Phantasia smiled as he pointed at the papers he had pinned on his pinboard. The main thing he had pinned to the board was a map to Equestria. He was searching for something. What he was searching for was the Gates to Equestria. From what he knew of the Gates weren't common knowledge to citizens of and most of the Royal Family. However, he had heard stories about them through his father because his father was picked to be included in the Guardian Community.
I know I'm going to find them, I just know it! Phantasia thought. Although Dad did say that Gates were specifically used to protect Equestria and not harm it. Therefore the Guardians and the Gates need to be held in utmost respect. The Princesses are meant to rule over Equestria from the very moment it was founded. So if Dad found out what I'm doing now, he would disown me and I would no longer be able to carry the family. But, if I do manage to take Equestria for myself, then Dad will have no choice but to keep me in the family.
Phantasia had pinpointed where the center point that could possibly be the Center Gate of Equestria and had put an actual pin in the center of the map he had of Equestria. He was in his room looking at this because it was the only place that he had some privacy.
He put a ruler up to the map right where he thought the Center Gate was. He put the ruler vertically and drew a line from the South end of the map to the North end of the map. Phantasia then proceeded to spin the ruler around and drew a line from the West end of the map to the East end of the map. He already figured out where the South Gate was because one of the scouts he had sent out tripped a magic sensor that was connected to it. Or at least the scouts was sure it was connected to the South Gate.
The question was that once Phantasia found where all of the Gates were, how would he go about securing them for the take over of Equestria? He knew that if there were Guardians that had their magic connected to the Gates there was no way they would even think of siding with somepony like him when he wasn't even the ruler of Equestria. The only solution Phantasia could think of was to put one of the Guardians underneath dark magic and brainwash them into joining him.
Phantasia sighed and thought, I'm close to finding the Gates! I just know it! I will find them and I will take them for my own even if I have cast dark magic on every single Guardian. I will have Equestria! Equestria WILL be mine!
Even though Phantasia knew he was going against Equestria as a country general, he still believed that he would do a better job in ruling. The fact that only Princesses can was completely stupid to him. Everypony of the royal family should be able to rule over Equestria and it shouldn't matter what their gender is. While some ponies agreed with him, most ponies did not and therefore didn't take him seriously. But Phantasia was sure he would get what he wanted. He thought for sure he would be the ruler of Equestria one day and if and when he did become ruler, he thought about changing the name of Equestria in general. But he would have to wait until after he became the ruler of Equestria.
* * *
Once Aether left the training arena through a portal that connected to the South Gate he was greeted by Rarity.
"Hello, darling!" Rarity said. "I came here as fast as I could once Sapphire summoned me. I understand somepony has tripped a magic sensor connecting to the Gate?"
Aether nodded. "Yeah, somepony by the name of Phantasia has been doing pep rallies. Probably to build up an army so he can make a revolt against Equestria."
Rarity gasped. "How dare he! Why on earth would a pony do such a thing?"
"According to Sapphire," said Aether, "Phantasia seems to think he can do a better job of ruling over Equestria than Princess Twilight can. Honestly, I think the guy's angry because only Princesses are allowed to rule. From what I know Princess Twilight has a cousin by the name of Prince Purple Artist. He's an Alicorn and he's not allowed to rule because he's a stallion. He's allowed to help take care of the day or night but actually ruling over Equestria, nope not allowed. Prince Purple Artist isn't even thinking about wanting to take over Equestria. He's on the reserve team for the Guardians in case something happens to one of us. I've met him a couple of times and he's a nice guy.
"How Phantasia found out about the Gates Sapphire doesn't know, and if she doesn't know then nopony knows! But apparently, Phantasia has sent out ponies to find the exact location of the Gates. Somehow one of the ponies Phantasia had sent out has tripped a magic sensor that's connected to this Gate. So you know what that means."
Rarity nodded, "Yes darling, I do know. Let's do our focus magic and look for that sensor."
Aether nodded. Aether and Rarity's horns lit up and a beam of light shot out from them. Aether's beam of light that shot out from his horn connected with Rarity's beam of light that shot out from her horn. Once their magic was connected their cutie marks lit up for a second or two and then the light faded. Their light from their horns dimmed also.
Aether let out a deep breath once that was over with and thought, Okay Aether, it's time to show what you're made of! You can do this, Sapphire saw something in you to pick you as a Guardian.
