//------------------------------// // Training for the unicorn attack part 2 // Story: Dragonball pony // by Thy Obsessive Freak //------------------------------// In about a week, Twilight had ran all the way across Snake way, she was surprised to find herself at the end, but saw nothing upon her arrival. She looked around puzzled. “Okay, I think this is the end of Snake way but where now?” All she could see was the pink sky and yellow clouds, but as she continued her search, she finally saw up above her, some sort of green ball in the atmosphere. It had small wooden hut making her realise it was a miniature planet. Came to the conclusion that was probably where she was meant to go next, Twilight braced herself and sprung up towards it. Gravity flattened her back onto the road; the impact causing cracks. Once she was no longer stunned she got up again. “Come on, Twilight, you can do this.” Bracing herself a little more this time, she sprang up towards the planet, but when the gravity started to bear down at her, she ignited from her hooves two beams of energy. She could feel her body being pressured by two forces at once, but she was getting closer. “Just… need to… reach that planet’s… atmosphere.” Twilight felt relief when she felt her body no longer being brought down by the gravity. “Yes!” But then felt her body now being pulled towards the planet’s gravity. “Should’ve probably thought this through.” She slammed flat down into the ground. “Ouch, this… planet’s… gravity-.” Getting herself up onto all four legs, Twilight was barely able to lift her head. “Wow, if this… Zecora’s able to live under this gravity… she must be really… strong.” She chuted towards the hut. But each step she made was so heavy. With persistence she went onward, but then fell back down. She heard footsteps and then saw this befuddled monkey. “Wow, ar-are you, Zecora?” questioned Twilight. The monkey cocked its head. Twilight found herself being disrespectful. She used her strength to slowly lift up her two front hooves prayed and bowed her head. “Apologies, I meant no disrespect. I’ve came here to hope you take me into train with you, because...” The monkey turned away and raised up its two palms and moved in a dance like motion. Unsure what this was, Twilight thought to followed. She raised herself into a similar fashion and began to stamp after the monkey. The gravity crushed down on her, but Twilight figured this dance was to help her get used to it. “Ouch, just how long do I have to keep doing this?” she asked. “You tell me, strange one, who I do not know if she thinks if she is a pony or a monkey, that follows my pet,” said this rhythmic voice. Twilight dropped hard back onto the ground, but was able to see a very confused zebra with bangles around her. Staring at each other silently for a moment, Twilight eventually said. “I take it you’re Zecora?” “Indeed, I am and who might you be, one who confuses me?” “I’m Twilight and I came to seek your training.” “Was that why you followed my pet Bubbles, in such an odd fashion?” “Your pet? Um, well no. Actually, I thought he- or she was you.” The zebra gave a small chuckle. “I will try to not take that as insult, strange one, who calls herself as Twilight. But why have you travelled across the long road Snake way, to train with the one and only me?” “Well you see, there’s these two unicorns that are on the way to my home and they intent to cause great harm, which I can’t let happen, so I’ve came here to train with you?” “Unicorns you say, but aren’t you one, the fact you have a horn?” “Uh yes, it’s all very hard to explain, but just leave it that I don’t want to destroy, but they do.” “That is enough to understand, for I can tell that you seem like a pony, who does not want to harm and I’d be happy to train you. But if you speak of the two unicorns that I think you are, then we’ll have to work hard, for you to defeat them.” “Just tell me what to do.” “Very well, first you must catch my pet, Bubbles.” “Bubbles? I don’t think I can? I’ve already assessed him and he seems perfectly accustomed to the gravity here and he is a monkey.” “It is the best means of getting familiar to my gravity.” “Sorry, but I don’t have time. I only have two weeks before the two unicorns arrive to my home.” “Then be work hard to surpass the training, you must, for there are no shortcuts in this here course.” “Seriously?” “Seriously. Now, Bubbles, go now and do not make it easy, for the strange one here.” “If I really have to, then fine.” Twilight pushed herself up and went after the monkey. * Sat comfortable on top of a rock and munching quite happily on some apples. But as he munched, a drop of slimy liquid fell on his head. He looked up interested and saw it was the bigger dragon. “Oh you’re back again,” said Spike. The dragon’s eyes leered at him. “So uh, where are the gems that I asked for?” The bigger dragon roared, the force of it threw Spike’s fruit back, but the baby dragon was unmoved. “Oh, you want to go again, huh? Fine by me.” The bigger dragon bit at him, but Spike jumped over its jaws and stamped onto its forehead, smashing its head through the rock. The baby