//------------------------------// // The Aquatic Crusader Rises // Story: Equestria Lost: Dragons beyond time // by Tythen //------------------------------// Additional note: There will only be two songs that go with the story. The first one, however, should be played till the next music link comes up. Enjoy!!! "Can you hear me, waters?" Sweetie mentally spoke to the lake before her, "I know I may be new to this, and that this is temporary... but I want you to help me protect my sister and friends till they reach the end of the lake!" She looked to the boat, then to Cleo. "..." The water responded, "Please? I promise I will be a good girl and protect the waters! Even if I don't have control over you after this!!!" Her head tucked low. An invisible force gripped Sweetie's hands, spooking her with its sudden cold touch. The force, however, slowly turned warm, and such a feeling reminded Sweetie of... "Water... it feels like... water!" Sweetie internally gasped and looked back up. The force lifted her hands to her chest and transferred an undecipherable message into Sweetie's mind. "Sorry, I don't understand," Sweetie responded. As a response, the force took control of her focus and pointed her at the Waterwyrm across the lake. "Mercury... I can feel her power... tremendous, strong, and deep like the oceans." Sweetie described. The force then changed into a pressure point on Sweetie's heart. A pressure so tremendous, strong and deep; just as Sweetie described Mercury. "But of course, Mercury gave me her powers... so I'm supposed to be just as strong as she is. Even if I just got these powers, should I still command you like Mercury? Like a dragon?" The watery force gave one last squeeze on her hands, then let go. "I understand..." Sweetie nodded with full conviction and steeled her focus. She pictured the demeanour and actions of Mercury in her mind, then the lake, bowing towards the Waterwyrm, to her. Mercury loved the ocean and life that dwells within, and that's why she took the mantle of its protector and wielder. "I'm ready," Sweetie nodded. "She's ready!" Brunhilda called back, "Wonderful. Then let the real trial begin!!!" Mercury declared, The boat began to move again. This time at a faster pace. It was obvious to the boat crew that it was Sweetie pushing them on. "Remember, keep your eyes open. If you need me to slow down, tell me without hesitation." Sweetie instructed, "Understood," Rarity reported, "You hear that everyone?" "Yes Ma'am! I got the front!" Flash saluted, "This will be fun," Adagio grinned, "I've got my eyes on the right side and the Waterwyrm." "Eeyup. Got yer back." Big Mac volunteered, "Then I've got our left," Rarity responded, "And you're going fine, Sweetie." "Flash, you are taking a BIG risk; bringing me along to the boat." Philia warned, "It's okay Philly, I'm not going to be using your powers." Flash cheerfully responded, "No Flash, it is not okay. I may not remember my death, but I remember everything beforehand: My attempts to get close to the prince, the gifts I bought for the prince, shopping with Cleo, cleaning up messes in the Halidom with Melody, cleaning up messes in the Halidom made by Melody, and experience from fighting Mercury in both her forms." "Say what?" Flash perked up, "Mercury. Everyone in New Alberia has fought in the 'Original' Dragon Trials. Because my usual self is attuned to Wind, I've always been assigned to fight Mercury alongside other Wind-attuned allies; never the other four dragons. I've done this so many times that I can recognise most of her attacks." "And that means you could tell me, and I can warn Sweetie." Flash deduced, "Yes," "Okay. But why tell me now?" Flash questioned, "I will keep my mouth shut if you want me to." Philia responded, "But since you keep bringing me along, I heard everything that the others have said, such as why Mercury made this trial. If there is an unknown oncoming threat but the Greatwyrms STILL need to test you, then I, in good nature, can't let any of you fail; even if it means breaking the rules. I believe that fate will lead us through our destined ways, but we also have to make sure to whip it into shape if it ever goes awry!" "So what you're trying to say is that fate exists as long as it is whatever you want it to be." Flash elaborated, "In other words, you're basically saying you're making your own fate. But that's just me." "Well? You may not be using my abilities and powers, but you are using my information. It's all up to you." "..." Flash pondered hard, "Flash?" Rarity noted, "Are you talking to someone?" "It's nothing," Flash dismissed. Mercury started her assault by raising many large explosive bubbles from the lake and set them a target: The rowboat filled with Equestrians. "Sweetie, there are tons of bubbles coming from all around!" Adagio spotted, "Some moving slow, some moving fast. Some move alone, some move in groups!" "I don't know the exact distance, but if those bubbles get close enough to us and explode, we won't survive! Just make sure they explode as far away as possible!" Flash advised, "Easier done than said," Sweetie growled, "Let's try this out!" Like lifting a box, Sweetie raised a wide wall against the numerous bubble clusters. When the closest of bubbles touched the wall's downflowing current, it burst and released a frightening explosive sound. As the water vapour receded, a hole was found in the wall. The bubble clusters were the next to touch the wall and exploded in a chain reaction once one the closest their group made contact. Though the wall was peppered with holes, the bubbles from one entire direction had been cleared. "Unf..." Sweetie grimaced, "It feels like I was pelted with baseballs!!!" "You've never played baseball," Rarity questioned, "Whatever! Back to punching and flicking them away! I'll start with your side, sis!" Sweetie announced and put up her fists like a boxer. "Hya!" She delivered an uppercut, which was translated perfectly to a fist of water in the lake, launching a bubble into the