//------------------------------// // Sixth Principle // Story: The Manual of Heroes // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// Sixth Principle: A hero does not accept challenges from villains. It is the hero who defies the villains In the beautiful city of Canterlot, a cheerful young mare woke up really early (as usual), and, after a quick shower, she ran to her workplace. ‘Quicky’s deliveries’, a courier service, very popular in big cities like Canterlot, or Manehattan, and Trottingham. The mare’s name was Sparkler, she was Derpy’s youngest daughter, and one of Princess Flurry’s closest friends. Normally, she went to the university in the morning, and worked at the afternoon shift. But, since she was on vacation, Dinky used her time to work full time, and save some money. But she didn’t complain, she loved her job. It helped her to pay for her studies, and gave her the chance to practice her favorite sport as she earned money: parkour. Oh, and also, it was perfect for Dinky to spot criminals to fight as Watt, the electric superhero. With her great agility, and electric powers, she could deal with any crime in less than a minute. For example, an on-going robbery to the liquor store she just passed by. By entering to a dark alley, she changed from her uniform, to her superhero suit, and get into the liquor store surrounded by a blue lightning. Inside the liquor store, a thug was threatening the owner, holding a knife with his magic; as two partners were empting the safe. The robber turned to the hero, who charged a powerful lightning bolt on his hoof. “Oh!” exclaimed the hero of Canterlot. “Watt do we have here? A bunch of morons, disturbing the peace of my city. Not under my watch!!” And disappeared into a blue lightning bolt, surrounding the thugs in a blue flash. When Watt finished, the three thugs were lying on the floor, as he stood victorious, generating electricity from his body. Then, he took a closer look to the thugs, and raised an eyebrow. He recognized as the friends he had on the Royal Guard. “Watt’s going on in here? Watt are you doing, betraying the trust the citizens of Canterlot put in you? Watt…” “Enough with your stupid pun!” complained the squad leader (the pony threatening the owner). “Princess Celestia want to talk to you, and this was the only thing we could think off!” Watt tilted his head. “You all know my identity. Why didn’t you send me a letter or something? Or wait for me at my apartment. I mean, is being polite really too much to ask you, guys?” The fake owner, actually a high commander of the Royal Guard, sighed. “I know, and I’m sorry, Mister Watt. Or do you prefer Miss Sparkler?” “I don’t care.” said Watt. “Okay then.” nodded the captain. “Where was I? Oh, right! We didn’t though you would actually show up, if we call you.” Watt shrugged. “I don’t see why not. As far as I concern, we get along just fine, right?” The Royal Guard agreed. In fact, they looked at Sparkler as she was some kind of little sister. Always trying to help, in her own goofy way. Still, the captain seemed, uneasy with the situation. “The thing is, you’re in a delicate situation, Watt.” “Why?” asked the hero. One of the fake robbers glared at her, as he rubbed his head. “Why? What you mean with ‘why’? Princess Celestia is really angry with all of you!” “Oh, now I get it!” said Watt, as it hit him. “She’s still angry about Flurry’s coronation!” “Yeah. She knows the three of you were involved in the ritual, allowing her to take that stupid title.” Watt sighed. “Guys, I know pissing off the Crown wasn’t the most intelligent thing to do, but she’s our friend, and we would do anything for her!” Then, he took off his helmet. “But, if you want us to arrest us, I shall warn you that Flurry named the entire League of Heroes as her knights. Before the Crystal Heart itself, so we are under its protection!” The disguised soldiers exchanged worried looks, when Celestia got into the room, glaring at Sparkler. “I know that. Flurry Heart really messed up things. That’s why we want to contact her, but she is ignoring my calls. And Luna’s, and her parents. Especially her parents.” “As long as she haves her cousin’s protection, she won’t talk if she doesn’t want to. Even if we ask her.” explained Sparkler. “No, I know. But, at least, she’ll listen to you. Believe me, what I need to talk with her haves nothing to do with her behavior. That’s her parents’ business. No, this is about her new responsibilities as Princess. But I need to discuss this in person.” “I’m going to need more details if you want me to tell Flurry. You know how stubborn she is.” Celestia groaned exasperated. “Fine! As an official Princess, now Flurry Heart have a territory to rule. But, since she’s hiding, I can’t properly assign it to her.” Sparkler