dragon then ran up to his shoulder and used his strength to wind the bigger dragon’s arm back. The bigger dragon soon tapped against the surface. “You quit?” The big dragon desperately nodded. Spike then got off him to let it get back up. Its head was now down and tapped its index fingers together like a child. “So? Are you going to get the gems I asked for?” The big dragon sniffled and pulled from behind it a red flared gem rock and presented it to Spike. The baby dragon stared at it with big eyes and pried the gem with glee. It was enormous. He shook his head and responded to the dragon. “This’ll do. But don’t look so glum, now we’re even and I like hope we can be friends now.” The bigger dragon smiled. “Now, um, is it alright if I can be alone, uh, just that I like to eat alone sometimes, you know?” The bigger dragon respectively walked away. Now to himself, Spike begun to grin and stroke the gem with popped out eyes. “Impressive,” said Rainbow Dash in the sky. Spike hid the gem away from her and hissed. He then shook his head. “Oh, um, hey Rainbow Dash.” The pegasus looked quizzed at the dragon. “I’ll just ignore that.” “Ignore what? And, um, what are you doing here?” “I came to tell you that your weeks up and evaluate you. I’d give you a B in general. Right now I’m disappointed that thus far we haven’t unlocked your potential, but I’m amazed at how strong you’ve gotten in just a week. Now though I’ve come to ask you. Are you ready to continue you’re training to fight the unicorns or are you just going to bail out?” The dragon placed his chest out and arms straight. “I’m ready, I want to fight the unicorns and save everyone, especially, Twilight.” “Good, I’ll let you resume, whatever you were doing and then we’ll get down to business.” * “Get back here!” screamed Twilight. She was able to now run across the plane, in just two days. She was still behind the monkey a good bit, but her determination kept her going. Starting to edge behind the monkey again, Twilight sprinted, however Bubbles sprinted way out distance. Refusing to accept this, Twilight lunged at him, but slammed onto the ground empty hoofed. “I hope your stomachs are empty, for dinner is ready!” shouted Zecora emerging from the hut. “Alright,” said Twilight. She wanted to continue her training, but she was unable to argue when Bubble raced to dinner. They ate soap inside Zecora’s home. Her food was often odd. Twilight swore there were experimental ingredients every time, like odd fruit, weird seasoning and just strange soap in general. Nevertheless, the substance seemed to boost her strength. “Um, Zecora, can I ask you something?” “What do you wish to know, strange one?” “What do you know of the unicorns? I’d like to know more about my race?” “There is not much to tell, other than unicorns are a race gifted with magical born abilities. The fact that they had magic, made them think they had as much right as any pony and felt it should be known. They went to lands, so as they could invade and make ponies admit to their superiority and make them give tribute. This had gone on for a very long time, until nearly all the unicorns were gathered to one place and in that one place, catastrophe happened. All at once, the unicorn’s home was destroyed by a mysterious hazard. No one knows what it was, for no one survived to tell the tale.” “Wow.” “Yes, but what amazes me, is that you are nothing like the unicorns that once existed. Unicorns all have big prides that can only be sated by those who they make bow down to them. You are nothing like.” “Well, I think it’s to do with how I was accidently dropped and hit my head at a young age. I was supposedly a very rebellious child before then.” “A blow on the head can indeed do a lot of things to one’s self.” “Well that’s me finished dinner! Come on Bubbles! Let’s go out and go again!” The monkey gave a groan and finished its soup, then walked back outside with Twilight. The Zebra looked at the table and saw the dozens of messy used bowls scattered all over the table. “I guess I’ll be the one, to clean dinner again,” she said with displeasure. * Back on Fluttershy’s place, it had been a week and four days since training had started. All of them were outside, Rarity and Pinkie Pie sparred with one another, while Applejack practiced her bucks and Big Macintosh sparred with Angel, the bunny easily dodging their attacks and giving slaps. Snip made some effort to do some push ups, but would shortly go back to get some grub afterwards. Fluttershy thought to herself. The progress all five of these ponies have been amazing, but I’m afraid it won’t be enough. They’re still no match for the two unicorns, even with Rainbow Dash at their side. Our only hope is for Twilight to have become strong enough and get here in time. Oh, Twilight, we’re all counting on you more than ever. * “You better dodge this one!” yelled Rainbow Dash and tried to swipe Spike with one of her front legs. The baby dragon managed to barely get his head down. “Good, that means we don’t need to do five extra minutes of training, but…” The Pegasus punched Spike with her other hoof and knocked him back. “That