The Elements of Nature Book 3 - 气 (Air)

by Superior-Doc-Fossil

Chapter 8, Unexpected Arrival

At the Canterlot train station, some new ponies arrive from places like White Tail Woods or other rural areas near Canterlot. Some of the new arrivals are Pegasi from Cloudsdale. One is a zebra by the name of Zecora. “So, this is Canterlot, I see.” She said upon arriving. “Now, to find my friends of pony.”
As Zecora leaves, a unicorn around Firebrand's age with a black mane, a gold coat, brown eyes, and a fishing rod for a cutie mark, gets off the train. He is also wearing a jacket that has a gray and white pattern on it. He is also pulling a blue ice chest that has an attachment for holding fishing rods that has a bird cage on it that's covered. It’s the same one Deker ran into at White Tail Woods.
“Finally, I have arrived.” He said as he looks at Canterlot. “Wait until they get a load of me!” He said to nopony in particular. “This’ll be golden, baby!” He then notices that his pet, a male phoenix that has gold and silver feathers instead of the usual red and yellow, is peeking out of his cage. “Not yet buddy.” The unicorn said. The little gold phoenix then hides back in its cage while the gold unicorn looks at Canterlot with a smile.

At a local market place, Team Avatar (mainly the main six, Firebrand, Zuko, Agua, her boyfriend Hielo, Terra, Blitz, Ar, the CMC, Shining Armor and Cadance) is waiting for a certain zebra. “When is this Zecora gonna get here any way?” Blitz asked.
“Soon.” Twilight answered. “She should have arrived her about five minutes ago.”
“Ago, is not what I had in mind.” A familiar voice in an African accent said. “Thou, I would like some cocoa, if you're so kind.” The group turn around and see Zecora coming their way.
Blitz then blushes while Fire’ says. “What in the who now?”
“This is Zecora, I presume.” Shining asked his little sister.
“Yep. That’s her.”
“She’s not what I expected.” Blitz said while still blushing.
“What do you mean, dean?” Zecora said while mocking Blitz at the same time, causing the group to laugh.
“Hey! I’ve seen plenty of zebras back in the good old USA. But, they don’t have the same style you do.” Blitz argued.
Just then, Fire’ turns around all the sudden, scaring the group, especially Twilight. “Something wrong?” Twilight asked.
“I thought I felt something.” Fire’ said. “Like something watching me.”
“It is important to trust one instincts.” Zecora said. “How about you all show me the rest of the precincts.”
After taking a moment to translate what Zecora said, the group then head for the castle. Right when they leave, the gold unicorn from the station walks onto a bridged that is over a river. “Now I can move on to more important business.” He said as he begins to set up shop.

Back at the castle, Twilight is talking to Celestia about Zecora’s stay while she’s visiting. “Okay. She’ll stay in the tower for now.” Celestia said.
“So. Are all zebras like Zecora?” Zuko asked. The only one who has met more than one zebra is Blitz.
“Not exactly, they all have the mohawk mane, but the females only have that type of tail.” Blitz said, remembering when he meet an entire family of zebras in the lowlands once. Just then they hear something hit a nearby balcony. Shining goes to see what hit, and sees an arrow that has a note attached to it.

At the market place, the gold unicorn is the one who shot the arrow. “Bullseye!” He said as he undoes one of his fishing rods that he used as a bow.

Shining then shows the group what he found. “What is it?” Pinkie asked.
“It’s a message, windbag.” Blitz said to her.
“Oh, that makes much more sense.” Pinkie said, not all insulted. “What does it say?”
“It just says, see you soon.” Shining said.
“See you soon? Another changeling attack?” Rainbow said.
“Not here anymore.” Celestia said. “All of Canterlot is now protected by a shield that now counteracts their shapeshifting spell.”
“And there doing a good job.” Hielo said as he takes the arrow with the note from Shining’s magic grip. “I mean, someone or something shot this arrow.” He then sniffs the arrow. “Theres something fishy about this.”
“Obviously.” Agua said.
“No.” Hielo corrected his girlfriend. “There really is something fishy about this.” He then gives the arrow to Agua. “Smell.” Agua then smells it, only to turn away quickly out of disgust.

