". . . What?"
A snicker sounded. "Don't overwork your brain, Twilight; allow me to explain. That thing is of my own creation instead of imported from another universe. I created it using a little piece of my own basic components to which all realities share. Originally, I wanted to create something more definitive and complex, but it proved too difficult to maintain control over for the required length of time to conduct council. The entity before you is the best I could accomplish under those restraints, though I have to say it does adequately symbolize the concept of everything."
"How da y'all control it?" Sandy asked.
"The same way you all control yourselves."
" . . . With brainpower?"
"More basic than that, Sandy; willpower, which the center sphere acts as. Extending out in front of it is the "hand" with which to interact with the environment. Are there any more questions concerning me and my little puppet?" Twilight's hoof instantly shot up. "Yes, Twilight?"
"What would happen if your puppet was destroyed?" she asked.
"Matter cannot be created or destroyed, Twilight, which is what my puppet is made out of."
Twilight snorted in irritation. "Okay then, what would happen if it got hit straight on by a magical blast from my horn?"
Celestia glanced over at her student in panic. "Twilight, don't provoke it!"
"It'd be a waste of time and energy, Twilight. No matter how many times my puppet may dissipate I can always reconstruct it. If you thought I'd implode or something upon its annihilation then you were sorely mistaken.
Twilight huffed and crossed her fore hooves in front of her.
"Now then, before we get to the voting let's discuss the intertribal relations amongst you eight. Aza gestured toward the group by shifting the puppet's black sphere over until it was "pointing" at them. Everyone's eyes focused on it in turn as having a physical presence to direct their words at was undoubtedly better than talking to Aza itself.
"Twilight, you were elated when Celestia was roped into this experiment, which is understandable, given how strong a bond you two already shared. At the same time, Celestia's well-being isn't at any less risk as the rest of you. Is having her support worth putting her in danger for, Twilight?"
Twilight looked down and sighed. "No, it isn't worth it."
Celestia could easily sense the disdain in Twilight's voice as she answered.
"At the same time, SpongeBob and Sandy, you two are in an identical boat. While it's clear things aren't going so well for the two equines, I sense little animosity between you two. What do you think makes your relationship stronger than theirs?"
"Well," SpongeBob said, "I don't know what's going on between Twilight and Celestia, but Sandy's a good friend who'd always have my back no matter the situation. So, I can't really answer your question."
"Ah think Ah can," Sandy said to no one in particular. She faced SpongeBob as she continued. "The difference between us an' them is dat Twilight n' Celestia have a student-teacher relationship while we have a best buds kinda thing between us. Ah'd imagine relationships 'ould be more strenuous if'n they're between two people who ain't equal."
"Yeah, true," SpongeBob mused. The sponge and squirrel shared a good laugh for a while after that, to which Twilight and Celestia found irritating at first before giving in and chuckling along slightly. Eventually, the four of them stopped their fit of laughter enough for Aza to continue its prodding.
"Frank, you've taken quite a liking to the undersea duo. Is that solely because the three of you share a love of martial arts, or is it due to their friendly nature?"
Frank shifted in his seat as he replied. "Both; we just clicked, you know?"
"And what about you, James? Of the three late arrivals, you're the only one who hasn't grown close to the person whom you met first. Is that because you and SpongeBob just don't 'click'?"
James shook his head with a smile and turned to look at the yellow sea sponge. "It can't be denied that Mr. Squarepants is a good kid; he surely and truly is. However, common interests are indeed important for crafting friendships, to which I found the princess and Miss Aran had more in common with me than he did."
"What say you, Samus? Did you find yourself to have a lot in common with Mr. Bond?"
Samus shrugged. "Aside from our governmental ties, a little. We both lost our parents at a young age, and grew into something we wouldn't have otherwise as a result. Truth be told, however, he . . . kind of reminds me of someone from my past."
Almost everyone turned to look at her in surprise, James quirking both eyebrows at the sudden admission. "That's new," he remarked. "And who might the anonymous acquaintance be?"