there means an extra five minutes of training for not dodging that one.” “Ouch, I thought you weren’t good at time? How are you getting all this down?” questioned Spike, back up to his feet with so many bruises. “Beats me,” said Rainbow Dash, with her rear hooves facing him. “I was hoping you were time keeping.” She bucked him and hurdled him into the river. The baby dragon desperately clawed at the edges. “Help! Please! I-I still can’t swim!” He caught Rainbow Dash’s leg and was pulled out from the water, but saw a disgruntled leer. “Um, thanks, Rainbow Dash?” “Start learning to swim!” She threw Spike back into the water. “And don’t rely on the enemy to solve your problems!” She soon began to slowly trot after Spike. Later that night, Rainbow Dash left Spike to do some more training on her own. The baby dragon was cosy up again under the full the night sky, that he had adapted to and cuddled up with his large gem. He made little snickers and caressed it. It didn’t change the fact that he was badly bruised, swollen and hurt nearly everywhere. “So beautiful, so delectable, so delicious and oh so mine. I bet that Pegasus wants you all for herself. don’t worry well she’s not getting you. Nobodies getting you… what’s that? Oh no, I wouldn’t let that… shut up your crazy!” sneered Spike. His eyes got wider, his muscles tensed and his claws sharpened. “Don’t think that! No bodies going to take you! I swear it! Stop getting all hysterical on me!” Spike started to grow bigger and huger at an accelerating rate. “No bodies going to hurt you, because I’ll smash them all! Do you really need me to prove it… Fine! I’ll smash everything that dares to even look at you!” He was already five times his size and gave out a monstrous roar. * Rainbow Dash twirled, dashed and zigzagged through the air. She would cleave through mountains, leave a trail of flames across the ground and burst through the clouds. She paused when heard a roar echo across the valley. “What the? I’ve never heard a roar like that?... It came Spike’s direction as well.” Climbing over the large mountain with its bulged muscle arms, it had eyes intent on violence. It stood up and the enormous dragon and roared. “I’ve never seen a dragon like that of any kind! Where the heck did it come from!” The dragon opened up its maw and breathed fire incinerated trees in a near instant. It then clobbered the mountain it stood on with all four limbs, causing it to then trip. “Wait! Green and purple scales, yellow eyes and in the same direction! Could it be Spike?” It stomped out from the rubble and swept its clawed fingers at the trees, scything them like wheat. “Whatever the case, I have to stop it before it destroys everything.” She flew at the dragon but she bounced off his solid chest. She rolled into the air and was unintentionally elbowed and smacked into a cliff. “Okay… that thing’s really strong and I might not be able to stop him.” She pulled herself out and flew over the dragon and hectically scan her eyes across it. “Alright, if that’s really Spike, I’ve got to figure out what made him so big.” She traced her mind back to when Dawnshade complained at how dragons were only meant to grow bigger when their greed got the better of them. She looked back down at Spike and saw the gem he received from the other dragon. “That’s it!” She slapped her mouth shut. Spike turned and fire at her. Dodged it, Rainbow Dash went on the retreat and was pursued. “Oh come on! Just because it has long legs, shouldn’t mean it’s got to be this fast!” She swerved before getting swatted and zoomed around a mountain. The beast crashed through the terrain and breathed fire. Pulling over the flames, she clasped her hooves together aimed at Spike. Screaming, powerful beam of energy struck Spike’s eyes and caused the dragon to reel back holding its face. “Perfect!” She continued to fly off and started fly up and down, side to side and spin in circles all across the air. She ignited into a rainbow-coloured blast that now rocketed onwards to Spike. The dragon could see again and was stunned. Rainbow Dash to crash right into the gem and in one mighty impact, shattered it to pieces in. Continuing to fly through, Rainbow Dash echoed to herself, alright, that’ll either work or make Spike even more mad. Spike wailed out a frustrated roar, but began to shrink. In no time he was back to his old self and keeled. Rainbow Dash thought to herself, okay, not what I had in mind, but that works to. She landed down next to him. “Sometimes, I think you’re more trouble than you’re worth. * After four days of doing this, Twilight was now able to race across the planet in less than a minute. She still had the problem with her chase with Bubbles, but gave the monkey a run for his money. Twilight had allowed Bubbles to disappear over to the other side and hastily rushed the opposite way and as logic dictated; Bubbles appeared in front of her for Twilight to lunge at. The monkey was able to quickly reverse and get away. “Darn!” Twilight tried it again and went to the other side where Bubbles and her, met face to face again, but the monkey had narrowly ducked under her lunge and