//------------------------------// // Eleventh Principle // Story: The Manual of Heroes // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// Eleventh Principle: A hero always makes the right choice Three days have passed since the Grogar incident, and, everypony felt uneasy at Twilight’s castle. The reason was no other than Bright Spark. All this time he barely spoke to anypony, and only when it was absolutely necessary. The only reason why he didn’t locked himself in his lab, was because Flash and Twilight asked him to not to. And, this time he listened to his parents. Twilight also offered her niece a small room in the castle. After the incident, she didn’t want to sleep at the lab. Where the weapons that reduced Grogar to that state were created. Flurry woke up early in the morning, and took a good look of Ponyville from the window. She smiled sadly, she missed her home, and, for the first time in years, she was afraid from her cousin. Five years ago, she witnessed the power of Bright’s nukes. But now, she fully understood the true horror her cousin was capable of. “It ends today.” she said, before walking downstairs. She met her aunt and uncle at the breakfast table, as they were eating peacefully. “Good morning Flurry.” greeted Twilight. “Did you sleep well?” “Yes, thank you.” smiled the young Princess, taking a seat. “You have a letter.” informed her Flash, passing an envelope to Flurry. “Oh, thanks…” said Flurry, yawning. She opened the envelope with her magic, and raised an eyebrow. “For real?” asked Flurry in disbelief. “What is it?” asked Twilight. Flurry shrugged. “Princess Celestia wants a meeting to discuss the details about the territory I’m going to reign over. Well, I guess I can’t postpone it for much longer, but I’m afraid.” “For what?” asked Twilight. “Flurry Heart, you’ve been training for this your whole life!” “I know, I know, but my parents are still mad at me, remember?” sighed the young alicorn. “Maybe because you just showed them that you don’t take this as serious as it is.” Scolded Twilight. “And, chose a ridiculous title that you can’t change.” “I take this seriously!” protested Flurry. “And, why did you take that stupid title?” asked Twilight. “Princess Geek of all Comics, what were you thinking, Flurry Heart?” “For starters, I never wanted this. I wish I could be like Cousin Bright, he always does what he wants without anypony questioning him. Second, yes, I know this is my responsibility, and I accept it. That’s why I decided to combine it with what I love the most. Comics. By choosing the title, I am demonstrating I’m willing to love my kingdom as much as I love comics.” Both Twilight and Flash face-hoofed. Flurry pouted. “See? The only one doesn’t think I’m stupid is Cousin Bright, he doesn’t judge me. Even when I bother him to build me stuff.” Twilight rubbed her forehead patiently. “You know what? I give up, I have enough problems already with my own child, and this is something you should discuss with your parents, not me.” “Still, at least try to explain them how much you really care, and what the comic stuff really mean to you.” smiled Flash. “As long as you can show them that you really care, I’m sure everything is going to be fine between you.” Flurry smiled brightly. “Thanks uncle! Bright is right, you always know what to say.” “Whenever you want.” said Flash, with a happy nod. It was when the elevator that lead to Bright’s lab opened its doors, allowing the young inventor to came out. “Bright, did you stay awake the whole night?” asked Twilight, in disbelief. Bright Spark joined them at the table, with a happy smile. “Well, yes. Two of my machines seem to be off-line, but the GPS systems indicates me that it is somehow moving. And, I haven’t figured what’s going on. But, hey, these small mysteries make my life worth living.” “I’m glad you’re in a better mood.” said Twilight, relieved, as she offered her son a glass of milk and two pieces of toast. “Here, have some breakfast and go straight to bed.” “Sure.” said Bright. He raised a hoof, and, one of his robots approached. It aimed one of its claws to the milk, and covered it with a purple light. Then it turned to Bright, and printed a small piece of paper. Bright examined it, and frowned. “Fifty milligrams of Clorpromazine. Mom, I appreciate the gesture, but, I already took my dose of anti-psychotics. Thank you very much.” Twilight sighed. “Sorry Bright, but you’ve been so silent and taciturn these days that I panicked. I’m afraid you lose control after what happened with Grogar.” “Don’t worry, I’m fine.” said Bright. “This issue with my machines helped me to move to another thing. I really need to know what’s going on with those things.” The robot gave Bright a new glass of milk, this time without drugs. Flurry raised an eyebrow. “Huh… hey Bright, doesn’t it bother you?” “What?” asked Bright, tilting his head. “Not being able to trust your own family.” said Flurry, glaring at Twilight, who looked away. Bright shrugged. “I don’t really care. I’m a sociopath, remember? I have a limited amount of feelings.” Twilight and Flash frowned at this, but didn’t say a word. Flurry just shivered, and decided that was