"He wasn't just an acquaintance," Samus replied, looking downtrodden. "He was something . . . different, but more than a mere acquaintance nevertheless." She cupped her hands under her chin. "He wasn't quite as humorous as you, James, but he did harbor the same dark, apathetic, "complete the mission, no matter the cost" vibe that you seem to give. The fact that you remind me of him is the main reason behind my acceptance of your alliance offer."
Everyone listened to Samus with rapt attention. Once she'd finished speaking, Celestia found herself smiling at the last thing Samus had said. It was almost identical to her own reason for reaching out to Samus for an alliance. Thinking that, she spared another glance down to the Alicorn Amulet still around her neck. Her smile disappeared, however, upon remembering Twilight's disdain for her for requesting it.
. . . Alright, for Twilight.
Aza had sensed Celestia to be deep in thought and, pretty sure what she was thinking, decided to prod her next.
"Celestia, despite your close relationship with Twilight, it's clear you two have done nothing but drift apart since arriving, and seemingly all because of that amulet you requested which, by the way, you haven't bothered using at all. You told Twilight you wanted as much power at your disposal as you could get, and since the Elements of Harmony would've been useless at the time, it made sense to ask for something that, while latent with corrupting influence, provided the wearer with immense magical strength. Yet, you haven't taken advantage of it, and all it's done is made Twilight more distrustful of you. Have you not used it because of a lack of opportunities? Are you actually afraid of succumbing to its influence? Or were you lying to Twilight when you explained your reason for requesting it?"
Celestia sighed. "Clearly, requesting this thing was a mistake on my part; I see that now." Glancing over to Twilight, she saw her (previously most faithful) student looking at her solemnly out of the corner of her eye. "If I relinquish possession of it, Twilight, can I expect the rift between us to heal?"
Everybody turned to look at Twilight, genuinely curious as to her answer. The lavender unicorn herself kept her gaze on Celestia as she unlatched the amulet from around her neck to show she was serious about giving it up. After thinking it over for a few moments, Twilight lifted her head with a small smile. "It'll help, yes, but I'll need some time to think this all over before my trust in you is fully restored."
Celestia smiled. "Of course, Twilight, take as much time as you need."
She then unwrapped the amulet from around her neck, levitating it over to Aza's puppet and dropping it onto the rock pedestal. The amulet vanished a moment later as Aza returned it to the universe from which it'd been retrieved.
"And that leaves just Yugi and the pharaoh left to prod; quite the unique relationship you two have. From what I've gathered, yours' is that of student-teacher merged with traditional friendship ties; essentially what Twilight and Celestia wish they had but just can't make work."
Both equines scowled at Aza's puppet in response as it continued.
"Since it works so well for you two, maybe you could share the secret to the success of yours?"
Their curiosity piqued once again, everyone now turned to face the pharaoh. He was taken aback by Aza's suggestion at first mainly because he wasn't sure he could rightly answer. But after mulling it over for a few moments, the pharaoh came up with what he believed to be a reasonable answer.
"All I have to say is this," he said, turning to look at Twilight and Celestia."The success of a student-teacher relationship is determined by two things. The first is how well the student can learn from their teacher, while the second is how well the teacher can, in turn, learn from their student."
Twilight and Celestia mulled over the pharaoh's words before Aza spoke up again. "Words of wisdom if I ever heard any; well said, pharaoh. And with that the voting shall commence; here's how it's going to work." Aza pointed the puppet's white sphere toward the grass hut across the clearing. "One by one you'll walk along the dirt path into the hut, inside of which are parchments, a marker, and an urn with which to cast your votes. You cannot vote for yourself, and you must write the actual name of whomever it is you're voting for. Once finished, I'll retrieve and read the votes to you all; whomever receives the majority will have their torch snuffed and then must leave the tribal council area immediately by way of this path." Aza pointed the black sphere down the path next to the rock pedestal leading into the trees. "From there, they'll be returned home safe and sound. Clear?"
Everyone nodded.
"Alright then, it's time to vote; James, you're up."
You're a good kid, SpongeBob, but you're at the greatest risk out of everyone. If Aza wasn't forcing us all to do this, I would've loved to get to know you better. As it is, though, you're much better off leaving first. Don't worry, we'll make sure Sandy returns home safe and sound as well.
