Chapter 3:Artistic Destruction
“Ah! Leatherhorn please, enter.” Said Luna.
The leaders had all gathered to discuss the news the soldier had brought Luna and Esmerelda just a few hours ago.
“So what’s this all about, anyway? I was in the middle of a wedding; and being as you aren’t minotaur, you won't know how fun it is.” Said Leatherhorn as he sat down at the table.
“We’ve just received some good and bad news.” Said Luna. “Bad news first: the Changelings are working with the robed ponies.”
Everyone in the room gasped.
“What?! I didn’t even think there were any of those vile creatures left!” Said Thunderhooves.
“Yes, I know you’re all upset; but please, let me tell me you the good news, now. The name of the robed ponies is the Akatsuki.”
“What good does knowing their name do for us? We could already identify them by looks and abilities.” Said Twilight.
“Ah, but you see, I have a special friend here who will help us in a highly unusual way that none of you have ever seen. Not even you, sister.”
Celestia looked at her sister inquisitively.
Luna beckoned for a guest to come into the room from outside. He was a zebra carrying a crystal ball wearing a brown robe with a hood.
“This is Ufur; a friend of mine from the zebra territory south of here. He has the ability to peer into other dimensions!”
“What?! How can such a power exist?” Said Leatherhorn.
“Never mind how it exists, just be glad it does. Watch now, as he peers into the ball and tells us where these Akatsuki are from.”
Ufur nodded and placed his head close to the ball; rubbing it slowly.
“Well we know where they’re from. They’re ponies; so they hail from Equestria.” Said Leatherhorn.
Luna shook her head. “No, they’ve told us before they’re not from here. I didn’t believe them at first, myself. However, looking at how the earth ponies and pegasus among them wield magical abilities, I believe them when they say they are aliens to us.”
“I’ve found it!” Said Ufur.
“What have you found, my friend?” Asked Luna.
“They come from a land named Konoha. The world is divided by several nations; each hosting small towns and large villages. The Akatsuki’s members each hailed from a village; and they betrayed it in some way before joining the organization.”
Everyone looked confused. “Huh? What are you talking about?” Inquired Thunderhooves.
“Shh! Let him finish!” Said Luna.
Ufur continued. “ Each one of them is labeled as an S-Rank missing nin; which means they are the highest level of criminal in their land. The members each boast such power; that one of them even destroyed a whole nation by himself! Something else you might want to know: each member works with a partner that they are almost always with.”
Ufur pulled back from the ball. “That is all I can offer, I’m afraid. I hope it helps you some.”
With that, he picked up his ball and walked out of the Throne Room; closing the door behind him.
“Well at least we learned something. Each one of them, even their weakest members, is most likely stronger than any soldier we have. Including the minotaur, buffalo, and Crystal Ponies.”
The leaders all nodded. “I hate to admit, but you’re right. I don’t have a single soldier that could destroy a whole village by themselves.” Said Leatherhorn.
“What do we do then, Princess Luna?” Asked Esmerelda.
“We do what we can. We must keep our armies away from the Akatsuki and engage them individually ourselves.”
“You hear Ufur, though.” Said Twilight. “They each have a partner they are rarely apart from; and we’ve fought two of them before. Had their leader not shown up to take them away, they could’ve killed us!”
Celestia nodded. “She is right, sister. I don’t think we have a good strategy to work with, right now.”
“I think I do, though.” Said Esmerelda. “If they are going to work in pairs, why don’t we?”
The other leader sat quiet for a moment.
“That could work, as long as we don’t engage the two from before who destroyed Canterlot.” Said Celestia.
“Fine, how shall we divide ourselves up in groups?”
“I’ll team up with you, Queen.” Said Twilight.
“I’ll work with Leatherhorn, then.” Said Thunderhooves.
“Very well; I shall be partnered with you, sister.” Said Luna.
Celestia nodded. “I like this idea. So we have no complaints from anypony about their partner, right?”
No one said anything.
“Very well, then we need to move on to the next topic: finding a headquarters for the Confederation. Canterlot is destroyed; and we can’t stay here much longer. Any suggestions?”
“You could always come to my camp.” Said Thunderhooves.
“A polite offer; but we need someplace more protected.”
“Well, the threat is in Equestria. So we can’t set up HQ in my lands or Leatherhorn’s.” Said Esmerelda.
“Baltimare has already been attacked; so I suggest we use Applewood. The hills and mountains surrounding the city make it a good defensive spot in case of attack. The city itself also has fairly high walls built around it; doubling our protection.” Said Luna.
“I agree; it’s most likely our best spot to go with.” Said Thunderhooves.
“Good, then it’s settled. We will move our headquarters to Applewood ASAP. To ensure everypony involved has a stake there, I suggest we each front one hundred troops each to the defense of Applewood.” Said Celestia.
“I’m fine with that.” Said Leatherhorn.
“I agree, as well.” Said Thunderhooves.
Twilight and Esmerelda nodded to each other. “Me and Twilight makes four.”