continued on. After a while, he looked around to see where Twilight was now, but couldn’t see her. Anxious, the monkey crept. He heard a psst and looked up and saw Twilight in the tree. Twilight had pounced on and pinned him. With a scream of victory, Twilight grabbed Bubbles with both hooves and raised him above her head and cried. “Yes! Yes! I’ve caught him! I’ve caught the monkey! I caught the monkey!” “You have done good, strange one, now that you have caught my pet, it’s time we moved onto your next training.” “Yes! Just tell me Zecora! What’s the next part of my training, tell me!” “As you wish.” Zecora wailed at the two, it was so loud that it was like storm. It was likely thanks to the gravity that the two were able to hold steady, but the skin of their faces were being ridiculously pulled back. When she finished, the three waited were silent for a moment. “Like to explain why you just did that other than to perhaps give us a new look?” asked Twilight referring to her mane and Bubble’s fur messed up. “Give it a moment.” And enormous gust pressed behind them. “Welcome, Gummy.” Stood there was a weird eye tiny alligator. “Gummy?” asked Twilight. “An alligator, with amazing speed. Your next task will be to use your magic and hit him with this hammer.” A puff of smoke unveiled a huge hammer that dropped to the ground. Its weight caused the entire planet to quake. It also caused Twilight and Gummy to look nervously with sweat on their faces. “You’re kidding?” asked Twilight. “I do not joke. A unicorns magic is a great asset. To teach you to use it effectively and further your training, you must use your magic to levitate the heavy hammer and hit Gummy with it.” “There are a lot of problems with what I’m hearing. For one, if I hit Gummy with a hammer that big, won’t it… well.” “Do not worry, Gummy can take a hammer to the noggin and trust me when your magic will be useful, when the time comes.” Twilight sighed. She concentrated. Her horn glowed and shortly so did the hammer. With more and more effort, Twilight eventually levitated the hammer, but it took a lot of strain. “Okay, I’m ready.” “Alright, go Gummy, go and whatever you do, don’t let Twilight hit you with th-.” The alligator dashed. Twilight started off like she with Bubbles, moving in a slow chute action after Gummy. * Rainbow Dash rested broodingly by the campfire. “Brought some more wood, Rainbow Dash,” said Spike placing them near her and then sat on a log opposite, so to eat some more apples. Rainbow Dash stayed near to Spike, keeping an eye on him. Spike gave a nervous look at her. “You want something?” snapped Rainbow Dash. “I just wanted to ask, you know, how you’re supposed to be a bad person?” “And I’m here trying to save the world, I know, I get the irony, but I want to conquer it and make everyone admit that I’m the best. That can’t happen if-.” “Not that, I mostly wanted to say that you don’t strike me much of a bad person.” “Huh?” “I’d admit that you’re kind of mean and all, but your intentions have been good. You’ve looked after me like a friend and stuff. What I mean is why are you evil?” “What- well!” stammered Rainbow Dash. “Because I’m the best! And can do whatever I want!” “You want to be evil?” “Well, duh, evil’s cool, being evil is awesome! I don’t want to be lame good, why would I?” Spike stroked his apple. “I don’t know, maybe if you just had a friend, would you still be evil?” “Huh! Um! You know what! Enough of this talk!” snapped Rainbow Dash, stamping her hoof. “I don’t even know why we’re even having it!” “Alright,” replied Spike with a moan and pulled up a crafted sheet of leaves over him. Rainbow Dash walked off. “Just so you know, Rainbow Dash… I consider you my friend.” Rainbow Dash paused. She then continued on forward and left Spike in peace. * Another day of training, Zecora was in her house with Bubbles as they rearranged everything. It was hard to do it in peace. Whenever Twilight hammered the ground, it caused the entire planet to shake. She couldn’t help but be further surprised at how good Twilight had gotten with her magic in just two days. The more she thought about it, the more she knew there was hope for the unicorn. Just fixing the angle of a portrait, Zecora was startled when Gummy popped through the window next to her. The wall was then smashed by a heavy hammer storming through. Zecora babbled in gibberish words in panic. Bubbles went frenzy, jumping across the house. “You get back here!” yelled Twilight rushing through the hole. Twilight was trying to blindly smash the alligator. She broke the chairs, the tables and other furniture. It almost looked intentional. She had nearly hit Bubbles a few times by mistake. As Zecora could only watch the devastation the two wreaked, Gummy jumped on the zebra’s head. She ducked down before being walloped her full force with the hammer. The hammer had made another huge hole for Gummy to escape through. Twilight charged after him. Zecora and Bubbles were in shock, even after the building collapsed all around them. “Next time I do a training course, I make sure they know not to take down my house.” * The fighters were all