//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Return of the Strong Ones // by HockeyPony //------------------------------// Return of the Strong Ones By: HockeyPony It was another late night and Twilight Sparkle was reading another book on magic. Spike had gone to bed for the night and the only company that she had was her pet owl, along with the single candle that she used for light so that she could continue studying. She was reading The Myths Of Magic and was on a very interesting passage on non-unicorn magic users.         The only known users of magic that were not unicorns were “The Strong Ones.” According to legend, they were Earth ponies that could break the magic barrier with their immense strength. They then could use the magic to do simple spells, such as teleports and magic missiles. The last of the strong ones died over 500 years ago in the war of the second age of Celestia, their secrets lost to time.         The book went on to tell of the great military triumphs of The Strong Ones and how they could stop whole legions of griffins with their unknowable strength and magical knowledge, as well as helping Celestia in the Moon revolt of the first age.         Twilight was enthralled by the thrilling history, and by the time she was nearing the end, it was almost midnight. At the end of the book, she noticed a small footnote, “Only one in a million can ever be strong enough.” She breathed to herself. _____________________         Dear Princess Celestia,         I was writing to ask if I could have any information on the Strong Ones and their ways. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle To my Faithful Student Twilight Sparkle, This is all the information about the Strong Ones that I can give you for now. I have included a couple books about them from some of the oldest parts of our library.          Yours Truly, Princess Celestia          _____________________         The very next day, Twilight started to read the books that the Princess had sent. The covers were brittle and dusty with age, and some of them looked like they had been retrieved from the middle of battlefields, pages stained dark magenta with the blood of those that had fought there. Of the five books that the princess had sent the one that she noticed the most had a black cover that drew her in like it was speaking to her. Whenever she went to open it she felt weak. She could tell that this book was the oldest of them all but it had be preserved through spells.         “What are you?” She mumbled to herself. “What have you gone through to get to me?” She could clearly see that the others had been through wars and had seen the rise and fall of nations, empires, and dictatorships. This book, though... this book had the secrets she wanted. She slid her hoof down to the latch. She then felt the same feeling of weakness and dread as she flipped open the latch. A great gust of wind came from the book and pushed back the purple unicorn. When she righted herself she was staring a ghostly figure.         “Who is it that opens the book of the Strong?” The image was now solidifying into a tall earth pony. He was as tall if not taller than Big Mac and just as muscular.         “My name is Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic and student of Princess Celestia.” Twilight replied, trying to sound less terrified than she really was. The ghost nodded his head.         “If you are truly the Element of Magic, then you should be able to defend yourself!” As he said this, the earth pony tensed up and with all his might struck the ground with his forehooves. The air crackled, and a lighting bolt flashed through the air aimed at Twilight. She barely had enough time to throw up a ward against the lightning bolt, and with a loud explosion the dust settled.         “What was that for?!” Twilight yelled at the ghost.         “That was a test,” said the ghost, “and you, Twilight Sparkle, have passed. As a reward, I will tell you whatever you wish about the Strong Ones.” Twilight stammered for a moment as she tried to relax after being attacked so viciously and so quickly. She paused a moment and asked the ghost, “Who are you?”         “I am Rock, last of the Strong Ones. Before I passed away, my soul was sealed by Celestia in the pages of this book to be used as a tool for the future.”         “What type of magic was that? I’ve never seen it before.”         “That was earth pony magic. Unlike your weak and passive unicorn magic earth pony magic is strong. We use the elements to force our opponents to submit.”         “So your magic is for fighting?”         “Yes.”         “Then what is the point of even having the Strong Ones around? Equestria hasn’t had a war in over 500 years.”         “We are what prevented many wars just with our presence and stopped many of them before anypony innocent got hurt. I am personally the victor of thousands of battles.”         “You’re a monster!”         “I’m a hero for my time, young filly, and I could have killed you with my very first strike. You are weak compared to me.” He paused for a second. “Anyway, if this book has been opened, then it is time to search for a new Strong One. I will now show you how you will find one strong enough to break the magic barrier.” With that, the ghost exploded and Twilight blacked out.         “Y’all okay, sugarcube?” A familiar voice asked.         “Huh, what happened? My head hurts.”         “I dunno, I walked in here and saw ya sprawled out on the floor.”         “Oh, I was just sleeping, Applejack.” As she was saying this, she started looking around the room for the black book. She noticed that it sat closed on the table in the middle of the room.         I have a lot of work ahead of me. Good thing that Applejack is here, I was going to need her help with this any way. Twilight thought to herself.         “Hey Applejack, is there somewhere we can find an oak tree in Ponyville?”         “Why yeah, there is Twi, but why do you need an oak tree specifically?”         “Oh no reason really just need to do some stuff with it.”         “Like what?”         “Tear it down.” At this Applejack looked terrified. Why would Twilight want to tear down a tree, let alone a big and strong oak tree in the middle of town? To this Twilight replied “It’s for a test, and the Princess herself has ordered me to do this.” “Well... okay Twi, if you say so.” Together the two ponies walked toward the center of town. Applejack couldn’t wipe that worried look off her face until she finally turned around. “What’s this really for, that you have to destroy a 100 year old tree?” “Its about earth ponies and their ability to use magic.” “What? I thought that earth ponies were the strongest and the unicorns could use magic. That's how it’s always been.” “Well, apparently not, and now I am going to make another earth pony warlock.” This is the point where Applejack scoffed and laughed. “And how are you going to do that, Missy?” “By finding the strongest earth pony in a million.” “That doesn't make sense but I guess I'm in for the ride on this one. So how are we going to set this up?” “Simple the pony that can knock over a 100 year old oak tree with a single buck is the only one strong enough to begin the training.” “Wha...? Twi, I can’t even do that! I don’t think anypony could do that. There are only one or two ponies a generation born that can do that.” Applejack was in shock at what she just heard come out of her friend’s mouth. “Well then let’s find that one in a million.” _____________________ The very next day, Spike had gathered up any and all of the local earth ponies and then sent letters to the mayors of all of the nearby cities to bring out none but the very strongest of the strong. Many had arrived, and in the middle of all them stood Twilight and Applejack. They were setting up everypony that had decided to show up to attempt the feat of the century, but none of them knew what was reserved for the one that was able to overcome this task. “All right everypony, listen up!” Applejack shouted through a megaphone, “You are all going to line up in single file. You only have one attempt to break this tree, if you fail, you’re done and you will be asked to leave. Understood?” All the ponies muttered and moved into a line, some shaking their legs to loosen up for the upcoming test of strength. The first stallion stepped up to the tree he looked up and down trying to find the right place to strike the tree. After surveying the tree, he turned around to face the other stallions. “Brothers, you have already lost this challenge by letting Ivan of Stalliongrad go first!” At this he turned around and with all of his strength he struck the tree dead center. The whole tree shook but not a single leaf or branch fell the tree stood there defiant. Ivan of Stalliongrad was dismayed that he had been defeated, bowed to the tree and walked away.         This went on in the same pattern for hours, everypony stepping up and being defeated by the ancient and mighty tree. Some of the ponies defeated were graceful and accepted their defeat, while others turned to the two mares running the show and cursed them for creating a such impossible challenge. Then near the end of the day when most of the ponies had gone home, Applejack looked at Twilight worried.         “What is my brother doing in line?”         “I asked him if he would compete on Ponyville’s behalf.” Twilight responded.         “There is no way that he could ever do this! Larger ponies have come and gone and there isn't even a dent in that tree’s bark. How is mah brother gonna kick that tree down?”         “Well, why don’t we watch then?” Said Twilight as Big Mac walked up to the oak tree. He stood there silent staring at the tree staring at it. Until suddenly, with one smooth turn and a sharp kick right at the apex of his reach, he struck the tree. From the perspective of the others he had barely struck a glancing blow to the tree. Unfortunately for the tree, it was so quick and sharp that it cut like a knife through butter. The tree shook and fell from what looked like a sawblade cut, right at the top of the stump. Twilight and Applejack looked shocked amazed at what they had just seen. Big Mac looked at the fallen tree, then turned to his sister and her friend.         “What have ah won?” He said.Twilight smiled a soft and gentle smile.         “Come with me Big Mac I believe that this is only the beginning.”         When the trio got to the library the book was sitting on the table already open. Then out of nowhere, Rock materialised in front of the three ponies.         “So this is the piece of dirt that I have to turn into a diamond?” He said.         “Um-Um Twi what is going on here? Who is this and what is he talking about?” Applejack stammered, paling both at seeing a ghost, and at the insult to her brother.         “This is Rock,” replied Twilight, “He is the one that will be teaching Big Mac how to use magic.”         “That is another thing,” interrupted Rock “You will no longer be known as Big Mac,” He spat the name out, as if it was dirty and weak. “You need a new name. A strong name, but for now you are dirt until you complete your training.”         “Now you listen here-”         “Sis, shut up.” Big Mac cut off Applejack before she could speak any more. Big Mac had never seen a pony like this before, but knew well that he meant business. “What do you want with me?”         “Mmhm, you are strong, but you are still stupid. I am going to take you and make you a warrior. From here on out, I am your master, and I will teach you how to use the magic around you. Until you master this, however, you are worth less than dirt.” With that final word he tensed his muscles. Seeing this, Twilight readied herself for another attack. Then it came: a gust of wind hit Big Mac square in the chest, knocking him into the wall over 20 feet behind him. The attack was aimed well enough to only hit Big Mac, and the mares just watched from the sidelines.         Big Mac struggled to get up, trying to recover the wind that had just been taken from his lungs. Applejack just stood there, too terrified to do anything.         “Is that all you got Rock?” Said Big Mac with a small smirk on his face, in great defiance of the being that just threw him around like a rag doll.         “Good,” Said Rock “Feel that power. That was beginner’s stuff, weak but precise. Able to hit a single bit out of the air if you had thrown the whole equestrian treasury into the air, but I’m getting ahead of myself.”         “So what now?”         “See me tomorrow to start your training.” The spectral pony faded away as the book closed on its own. Applejack was petrified, having just seen the impossible, her brother getting thrown 20 feet with so little effort as a simple flex.         It took a while for Twilight to regain her voice but after a bit, she asked Big Mac to stay with her in the library until he had finished training. He silently agreed as the two girls went up to their room for the night and Big Mac went to the guest room.   _____________________ The day had been long and the tempers were short. Celestia and the diplomat had been sitting at this table for over 6 hours. With the day wearing on, negotiations were going nowhere fast, and they might take a turn for the worst if she didn't persuade the griffon across from her at the table. He had the blankest expression on his face. His name was Vladimir and he was the leader of the communist party of the United Griffon Republics. “You must understand,” Celestia began, “That we have not had a standing army for over three hundred years now because of this peace that we have been keeping. Would you really jeopardise the lives and prosperity of millions?” “What you must understand, Princess, is that while Equestria is bountiful and prosperous, the other nations that you destroyed hundreds of years ago are still in shambles.Our nation has only now been able to regain our strength to that of over five hundred years ago. Your ponies have only known happiness while we writhe in the mud and filth to export anything that is worth something to your pitiful country.” “Then I have no choice but to not only cut off any aid to your country, but I am going to cut you off from all trade.” At this the Griffon’s face turned from a poker face to an expression of rage. “Then you would let my people starve! You have gone too far, Celestia!” The griffon shouted. The Princess had never heard another diplomat use her name before. It was considered disrespect to not address somepony by their title at a meeting such as this. “You will bring the death of your ponies and your land! These peace talks are over! I will return to my country for now but when I return it will not be on friendly terms.” At this Vladimir left the table. The princess was shocked for this had not gone the way she had planed it, but for now she would have to deal with these problems. Equestria is not ready for a war. “Guard!” She said to the white pegasus in the corner “Get me Commander Dawn Star, dark times are coming.” The guard nodded his head and flew off to go find the commander. “Dark times are ahead of us indeed.”