“I have already sent a messenger telling one hundred of my best guards to go to Applewood!” Said Luna, as one of her troops flew out the window.
Celestia nodded. “Very well then. You should all return to you armies and select who will go. This meeting is adjourned.”
- - - - -
“There it is, Deidara. Applewood City.”
“Hehehe, I can’t wait to give the ponies there a little taste of my art.”
“Excuse me, but I believe WE’RE the ones that are going to be showing the ponies our abilities!” Said Rover, a medium-sized, grey Diamond Dog.
Sasori, Deidara, and a small army of Diamond Dogs were standing on a hill overlooking Applewood.
“He’s right, Deidara. They are tasked with tunneling under the city and weakening the ground supporting the buildings and streets. They will try to envelope the city in dirt, gravel and soil. An ingenious plan; which is why we are backup in case things go “unexpectedly” above ground.”
“All the same to me; I still get to blow up anyone that tries to stop us!”
Sasori nodded to his partner. “Yes, but don’t forget I’ll be fighting too, you know.”
“Can we go now?” Interrupted Spot, a small, brown Diamond Dog.
“Of course.”
The dogs squealed with delight, and began rapidly tunneling into the ground. Within a few minutes, they had a tunnel halfway to Applewood’s exterior!
“Hmm! I must admit: they are quite talented at what they do. But why did we have to work with them, again?”
“Because we’ve already been to Applewood once before. Therefore, it wasn’t only logical we accompany them here.”
Deidara rolled his eyes. “Whatever, I’d still rather be in Cloudsdale.”
“It’s almost time to move.” Said Sasori, ignoring Deidara’s comment.
They looked to see the Diamond Dogs’ tunnel protrude slightly above ground at the front gates of the city.
The guards at the gate looked down as they felt the ground shake.
“What the...?” Said one of the guards.
The tunnel protrusion knocked both guards off their hooves, moving past them and into town.
“Heeheehee! I love this job!” Said Fido, a blue-colored Diamond Dog; also the biggest one.
They made into the center of town and could hear the the ponies above them.
“What’s that thing? Is it a giant mole or something?” Said one of the ponies.
“Grr! They called us moles! I don’t like that one bit!”
Rover hit Spot on the back of the head. “Focus! Remember we have a job to do for Mr. Obito!”
The dogs continued tunneling around the ponies’ hooves. The tunnel grew larger, and spiraled around Applewood.
“Alright, Sasori! I’m going in!”
Deidara created a clay bird, jumped on, and flew towards the city.
“Deidara! You were supposed to wait for me, but I guess I’ll sit this one out and watch what you do. While I’m waiting, I should see if my armor was brought here with me.”
Sasori searched through his robes, looking for a scroll.
“Ah! Here it is!”
He removed a scroll from his robe and summoned its’ contents-a large, hunchbacked puppet with a black bandit mask across its’ face. This puppet’s name was Hiruko, a puppet Sasori “wore” like armor. He donned Hiruko as Deidara grew close to the city.
“Interesting, my voice doesn’t change while inside Hiruko. Not like it did back in Konoha, anyway. If that’s different, I wonder if...”
Sasori looked down his robe at his chest.
“Heh, THAT hasn’t changed then. Good”
Deidara arrived and looked around at the intricate, marble buildings that made up most of the city. He noticed the large, white word sprawled across the hill to the north-Applewood.
“Hahaha! You ponies sure do have some decent art! Hm! But I believe mine is superior!”
His hooves travelled to the bags on his side, and resurfaced with clay molded from mouths on his hooves; the kinjutsu of his village.
He molded the clay into several small birds, then released them from his hands. As they flew towards the ponies and buildings, Deidara enlarged them with this chakra so they grew to 3x their original size.
“This town will know real art!”
One of the birds zoomed towards a magenta mare curled up on the ground in fear.
“Katsu!”
The bird exploded and the mare’s front leg was blown clean off. She went unconscious for a few moments before breathing her last breath.
“Hahahaha! Who’s next?!”
“We will be your next combatants!”
Deidara turned around to see Princess Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and Queen Esmerelda flying towards him. There two others on the ground that he couldn’t make out.
Sasori saw the ponies approach as well.
“It seems Deidara will be fighting more enemies than even he can handle. I suppose I should help, even though he doesn’t deserve it.” He said as he began walking towards his partner and the new arrivals.
“Oh, I remember you! Well, at least the purple one anyway. You’re the one my man Sasori was fighting back in that city on the mountainside.” Said Deidara.
“It was called Canterlot! You ponies will pay for what you did to it!” Said Twilight.
“Hmm! As much as I would’ve liked to destroy your pitiful city, it was Pain that did that. But, I do get to destroy this town instead, which makes up for it!”
“You won’t now that we’re here!” Said Luna.
“Princesses! Bring him down here so we can help you!” Said Leatherhorn.
Celestia shook her head. “No, this is our fight. There’s other trouble in town, it seems. Could be giant moles judging by the size of the tunnels protruding up from the ground. Take care of them.”
“Right!” Said Thunderhooves.