air. "Hya! Hya! Hiiii-Ya! Ya! Ya! Ya!!!" Sweetie grunted, uppercutting bubbles one by one with each 'ya'. One by one, they exploded high in the air, away from her sister and friends. "Having fun?" Mercury laughed, "Let me change that!" With a squint of her eyes, the next bubble that the fists of water punched, exploded on contact rather than be launched. Not only did it make the fist lose its form, it inflicted sharp pain on Sweetie's own hand. "Yeowch!!!" The crusader winced, "She's not making this easy at all! But if I survived burning to death, then this should be nothing!!!" "Hey brat, an idea." Adagio's spoke harshly from the walkie-talkie, "If she's giving you any problems, why don't you throw them back at her?" "And what can that be?" Sweetie asked while rubbing her injured hand, "Those bubbles... send it towards her!" She whispered, Sweetie raised her eyebrows then gave a wicked grin. "Now what is young Sweetie Belle doing?" Mercury raised an eye as she spied a water-made butterfly net softly catch the remainder of bubbles from the starboard side of the boat, "She seems to be having fun!" Just as she made that remark, the bubble-filled net wound back and launched the bubbles straight towards her direction! Caught by surprise, Mercury quickly created a transparent bubble and enveloped herself in it. When the bubble bombs made contact, it didn't explode. Instead, they decreased in size and volume as the watery shield absorbed them all... only to spit them back out behind them undisturbed and without changing its direction. It was like the bubble just phased through the shield and the dragon in its protection. "That was very cunning of you, Sweetie." Mercury frowned, "No doubt someone advised you to do that. Now, where were--" Interrupted by yet another volley of bubble bombs hurled her way, the Waterwyrm sighed and chuckled as each bubble osmose into the shield and pass out on the opposite side. She then noticed that the young crusader had conjured more water butterfly nets to catch the rest of the bubbles and throw it at her. "Oh, Sweetie. You won't get anywhere with trying to harm me with my own powers. Not while I have this shield of my own." Mercury laughed, "If anything, it serves as a mere, annoying obstruction of our little gameboard." Mercury abruptly halted her train of thinking. An obstruction? No! After clearing and throwing all those bubbles, Sweetie focused on the boat. She increased its speed towards Woodhaven, the village on the other side of the lake, their goal. "Oh no you don't!" Mercury snapped, 1/4 of Lake crossed - Trial 25% complete "That's it, Sweetie!" Flash cheered into the Walkie-Talkie, "You can do this!" "Good girl!" Adagio grinned, "When everyone is distracted, you gain precious time to make your move!" But just as they enjoyed their smooth sailing, countless geysers erupted, and intense whirlpools formed before their path. "STOP THE BOAT!" Flash yelled. As a response, Sweetie slowed the boat into a halt. Everyone's smiles turned to guises of fear, as they watch the geysers reach as high as the hills, "You see this Sweetie?" Flash asked, "Yeah," The walkie-talkie responded, "I can't see you... but... hold on a second..." And cut off, "Mercury!!!" Brunhilda bellowed across the lake, "Sweetie needs to see what's from above! Is that okay?" "... It is allowed," Mercury bellowed back, "You may take to the sky with her!" "Gotta support you with the best view!" The walkie-talkie cheerfully remarked, "But don't get distracted by the dragon-riding girl. Just focus on what's in front of you!" Despite her warnings, the boat crew looked to the starboard and watched the Flamewyrm spread her wings and jump into the sky with the little crusader on her back. As they lunged forward and soared over the maze of geysers and whirlpools, Rarity noticed something strange about her little sister... and it wasn't the determination and courage of guiding the boat. "Sweetie... her eyes..." Rarity whispered to herself, "Okay, I'm going to steer you all through the geysers and the whirlpools. And be careful, if the boat so touches any of them with the tip or the hull, it will be tipped over or swept away, so don't rock the boat!" Sweetie planned, "Baby..." Flash joked, "Wha?" Big Mac, Adagio and Rarity looked puzzled, "Song references." Flash elaborated, The boat resumed its movement. Only this time the passengers could feel a sense of stability, rather than bobbing up and down as regular boats on the sea would. "So that's how she plans to do it," Rarity observed, "Clever." The boat sailed straight into the maze of geysers and whirlpools without fear, slowly it squeezed through every geyser, and meandered around the edge of every whirlpool that comes in its way. "You're going really well, Sweetie," Flash encouraged, "Even with the fearsome occurrences of nature happening around us, I feel as safe as a kid riding in the Old Mill boat trips, like the 'Small World' one, and the Tunnel of Love..." "You went into the Tunnel of Love as a kid???" Big Mac questioned, "Yeah, but 'Tunnel of Love' my foot. It was pitch black, there were so many creepy sounds, there was nothing 'lovely' about that ride that I spent that whole time clutching my mom. As I grew older, I realised why it was called the Tunnel of love, and that clutching was intentional. Still, never going to go back to that sort of ride again." "You have such a weird perception of things..." Adagio looked uncomfortable. Big Mac shrugged in 'respectful' agreement. "I didn't say I would make this easy you know..." Mercury boomed, "Let's add this into the mix!" Bloop. Hearing the sound from behind, the passengers turned around to see a familiar big bubble, half-submerged in the water... seeking their trail with great speed. They panicked. "Sweetie???" Rarity snatched the walkie-talkie from Flash and spoke, "You've got a bubble coming after us..." "I heard Mercury, and I see it!" Sweetie responded, "And I'm already focused on keeping the boat and you stable!!!" "Look, it's fine if you get us wet." Rarity