Later that night, Fire,’ Zuko, Hielo, and Shining is in the library. Fire’ is reading a copy of Astronomical Astronomer's Almanac to All Things Astronomy. What they don’t realize is that right behind Fire’ is a dark green floating blob with an eye. Fire’ then gets the feeling of being watch and turns around quickly, sword in hoof. But the blob is gone. “Where are you?”
“Fire,’ what’s up?” Hielo asked.
“I sensed something! I know I did!” Fire’ said as he inches quietly to a curtain. He opens it, and a small flock of birds come flying in, scaring all the guys before the bird's head back out.
“Don’t scare us like that!” Zuko said to Fire,’ clearly annoyed.
“There was something otherworldly here. I know it.” Fire’ said as Lunar Eclipse walks in to see what the screaming was all about.
“Look, Fire.’” He began to say as Twilight walks behind Fire’ along with her friends and Zecora. “We all know it’s impotent to trust you instincts. But, I don’t feel another presence.” Just then, Fire’ feels something go across his face. He then slashes his sword at it, and nearly hits Fluttershy in the nose.
Fire’ then notices what nearly happened. “Sorry, Fluttershy.” He said as he moves to another room. He then feels something behind him and slashes again.
While doing so, the others, now accompanied by Agua, Celestia, Cadence, Terra, Luna, Arnook and the CMC, are watching. “He sure has that flipping out thing down hard, huh?” Hielo said.
“Anyone else feel anything?” Luna asked.

At the Changeling hive, in a chamber that connects to the throne room, a changeling with blue eyes is looking at a mirror. He also has white mystic lines on his body, signifying he’s a warlock. He also has a fox’s skin tied around his neck like a cape. “Mirror, mirror on his wall.” He began to say. “Who's the most freaked out unicorn of them all.”
In the mirror, he sees Fire’ enter a bathroom. “I could've sworn something was there.” Fire’ said as he looks in the mirror.
“This should feed his paranoia.” He said as he waves his leg.

In the bathroom in Canterlot, Fire’ feels something go across his face again. He then turns on the faucet and splashes some water on his face. He then realizes something. “It’s gone.” He said when he realized that the strange feeling of being watched is gone.

The next morning, the group, minus Firebrand, Zecora, Arnook, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Lunar Eclipse, are back at the market where Fire’ first felt something. “Okay, this is where Fire’ first felt something.” Shining said.
“Somepony shot that arrow from here also. You can see the balcony it hit at.” Hielo pointed out.
“Let’s take a look around.” Shining said. They then head for the bridge where the gold unicorn is at.
The gold unicorn is now giving away flyers for his business. “Fresh fish, cocked or raw! Listen up, I do it all!” The gold unicorn said as he gives away flyers to any ponies who happen to passed by. Agua then walks by and she is given a flyer by the unicorn. “Hey, sweetheart, you wanna by some fish?” He said as Agua continues to walk by.
Agua then looks at the flyer. It’s has a koi fish in the center with the words ‘Coming soon’ written on it. She then notices something familiar. “Hey, Rarity. Do you still have that paper that came with the arrow?” She said.
“Yeah, it’s right here.” Rarity said as she uses he magic to give Agua the note. They then compare the two and see a resemblance.
“The writing.” Agua began to say. “It’s the same!”
“Well, that’s fishy.” Blitz said as the see the gold unicorn and his grill that has fish on it. The gold unicorn then says, ‘Here you go, Bonita’ to a mare that comes by. “Lets pay him a visit.”
Rainbow then grabs the flyer while Applejack takes the note. “Make these flyers yourself?” Rainbow asked the unicorn.
“Yep.” The gold unicorn said. “I’m a one pony business.”
“Well, it a lot nicer to have one-handed to you then shot at you.” Applejack said as she shows him the note.
“Oh, that's for sure, cowgirl.” The unicorn said. His eyes then widen with realization. “What?” He asked as the other walk up to him, all of them on the ground for once. “Your ... NO!” He began to say. “You gonna ruin my big moment!” The unicorn then notices his smaller ice box and kicks it over, spilling the ice and some fish, causing the group to slip and fall.
The unicorn then seizes his chance and takes some of his things with magic as he pulls his blue ice chest and makes a run for it. “He’s so fast!” Apple Bloom said as they see the unicorn run across the 50 foot bridge in 10 seconds flat. “He’s even faster than you, Applejack!”
“I think your right, Apple Bloom.” Applejack said after she spits out a fish. “Yuck. Why do some ponies eat those things?”
Twilight’s cellphone then rings. “Hello?” She asked.
“Twilight.” The caller, Cadance, said. “I just found a note from Firebrand. He’s heading for the sacred spring near the edge of Canterlot. It probably has something to do with what he’s been sensing. Luna and Lunar already went after him.”
“Fire’ went to the sacred spring on his own!” Twilight said. “We’ll get there as soon as we can.” Twilight then hangs up.
“Twilight, you, me, Blitz, Terra, Ar, Rainbow, Zuko, Pinkie, and AJ will go.” Shining said. “The rest of you go after the fish guy.” The group then split up.