it. She had to speak with her parents right away. After they finished breakfast, and Bright went to his room, Flurry hurried to the Cutie Map room. Bright Spark and Luminositè have installed a video-conference system to communicate the three castles immediately. “Grandma Celestia.” said Flurry, as the image of the Princess of the Sun appeared on the screen. “I’m ready to accept the responsibility of my own Kingdom.” Princess Celestia nodded, happy. “I’m glad Flurry. Do you want to discuss this in person, or, from here?” “In person.” “Alright, I’ll make the arrangements for the meeting right away. See you soon.” “In the meantime, I need to speak with my parents. See you later, Grandma Celestia.” Then, Flurry Heart cut communications with Canterlot, and called the Crystal Empire. “Twilight?” asked Cadence, appearing on the screen. “Oh, it is you.” “Mom, call dad. We need to talk.” Canterlot Castle, later that night: The conference room was secured with the most powerful privacy spells the five Princesses could cast. It was only used to discuss highly confidential affairs, like the inauguration of a new principality, under the rule of the youngest of the Princesses. The five Princesses, plus Prince Consort Shining Armor were reunited, to make the final arrangements so Flurry could take control of her new territory. “Okay, dear Flurry, from now on, a portion of Equestrian territory will be at your charge. As a new ruler, you must take care of everything: taxes, your citizens’ needs, and, your Royal Guard.” “For starters, we’ll give you a part of the Royal Treasure, but, you have to be really careful with your budget.” “We believe in you.” said Twilight, using her magic to give her niece a bunch of quills, and parchments. “You have until noon.” “What?” asked Flurry. “Why so little time?” “We would give you more. But you were hiding at your cousin’s lab for far too long.” informed her Luna. Flurry Heart groaned. This would be a long day. But, as Twilight have said early in the morning, Flurry have been trained by her mother and father in how to rule a kingdom practically all her life. And, to make a budget wasn’t too hard. The problem was the decisions she had to make. The main problem was the security issue. More than half of the budget had to be destined to the army. The soldiers’ salary, training, maintenance of the military equipment and facilities, etc. But, that left her with lack of funds to support health and education programs. She didn’t know what to do. At least she still had the guidance and support of her parents, aunt Twilight, and Princesses Celestia and Luna. “Welcome to politics, dear.” said Cadence. “I can lend you a couple of elite troops to train your new soldiers if you want.” offered Shining Armor. “But, even if you don’t have to pay them, you still have to look for their living arrangements.” Celestia nodded. “Also, I understand that you named your friends of the ‘League of Heroes’ as your personal knights. Well, I don’t think elite soldiers would like to obey a bunch of young adults in costumes, so that’s something you have to consider.” Flurry groaned in exasperation. “You know? Living soldiers are a problem. Not only they’re weak, but also, you have to attend their needs. Oh, and, if they die, you have to look after their families’ support. Not to mention, they dislike being under the command of younger ponies. I can make you a Royal Guard, a hundred times stronger than a normal one. And, they’ll obey every command you and your friends give them.” They all turned to see Bright Spark, who was sitting in there, drinking a smoothie. Princes Luna glared at him. “No, no, no, no. You are not supposed to be here, Prince Spark. Also, how did you even enter here on the first place?” Bright raised an eyebrow. “What you mean with ‘how’? Everypony knows that my technology is more powerful than your magic…” “Bright, get out now!” commanded Princess Celestia. She was not in the mood to deal with him for now. “It’s fine, Grandma Luna, Grandma Celestia. I called him.” said Flurry. “I knew I would need his help.” “Flurry, please! Everyone but him!” complained Shining Armor. “We have talked about this, you can’t depend on your cousin for everything!” “But his idea is just what I need!” said Flurry. “A mechanical guard is not a bad idea. How much do you want for making me a Royal Guard completely made out of robots?” “A hundred thousand bits for my work, plus cabling. I won’t charge you for the steel, since I have lots of it thanks to the Diamond Dogs.” “What about electricity?” asked Flurry. “How much would it cost me?” “I can adapt them to function with Solar Power if you want.” explained Bright Spark. “Okay, you have a deal, cuz!” smiled Flurry Heart. “Also, the train system could use an upgrade too. The coal, the engineers’ salaries, all the maintenance… do you think you can do something about it?” “Sure, no problem at all.” Said Bright, walking out of the room. Everypony left glared at Flurry. “What? He is the smartest being in the world!” “But he is dangerous!” said Celestia. “Yes, but think about it!” protested Flurry Heart. “Bright would do anything for us. Don’t you see the best way to prevent him