//------------------------------// // The Diamond Sword // Story: The Island of Tambelon // by Rakoon1 //------------------------------// At the castle of Tambelon, the Dark Mistress was at the sanctuary, talking with the Smooze who was contacting her. “The time for us to fulfill the master’s plan is approaching, but I still don’t have energy enough. This is unacceptable!” “Calm down, don’t act like a baby” the Dark Mistress told. “I want to fulfill the master’s desire as much as you. I will give you tons of energy soon. I could be gathering it faster, if it wasn’t for the anomalies.” “Princess Twilight and her friends…” the Smooze said. “They possess a light so strong that can prevent us from carrying on the plan. With their Elements of Harmony and Prince Star Knight’s lava nature, they can wipe out our stone ponies in an instant. But they are not alone. I see an ominous light hidden near, one that will bring destruction. And the time for its awakening is ahead.” “Maybe that light is connected with the three talismans” the Dark Mistress said. “Eliminate the destruction that’s coming toward us and obtain more energy to me” the Smooze told. “We need to get enough energy as soon as possible. We shall bring chaos and destruction and not only to Princess Twilight, but to all Pony Reality. We will turn everything into our master’s domain!” And having said that, he ended the contact. After that, the Dark Mistress headed to the fountain and touched it with her staff, causing the image of the witch with shades of green to appear. “Did you summoned me, mam?” she asked. “How may I be of service?” “The Smooze requires a greater quantity of energy, so I need you to gather it” the Dark Mistress told. “As Wild Pollen, ranked as one of the best of the five witches, I will bring energy of the highest quality” the witch said, making a bow to the Dark Mistress. “And I will do that using the great power of wild energy.” At the farm, everyone was helping Jonagold and Buttercup with the chores. Twilight, however, was at some distance, watching them, a little distracted. “Twily…” Blue called, while approaching her. “Is everything okay?” “I don’t know…” she replied. “I can’t stop thinking about Time Turner and Bright Night. They are Generals of Order. We both serve good and they have been helping us, so why do we have to act as if we’re in different sides? They know they can trust in us.” Blue hated to see Twilight like that, so he decided to say something to cheer her up. “You don’t have to be like that, Twily” he said. “I know you care about everyone and that’s what makes you who you are. I’m sure they also know that. Like you said, they are Generals of Order and, whatever their mission is, I’m certain they are on our side. You know how Generals are hard to understand. Well, except for me, of course…” That caused Twilight to drop a laugh and then said: “Thank you, Blue, I think you may be right. I have to trust they are on our side.” She then kissed him on his cheek and then went to help the others. Blue prepared to go too when suddenly he got a vision about the talismans again. This time it was more intense. He doesn’t know what was that, but it was more than just warnings. Moonlight had gone visit Tempest again, this time on her own. “You know I always like your visits, Moonlight, but I don’t think you should risk coming here that bluntly” Tempest said. “After all, the witches are after you and your friends.” “You’re also my friend, Tempest, and I can’t just let you here all by yourself” Moonlight said. “The ponies of Tambelon are all talking about what you all are doing” Tempest said. “They’re all hopeful because they know the witches are being taken down one by one. I don’t know a day here that has been so… bright than the last ones.” “It’s good to know that” Moonlight said. “And be certain we won’t stop until this island is all free.” After saying that, Moonlight noticed a curious plant at the window. It was a flower whose petals looked like big leaves. “What is this?” she asked. “I’ve seen this kind of plants growing back at the farm.” “Well, I don’t know exactly” Tempest replied. “They all grew through all the island and many ponies are taking care of them. They are very pretty, aren’t them?” “Yes, they are…” Moonlight agreed. At that moment, the plant emanated a sweet aroma that gave both Moonlight and Tempest a desire to fall asleep. Tempest didn’t take long to almost fell into that desire, but Moonlight noticed something that prevented her from doing it. The plant had bulbed in an instant, but the most disturbing part was the other plants that had died. It was then that the bulbs started to blossom. Fearing what could happen, Moonlight went to it, dropped it on the ground and stomped on it, crushing it. The plant then disappeared on energy that Moonlight recognized. “Wild energy…” she said, remembering then the ones that existed on the farm. Tempest, free from the effect of the plant, started to wake up and asked, a little