//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: The Sacred Texts of Friendship // Story: Equestria Wars Episode XVII: Revenge of the Alliance // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// Charming Thunder sat on his seat in Canterlot as he and Danny were in a meeting with the princesses. "The good news is that we defeated the Dread Ponies," Charming Thunder said as he was about to stand from his chair. "I take it that there is the bad news?" Luna asked. "Yes," Danny said. "Twilight and the others have been taken by Lord Tirek." "What would Mephiles want with the element bearers?" Celestia said. "I don't know," Charming Thunder said. "Probably lure us into a trap. But who knows where they could be." "At least we know that it was Mephiles who freed the Dread Ponies." "And he plans to invade Canterlot," Danny added. "What?" Luna said. "It's true," Charming Thunder said. "We need to find Twilight and the others fast." "Agreed," Celestia said. "In the meantime Charming, me and Luna would like to speak to you in private." Danny nodded and stepped out of the room. Celestia then walked next to Charming Thunder. "One of the young Jedi Padawans found something during their Jedi trials. I think it may interest you." "Where is this Padawan now?" "She is still at the Crystal Empire. What he has found, I do not know." "Thank you for the details, Aunt Celestia. I will head there immediately." Charming Thunder then walked out of the room as Luna stood next to Celestia. "Do you think he is ready for this?" Luna asked. "I have confidence that he will confront Mephiles and end this war." "I sure hope so." --------------------- Charming Thunder's TIE Silencer lands at the Crystal Empire as a mare holding a book waited for his arrival. Charming Thunder exited his ship and walked up to the mare as she bowed to him. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, your highness," she said as she rose up. "You found something during your trials?" Charming Thunder asked. "Yes." She held out a book with a symbol on the cover. Charming Thunder was unfamiliar with the book at first and levitated to go through the pages. "The original texts of friendship." Charming Thunder closed the book and puts it away in his saddlebag. "You have done well finding this book. I cannot complete your training, but I wish you luck in your remaining trials." "Thank you, your highness." The mare walked off to the temple as Charming Thunder headed to the castle to visit Cadence for a little bit before he reads the book. --------------------- Charming Thunder sat at a table at the library as he read the texts of friendship. He understood it at first, but got confused a little. Shining Armor entered the room with his daughter; Flurry, in his arms. Charming Thunder turned to see him and smiled. "I take it you are here on personal business?" Shining asked. "Yes," Charming Thunder said. "This book was given to me my a Padawan during her trials to become Jedi. But when I look at the book, it reminds me of Starswirl's writings. "What if it is?" Charming Thunder looked at Flurry and caressed her niece's mane as she giggled. "I think that it is. What if it is his lessons on friendship in the past life before the Discord Wars? I grow worried every time I look at it." "Twilight would know if she were here." Charming Thunder looked away for a moment after Shining brought her sister up. "I know. I miss her too. But think this over for a moment and do what must be done." Charming Thunder nodded as Shining Armor left the library. Charming Thunder then looked at the book and levitated it to read it a little more. --------------------- When Charming Thunder got home to Ponyville that night, he held the book in his arm and walked through the Everfree forest to a nice quiet spot. Little did he not know that a familiar Jedi spirit was watching him as he stopped to turn to see an old friend. "Luke," Charming Thunder greeted. "Charming Thunder," Luke replied. Charming Thunder smiled and looked at the book. "I am soon ending this. The war, the Mephiles Alliance. I'm burning it down." Charming Thunder then walked further away from Luke as he placed the book on a stump and his horn began to glow. He struggled to destroy the book. The glow on his horn faded as he looked down to the ground. Luke then closed his eyes and reached out with the force to levitate the book and lightning came down from the sky which caught Charming Thunder's attention as the book was dropped back on the stump; caught on fire. Charming Thunder took a step back in shock as Luke laughed. "Ah Charming, I have missed you." Charming Thunder looked at Luke and back at the burning book and tried to grab it, but was blasted back by another lightning strike which impacts on the book. He landed further away from the fire as he lays there on the ground watching the fire spread. "So it is time...for the war to end." Luke appeared in front of Charming Thunder as he watched the fire. "It is time." Luke turned to face Charming Thunder and knelt down to him. "For you to look at an old book." "THE SACRED TEXTS OF FRIENDSHIP!!!" "So you have read it?" "Well I--" "The pillars were not page turners. Yes, yes, yes. It may hail wisdom, but that book contained nothing that the Padawan found." Charming Thunder was shocked at what he was hearing from his mentor and looked down. "Charming, for the first time ever, you are looking to the horizon. Never in your heart. Now. The need in front of your nose." "I was weak the day I killed my brother. A murderer." "You may have lost your brother once. But you must not loose him again to his father." "I can't be what he wants me to be." "I once never heeded Yoda's words. Pass on what I learned. Strength. Mastery. But weakness...folly...failure also. Because failure is the greatest teacher. But you succeeded on what I could not. Bring a new Jedi Order to your world." Luke got up and walked next to Charming Thunder and sat next to him as they both watched the fire. "Charming, we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters. Even a king." Charming Thunder looked at Luke, then back at the fire as he knows what he must do.