nodded, this seemed important. “I’ll try to talk to her, and convince the others to do it as well. But I make no promises.” Celestia nodded. “I know, thank you, Sparkler Hooves. Remember, I won’t scold her, nor punish her. That’s up to her parents.” The Princess then left the building. “Again, I don’t see why she needed to set up all this if she wanted me to deliver a message.” shrugged Sparkler. “We’ll consider that for the next time.” assured the commander. “Hey, Sparkler, do you have any deliveries today?” asked the other fake robber, staring at the package she carried. “Yes, I have to deliver a package to a pony called Dark Hood. Why?” “That’s what I know it said. Careful, friend, he’s a dangerous mobster. We’ve been chasing him for months. I don’t think he’s stupid enough to send something illegal through a famous courier service, but still, careful.” “Thank you for the advice.” said Sparkler, putting on the helmet again. “I should go as Watt then. See you later!” And, since she was late, Sparkler used the power of her super suit to get on time. The small mansion was easy to find, but Watt hesitated before changing into his/her normal self. Remembering the warning from his soldier friend, he jumped the fence, and ran to the rooftop, to spy through the skylight. It was a wise decision. Inside the mansion, the pony he supposed to deliver the package, was surrounded by a bunch of his thugs, and his son. Why so many ponies, only to receive a package? Dark Hood, a forty eight year old pony, with a long hooded cape. His son, was a twenty five year old pony, also wearing a hooded cape. “Okay son, your birthday present will arrive soon.” The young pony grinned evilly. “I know, father. Thank you.” “You can have anyone you want. Why a simple courier?” The son shrugged, as he grinned. “First of all, she’s hot. All the exercise she does by delivering packages had given her a cute rear. And she moves so gracefully, and smoothly… oh, father. The only thing I can think of is to possess her.” From his observation point, Watt shivered in disgust. “Okay, a dangerous pony, and an idiot. For real?” He ran to the main door, with his super speed, and knocked. “Come on in!” called Dark Hood’s son. Watt destroyed the door with a lightning bolt, and entered in the mansion. “Watt’s up?!” he said. “WHAT?” yelled father and son in the unison. “That’s my name!” answered the hero, generating electricity from his body. “Attempt to foalnap a cute little courier? Watt’s wrong with you?” Before any of the ponies could react, Watt sent them several lightning bolts. The thugs, and the two bosses ended up in the floor, unable to move. “See you guys!” said Watt, before disappearing into a bolt. “How did he know?” mumbled Dark Hood, weakly. Back at Quickie’s deliveries headquarters, Sparkler entered happily. “Hi boss! I’m done!” “That fast?” asked the counter pony. “Well, sometimes I forget who I am talking to. Good job, Miss Hooves.” “Thank you!” cheered Sparkler. “Anything else you need me to deliver?” “Yes, a veggie shipment to the National Association of Cauliflower Lovers, then, a few kilowatts, and watts to Canterlot Stadium, for this afternoon’s rock concert. And, finally, you need to go to the zoo to rent a few penguins to put in the empty seats of the Opera Theater for the noon’s performance.” Sparkler wrote that down. “Is that it? I’ll be back in an hour. No, an hour and fifteen minutes.” And she ran upstairs to get her shipment. “That child haves lots of enthusiasm. And something that haven’t been diagnosed yet.” Ponyville, Castle of Friendship: Twilight returned home, after a tiring afternoon of Royal errands. Then, drinking tea with her brother and Cadence as they tried to ask her for help, to convince Bright to stop protecting Flurry. Anyway, she finally managed to finish all her to-do list, and it was time to relax at home. Maybe, she could do something fun with Bright Spark. Like an experiment. After all, he was really pissed when she asked Discord to foalsit him. Most of the times, it was Flash who stayed with their son, but this time he was working on Canterlot. “Bright, I’m home!” said Twilight, calling her son. “Bright? Discord! Where are you?” There was no answer, so Twilight supposed they were in the lab. She approached to the elevator, and went to her son’s workshop. In the lab, Flurry was reading a comic, when she turned to her aunt. Flurry screamed, and was about to run, when Twilight stopped her. “Take it easy, Flurry. There’s no way I can get you out, even if I wanted to. How you’ve been?” A little more calmed, the young alicorn smiled. “You know, fine. Cousin Bright is a great host, but really scary from time to time.” Twilight sighed, she didn’t want to know what she saw. “Well, he’s a mad scientist after all. Speaking of