confused: “Moonlight… What happened?” “That plant… it’s dangerous” Moonlight said. “I need to go. My mom, Star and the others are in danger.” And, having said that, she got out and flew away. Along the way, she noticed that other ponies had succumbed to the plant which was absorbing their energy. It didn’t take long for her to arrive the farm. However, by the time she got there, Star was pulverizing the last plant. “Thank goodness you’re okay” Moonlight said. “I was so worry.” “So was I” Fluttershy said, approaching her daughter. “Are you okay, sweetie?” “Yes, I am, you don’t need to worry, mom” Moonlight replied. “Tempest is also fine. Fortunately, I noticed the plant in time.” “Yeah, but we have tah thank Star” Applejack said. “Yes, he was the one who noticed the danger those nasty plants” Rarity said. “And then we all took them down as easy as planning a big party in just a minute” Pinkie Pie added. “Yeah, easy…” Rainbow Dash whispered ironically to Applejack, who dropped a laugh. “It was amazing how Star was able to sense them” Thorax said. “Well, I do have a certain ability to sense wild energy” Star replied. “I don’t understand how they could do that” Jonagold said. “Yes, we co-exist with them for some time” Buttercup added. “Well, the answer is quite simple” a voice said. “They’re my creation.” They all turned and saw Wild Pollen at certain distance. “Oh no…” Buttercup said. “She’s one of the witches” Jonagold told. “My name is Wild Pollen and I’ll make you adore my dear plants” the witch said. With a stomp, she made wild energy flow to the ground and many of the plants appeared, bloomed. They released their pollen that started to affect everyone, starting to absorb their energy and making them weaker. “Our energy… is being taken” Twilight said. She tried to use the power of the Elements of Harmony, but she couldn’t pull the spell together. The same was happening with Blue, who couldn’t use his power as General of Balance, and Star, who couldn’t do any of his elemental powers. “What marvelous life energies” Wild Pollen said, while gathering the energy. “And to think the mighty heroes that defeated the Lord of Chaos so many times were so easy to catch off-guard. Lucky me. These plants are part of me. They are extensions of my power over the wild energy and they cover all the island. They thrive on life force, what makes them perfect to collect more energy than the others could ever imagine. And all that collected energy will go to my master.” Star tried to fight the effects of the pollen, but it was hard, mainly when he had to watch all his loved ones suffering, like his parents and marefriend. He tried to create a little spark of fire to burn all those flowers, but he couldn’t. “I don’t think so” Wild Pollen told to the young prince. “To you and all the greater threats I have brought the most powerful of my plants. Not even you, alicorns, will be able to use your magic. I can’t wait to finally give your lifeless bodies to the Dark Mistress. My reward will certainly be immense!” And she dropped an evil laugh. Blue was starting to get very frustrated, as he couldn’t save his family and friends. He closed his eyes, almost giving in to his fate. At that moment, a light appeared in the darkness he was seeing. It was a warm light, similar to his, like it was a part of it. It was calling him, it wanted Blue to get it. “Wake up” it said. “The time has come.” Wishing to comply, he approached it and took it. At that moment, at the real world, Blue opened his eyes which were glowing with the same blue as his aura. He then unleashed a wave of magic that caused all the plants to wither. With that, everyone recovered their strength back. “What?!” Wild Pollen exclaimed, not wanting to believe. “No, it’s impossible!” With his eyes still glowing, Blue said to her, while advancing: “You dared to hurt my family and my friends. Now, I will be the one to hurt you.” Everypony was astonish for seeing Blue like that. Wild Pollen, on the other hand, was feeling a twinge of fear. She tried to attack with magic beams, but Blue kept blocking them with his magic. “It’s time for you to meet your end… with this!” Blue exclaimed, rising his hoof. And he summoned a sword. The grip was blue and round, while the blade was made of the same diamond as the ones at the Diamond Domain. He hold it with his magic and said: “Behold the object of your demise: my talisman, the Diamond Sword.” Blue rose up the blade and created an orb of energy. When he made a slash in the air with the sword, the orb was thrown and hit Wild Pollen, who screamed while being pulverized. A silence was made after that moment. Star was the first to speak: “Dad… that was amazing! I didn’t know you could do that.” But he was not replying. Twilight looked at him, worried. She then looked at the sword. She had heard Blue call it talisman. Could that be the third and last talisman? But how could Blue have it? “Blue… are you okay?” He then turned to them, with his eyes still glowing.