answered, "Just don't let us fall into the lake!" "Thanks for the heads-up," Sweetie moaned, "But seriously, do you know how hard it is to play marble labyrinth in your mind? That's what I'm doing right now to guide you there!" "Say..." Flash spoke up, gesturing to Rarity to give back the walkie-talkie to him, "How does controlling the waters work?" "Mercury says it boils down to my will, but what she really means is every ounce of my own self: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual. When I was flicking those bubbles from before, I was doing the actions myself, while using my mind to carry it to the particular location on the lake." "I see. Well, if you try and get rid of that bubble, we're going to be bobbing up and down again. We might even end up straying into a geyser or whirlpool!" Adagio warned, "Okay! Okay! I'll do by best to get you through quicker!" "If I may suggest..." Flash took the walkie-talkie back, "Instead of trying to delicately balance us, why don't you build a safe track through the maze? The only things you need to focus on is making sure the track is stable when the boat rides on it, and that boat is at a speed where it can get away from the wannabe-Jaws bubble." "Like a train track?" Big Mac added, "Oh... that ain't a bad plan!" "... Thanks for the advice, Flashy. I think I know what to do!" "It's all up to you!" Rarity cheered, "Attention passengers. Due to the pursuit of an obsessed bubble, this open-aired Tunnel of Love ride will now be changed into a River Rapids ride! So don't worry, Flash! All you have to do is hold onto the seat, no need for your mom!" "You overheard!" Flash exclaimed, followed with the other three giggling at his reaction. "But regardless, everyone should be doing it." Sweetie continued, "Because it's going to be a bumpy ride!!!" "Now this is easier said than done for us," Rarity swallowed, "The seats are the only thing we can hold on to for dear life!" "Oh!" Big Mac's head shot up. "What?" Adagio and everyone else turned to him. The elder big brother hopped off his seat and slid himself down. Lying on the bottom of the boat, he grabbed onto Adagio's seat. "Oh!" The other three repeated then smiled at each other (Adagio gave a wicked grin instead). They all followed suit, making sure that they had enough space to fit. Flash and Rarity squeezed down on the front half of the boat, holding on Rarity's seat, while Adagio slipped next to Big Mac on the back half, holding on to her own seat. With their backs covered by the boat and the seats as their 'safety bar', the passengers were ready. "Well look who's thinking outside the box!" Sweetie communicated, "Is the track done!? I feel like that bubble is going to come soon!" Flash yelped, "Yeah! Yeah! I've got it!" Sweetie responded while secretly snapping a few photos of them, "Hang tight!" The bubble was in fact, 10 metres away just as the boat jerked forward and away from certain doom. With the boat now bobbing with the nature of waves and water, the speed Sweetie set for them caused it to violently jump up and down, kicking up a spray with every hump and every sharp turn. It was fortunate that the lake wasn't saltwater, it would have greatly irritated the passengers. "Having fun???" Sweetie asked, but no one could bear to talk. Thrown around from side to side, they couldn't risk losing a grip just to hold the walkie-talkie. Furthermore, they could not help but yelp and cry doing so. "Looks like you've suffering down there. In that case, I've got one more fun trick up my sleeve. You really want to hang on to this now..." Sweetie warned. As the transmission ended, the boat stopped rocking. "What do you have?" Adagio grabbed the walkie-talkie. As a response, the boat tilted backwards, alerting the passengers. "Don't move..." Sweetie hopped back on, "What I'm doing right now is creating a ramp of water that will take you way above the maze!" "You can do that? Why didn't you think of that earlier!?" "I needed a long straight path that can get the boat up there without hitting a geyser." Sweetie reasoned, "At least we can bypass it all!!!" Flash chuckled, "Not exactly. I need to beat Mercury's reactions. If I take my own sweet time making this ramp and bridge, she's going to kick a hole into it!!!" "Then what?" Rarity asked, then froze, "Oh no... you don't mean..." "Yep!!! After all, what goes up must come down!!!" A big chill froze Big Mac's spine. In his fear, he placed a hand on Adagio's hand and gripped hard. "Hey! What are you doing!?" Adagio shrieked, trying to wring her hand free, but to no avail. "Have you ever been on water rides before, Adagio?" Sweetie asked, "No! I've been spending most of my time in the Halidom! I don't have the funds or the gall to go to a theme park!" "Well, you've just been on two types now! The 'Small World' boat ride and the river rapids ride! Now the one you are about to experience is the most popular of all!" "Is that so?" Adagio raised a smug eyebrow, "I'll be the judge of that," "Adagio, the reason why it's popular is that it's a white-knuckle ride!" Rarity quickly shared as the boat began sailing upwards, "White... knuckle? Doesn't that mean...?" "Yep. Extremely thrilling, exciting, and scary." Flash nodded, "... We're heading down a big drop once we reach the 'top', are we?" Adagio realised, "Eeyup..." Big Mac squeaked, "And it's going to be an extremely fast drop!" Adagio added, "Ohh yeah..." Flash dryly chuckled, "Better hold on..." "H-Hang on! This boat is not like the boats for the ride!" Rarity protested, "If I recall, the hull is normally flat! The moment we go down, the boat will not lie flat on the drop! We might as well be dropping from the air!" "That so huh?" Sweetie moaned, "In that case, I've got just the thing to help you keep on!" "We're all ears!" Adagio called back, "One. Keep that walkie-talkie tight. Don't you dare lose it!!! Two, keep your hands on the seats, don't lose your grip! Three..." "Three? Three what?" Rarity gulped, unaware that the boat was back up straight. "Smile!!!" Sweetie yelled from above, as the boat tilted forward and rocketed down the steep drop of water. "Yiiiaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!" Rarity screamed, her eyes closed shut. "Woooooooooooo!!!" Flash yelled at the top of his lungs, all while keeping a hard grip on the seat. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" Adagio roared as her hair went crazy in the wind, Big Mac's screams were extremely high-pitched and everywhere that it was inaudible. But despite the science, the water slide seemed to have grabbed on to the boat as it rapidly descended, making sure it doesn't slip off its path till it hit the bottom. A large explosion of water can be heard as the boat hit the lake, kicking up a massive splash and soaking the four passengers entirely... "Did..." Rarity opened her eyes, "Did we get through?" "I..." Flash sat up, his hair drooped down thanks to the water, "I think we've reached the bottom. We got through!" "Hey! You four okay?" The walkie-talkie fired up, "You didn't lose the thing, did you?" "No..." Adagio pulled it out of her stockings, "I got it..." "Then that's great! You've all passed the maze, and you're now halfway across the lake!" Sweetie reported with glee. "So, you can go back to sitting on the seats!" "I feel like staying where I am for a little longer..." Flash chuckled, lying back down, "I'm too wet to move my legs..." "You can also let go Mac." Adagio frowned, "My hand is dying under yours!" "Th-Thanks, 'Dagio." Big Mac sighed, letting go. "A-And sorry," Adagio rolled her eyes and grumbled to herself as she rubbed her pressured hand. "I'll say one thing after this." Rarity slowly stood up and groaned at her soaked clothes, "I am never going to go on any rides with a big splash anymore!" Half of Lake crossed - Trial 50% complete "Phew!" Sweetie wiped her forehead, "That was a close call!" "It was," Brunhilda agreed, "Unless you're talking about deciding to hold the boat to the water just before they went down the big splash. Or are you talking about the quality of the photos you took as they plummeted down?" "Uhh... yes!" Sweetie innocently grinned, quickly stashing her phone away. "Now that the maze has passed, I think we can return to the ground." As they were about to go, her fingers started to twitch. "Actually no..." Sweetie stopped, "We gotta stay here. I feel something strong coming from the water... two big things." "It seems Mercury's power allows you to sense any disturbances in the water! Better than me, that's for sure! So, what is the problem?" "Two big things are going to rise... from both sides of the boat!" And she was right. Two tremendous walls of water shot up from the lake, towering over the boat on the left and right, reaching about 10 metres into the sky, and stretching 400 metres long. "Uhh... everyone?" Sweetie pulled up the walkie-talkie, "Are you seeing this?" "You must be very short-sighted if you can't!" Adagio sarcastically responded, "This looks like one of those stories where the Goddess' chosen parted the sea..." Flash chuckled, "If that's true, then I don't think we're the Goddess' people in this scene... more like we're their pursuers! And we know what happened to them!" Rarity exclaimed, "Sweetie, quick! Pull us through! I don't think we have enough time to turn back out and go around these walls!" "Okay then!" Sweetie nodded. Imagining the gas pedal of a car, she pushed it down with her foot and watched as the boat went faster between the walls. "I'd get the boat out faster if I were you..." Mercury laughed, "After all, all of you know what I'm about to do next!!!" The water walls wobbled and trembled, plainly in the sight of everyone involved in the trial... "I just realised..." Flash spoke up, "Even if Mercury is poised to save us, or if we're wearing lifejackets, I don't think we'll survive the impact!" "Can your mind stop wandering from issue to issue!?" Adagio scolded, "Sweetie, now would be a good time to stop them from shaking..." Rarity warned, "Hup!" Sweetie lifted her hands. Columns from both sides of each wall shot up diagonally, attaching themselves to the walls from top to bottom, holding them in place. "I said I won't make this easy!" Mercury growled, "Show me the limits of your mental strength!" "Uh-oh..." Sweetie blinked. The wall persisted rocking back and forth, stretching the supports until it broke off with a snap. Once free, the walls decided to tip and fall, with the boat in both their ways. "Sweetie!!!" All four passengers yelled in horror, Sweetie summoned two giant hands and arms which grabbed the top of a wall each and pulled hard, like trying to pry open a double trapdoor, preventing it from flattening the boat. "Errrrgh..." Sweetie grunted, mimicking the pulling with her hands. "Is that all you can do?" Mercury growled and increased the pressure. "Argh..." Sweetie frowned, her hands being pushed downward, "I... change... style...". Quickly, she knelt and pushed her hands up. In the lake, the hands and arms of water followed suit, pushing up the walls from underneath. "Come on, Sweetie!" Flash cheered, "Hold tight! We've just passed the halfway point of these walls!" "Argh..." Sweetie clenched her teeth, "I... can't... talk... when I've got both hands on the walls!" "Uh... Sweetie?" Rarity asked, "Come on..." Sweetie pushed her hands harder and higher, "These things are getting heavier by the minute!" "Sweetie! The walls are slowly leaning forward... and you've stopped moving the boat!" Rarity screeched, "What!?" Sweetie gasped as she tried to keep her aching arms still. "Sweetie, I hate to be a jerk, but not moving this darn boat away from certain doom is making me desperately frustrated at you!" Adagio snapped, "Why don't you try controlling water then!?" Sweetie retorted, despite Adagio not being able to hear, "When you've got the darn dragon trying to flatten you with walls, I gotta put all my mind into making sure that doesn't happen!" Then Sweetie gasped, "Mercury, you big fat lousy lizard!!!" Sweetie bellowed, "So