At the changeling hive, the wizard changeling sees Fire’ arrive at the sacred spring. The spring is surrounded by a forest that's like the Everfree Forest, only lest dense. Theres also a mysteries mist coming from the water. “So, Vulpes” Medizinisch asked. “You have any luck spying on the Fire Avatar?”
“Luck?” The changeling known as Vulpes said. “Try skill. It’s tricky now ‘cause the Fire Avatar can scene me, but my enchanted eye will see all. Oh, it gives me evil fuzzes all over.” He said as he rubs himself.
“Fuzzes smuzzes!” An annoyed Medizinisch said. “All I care about is him learning that sealing spell. If he learns it, Queen Chrysalis will be sealed away to who knows where for good. And without an heir, were all be done for!”
“Don’t get your tentacles you call a beard in a twist.” Vulpes said. He then notices something interesting. “Oh, looks like he’s practicing the spell right now.”
“He’s doing it! Really!”
“See for your self, Noodle Face.” Vulpes said. 
“Now were seeing eye to eye.” They then see Fire’ do a fire breath. They then see some steam. “Whats wrong?” Medizinisch asked. “Looks like smoke has gotten into your all-seeing eye.”
“This can’t be!”
Eventually, the smoke clears. “I spy with my little eye ... nothing.” Medizinisch said.
“WHERE DID HE GO!?” Vulpes said as he picks up his mirror. He then gets up. “I’ll go take care of him myself! Nuts!” He said as he heads for Canterlot.
“I want results!” Medizinisch yelled.

At the streets of Canterlot, Fluttershy, the CMC, Rarity, Agua and Hielo are still after the gold unicorn. They then stop for a breather. “We’ll never catch him!” An exhausted Agua said. “He’s too fast!”
“I’ll try to cut him off.” Hielo said, “The rest of you keep chasing him.” Hielo then takes an alleyway while the other try to chase him. The gold unicorn goes by an alleyway, right when Hielo get to the other end. Hielo then realizes that he just went by, and flies after him still.

In the frosts near the spring, Shining, Twilight, Blitz, Terra, Ar, Rainbow, Zuko, Pinkie, and Applejack are running throw the forest when they meet Luna and Lunar. “Sure am glade to see you.” Shining said.
“Likewise. Let’s keep moving. The spring is just up ahead.” Luna said as the run and/or fly to the spring.
Meanwhile, the changeling Vulpes comes out of a portal, holding his magic eye. “I can’t believe they forced me to come to this vile, yet love filled, land.” Vulpes said as he looks at his mirror. Just then, a trail of flame comes by and takes the mirror. “MY ENCHANTED EYE!” The fire then takes the shape of Firebrand. “Give me back my mirror!”
“Fire’!” Twilight called out as her group make it there, with Ar, Blitz, and Terra in their elemental forms.
“Good thing we found you, mate!” Blitz said as they surround Vulpes.
“This must be the thing Fire’ said he’s been sensing this whole time.” Shining said as he draws out a blade.
“12 on 1 is not fair!” Vulpes said.
“Neither is secretly watching us. But luckily, I saw throw you little trick.” Fire’ said. “When I splash water on my face, the presence I felt went away. I then knew that this the one pace I can truly hide from you.”
“Aw nuts!” Vulpes said out of frustration.
“Of course!” Ar said when she dawned on something. “The water in most areas is far more pure than the evil Death Water the changelings need to stay alive without love.”
“And the water from the sacred spring must have canceled out the creepy changelings spell completely!” Blitz said.
“Right.” Fire’ said as he take the mirror in is magic and lifts it up in the air slightly. “He’ fooled Shining’s shield, but not us.” He then slashes the mirror clean in half.
“NO! MY MIRROR!” Vulpes yelled. “And I never got a chance to see you practice that selling spell!”
“So that is what you were after.” Luna said as the entire group prepare to attack.
“Who cares!” Vulpes said as he prepares a spell. “Your still going down! You all never meet a changeling like me before!” He then cast the spell he calls ‘Fox Cyclone.’
A tornado forms, picking up the group and dropping them on a cliff nearby. “I did not see that coming!” Blitz said.
“We’re gonna need the others to out fox this creep.” Fire’ said as the get up. “Where are they?”
“There still chasing after that fishy arrow guy.” Pinkie said.
“The what?”
“I’ll call Agua to see where they are.” Twilight said as she gets out he phone.

