Focus. Now where was I? Oh right. He could think of at least two members who he needed to keep an eye on. Not only cause they had previously acted out against him but also....well he was sure there was another reason. Perhaps he could make them....
"He's coming back." Peace quickly interrupted Thanos' thinking.
Damn why did that always happen to him? Just as a thought was coming to him he was interrupted. At least this time it was his rats and not some other annoyance. He shook his head and returned his gaze to the meadow where the other horses had been. Slowly Vengeance and the mare came up to them. The mare completely oblivious to the fact that Thanos was there waiting let out a scream as she saw him and ran away. How typical...did he really look that awful? Well yes, he did, he was falling apart after all. Not that he minded...at least he didn't think he minded it. Could he really do anything to change it if he did? Likely not.
Snorting as the mare ran away he looked over at Vengeance as the younger stallion spoke. "Foolish indeed." He said as he looked at the mare once more as she ran back to her precious herd. "How pathetic the horses are here. We shall need to change that." His eyes went blank for a moment as he slipped into thought. How that change would happen was still unclear to him...something about a plague, at least that's what he could remember. A plague? How would he cause a plague? Well perhaps his rotting flesh was infected with a disease and he could spread it to all the other horses...that was if he could get close enough to them. That could work right?
He stamped his foot. No that didn't sound quite right...at least he didn't think it did. A plague...a plague...a plague of undead horses? Perhaps that was it. His herd would be a plague on this land. They could drive all the other horses out. Yes, that would be good, then this land would be theirs. "A plague of horses." He said quietly. Translating his thoughts into words.
Then he snapped back to reality. Oh right he wasn't alone here. His eyes moved back to Vengeance. Damn this was just...awkward. Awkward, what a funny word. Gah he was doing it again. Getting distracted by the smallest of thoughts. Quick say something, he told himself. "You think that stallion will see what upset the mare?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:57 am
A plague of horses? It was an interesting thought to say the least. "A plague huh? Would I be correct in guessing that you mean the herd?" Vengeance liked where the thought was going. It would definitely be just what this world needed. A little terror and fear would do these horses some good. "I am curious though, how exactly are we going to be a plague? Especially with some of those who simply wanted to come back to have foals." Disgusting filth. Foals? Perhaps once Vengeance had grown older he would have foals, if only to spread his line and bring more hate to this world.
"As for the stallion, it is possible that he will. Although I doubt he would be much of a match for either of us if he truly did seek trouble." The grey stallion let out a snort of disgust and turned to look towards the stallion. He did seem rather thin and looked like he had hardly any muscle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:40 pm
"Of course I mean the herd." He told the younger stallion. "That is if they get off their lazy asses." His voice mumbled in anger. Thanos seriously wondered what had happened to them while traveling through the barrier, one minute hate filled horses, the next they are a bunch of whiny ninnies that want to do nothing. He let out an angry snort. "I haven't worked out the details." He said in regards to the how the herd would be a plague. His eyes drifted to the stallion of the small herd, it seemed like he mustn't be believing the mares story cause he wasn't coming this way at all. That was disappointing, he could have been the first victim.
"If you would stop sitting around chatting then perhaps you would figure out how to become a plague to this land!"
"Quiet you. He is doing his best given the circumstances."
His eyes studied the far away stallion for some time. Well at least he was trying to study him. Giving his head a shake. "I'm not stupid." He said plainly before looking at Vengeance. "They think I'm stupid, but I'm not. I know that the herd needs foals to survive, but that shouldn't be the first thing to do. We should be out there finding where the other horses are, planning our strategies and then making the first moves. Then and only then should we be worrying about adding to our ranks." He gave his mane a shake. Foals, while good for herd numbers in the long run were small and weak, they didn't need things like that slowing the herd down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:58 pm
The stallion nodded and listened quietly, thinking over Thanos' words. "Foals are weak, but we will need to grow in number if we are to progress much further. Especially with the amount weak-hearted scum we already have." The stallion didn't care for most of the herd. Most of them were lazy and merely wanted their second chance. Only a few seemed ready for what was really to come. There was far too much to hate in this world then there was to love.
As much as they might need more numbers, Thanos was right. They needed to plan their first move. "Any ideas on what we should start with? This batch of creatures might be a direction we could go. If they fear us they'll start spreading the word, give us the sort of reputation we might need."
It was an idea to start with. Exactly how they should start this was unclear to Vengeance, but Thanos might know a way. Or have something else in mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:21 pm
Thanos bobbed his head in agreement. The others in the herd were proving to be a bunch of weak-minded scum. They were not the hate filled horses he had met in Hell...what a damn pain that was. With a sigh he looked out at the small herd of normal horses and then back to Vengeance. "Let us hope that they spread word of our presence."
"We cannot rely on them to do such a thing."
"Well I don't think that mare will forget about this anytime soon."
War was right. They could not rely on the herd spreading the news of his herd. No they would need to make sure to do that themselves. "We should make several appearances at this and any other nearby herd. Using it as a sort of scouting mission to see what numbers we are up against. If they respond to that then we shall push more into their lands until they are wiped off the face of the earth." His eyes grew a darker red at the idea of tasting this first blood. "We should be getting back to the others. See if we can recruit any of those lazy buggers into scouting things out."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:32 pm
What Thanos said made sense. They really couldn't rely on just one herd to spread the news. Vengeance was a little upset with himself for not realizing this sooner, but thankfully that was why Thanos was in charge and not he. The stallion nodded to his leader in agreement. How many of the members would help them? It would take all of their numbers to ensure that they would bring the fear they needed, he hoped that it would be enough.
"As soon as I get back I can start talking to the others, though I doubt that they will listen to me as well as they would listen to you. I can also start scouting." The stallion pondered for a moment. Where else would they find more herds? Probably anywhere near water. They couldn't survive without water. "I can keep an eye on this one if you'd like. Keep track of their movements and see how far they roam. Also, I think if I follow the river I might run into another herd or two."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