that's why the boat isn't moving. You're distracting me with your 'mental strength' test!" "Yeowch..." Brunhilda winced, "That's a bit too far..." "Sorry!" Sweetie spoke harshly, "It's Adagio's fault! She's the one who provoked me!" "Hey, Sweetie?" Big Mac spoke up suddenly, "Ah'm here to 'pologise on behalf of 'Dagio. We jus' remembered that you control the waters with yer mind." "Yeah yeah, I'm sorry..." Adagio groaned, "Rarity and Flash are trying to make it up by paddling with their hands if you're wondering." "Never let up!!!" Flash yelled, "If ya can still 'ear me, Ah have a proposition. Mind you, this is n' all-or-nothin' plan, but Ah can't think of any alternative to get us out." Big Mac continued, Sweetie looked up, though she was beginning to sweat, looked enlightened. "Ah'll take yer silence as a yes. Devote as much strength as you can to kick us an' the boat over yonder. Get us out before the waters crash down on us. If ya can't... at least ya tried." "That's a crazy plan..." Sweetie huffed, "But given that Mercury's piling on the water, it's something! Ms Brunhilda... I need you to tell them! I can't reach for the walkie-talkie!" "Hang on! I'll put you down on the ground!" Brunhilda responded, "Then I'll take over the comms!" "Sure!!!" Back on the boat, the water walls leaned closer and closer, ready to claim the boat and its passengers a whole. Though it may defy gravity, the water maintained its wall-like shape and did not drip as it tilted over. Not only that, the flow of the water down the walls did not create a splash. Instead, it flowed down into the watery surface as if it was still a part of the river. "So uhh..." Flash called, "Can you two please help us?" "Ah can," Big Mac sighed, "But y'all know we can't paddle enough to get out of this." "Never let up!" Flash repeated, roaring with vigour, "Oh, shut up!!!" Adagio lashed out, "Can you hear me kids?" Mym's voice spoke out, "Ms Brunhilda!!!" Rarity responded, "I thought you were in Dragon form! How are you using the thing?" "Easy! I changed into human form so I can get a better grip!" Mym responded mockingly, "Now listen up, Sweetie's willing to try your plan, McIntosh. But you'd better hold on to something tight! Maybe back under the seats again?" "Really? But it's so wet down there!!!" Rarity and Flash moaned, "Stop moaning!!! Unless you want to fail the test and get poor Sweetie to do this again, stay tight!!!" Mym scolded, "Yes Ma'am," Flash and Rarity diligently nodded and slipped back down, their back of their bodies submerged on the damp wooden floor. "You too, Mac and Adagio." Mym added, "And be careful with your head! Tell me when all of you are set up." "We're prepared!" Flash reported, "Get ready to kick us, Sweetie!" "Got it," Mym responded, "I'll make sure to count!" As she released the 'talk' button, the teacher looked to the struggling crusader, "Are you sure about this?" Mym asked, "I can't think of anything else when you've got this... but I know what to do... so tell them to get ready on a count of three!" "Okay then," Mym nodded. Sweetie closed her eyes and concentrated. She could feel and picture the boat's location, through the water, and pinpointed where she needs to kick. "... Got it!" Sweetie opened her eyes, "Start counting!" "Hold on boat crew! Sweetie's about to kick in three! One..." Mym started, "Two... Three!!!" "Raaaaaaaaahhh!" With one last force, Sweetie pushed the walls an inch up then swung her right foot down and forward. Converted to the power of water, a small soccer boot struck the boat's behind, blasting them forward. Immediately, Sweetie went back to holding the walls but failed to withstand its weight once she let go. Sweetie's body and mind caved to the weight of the walls, and she fell on all fours, so too did the walls crash on the lake's surface, kicking up a massive splash and replicating the terrifying sounds of the sea closing up. "Huh... Guh..." Sweetie lifted her head, looking at the receding spray. "Did... Did it work?" "Flash, Rarity, Adagio, Big McIntosh. Report in!" Mym called, "Everyone! Did you make it?" "HOLY GODDESS! That was close!" The walkie-talkie crackled to life with Flash's voice. Hearing his voice, both Sweetie and Mym gave a big sigh. "It was indeed..." Rarity sighed, "The only thing the wall did to us was create a ripple that could have knocked us over. Good thing we were still under the seats like before!" "Ya did amazin' Sweetie..." Big Mac laughed, "Take a knee an' rest yer head." "No... need..." Sweetie took deep breaths, but with a smile upon her face, "My energy's coming back quick... best I can do is get the boat to the end ASAP!" Hitting the gas again, the boat jetted forward, furiously heading towards the goal. 3/4 of lake crossed - Trial 75% complete "We're nearly there!!!" Flash announced as he looked forward, "I can taste land!!!" "Full speed ahead Sweetie!" Rarity instructed, "You have done so much for us... just a little more!" "I agree," Mercury boomed, "You have performed well with numerous surprises, Young Sweetie. No doubt all of you hold a firm trust with each other. But I'm afraid this is checkmate." From the waters, a large bubble wand was formed a hundred metres ahead and placed its round loop right in the way of the speeding rowboat. "Sweetie!!! Stop!!!" Flash warned once he noticed, but a moment too late; the young crusader couldn't steer around it in time. As the boat passed through the loop, it carried with it a long film of soapy water and stretched it far from the wand until the tail snapped off. Once it did, the soapy film enclosed itself, trapping the rowboat inside its bubbly grasp, and lifted it into the air. Without the water pushing it along, the boat slowed down as it floated forward, till it came to a halt. "There is no escape from my prison." Mercury responded, "Normally this prison would explode with you guys in it after a certain amount of time. However, I want to do this ANOTHER way..." With a loud roar, Mercury slowly opened an oval-like portal of deep blue, expanding