In an alleyway, Agua’s phone begins to ring. “Hello?”
“Agua,” Twilight said over the phone, “Forget that guy you were chasing. We need help down here now!” Twilight told her.
“Good, ‘cause he kinda made that choice for us.” Agua said as she hangs up. “They need us at the sacred spring. Lets go.” They then leave, not noticing the unicorn they were chasing leaving his hiding place from behind a garbage can.
“Man, this sounds like the perfect time for my big moment!” He excitedly said before following them.

In the forest surrounding the lake, the fight with Vulpes is still going down. “Fire Flight!” He said as he cast his next spell; balls of green fire fly all around the group. Firebrand manages to get by, but falls to the ground, literately a foot in front of Vulpes. “You saw throw my plans,” Vulpes said to Fire’ as he conjures up a sword, “but all my spells have finally taken their toll. Your finished!” He then prepares to attack when a lighting bolt hits him, sending him back.
Fire’ turns around and sees, “Princes Celestia?” Fluttershy, the CMC, Rarity, Agua and Hielo then join up with them. Celestia also has the Elements of Harmony with her and gives then to their receptive wielders.
“You know what to do.” Celestia said to Twilight. Twilight and the other main six then do an attack on Vulpes, like the one they did to Discord.
But before the attack hits. “Nuts! Fox Reflection Steel!” Vulpes said. A dark green portal then opes in front of him. The attack then disappear, along with the portal.
“WHAT!”
“NO WAY!” Rainbow and Applejack said respectfully. The portal then opens again, right behind the group, hitting them, but not turning them to stone.
“Ha!” Vulpes said as he does another spell.  “Right Back At Ya!” He said as he copies the attack and slashes it at the group. The group then fall back a few feet, except for the CMC, who go to their sides. 
“What ... just happened?” Zuko said in between grunts.
“Hahahaha! I have thousands of mirror spells!” Vulpes said, not noticing Pinkie shivering, meaning her Pinkie Scenes is telling her that a doozy is about to happen. “I can handle what ever you throw my way! But I know you won’t handle what I’m about to throw at YOU!” He then prepares to attack, when...
“Catch of the day!” The gold unicorn said as he throws some small fish at Vulpes, having the same effect as shuriken, causing Vulpes to loss his concentration and balance. The group then look at the unicorn with curiosity on their faces. “How about what I throw at you?” He then looks at the group and raises his legs up like a performer. “Now this ... is a big moment. Man this’ll be so golden. Now let's do this!” He said as he takes on a fighting stance.
“What?” Vulpes asked.
“Who's this guy?” Hielo asked.
“Thats the guy you were chasing!” Shining said when he recognizes him.
“What is he doing?” Luna asked.
“What ever he’s doing, it’s a do-o-oz-z-z-y.” Pinkie said during her shivers.
“What ever he’s gonna do, he’s gonna get taken apart if he goes up against the changeling.” Celestia said as the gold unicorn reaches for something in his jacket.
He then takes out a silver cellphone and opens it. The screen shows the symbols for the Elements of Nature, before showing a gold symbol for fire (火). “Avatar Morpher! Gold Power!” He called out. Once he said that, he presses the central button, which initiates a transformation. The unicorn’s body then becomes gold fire, while his mane, tail, and hoofs (which are all black) become silver fire. He also now has a gold and silver tantō. Once the transformation is done, he raises one hoof in the air and yells. “Gold is Good to Go!”
The group then just look at him in disbelief. “Thats it?” The Gold Fire pony asked.”No ‘thanks for helping’? Or a little ‘what, what’? Okay, I get it, you need a minute. What can I say, when I make an entrance, it’s go big, or go home, am I right?”
“Let me ask this again.” Hielo said, completely confused. “Who is this guy?”
“Wow. He’s so sparkly.” Sweetie Belle commented.
“Don’t worry about this one.” The unicorn said. “Levee this to me.” He then jumps down in between the group and Vulpes.
“Aw, come on!” Vulpes said. “Now there's six of you Avatars!”
“Bastion Yorsets never said anything about a Gold Fire Avatar.” Celestia said.
“Ar?” Firebrand asked.
“I know nothing about him. Nothing at all.” Ar said.
“I say we’ve done enough talking.” The mysteries unicorn said as he takes on a fighting stance, with one hoof pointing at Vulpes while the other reaches for his tantō. “Now it’s time for action.”
Vulpes then just laughs at the unicorn. “What kind of stance is that? You not worth my time, Twinkle Hoofs. I’ll let these guys take care of you.” Just then, some changeling drones show up.
“My style different,” the unicorn began to say, temporarily ceasing his stance, “but it’s all mine baby! And as they'll see, theres plenty of strength behind it! Now are we done talking?” He then resumes his stance. The drones then just, for some reason, go by him. He then takes a step forward and re-sheathes his blade, but it wasn't out to begin with. The changelings then explode.
“He didn't even move!” Rainbow said out of complete shock. “How he do that?”
“Yes. He did move.” Terra said. “Just faster then the eye can see.”

