//------------------------------// // Secret Techniques: Lightning and Thunder // Story: Atlas Strongest Tournament // by Bico //------------------------------// ATLAS STRONGEST TOURNAMENT ~BICO PART 2: SECRET TECHNIQUES ACT I: LIGHTNING AND THUNDER “Enter,” Princess Celestia said moments before her sister could knock on the door. Usually the princesses kept up the appearance of being limited to normal mortal senses so as not to “freak out” their subjects, but such pretense was unnecessary between them. Of course, it also amused Celestia when Luna forgot that they could sense each other, and she pushed down a giggle at her sister’s momentary befuddlement. “Sister,” Luna said as she entered the Sun Princess’ chambers. “It is nearly time for the Atlas Strongest Tournament.” “Yes,” Celestia said. “I know you look forward to your role as officiator of the tournament. Are you planning on holding it every three years as you did before?” Luna nodded. “It seems reasonable.” “I was surprised that you chose to hold the tournament in Ponyville this year,” Celestia said. “The first one you held after your return, as I recall, was in Manehattan. Quite the success, as I recall.” Luna lay down next to her sister, sides touching. “I had an… experience after the first tournament,” she admitted. “After… he escaped.” Celestia looked mournfully at her sister. “I’d hoped to spare you any… unpleasantness when that happened.” “Is that why you did not tell me?” Luna asked. “Why you chose to confront him without me?” “He hated me,” Celestia said simply. “And I have no love for him. It’s simpler that way. With you two it would have been too painful… as you may remember from when you saw him last.” The Moon Princess looked down, face full of regret. “Yes. However, it seems that the Dark One chose that time to… contact me.” Celestia froze, remembering what that one’s influence had done to her sister a millennium prior. “What did he do, Luna? Did… he hurt you?” “Of course not,” Luna said. “He tempted me to surrender to the Darkness again, but while it shall always be with me, I shall never again let it control me.” She looked fondly at her sister and nuzzled her cheek. “Because I forgave you, ‘Tia.” Celestia smiled in relief. “I am glad to hear that. But you would not tell me this if something about the encounter didn’t trouble you.” “It’s the reason I chose to hold the tournament in Ponyville,” Luna said. “I did not know what it meant at the time, but after the incident with the Rainbow Pearl…” “Spike…” Celestia said. “Yes,” Luna replied. “He claimed there was another Dark-Bringer. I believe he may have had a claw in the events that occurred, and now he may be looking to recruit Spike as he did me.” Princess Celestia frowned. “He would not give in, Luna. He has no wound in his heart. He has grown strong along with Twilight with their friends in Ponyville.” “Even so, Dear Sister,” Luna said. “I believe the tournament will help reveal whatever scheme the Dark One may be hatching.” Her sister smiled knowingly. “Is that what she told you?” Scootaloo dashed around the amassed storm clouds deftly. Her wings buzzed furiously, propelling her at insanely quick speeds. A flash of light caught her attention out of the corner of her eye, and she knew the lightning that would issue forth would strike exactly where she would be in another fraction of a second. Her body reacted instantly, and she shot upward right before the arc crackled past her. Her fur stood on end as the electrical charge that filled the air coursed through her. She had missed the bolt, though, and was safe. “Very impressive,” Amber Spark said. “Not as fast as you, of course,” she acknowledged to the rainbow-maned mare at her side. “But she can see. Really see.” “It’s her cutie mark,” Rainbow said as the two stood atop a towering cloud formation looking down upon Rainbow’s student. “She knows how to move… and she knows how other ponies—and things—move, too.” “She’s even learned how to predict lightning strikes,” Amber Spark noted. “I have to say… you lucked out with this one. She could probably have walked into any dojo and become a master in a matter of days.” Rainbow Dash scowled. “She wasn’t that good.” “I think she may be the one,” Amber said. “The one what?” Rainbow asked irately. “The one to perfect that technique,” she said. Rainbow raised a brow. “What are you…? Oh, wait. You don’t mean that thing, do you? Come on, everypony knows that’s impossible.” “They said the Sonic Rainboom was impossible,” Amber Spark said. “When I told you about it; tried to train you to do it, you thought it was impossible.” “Y-yeah,” Rainbow Dash said. “Do you know why you were able to finally pull it off?” she asked. “B-because I’m awesome?” Rainbow answered. “Well, besides that,” Spark said with a smirk. “Those times you pulled it off were when you stopped telling yourself you couldn’t do it. All the talent in the world won’t matter if you don’t believe in yourself.” Rainbow shifted uncomfortably. “Al… alright. I believe in Scoots, Master Spark. If anypony can pull off the Jupiter Lance, it’ll be her.” Amber Spark stared her student down for a moment before responding, “If you really want that filly to succeed, it’s your duty as a teacher to make sure she believes that, too.” “Right,” Rainbow Dash said. “I’m on it.” She leaped from the cloud tower and soared down to where her student was dodging lightning strikes below. She