it right over the bubble-captured boat. Looking up, the Equestrians saw a terrifying maelstrom of water beyond the portal, eager to be unleashed. "Not again!!! First, she dropped two walls on us, now a huge tsunami!!!" Adagio deduced, "And we're stuck in this bubble..." Flash added, "Hey, Sweetie! Think you can pop this?" "I'll try!!!" Sweetie responded. First, she conjured up a sewing needle out of water with the sharpest tip. "I like your style," Rarity commented. But when Sweetie lightly tapped the bubble with the needle, the prison didn't burst. She poked it a second time. Then a third. Frustrated, she rapidly stabbed at the impervious bubble, until she gave up and sent the giant water needle back into the lake. "Careful you don't poke us!" Flash warned, "Next tool!" Sweetie mumbled, this time bringing out a giant hammer and nail. She rammed the nail onto the prison and hammered away, each swing with added power. But the prison did not show a crack let alone burst. "Pop, you stupid bubble!!!" Sweetie screeched as she changed the hammer and nail into an electric drill and drilled upon the surface. But it had no effect either. "GRAAAAHHHH!!!" Sweetie roared and resorted to bringing down a water-morphed katana with the longest blade and the sharpest edge. Instead, the blade was lodged into the bubble, instead of cleaving it in two. "Sweetie!!! Are you trying to kill us!?!?" Adagio's voice crackled, "How about give some pointers to pop this darn thing!?" Sweetie harsly retorted, "Hmm..." Flash looked around him. Despite Sweetie's sharpness and knowledge about popping bubbles, it wasn't enough. Not to mention, there's still the maelstrom above them. And it seems that it's beginning to... drip... "This isn't good... if Sweetie can't get out of this prison, we're going to lose! And I don't think we can outrun such a thing given how far it stretches! If we can easily get out... we need some shield against that thing above us!" "There must be some way we can support her!" Rarity began thinking, "But what!?" "Wait!" Flash remembered, "Rarity! Your Geode! Do you have it with you?" "Yes? I would never leave the house without it but-- Oh! I see what you mean! I can create a dome around us!" Rarity gasped, "But... would we get disqualified by doing so?" "Mercury made this challenge to test our own strength and magic. She clearly said no weapons or essences from the Halidom. But your projection magic is your own; the magic of Equestria is fair game!" "Wow idiot. You have a good point." Adagio nodded, "Now that I think about it... this is the same stunt you pulled back at Mount Adolla with Brunhilda's challenge!" "Eeyup," Big Mac nodded, "And if Mercury is still adamant on saying no then... no. Let's not consider defeat. We're going to stick to our word!" Flash decided, "Alright then..." Rarity pulled out her geode necklace, a purple diamond shard enclosed in a white sphere. She raised her palms, took a deep breath, and began conjuring her translucent shield. However, an invisible force bumped into her, sending her a little stunned and dazed. Shaking it off, she tried again, but it came with the exact same reaction. "It's not working!" Rarity exclaimed, "I can't build a shield around us!" "What? Why? Don't tell me your geode is faulty today!" Adagio gasped, "It doesn't work like that! It's worked before! Whether in Equestria or Grastaea! I could use it in the Halidom, the Volcano, but not here!" "Then it only means one thing," Big Mac spoke up, "It's this darn bubble prison. Not only does it trap us, it prevents us from doin' absolutely anything on the inside but move our bodies!" Hearing this, Flash closed his eyes and took a deep breath. From the outside, it looked like he was trying to get something out... "You're actually right!" Flash exhaled, "I can't channel my mana in here!" "That's it, popping the prison is our priority!" Rarity announced, "Ey! I asked you to give me some support here!" Sweetie's voice roared, "Otherwise, you're all going to sink!" "We're trying to! We can't do anything to protect ourselves as long as we're in the bubble!" Rarity stammered, "After all, it's not like we're the ones who have the powers of a Dragon!" "Hold it!" Sweetie commanded, "Can you say that last part again?" "We're not the ones who have the Dragon's power..." Rarity paraphrased, "You do." "Of course! Why didn't I think of that!?" Sweetie laughed to herself, "I can just copy Mercury's own Strength!!!" "Interesting... do you know how?" Brunhilda asked, "I gotta think like her!" Sweetie answered, "No worries... I know you're trying to help when you're not supposed to!" "It is all down to you, Sweetie. I know you can complete her challenge!" "Alright then!" Sweetie stretched out her arms and palms forward, "Think of Mercury... be her... and attack as her! Hmmph!" With her grunt, a sharp bolt of water fired from the crusader's hands, zipping across the lake, and piercing through the aqueous prison (thankfully through no one). Popped free, the boat fell back on the lake. "Didn't see that coming," Adagio responded, "But you did it!" "We're not out of the water yet, in all senses of the word." Flash answered, "Rarity?" "Right!" Rarity nodded and focused. With a firm lift of both her hands, a diamond-constructed dome formed around the boat. "Now Sweetie!" Rarity spoke into the microphone, "Keep on pushing this boat! We've got our protection!" "Do you?" Mercury interjected, "I applaud that you remember using your own powers, but will that be enough to protect you from what's to come? It may protect you from a direct hit, but the force of the oncoming water from above would push your shield down into the water; all of you with it." "Are you kidding me? Really going to throw doubt and suggestion at us?" Flash yelled back, "Rarity..." Big Mac grumbled, "Did you make a dome? Or a Sphere? Because if it's jus' a dome... we're gonna get flattened by it, unlike a sphere." "Oh no..." Rarity gulped, "Let me fix that!" "Too late!" Mercury announced, "Allow me to show you