(Italics means rewind, normal means present) “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Celestia said. The unicorn then takes out his tantō and does some slashes at a couple of drones as they come by. He then re-sheathes his blade and takes it out again and slashes at some more.
“Yeah.” He said as he cuts one drone in half.
“That was the legendary sheath slash maneuver.” Lunar said.
“But that's impossible!” Twilight said in disbelief. The unicorn then takes out some more drones.
“Not anymore.” Celestia said. The unicorn then takes out the last drones.

“He’s pretty fast, yo.” Hielo said. Some more drones then take out bows and arrows and fire at the mysteries unicorn. Just then, his pet gold phoenix takes all the arrows before they it.
“Whoa. Thanks buddy.” The unicorn said as he goes after the drones.
“Now theres something you don’t see everyday.” Rainbow said when they see the phoenix.
“A gold phoenix.” Fire’ said in disbelief. “But how?” He said, knowing that gold phoenix’s are only found in Abysus, and that they're supposed to be extinct.
As the unicorn battles some more drones, A changeling then attacks with a blade, but the unicorn blocks it and sends the bug flying. Another then attacks, but the unicorn just stabs him clean through.
“The straight slash. The backhanded grip.” Lunar said as the group get up. “Such a strange technique.”
“Who cares how he does it.” Agua said. “It’s good.”
The unicorn then jumps into a tree. “Whats the problem?” He asked the changeling drones. “You dumb ugly bugs can't climb trees? Come on and get me, I’m right here.” He then sticks his tong out at them, but he then falls to the ground. “Okay, that part wasn't so fantástico.” He said as the group run to his aid.
“You okay?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Stay back! I told you I got this. Watch.” The unicorn said. He then jumps into the center of the changelings and does a 360, slashing and killing all them. He then hears the trees around him begin to fall. “Oh no. Didn't mean to play lumberjack!” He said as 10 different trees fall on him. But he uses his magic to teleport out. “Man, this thing is sharper then I thought.” As he gets out, Vulpes attacks him again and sends him flying a few feet, but the Gold Fire Avatar manages to land on his hoofs. “That was just a lucky shot.”
“Not quiet.” Vulpes said. “Theres Fox Flare.” Some bat/fox creatures then appear and overwhelm the unicorn.
“Guys, we need to help him out.” Rainbow said.
Fire’ then step forward and goes elemental. He then jumps into the air. “Blazing Strike!” He then incinerates the bat/fox creatures and sends Vulpes back a few feet.
“¡Gracias!” The unicorn said. “Your better then I remember. But no time now.” He then takes out a red disc from his saddle bag and places it in the blades handle. “Barracuda Blade!” He then runs for Vulpes.
“Aw, nuts! Come on!” Vulpes managed to say before the unicorn gets behind him. The unicorn then slashes at Vulpes a million times all around him while saying, ‘Barracuda Bite!’
The unicorn then lands in front of Fire’ while Vulpes explodes. “Yeah baby! When I promise a golden moment, I deliver!”
“Ugh, what do you mean, that I’m better then you remember?” Fire’ asked as he turns back to normal.
“I’ll explain later. How about the park? Gotta go!” The Gold Fire Avatar then runs and get his ice chess while his pet phoenix flies close to him.
The rest of the group then arrive. “Did he just ... whoa!” Blitz said.
“Seriously. If somepony doesn't tell me who this guy is soon, I think I’m gonna lose it.” Hielo said.
“He’ll tell us at Canterlot Park.” Fire’ said as he makes his way to the park, which is near Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.