to make this insane weapons, is to keep him busy?” An awkward silence later, Twilight nodded. “Is just me, or this actually makes sense?” Storm Kingdom: The recently restored Storm King was looking at the window, and he unconsciously touched the collar on his neck. One more time the memories of that day came back to him, making the tyrant shiver. When he was restored by his daughter and grandson, the first thing the Storm King wanted to do was to seek revenge against Tempest Shadow, and Princess Twilight. Unfortunately, right at the Equestrian borders, his army was intercepted by five steel thirteen-feet-tall monsters. Lead by two ponies, the son of Princess Twilight, and, the daughter of the Bearer of Generosity. At first, he thought that they were like their mothers. That they would try the power of ‘friendship’ to talk him to reason. But instead, his army was defeated in the matter of seconds, and he was captured. For the next two weeks, the Storm King learned the true meaning of fear. Used as a guinea pig by the son of Princess Twilight. The brat tested weapon after weapon on him. And, the girl, she was worse. He used him as a plaything, to release his psychopathic needs to inflict insane amounts of pain. Then, they released him. Saying that he was reformed. And they were right. After that, he would never put a foot in Equestria ever again. And, as a reminder of what they were capable of, they put the collar in him. The thing would give him an electric shock every time he do something that the two monsters disapproved. At least, the Storm King was cautious enough to never push his luck. “Hey, grandpa, are you okay?” asked his grandson, Tornado. “Yes, I’m sorry.” said the Storm King. “Is just that since the Grogar incident, I can’t stop thinking in those two.” “I never thought they were much of a big deal, until they defeated the goat.” commented Tornado. The Storm King frowned, he had to pay a lot to Prince Spark to release his grandson, unharmed. “Do you want something, or what?” “Oh, sorry. Prince Spark and Lady Belle just arrived. They want to see you.” The Storm King paled in terror. “What are you waiting for? LET THEM IN IMMEDIATELLY! LET’S GO, TORNADO!!” The young centaur seemed confused, and stayed where he was. But his grandfather hurried to the nearest servant, and asked him for a pot of tea, and pastries. He had to give his best impression to the two ponies. Suddenly, the doors opened, letting pass the two ponies, wearing their full equipment. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry for my hospitality. My good-for-nothing grandson just tell me you two arrived. What can I do for Your Excellences?” Bright Spark aimed a hoof toward the Storm King. A small canon appeared on the hoof, and shot a red energy beam that send the Storm King to the other room, through the wall. Two of the Storm King’s soldiers charged against the visitors, but Luminositè’s scarf broke their necks. Tornado charged an electric beam between his horns. “I’LL DESTROY YOU!” Bright turned at him, and, fast as a lightning, he punched Tornado on the gut, and smashed him against the ground. The Storm King gasped when he heard his grandson’s bones breaking because of the impact. But, far from finish, Bright forced an explosive, as small as a marvel, into his mouth. Lumi pressed a small button on her suit, detonating it. Tornado vomited a stream of blood, and teeth. Bright then threw Torando to Lumi, who caught the centaur, and broke his two horns. Tornado screamed in pain. “Torndado…” said the Storm King, weakly. Slowly, he stood, and, summoning his scepter, he charged the Power of the Storm on it. “YOU!” They both turned, unimpressed. “You know what makes those two so terrifying?” asked the Storm King. “You cannot feel any kind of magic power coming from them. It is a new kind of power anyone bot them really understand. But, I can feel a monstrous amount of magic power coming from the two of you.” Then, the Storm King shot. The two of them avoided the attack, and jumped toward him. Luminositè immobilized the Storm King with her scarf, as Bright Spark forced another explosive into his mouth. “Are you Grogar, by any chance?” asked the Storm King. “No, I am the one who gave him his Power.” said the fake Bright Spark. “What’s the idea? Anyone who have fought the monsters would notice you are not them.” “I don’t care.” said the fake Luminositè. “This is only a part of my plan to replace my destined Destroyer of Worlds. Grogar was not supposed to be defeated, but now, I have to find a new Messenger of Death, someone who destroys the world so a new one can begin. And where can I find a better candidate that the ones who defeated Grogar?” The Storm King laughed. “It will never work. Spark and Belle will stop you.” Finally, the fake Luminositè detonated the bomb. And, this time, the entire upper half of the Storm King exploded in a million pieces. “Grandpa!” cried Tornado. The fake Bright Spark aimed his hoof cannon to the younger centaur, and shot. A perfect circle with a radio of three inches appeared on the left side of Tornado’s chest, and fell. The two fake ponies nodded, and walked away. “This was a complete success.”