defeat! Waters, heed my command!!!" "No!" Adagio yelled, the only human sound that could be made before the maelstrom above was released with a loud roar. Quickly, she held her nose, breath, and closed her eyes to get ready for the impending deluge. Any second now, the four of them would be struck by water... and they would be thrown into the lake's deep. It would only take about three seconds for their waters to reach. One, two, three... "Four?" Adagio opened her eyes, surprised that she was still dry. To an even bigger surprise, so were her three companions, all awake and confused as she was! Did Rarity's shield stand strong against the crashing torrent? No... Looking beyond the diamond dome, she could see yet another bubble enveloping them again. A giant stream of water was fast but smooth in cascading down the bubble's surface, moving at a different pace from the falling waters around it. Once the fifth second passed, the deep blue torrent poured no longer, revealing the sun in its sparkling reflective glamour. "What... just... happened?" Adagio mumbled, "That was a close one!" Sweetie sighed over the walkie-talkie, "Rarity! Get rid of your shield! I'm going to boost you all the way to the end!" "R-Right!" Rarity complied. Once the shield was down, the boat accelerated off again. "Hold on!!! We're nearly there!" Sweetie yelled, "Too fast! Too fast!!!" Flash yelled as the four were violently driven across the remainder of the lake's width, then flung over (along with the boat) when they hit the pier and landed on dry land. "Oww..." Rarity winced, "That was the worst landing..." "But... we got through... we did it... she did it..." Flash laughed, "And without my help too. Nice job guys!" Philia added, "Thanks... but maybe not mention helping me in the first place, no offence." Flash chuckled, "There were times I felt like asking for it. Either way, it's good to know that when the time comes, you've got our backs." "Ohh..." Sweetie gave one big sigh and lay down on Brunhilda's back, "That was so exhausting... I'm so done with this challenge... but at least... I beat it." As she smiled at the sky, her red dragon-like eyes quivered and diluted, then slowly changed back to round pupils and green irises. "Sweetie, I am so proud of you... let's go and meet the others over at Woodhaven." Brunhilda congratulated, "There she is!" Flash cheered as he saw the Sweetie and Brunhilda touch down. As the young girl hopped off, Rarity ran first. "Well done Sweetie!!!" Rarity smiled with a big hug, "You were so amazing!!! You really have grown, and I can't believe I had to go through this to truly see it for myself!" "Thanks sis..." Sweetie chuckled, "I'm glad I was able to prevent you from falling in..." "Yeah..." Rarity nodded, then paused, "Hang on... your eyes are back to normal!" "Huh? My eyes looked weird? I never felt that..." Sweetie responded with confusion, "Oh, never mind then... either way, congratulations for passing the challenge!" "You were a solid performer." Adagio clapped, "I might as well consider you a dangerous threat like your sister and her friends if I consider going 'evil' again." "I'll take that as a compliment!" Sweetie grinned, "Eeyup," Big Mac gave a thumbs up, "Thanks for your support as always, Big Mac!" Sweetie laughed, "What about you, Flash? Anything to say?" "I always believed in you, Sweetie. Sure, you may like to avoid doing some things, but when forcibly put to the test, you pull through. You are the MVP!" Flash smiled back, "Though I am curious. How did you protect us from that big waterfall?" "Oh! So uh... during the first obstacle, when I was tossing her bubble bombs at her, she protected herself with this special shield. I copied it and put it around you guys before the waterfall hit you!" "Indeed. Congratulations, young Sweetie Belle. You have successfully passed my trial, despite the odds." Mercury smiled as she swam over, with Cleo on her back. "First off, I apologise if I had put you on the spot. But that is what challenges and trials are for." "No worries," Sweetie innocently smiled, "So..." Mercury continued as Cleo hopped off, "How do you feel? Having completed the challenge?" "Exhausted, heavy, sweating... I didn't think using your magic would be as stressful as playing sports!" Sweetie groaned, "Well, it goes to show that in order to overcome difficulties for anything, you need a lot of sweat and tears." Cleo added, "And you've certainly gone beyond my expectations!" "Thanks, Ms Cleo." Sweetie giggled, "In that case, Sweetie Belle, let me make this official." Mercury decreed, "You have completed my challenge, and I shall honour your intuition, courage and all that you are by making a Dragonpact with you and your friends." "If I may interrupt..." Rarity chimed in, "Don't look to me to decide to accept or decline. You did this task all by yourself, so you make the choice!" "Aww Rarity..." Sweetie teared up and hugged her again, "That's the best thing you've ever done as a big sister!!!" "Yes yes," Rarity sighed, "Now go do it." "Sorry! Sorry," Sweetie turned back to Mercury, "Mercury? I accept the Dragonpact. Even if we may not have the blood as the late Prince Euden did, I hope that our word-created bond will be strong and unbreakable like his. And may we also become super-strong allies and friends!!! Of course, we'll do our part in making sure not to harm the seas and the oceans! And anything else you need?" "The protection of the oceans to your extent is good enough for now. But... what can I do for you?" "You said that there was something bad that was coming soon? Well, I don't want it attacking our home as much as you do! So, I want you to train us. Make all of us capable of defending Canterlot and everyone who lives here!" Sweetie responded, "A very noble cause, I shall do that I can." Mercury lowered her head, "I believe you now have two Greatwyrms pactbound with all of you." "And three dragons overall!" Big Mac calculated, "Oh! Before I forget, let me give back your powers." Sweetie added, "Now how do I do