Aether lit up his horn again and when he saw the light blinking from it he started to search the area around the South Gate. Rarity did the same thing and followed right behind him.
Hmm, I'm not picking up on anything yet, but- Aether didn't finish his thought when he saw it. A small rock that had been tipped over. He felt the magic radiating from and pointed at it. "Over there!"
Rarity looked at the rock and examined it with her magic. She nodded and that told Aether that he had found the magic sensor that had been tripped.
"What do you think, Rarity?" Aether asked. "It almost seems like somepony just tripped over it. It doesn't look like they knocked it over intentionally. Considering-"
That's when Aether saw him or her. A pony had stepped out of the shadows and had a smirk on her face. The pony was wearing a black hooded cloak, when the pony took their cloak off they revealed that she was a mare. Her fur was red and her mane was white. She had red irises in her eyes to match her fur. Her cutie mark was a ball of fire inside a black square. She was looking around for something and she seemed pretty sure of herself and that she would find what she was looking for.
"Well Sandy Fire," the mare said to herself, "I haven't found exactly where the South Gate is yet, but I have found what looks like a magic sensor. Usually, when those are around, it's to protect something important."
Great, now what? Aether thought. He had half a mind to go and confront the mare who called herself Sandy Fire, but Sapphire did say not to make his presence known so for the time being he stood his ground.
He felt Rarity tap him on the shoulder and she whispered into his ear, "Come with me, darling. I think there's a way we can get around her and not make our presence known."
"Okay," Aether whispered. Even though he and Rarity did the focus magic to mask their presence he doubted they needed to keep their volume down when speaking. But hey, rather be safe than sorry.
Aether and Rarity went further into the forest where they were and hoped it would be out of earshot of Sandy Fire.
"So what are we going to do now?" Aether said, still keeping his voice at a whisper.
"We're supposed to not make our presence known-" Rarity started to say when she and Aether heard Sandy Fire laughing a sinister laugh.
"Well now, is that the magic of a Guardian I sense?" Sandy Fire said.
Aether and Rarity turned around to face Sandy Fire and she had a smirk on her face.
Aether snarled, "Who are you, and why are you here?"
"Woa," said Sandy Fire, "I'm just here to enjoy the season of Fall here."
Aether snarled again and pointed his hoof in another direction of the forest, "Likely story. The park is over there, there’s a reason nopony knows about this area of the forest. If you're really here to enjoy the season, then you wouldn't be here. Now tell us why you’re really here!"
Sandy Fire rolled her eyes, "So it's against the law for me to be here?"
Aether wanted to snarl at Sandy Fire again but Rarity stood in front of him and said, "Aether if I were you I'd leave this, shall I say, goon alone. She's not worth our time darling."
Sandy Fire sneered, "Goon! Seriously? I say what are you guys doing in this area of the forest hmm?"
Aether stood his ground and Rarity did the same. Sandy Fire laughed a wicked laugh, "Oh so you are a Guardian! If that's the case then I would like to propose a deal."
Aether raised an eyebrow, "A deal?"
Sandy Fire nodded. "Uh-huh, this deal comes from the next ruler of Equestria himself."
"The next ruler?" Aether asked. This has to be some kind of joke. "I don't recall Princess Twilight stepping down from the throne, and you know the laws of Equestria don't you? Stallions can’t rule."
Sandy Fire rolled her eyes, "Blah, blah, blah! Spare me your lecture about Equestrian Law! Yeah, I do know the laws smarty pants! Okay fine, Phantasia said if you wouldn't listen to me, (which I doubt you will), then I have no choice but to take you to him as my prisoner!"
"Yeah, that’s not going to happen!" Aether snapped as he firmed his stance.
"Because you're so small!" Sandy Fire taunted. "I can squash you like a bug easily!"
Aether narrowed his glance.
"Let's see, it's cold over here, so I think you want to be warm, don't you? How's about a little bit of fire to heat things up?"
Sandy Fire stomped her hoof on the ground so hard that it cracked. She stomped on the ground right near where the crack in the ground that she created was. A huge gust of wind came from the crack in the ground and around her waist was a medium-sized shield that was clipped on a belt. She yanked the shield off her belt and spun it around. As she spun her shield around, a huge ball of fire came from it.