landed deftly, the force discharging all the lightning in the surrounding cloud layer to the ground and effectively ending the exercise. “Alright, Student, listen up!” Scootaloo came to attention and raised her right hoof in salute. “Yes, ma’am!” “Your skills have improved tremendously in the weeks since we began,” Rainbow said. “I’m very proud of the progress you’ve made, and I believe the skills you’ve learned so far will make you a match for any fighter in the tournament.” Scootaloo attempted and failed to suppress the ear-to-ear grin that bubbled up from her gut. “Thank you, ma’am!” Rainbow gave her student her own smile as she continued. “That being said, we’re not looking to make you just a match. We want you to wipe the floor with every one of those fighters.” Scootaloo deflated slightly. “U-uh… yes, ma’am. I’ll try harder, ma’am.” “Don’t lose heart, Student!” Rainbow roared, stamping a hoof on the cloud. “You’ve been deemed worthy of learning a technique like none other. A technique that will completely destroy the defenses of anypony you come across.” “Really?” Scootaloo said with an excited squeal. She then quickly composed herself, realizing how totally uncool that sounded, and said, “I mean, is that so, ma’am?” “That’s right,” Rainbow declared. “I believe you possess all the elements to pull off this move. The first element, which we’ve worked on so hard here, is speed. You don’t have to be fast enough to pull off a Sonic Rainboom, but you have to be pretty close. You’re close, Scoots. The second element is an intimate, instinctual understanding of how lightning works and a superior ability to manipulate it. You’ve demonstrated that, as well. The third is the ability to predict an enemy’s movements, because if you can’t hit your opponent, the technique is useless.” Scootaloo nodded. “I’m ready.” Rainbow Dash looked pensively at her young student. “I have to warn you, Scoots… the training for this technique is pretty harsh. I almost got fried alive when Master Spark tried to teach me.” “Yeah, but you survived!” Scootaloo shouted happily. “And you mastered the technique, right?” “Uh…” Rainbow said hesitantly. “Well… I… just want you to know what you’re in for, Student! Are you ready for the most grueling week of training of your life?” Scootaloo saluted again. “Yes ma’am, Rainbow Dash, ma’am!” Rarity sighed pitifully as Aloe slathered mud on her face. “I just don’t know, Fluttershy. I mean, I’m trying to be serious—you know, for Rainbow and Scootaloo’s sake—but I just feel…” She sighed again. “Oh, I understand, Rarity,” Fluttershy responded sympathetically. “I felt the same way when Angel Bunny ran away that one time. I just didn’t have any motivation at all.” “It… it’s really nothing like that at all, Fluttershy,” Rarity said. “Oh,” Fluttershy said. “Sorry, Rarity. I just assumed this was about Spike…” Rarity angrily chomped the zucchini slices that had been headed for her eyes. “I jusht don’t get it, Fluttershy! What’sh he shpending sho much time wish zhat horrible Ran Biao for?” She gulped the zucchini down and continued. “I keep trying to include him, but he seems distant for some reason. It wouldn’t even upset me if it weren’t for that… that…” She snorted angrily, unable to continue. “Well, Rarity…” Fluttershy said after a moment’s silence. “Maybe… maybe you could tell me what you have against Ran Biao? I thought you two were friends, once?” Rarity’s eyes softened. “Yes… yes, once. But that all changed with Razorwing…” Fluttershy turned and regarded her friend sympathetically. “Oh, I see… do you want to talk about it?” Rarity sighed. “Well, it couldn’t hurt, I suppose. It all started in the last few months at Master Lao Wu’s school…” Razorwing had always seemed a very kind and generous young dragon. I first met him during dodging practice, which I believe involved wrenches or some such. I was despondent that day because I had lost the sapphire out of a necklace I had received for my birthday earlier that month. He was kind enough to help me sniff the necklace out and— lo and behold—he found it for me. I was so impressed by his chivalry that it was only natural we began to spend more time together. At the time, Ran Biao and I were good friends, and I invited them both to eat and train with me just about every day. However, during that time, I noticed a change in Ran Biao. She seemed more… bitter and touchy than before. I think perhaps Master Lao Wu’s attitude was getting to her, because he never really acknowledged her skill, which really was considerable. Being my best friend, however, I confessed my feelings for Razorwing to her, and told her that I planned on asking him to be my colt—er… drakefriend on his third birthday, which was later that week. I gathered up my courage and asked him to meet me at the lake, to which he agreed much to my elation. I was so happy as I cantered down to our meeting place, my heart filled with love. When I got there, however, a horrible sight awaited me. He was in her forelegs that night. His lips were on her lips. My best friend had betrayed me. Her jealousy had burned a hole in her heart which had led her to desire the absolute destruction of the one who would never have hurt her. Why did she do it? Whatever the explanation, one thing was apparent: this pony was truly a heartless witch. We never spoke in friendship after that. Oh, we were polite, as befitted Ladies, but under every word there is a hidden threat; a secret attack. The last month I was there was grueling to get through, for I no longer had a friend, and it was so easy to cut ties to the school once I got to Ponyville. I tried to forget it, but that wound is burned into my very soul to this day. “Oh my,” Fluttershy said. “That sounds horrible.” “Oh, it was, Fluttershy,” Rarity insisted. “It really was!” She crossed her forelegs petulantly and fumed. “The worst part is she didn’t even play for keeps. I hear they didn’t even stay together after I left.