him, where’s him?” Flurry aimed her hoof to a nearby door. “Working in something.” “Thank you. Have you seen Discord?” “Nope. I just returned from my patrolling at the Crystal Empire. I didn’t know he was here, I’m sorry!” Twilight nodded, and went to the door Flurry aimed. “Bright!” she called. The young colt turned from his microscope, and smiled at her. “Hi mom! That was quick.” “Bright, I’ve been out for eight hours.” said Twilight. Bright blinked in surprise, but, in the end, he smiled. “Oh, right. Sorry, I kinda, get lost in my work.” “As usual.” smiled Twilight. “And, what are you looking at?” “I have no idea. I haven’t seen anything like this. Here, take a look.” Bright moved from his chair, allowing Twilight to see through the microscope. “Whoa! Bright, this is something completely unknown for the pony kind! Where did you get it?” Bright aimed a hoof to a bunch of gravel that was on a tray. “Okay… I have more questions now but, more important, do you know where Discord is?” Bright pressed a button from a remote. One of the lab’s flat screen showed several scenes, where Discord tried to break Bright’s concentration by pulling prank after prank. Finally, Bright lost his temper, and pulled a small gadget that looked like a silver sphere. The sphere shot a light, and Discord ended up turning into stone. Then, at Bright’s command, a bunch of his robots took the Discord statue, and took it to the lab. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit in the elevator, and they had to break him, turning the statue into the gravel Bright had under the microscope. Twilight glared at her son. “RESTORE HIM!” Bright nodded, and pulled the silver sphere again. It was one of Twilight’s least favorite of her son’s inventions: the ‘Artificial Harmony Generator’. A powerful machine that despite its small size, it could imitate the power of the Elements of Harmony perfectly. It was less scary, and less destructive than most of his weapons, but its mere existence was unnerving. No pony could believe that the purest, and most powerful defense in Equestria, could be replicated by a heartless machine. Celestia and Luna fainted when they saw it at the first time. “Restore him.” said Twilight again. Bright nodded, as he aimed the sphere to the gravel. “To be fair, he started.” “I know, just restore him. Please!” The sphere shot a purple light, and the God of Chaos came back to life. “You!” he jelled at Bright. Bright looked at him, indifferently. “Yes?” The God of Chaos grinded his teeth. “DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH DID IT HURT WHEN YOU BROKE ME INTO SMALL PIECES?” Bright raised an eyebrow. “You can feel what happens to you, being trapped in stone? Interesting… I shall tell Lumi about this fact…” Discord paled in terror, and turned to twilight. “Twilight, dear, I quit. THIS IS THE LAST TIME I WATCH YOUR KID, I DON’T WANT THIS MONSTER AROUND ME, NEVER AGAIN!” And he ran upstairs, since he couldn’t use magic inside the lab, and teleported away. Twilight looked at Bright. “Don’t dare you to tell Lumi about his weakness! You know how sadistic and cruel she is.” Bright Spark was about to ask why, but he preferred to remain silent when he saw Twilight’s expression. In the end, she sighed calmed, and smiled to Bright. “Let’s go, it’s dinner time. Call your cousin too.” “Alright!” They went upstairs, where the Z-Bots were cooking, and setting the table, as the perfect servants they were. They started to eat, when Bright’s magic sensor went crazy. Flurry and Twilight stood, trembling in fear. Their ability to feel magic warned them about the incoming danger. “Grogar…” mumbled the two alicorns. Bright only smiled, with his eyes sparkling in anticipation. His greatest rival, the only one who pushed him to use his most powerful weapons. During those five years, Bright have been preparing for the second round. He barely won the first one, but this time, he was more prepared. “Perfect!” smiled Bright. “Bright, wait!” said Twiilght. “Be careful, please.” “I will. Don’t worry.” At his command, the robots switched to bodyguard mode, preparing for battle. But, then, a letter materialized in front of them. “What?” mumbled Flurry Heart. Bright looked at his machines. “Open it!” The Z-Bots took the letter on their steel claws, and opened it, taking a picture, and presenting the picture to their creator. He nodded. “I see.” “What does it say?” asked Twilight, worried. “The goat is formally challenging Lumi and me for a rematch. This time, in the island of Tambelon. He wants to make an important announcement to the world, and he wants us to be his guests of honor.” Twilight gulped. “And, what are you planning to do?” He shrugged. “I think we should summon the whole Crown.” “Including Princess Geek of all Comics.” finished Flurry.