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
I may go to my grave never having repaid the debt I owe you for saving my life, James. Hopefully, Yugi and Twilight are siding with me and my friends, because then at least that debt will be partially repaid when you leave. Here's to hoping that happens.
. . . . . .
This vote should make it clear I refuse to side with either group.
. . . . . .
I sincerely hope this vote turns out to be the correct one.
Once all the votes were cast, Aza had its puppet retrieve the urn containing them. It set the urn down onto the rock pedestal and removed the lid.
"I'll now read the votes."
Everyone tensed as Aza's puppet fished out the first vote. While Aza already knew who'd received the most votes, it kept the parchment's blank side facing the group so as to draw out adequate suspense. Aza could see it was working as almost everyone was fidgeting in anticipation. Once satisfied, Aza spoke while the puppet turned the vote around for them to see.
"First vote is for . . . SpongeBob."
Said yellow sponge flinched slightly in response before relaxing a bit as Aza read the second vote.
"Second vote is for . . . James."
The British spy merely raised a quizzical brow in response while Aza's puppet fished two more votes out of the urn.
" . . . James . . . SpongeBob; we're tied at two votes each for James and SpongeBob."
Two more votes were fished out.
"Another vote for SpongeBob . . . and another vote for James; that's three votes each."
Both groups of three tensed up as the next vote was fished out of the urn. It was easy to guess the last two votes were Twilight and Yugi's, so they naturally assumed the next vote would reveal who was getting voted out. They were all shocked when the vote was revealed to them.
" . . . Yugi; that's three votes each for James and SpongeBob and one vote for Yugi/the pharaoh."
The pharaoh deadpanned as everyone else turned to stare incredulously at Twilight, who responded by using her telekinesis to turn everyone's heads back toward Aza's puppet, her own gaze already there waiting for the deciding vote. She didn't have to wait long, and as Aza's puppet fished out the last vote Twilight released her magical grip on everyone else, not needing it anymore.
"And the first person voted out is . . . SpongeBob."
There was a collective sigh from everyone in James' group while Frank and Sandy hung their heads in distress. The pharaoh kept his deadpanned expression while Twilight shrugged to herself, being more or less apathetic to his decision.
"SpongeBob, you need to bring me your torch."
"Can I say something to everyone first?" he asked.
"Whatever."
SpongeBob turned to look at everyone as a tear rolled down his cheek. "I'll always have a place in my heart for each and every one of you. My only regret is I wasn't able to repay you for saving my life, James."
James gave him a dismissive wave with his hand. "Don't dwell on it," he told him.
"I won't," SpongeBob replied, and turned to his squirrel friend. "Come back home safe and sound, Sandy; I look forward to hearing about what happens after I leave."
"Don't y'all worry yer pretty little spongy head 'bout me," she replied.
SpongeBob chuckled. He then turned his head to Frank, a smile adorning his face. "I'll definitely miss you most of all."
"Same here," Frank answered, smiling himself.
SpongeBob kept his smile the whole time he retrieved his torch and carried it over to the rock pedestal where Aza's puppet waited with a snuffer to extinguish the torch's flame. SpongeBob inserted the torch into the designated hole and looked up at the puppet.
"SpongeBob, the tribe has spoken."
The puppet then lifted the snuffer over the torch and, in one fluid motion, brought it down and extinguished the flame.
"It's time for you to go."
SpongeBob nodded and, with one last wave goodbye to everyone, proceeded down the dirt path. Everyone kept their gazes on him as SpongeBob reached the tree line and disappeared through, returning home to Bikini Bottom in turn.
"Well, that was certainly an eventful first council; I look forward to seeing what comes of it. Grab your torches, head on back to Ponyville, and watch out for the zombie horde I just released in the forest."
Everyone froze in response to that last bit. Then a snicker sounded.
"I kid, I kid, I know you're all too exhausted right now for that. Anyway, good night."
Scowling in irritation, everyone grabbed their torches and began making the long trek back to Ponyville through the Everfree Forest.