it?" "No need to worry, just place your hand on my head. I can take it back from there." Mercury answered. As Sweetie did so, a blue transparent appeared between Sweetie's palm and Mercury's head. After five seconds, the light stopped, with the transfer complete. "Phew!" Sweetie laughed, "My body feels sooo much lighter now that your power's gone!" "If we face dangerous enemies, I would be more than happy to lend you my powers once again. You did show great control and creativity over it." Mercury offered, "Sounds nice! Wait a minute..." Sweetie paused, "I can still feel some power left. You haven't taken everything yet." "Are you sure? I took back the exact amount of power I loaned to you." "Doesn't feel like it... it seems I've got enough energy to do this..." Sweetie faced the lake and held her right hand out, with her left grabbing hold of the right wrist. As if given some mental command, she fired a bolt of water like before. The difference was that it was not as sharp or powerful, and it only travelled five metres before dissipating. Everyone was taken aback, including the Waterwyrm. "I see." Mercury smiled after a while, "If we're looking at this logically... then what's left behind is yours." "Huh!?" Everyone gasped, "I'm gonna ask you to stop right there..." Sweetie sarcastically laughed, "You're basically saying that this leftover energy belongs to me?" "Well, why don't you find out for yourself? See if you can seek out your mana." Mercury suggested, "Seek out mana? You mean to meditate? I've tried that two days ago, didn't work." "Then try again. When it comes to these things, you'll always have to try more than once." "Okay then..." Sweetie took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and hummed as she closed her eyes, "Ommmmm..." "Remember," Cleo reminded, "Focus on your heart, let the mana enter your thoughts." "You told me that last time, and the only thing I had was just staring at the blackness of my eye...lids..." "Sweetie?" Rarity raised an eyebrow, "Kyaaa!!!!" Sweetie screamed out of nowhere, causing everyone to cover their ears. She did so after three seconds, then stopped. "Yep..." Flash spoke, "She just went through that entire flying through her head procedure... and now she's in," "No way! I can get in!" Sweetie announced, "All I see around me are deep blue clouds, water bubbles, and snowflakes! It feels like I'm underwater, while it's snowing at the same time!" "That's exactly what I felt in my Dragonyule attire and style," Cleo responded, "That's the look of the Water Mana Circle, alright." "As I said, I have taken back all the powers that were mine. If you still feel magic inside your body... then that magic is rightfully stemming from your own mana." Mercury concluded, Everyone gasped, "You should be proud of yourself Sweetie." Mercury continued, "Not only have you shown me your courage and wit with my powers, but you have also discovered your own. Should you continue to practice shaping your mana and magic, you can fight on your own without an essence." "That's really great! This is the best reward I've gotten from any test!" Sweetie laughed, "Well, now that you have made a new pact and discovered your newfound powers, what will you do?" Mercury asked, "Hmm..." Sweetie opened her eyes, exiting her mana circles, "I'd like to start training. Seriously if I might add." "And what would that be?" Brunhilda asked, "Aah, the Halidom." Mercury looked around, "It has been a long time since I've set foot on this land," "The Roost is still there if you want," Ms M pointed to the floating island, "If you want some nibbles or intricate items," "Yes, perhaps I shall consider that," Mercury nodded, "The five Equestrians show a lot of promise, but I fear that all of us have a lot to do if we are to combat this incoming force." "You always have a hunch for these things," Ms M sighed, "And normally, you end up being right for the most parts. I assume this means we need to get the rest of the Greatwyrms?" "That goes without saying." "Well leave it to me." Ms M volunteered, "I can set up a meeting with Mids, Jupiter, Zodi, and Chthonius!" "Yes. As for our five Equestrians... I will need to review the training schedule you have for them. You better not be running them ragged! A lot of exercise requires a lot of rest." "Don't worry! I'll be mindful of them..." Ms M assured, "I'm a bit puzzled by Sweetie Belle's choice." Mercury continued, "Instead of exploring the boundaries of her water mana, she opted to train her physical prowess through using an essence of our allies." "She also did mention that she pinkie promised Flash that she would train with him. She's sticking to her word." "Is that so? I understand then," "You have a rather soft spot for Sweetie..." Ms M narrowed her eyes, "Let me guess... is it her mana? Or is it just how 'young' she is for her age?" "Both. She is a wonderful human being, just like her sister and friends." "Alright, everyone!!!" Flash announced as he walked out of the Halidom, "It is with great honour that I can officially announce our newest fighting member! Let me present to you... Sweetie Belle Pia!" "Wow..." Ms M and Mercury looked at the little girl that stepped out behind him, "The look suits her," Ms M chuckled, After an eventful day, the team broke up and went back to their usual daily activities until the sun had set and the moon has risen. Even though it was deep in the night, there were plenty of shop lights still open and people walking around the street. Truly, Canterlot was peaceful and quiet, even at night... or so they thought. There was a voice, singing throughout the streets in such a high pitch that no human could hear it. Only the animals could, to which they responded with barking, hissing, or squeaking, but the humans never spared a suspicious thought to their reactions. When a voice sneaked into the dead-end of an alley, a small crack in space formed. And within it? Observing golden eyes... The Aquatic Guardian and her Crusader The End Coming Up: The Parent-Dragon Meeting