Later at the park, the group meet up with the Gold Fire Unicorn, who’s still in his ‘elemental form.’ “Hey, hey. How was that gays? Was that golden with a capital ‘G,’ or what?” The unicorn asked as they stand facing each other.
“Start talking.” Zuko said while most of the group go in front of Firebrand. “Whats your story.”
The unicorn then returns to normal while smiling. Fire’ instantly recognizes him and begins to smile. “I just cane to help because of all the changelings, Discord, and the Fire Nation and all that.” He said while Fire's smile grows. “Gays, I’m on your side.” He then looks at Fire.’ “Tell them Fire.’”
“Firebrand, you know him?” Twilight asked.
“Is that really you Golden Rod?” Fire’ asked the gold unicorn.
“Ha! I knew you would remember me!” The unicorn known as Golden Rod said. Fire’ then remembers the last time he saw his old friend.

At the forge, a young Firebrand, no younger than Apple Bloom at the beginning of the series, is reading a book outside while a young Golden Rod is playing with a female gold phoenix. Fire’ then stops reading and goes to play with Golden Rod. They then here a horn honk. “That’s my dad.” Golden Rod said. “Well, guess I’ll see you.” Golden Rod sadly said.
“Yeah.” Fire’ said. He then remembers something. “Wait! I have a going away present for you. But it’s out little secret, all right?” The gold phoenix then gives Golden Rod a gold and silver egg. She then places it in his little saddle bag.
“Wow, cool!” Golden Rod said.
“As my dad will always say, we’ll always be friends, no matter how far away we are from each other.” A young Fire’ said.
“All right. I’ll keep training, and when you gain full control over you firebending, I'll come back and be a firebender too. Okay?” Golden Rod said.
“Okay.” The two then do a Hoof Tip Promise (a pony version of a Pinkie Promise). Golden Rod then runs for his dad’s car.

Back in the present, Fire’ is still smiling. “I cant believe it’s really you. After all this time. I thought I was the only pony left from Abysus.”
“Believe it, baby! Your not alone and I’m back! And I’m ready for some action.” Golden Rod said. He then steps forward as the group give the foal-hood friends some space. Golden Rod then does some punches in the air and throws one to FIre,’ but he stops it with one hoof. “You still think you can take me?” Golden Rod asked. Fire’ then smiles as the two take on fighting stances. Golden Rod attacks first, but Fire’ manages to block it. “Nice.”
“If I learned anything lately, it’s to trust my instincts.” Fire’ said. The two continue to spar as the others watch.
“That guy is amazing.” Rainbow said, swallowing her pride in the proses. “I vote he should join the team.”
“I agree.” Luna said. “Golden Rod defiantly earned his golden moment.” Luna said as the two friends continue to spar.