Strange Tidings
SCHOOL: Darkness
RACE: Unicorn
AGE: 5,000+ Years Old ( Exact age unknown )
BODY COLOR(S): Crimson Red
MANE/TAIL COLOR(S): Black and dark gray
EYE COLOR: Bright Red
ALLEGIANCE: Neutral
SPECIAL TALENT: Control of Darkness and Shadow magic.
STATUS: Dead
BIRTHDAY: October 9th
DATE OF DEATH: September 22nd
HISTORY
Not much is known about the Darkness pony who once attempted to overthrow Maradice isle.
He, along with his fellow Seers, founded both Maradice Isle and the HoovenStrum School of Magic over 5,000 years ago. Unlike his fellow Seers, who were all contented on their current levels of power, Strange Tidings had been secretly researching and experimenting with a special branch of magic known only as Shadow Magic.
Though Instrument Strums begged him to cease his research, fearing for the lives of all who lived on the island, Strange Tidings did not heed his friends warnings, and eventually, he went to far with his studies, and was corrupted and turned evil by the dark magic he had been researching.
The ensuing battle with the other Seers was unlike anything the islanders had ever seen before. Strange Tidings fought them with a vigor they had never known, which eventually forced the six Seers to take drastic measures to stop Strange Tidings. In the end, he was reduced to ashes, saving the island... for a time.
Many years later, Strange Tidings reawakened and returned to wreck utter havoc on the island once again, though his power was severely weakened. He fled the island to Equestria to rest and recover his power, forcing Mystical Melody to go on her quest to find and stop him.
It wasn't long before he caught word of Melody and her quest from within his indestructable fortress, the Tower of Evil, and he quickly sprang into action, sending his Evil Incarnations, dark creatures of his design that he could create and send to any point in the world to do his bidding, to engage the young Frost Seer.
Though his monsters were mighty, they could not stop the mare and her companions, forcing Strange Tidings to leave his tower and engage them personally on several occasions. One such engagement ended up costing him his horn, although he found a spell to regrow it not long afterwards.
Eventually, a fated duel between Strange Tidings and the four Seers took place within the throne room of the Tower itself. By using an ancient artifact passed down to her by Instrument Strums, Melody was able to destroy the corruption that had been holding Strange in it's never-ending clutches, thus freeing him and allowing him to think and act of his own accord once again.
In a final act of herorism, the old Darkness Seer used his own power to bring down the Tower of Evil, destroying his Energy Extractor in the process and releasing all of Maradice Isle's stolen life energy. Although this came at a great cost: His life.
Despite his misdeeds throughout his life, he is still regarded as a hero for his valiant sacrifice in destroying his own fortress and saving the island.
DESCRIPTION
Strange Tidings dark red coat, black and gray mane, and bright red eyes make him easily distinguishable from the crowd. His pure white skull cutie mark is often hid by a pitch black cloak he likes to wear, so as not to terrify other ponies. He is fairly tall and VERY intimidating when he's angered.
PERSONALITY
Before he was corrupted, Strange Tidings was a dark, brooding stallion who was still questioning his place in the universe, although he still enjoyed spending time with his fellow Seers, and was overjoyed to hear about the creation of the HoovenStrum school, where others could be taught his ways.
Once he was corrupted by Shadow Magic, however, he turned malicious, bloodthisty, and ruthless, eager for any excuse to attempt and overthrow the world. It wasn't uncommon for him to send creatures who had failed vital missions to die in a pool of lava out of pure spite.
TRAITS
LIKES / DISLIKES
- LIKES
Spending time with his fellow Seers
Studying Shadow Magic
Improving his skills
Constructing giant dread fortresses ( CORRUPTED )
Starring at lava pools ( CORRUPTED )
- DISLIKES
Idiots
Ponies who rush blindly into a jam
Heroes ( CORRUPTED )
Light ( CORRUPTED )
Weak ponies ( CORRUPTED )
STRENGTHS
- Unmatched in the use of Darkness and Shadow magic
- Can drain enemies health and magic power to restore his own
- His Giga Blast can level an entire city the size of Canterlot
- Has the ability to shut ponies up with little to no effort
- Emanates an extremely terrifying aura that often sends monsters fleeing in fear.
WEAKNESSES
- He's weak to Nature, Holy and Sun magic
- Can be brash and bold, and often full of himself due to his incredible power
- His evil incarnations aren't very intelligent, and often fail important missions.
- Doesn't chuckle. Ever.
CUTIE MARK MEANING
His Cutie Mark is a bright white skull, due to the fact that he's the Darkness Seer.
RELATIONSHIPS
INSTRUMENT STRUMS: Strange Tidings lifelong friend, whom he enjoyed traveling with. Against his better judgement, he ignores his old friends warnings about tampering with Shadow Magic, which causes his corruption. After he was restored, he is filled with regret over what he had done to his best friend, which contributes to his decision to destroy the Tower of Evil.
LEAF GREEN: Although it's never said anywhere, Strange Tidings did have romantic feelings towards Leaf Green. He had even invited her to come and help him learn the secrets of Shadow Magic, which she firmly turned down. It is unknown if she shared the same feelings for him. Needless to say, he was EXTREMELY distraught when he learned that his actions had resulted in the destruction of her soul.
BLAZING INFERNO: Strange Tidings shared a very love/hate relationship with Blazing Inferno. Though he enjoyed traveling with him and loves fighting evil alongside him, the pair were almost always competing with one another over this and that, often to the displeasure of Instrument Strums. Strange wasn't happy when he learned that his actions had led to the destruction of Blazing's soul.
FROZEN SHIELD: Strange Tidings wasn't on the same speaking terms with Frozen Shield as he was with Instrument Strums, although he still considered Frozen Shield an excellent friend. It wasn't uncommon to see Frozen jumping inbetween Strange and Blazing to keep them from harming each other too severely. His soul would eventually be destroyed by Shadow Magic, much to Strange's eventual dismay.
MANNY MYTHS: At first, Strange Tidings had his doubts about Manny Myths and his ability to summon monsters to control massive crowds. But in the end, they ended up becoming excellent friends, especially after the HoovenStrum School was founded. Strange was understandably upset when he learned of Manny's eventual fate.
LIGHTNING STRIKE: Strange Tidings wasn't going to mince words when he thought that Lightning Strike was an excellent magic user, who's powerful Thunder magic could take down giant dragons and even Hydra's with little to no effort. The two spent a lot of time hanging out together following Maradice Isle's founding. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Strange was very upset to learn of what eventually happened to his friend.
MYSTICAL MELODY: At first, Strange Tidings saw Melody as only a minor nuisance, despite the fact she was a decedent of his ancient Seer friend. Then he began seeing her as a legitimate threat, especially after the second time he lost to her in battle. But eventually, after he was freed from Shadow corruption, he saw all the traces of his old friend in the blue mare, and grew to respect her tenacity and her will to finish her quest and save the island, even calling her "The best magic user of our time".
Strange Tidings is unequal in the use of Darkness and Shadow magic. As a result, Nature magic can be extremely devastating to him.
Darkness magic allows him to sap his enemies strength and magical power, using it to replenish his own and even increase his strength.
His Shadow Magic abilities give him terrifying powers that are able to bend time, space and reality to his will.
He is able to construct objects such as his Energy Extractor, which allows him to drain all of Maradice Isle's life force and convert it into Shadow Magic energy for himself VIA a giant Magic Prism.