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” Fluttershy said. “So… um… do you think she might… well, it’s nothing really…” “What?” Rarity said. “Please, go on.” Fluttershy flushed and looked bashfully away. “Well… it just seems like… maybe she’s trying to do the same thing… with Spike?” Rarity’s masque began to boil with the heat coming from her face. “Wh-wh-wh-why would she even do that? I mean, I adore Spikey-wikey, but it’s not the same at all, is it?” Fluttershy gave the unicorn a dubious look. “Of course not, Rarity. I’m sure you weren’t going to confess anything to Spike that morning on the beach…” Rarity choked. “O-of course not. That would be… silly. I mean, I’m a unicorn and he’s a… a dragon, you know?” “Like your great-great-great-great-great aunt and great-great-great-great-great uncle?” Fluttershy asked. Rarity didn’t say anything for a moment. “Well… yes. Still, it takes a certain type of pony to handle a dragon when they mature, and… well, I’m not that kind of filly. I can’t… I can’t take that kind of… well…” She huffed. “Anyway, Ran Biao’s barking up the wrong tree if she thinks there’s anything that’s going on. I’m not into bipeds like—” “Fore~ve~r!” Pinkie exclaimed, popping out of the small hoof bathing bowl beside the two ponies. As she slowly sunk back into the bowl, her tongue snaked out and grabbed a zucchini before submerging into the water. Rarity coughed uncertainly. “Ah… yes, Pinkie’s right, I promised not to bring that up again. Anyway…” “Nothing between you and Spike,” Fluttershy affirmed. “Got it. Umm… where are you going, Rarity?” “What?” Rarity said as she rapidly cleaned herself up. “Oh, yes, well… there’s just something… back at Carousel Boutique I have to take care of.” “Wh-what are you going to be taking care of, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked. “Oh-ho-ho-ho, Fluttershy, it’s nothing,” Rarity said in a sing-song voice. “I just need to take out the trash.” “Spike, it is such an honor to help train you in this way.” “Thanks, Ran, this really helps relieve some stress.” Spike was panting heavily. “Oh, yeah, that’s the stuff!” Spike’s clenched claws hammered into the punching bag as Ran Biao held it fast. The dragon was small, but his strength was naturally far beyond the average pony’s. In fact, she noted, he was rather strong even for a dragon of his age, though he had claimed he didn’t work out. Perhaps it was his work as a librarian’s assistant, as he regularly carried around stacks of huge tomes. In any case, working on his own with a punching bag proved futile, as he ended up regularly punching the bag right off its chain. Ran Biao’s hybrid strength proved useful in keeping it where it was. “Spike,” Ran Biao said between punches. “I have… an idea.” “What’s that, Ran?” Spike asked. “Too, too easy,” Ran said. “Good way to build strength is weight training! Rarity and I did it as foals with dragon-turtle shells, but you can probably handle heavier weight.” “Really?” Spike said. “Well, we’ve got over a week ‘til the tournament. I guess it can’t hurt.” “You are definitely in shape enough for it,” Ran Biao said. “With training from Gau tzeng tzu fu in the morning and my training in the evening, you have improved great amount.” “Gosh, thanks, Ran,” Spike said. “So, what kind of weight training is it?” She galloped off, bidding him to wait for a moment. She dove into her great-great grandfather’s cart full of luggage which still had yet to be completely unpacked, and out of the depths of the pile came a gigantic rock. “Gau tzeng tzu fu found this on our way here,” she explained. “Gau tzeng tzu fu found it fascinating, so made me… collect it.” She looked rather sour at that. Spike glared at the rock with fury. “Tom…” he said. “I thought I ran you out of town.” Ran Biao lifted the rock and slammed it on Spike’s back, flattening the dragon. “Now Tom is your best friend during training,” she said happily. “It will be your honor to become too, too strong after this.” She leaned down and saw that the dragon was completely knocked out. “Oh, no!” she said. “It will be my honor to resuscitate you, Spike!” The dragon-pony rolled Tom off of the young dragon, and turned him over. She began to pump her hooves into his diaphragm, despite the fact that he was obviously still breathing. Then she took a deep breath and locked her lips onto his. “Hey, broodmare!” Ran Biao released Spike’s lips and looked up to see Rarity seething with rage at the doorway. Her usually perfect hair blew wild and untamed as if she’d been galloping across the entire town. Her cheeks were flushed with exertion and what may have been livid fury. The fiery maned longma gulped. “R-R-Rarity A-yi… it is my honor to say you look rather cute when you’re—” “Cut the manure!” Rarity said, eyes narrowing angrily. “Keep your hooves off that drake or be prepared to bring it!” To be continued…