He and Leatherhorn ran into town to deal with the “moles”.
“I saw Pain fighting you two.” Said Deidara gesturing towards Luna and Celestia. “But you’re new, what’s your story?” He pointed at Esmerelda.
“I am Queen Esmerelda of the Crystal Empire! Know my name well, for I will be the one to end your horrid life!”
‘She could be as tough as the other two, in which case I won’t win.’ Thought Deidara. ‘I should back out and get my man Sasori to help me out here.’
“I’d love to fight you both, but I’m afraid I have urgent business elsewhere. I’ll be seeing you!”
Deidara flew off as fast as he could, luring the three Princesses and Esmerelda away from the city.
“Well, it looks like he’s taken evasive maneuvers.” Said Sasori. “Guess he doesn’t need my help, anymore.”
He looked down towards the city to see the Diamond Dogs surface. Half of the city began collapsing from the weakened foundation. He noticed Chief Thunderhooves and Leatherhorn run at the Diamond Dogs.
“But I think I know some hounds that could use my aid.”
- - - - -
“I’m hungry! Can you take over while I get a bite to eat?” Asked one of Hotaka’s guards to another.
“Sure, my prisoner is sleeping right now. But you better be quick.”
“Of course!” The guard said as he ran upstairs.
The other guard looked into Hotaka’s cell.
“Ah, you’re that pony that Princess Twilight captured a few days ago. I heard you got some strange abilities.”
Hotaka was sitting in the middle of the room, quietly concentrating.
“You’re a quiet one, aren’t you? Good, I don’t like prisoners being rowdy.”
He turned around and faced the hallway.
What the guard didn't’ realize was Hotaka was focusing all of his remaining chakra to his hooves. Since his wand had been confiscated by Cadence when he was captured, he was crippled ninjutsu wise. Crippled, but not fully destitute of ninjutsu.
He had been chakra charging for two days straight, and now the time had come to execute his escape plan.
“Where is that lazy guard at? Seriously how long does it tak-”
“Earth Style: Golem’s Fist!”
A large rock in the shape of a clenched fist punched a hole straight through the wall and door of his cell. The guard was crushed against the wall of the other cell.
“Huh, a little more kick than I thought it would have!” Hotaka said as he walked over the rubble to the staircase.
“Oh that was fantastic! That cook sure is nice to make me a sandwich like that!”
The guard made it to the bottom of the stairs to see Hotaka out of his cell and the other guard lying dead.
“Hello there! I never thought I would get to meet you outside of my cell!”
The guard pulled his sword and rushed at Hotaka, but his hooves were already together.
“Earth Style: Needle Floor!”
Several pointed rocks jutted out of the floor, impaling the guard.
“Yo- you mon...ster.” Said the guard as blood gushed from his mouth.
“Monster? No, no, no! I am more of a magician! You, of course, are dead, though.”
The guard’s eyes grew large, and he tried to speak. As he did, his head fell, and his eyes closed forever.
“Some people, in this case ponies, never learn.”
Hotaka walked to the box in the corner where prisoners' items were stored. He looked through the items, and found his robes and wand stored inside.
"Good, it would be a nightmare if I didn't get my wand back."
He snuck upstairs and peeked around the corners. No guards were around, so he crept to the front doors and exited the castle. What he saw outside surprised him-the whole city was leveled; buildings torn apart, and bodies decaying in the streets.
“What happened here?! Did the Akatsuki attack while I was captured?!”
Hotaka realized what happened. “Pain was must’ve destroyed the town and just didn’t know I was captured. I need to find my comrades!”
Hotaka ran out the city gates, and proceeded down the path on the side of the mountain. Within a few minutes he reached ground level and looked around to get his bearings.
“I have no idea where I am. How am I supposed to find them?”
As he spoke out loud to himself, he noticed explosions occurring west of his postion.
“That HAS to be Deidara!”
He quickened his pace towards what he hoped was his comrade.
“I hope Rokuro is alright, too. I wonder where he is? Even more important-is he OK?”
- - - - -
“Oh look, Rover! It’s a minotaur and a buffalo! I haven't seen either of those, before!” Said Spot.
“Diamond Dogs! I should’ve guessed it wasn’t ‘giant moles’!” Said Leatherhorn.
“Get ‘em Fido!” Said Rover.
The big dog charged at Leatherhorn.
“How dare you mock me!” Said Leatherhorn, as he dodged the dog’s charge and struck him in the back with his horns.
The dog yelped in pain and fell on the ground.
Leatherhorn began walking towards him; ready to finish what he started.
“You are such a fool for mocking me. You charged at me like an imbecile thinking I would be that easy! Not only was it foolish, it angers me for you to underestimate me, like that! Pay for your hubris!”
The minotaur rammed his head towards the cringing Diamond Dog, but he was blocked by something long and metallic.
“What?!”
Sasori, wearing his Hiruko puppet, had blocked the attack with Hiruko’s long, steel scorpion-like tail.
“Now, now. I can’t have you hurting my comrades, barbarian.”