Aether and Rarity jumped out of the way just in time, avoiding the ball of fire that rocketed towards them. The heat from the ball of fire made the hair on the back of Aether's neck stand up. Sandy Fire took the belt off her waist and attached it to her shield and spun the shield around her once more as if she were spinning a lasso at a rodeo.
Before Sandy Fire could make her next move, Aether made his. Aether lit up his horn and spun around in a tight circle. This created a shimmering light effect that looked like a special effect that a director in a movie would use. But this attack Aether was getting ready to do was no special effect whatsoever. The shimmering light from Aether then created an explosion that slammed into Sandy Fire and sent her flying backward into a nearby tree.
The tree split in half when she hit it. One would think that an attack like this would knock out a pony out cold. But no, Sandy Fire got to her hooves as if nothing had happened. She smiled as she looked like she was truly impressed by Aether's attack. "Well now, what's your name small stallion?"
Aether narrowed his glance. "That’s none of your concern, turn around and leave now!" Aether said with authority.
"And what are you going to do if I don't?" Sandy Fire taunted. "Kill me? Now I know Guardians aren't trained to-"
Aether called a bluff and snarled, "Who said I was a Guardian?"
Even though Aether knew his bluff was a straight-up lie, he knew that he had to do everything in his power to protect the South Gate. He looked at Rarity and she nodded at him. He knew that if necessary, he would have to take Sandy Fire to the unstable dimension realm and Sapphire would keep Sandy Fire there until she could figure out what to do with her.
"Now I also know that Guardians aren't trained to lie or so I thought." Sandy Fire said.
Aether stood firm ready for Sandy Fire's next attack. But she did something that surprised him. Sandy Fire took her shield and belt and put them away. She adjusted her cloak and gave an evil smirk, "Oh well, we'll just have to pick this up where we left off another time, and since you won't tell me your name I'm just going to have to call you Small Stallion for now."
"Oh? Leaving so soon?" Aether said.
"Hmm, well yeah," said Sandy Fire, "it seems the Guardians have a lot more magic and power than Phantasia thought. To add to that, it seems the Elements of Harmony have gotten involved." She pointed a hoof at Rarity, "I know who you are, Element of Generosity!"
"It’s Rarity darling!" Rarity sneered.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Sandy Fire scoffed. "I'm taking my leave now. Bye, bye, Small Stallion!"
Without another word, a small tornado appeared and as quickly as the tornado appeared, Sandy Fire disappeared.
* * *
Once Sandy Fire left, Aether was not happy.
"What's wrong darling?" Rarity asked.
"Okay.. first, what’s with everypony and pointing out my size?" Aether growled, "I mean, there’s nothing wrong with my height. And I’m quite comfortable with my size"
"Why yes you should be darling," Rarity said, "you're absolutely adorable! You remind me of Spike in a way."
"Gee thanks," said Aether, "and second what’s with ponies seeming to think my size is a handicap! Or some kind of.. weakness. It’s infuriating!"
"Oh calm down darling." Rarity said. "Let ponies have their own viewpoint. If you're happy being in your own skin and aren't trying to be something you're not, that's all that matters."
Aether smiled at what Rarity just said because he knew she was right.
"Well, I guess the only thing we can do now is report this to Sapphire," Aether said.
Rarity nodded. "Yes and I'll have to go with you to report this as well. Of course, it will delay me from getting back to my boutique, but this is more important. So the sooner we get this done the better."
Before Rarity and Aether could head over to report the fight with Sandy Fire that they just had, Rarity paused and smiled. "Idea!"
"What idea?" Aether asked.
"This spectacular fight just gave me an idea for a new line!" Rarity cheered. "It will be marvelous! I will call it, 'The Big Ball of Fire!"
Aether did a facehoof, groaned, and thought, Oh for the love of Equestria! This is not the time to be thinking about fashion! But when Rarity gets an idea, there's no stopping her. I suppose that’s not a bad thing though.
Rarity looked at Aether and said, "Okay, I understand Aether. What? Too flashy? I just can't help it! I find inspiration for my clothes everywhere. But yes, let's go report this to Sapphire."
Aether chose to say nothing at the moment. At the moment he was worried about Sandy Fire who worked for Phantasia finding out about the South Gate. He was sure that Sapphire would be worried about this too.