aligned before Fluttershy. “I am glad to say that you have all made a big improvement. From just working together and putting all your effort into this, you are haunting image of your former selves and have become stronger than what was thought possible in just two weeks,” said Fluttershy with Angel next to her. “However, I won’t lie, the unicorns are still stronger by a great deal and I’m afraid your aim won’t be to defeat them until Twilight and Rainbow Dash arrives to the field to assist you. Only then will you have a chance. So when they do come, please try to stall them so they can’t hurt any living creature until help arrives.” “Heck, I bet you just don’t want Twilight’s training to be for nothing,” said Applejack with chuckle. “But don’t worry, we’ll go along with that idea. We don’t want Twilight’s training to be nothing either.” “Eeyup.” “Don’t worry, Fluttershy, you can count on us,” said Rarity. “Oh I so can’t wait to see Twilight again!” shouted Pinkie Pie. “Can I still come up here, for you know, free stuff?” asked Snip. A rock hit him. Angel shook his fist. “Take it that’s a no?” “I thank you all; it is all up to you to prepare for the last week before the unicorn attack. So farewell and good luck!” “You as well, Fluttershy,” replied Applejack. The fighters then said farewell in their own ways and jumped from Fluttershy’s outpost and descended back towards the ground. This just left Fluttershy and Angel with Snip nervously at the edge. “Um, I don’t know how to fly?” “That’s alright, I’m sure Angel can help.” The bunny gave a low growl. * Nailing back on the last wooden board onto her house, Zecora had finally placed it back together. It was a bit crude, but it would do for now. About to take a break, she suddenly heard the sound of loud thumps getting closer. Turning her head behind her and saw racing over to her was Gummy. Hectically, Zecora placed herself against the structure and frantically bubbled strange words at him. The alligator curved away from the house while being chased by Twilight The unicorn had a cocky smile on her face and was able to dash with enormous hammer. When Gummy turned his head, she then vanished. Twilight reappeared in front of the little alligator and when it looked, she tapped him with the hammer. “Alright, little fella?” Gummy nodded, but grew was a thick swollen bump. “Yes, I did it!- I did it! I did it! I did it!- I did it! Zecora! Did you see? I did it!” “A good thing as well- I mean good work. You have now done the first two lessons, now it is time for your real training.” “Finally, but we only have a week left before the unicorns arrive, will that be enough time?” “More than enough, so let us begin and I will teach you what is needed, to give them what for.” * As a six more days passed by, on the Apple family farm, Owloysius, Cherliee, Granny Smith, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle stood on in front of six coloured balls that glowed brightly. They all looked at the items anxiously. “Well? Is someone going to summon the pheonix and wish Twilight back?” asked Applebloom. They all looked one another, but Granny Smith stepped out eventually. “I’ll do it.” She then stood up and said out loud. “Shenron- we summon you!” Fire gushed the seven balls. In a matter of seconds the flames shot up into the sky like a firestorm. It formed into a large bird of fire glaring with sharp yellow eyes. “Congrats, you have found all Six orbs of harmony and have summoned me. In exchange I will grant you one wish before I return to my slumber.” It spoke in a godly tone. “Great pheonix, Shenron, our wish is that you revive Twilight?” “If that is truly your wish it shall be granted.” The pheonix’s eyes then glowed. Once his eyes had returned to normal. “It has been done.” The audience then swayed their heads side-to-side for a moment. “Um, where is she?” “Although I have restored Twilight’s life, she is in a location that I cannot return her from, she must complete that on her own, but for now I have fulfilled my agreement and I bid you farewell.” The phoenix transformed into spiral of flames that vanished. The balls levitated up into the sky and glowed brightly one more time and scattered into the far distance. The sky also returned to normal. “What does she mean that Twilight’s in a location she can’t return from?” questioned Sweetie Belle. “I don’t know, but hopefully Fluttershy knows and will be able to solve it. For now we’ll just have to pray that Twilight arrives in time to help fight the unicorns,” replied Granny Smith. “That’s something we will have to hope,” said Cherliee. * Twilight faced Zecora, eyes locked. In front of the zebra was a giant slab of stone. Gummy and Bubbles stood at the side lines tense. After time had gone on long enough, Zecora shifted around and used her hind legs to scoop up the slab of stone and buck it. Twilight had conjured a ball of energy into her front hoof and threw it at the brick. It exploded the rock into tiny rubble. “Yes!” cried Twilight. “Well done, you have now not only mastered your Spirit element, but now the Friendship bomb as well,” said Zecora. “But I must now put the two into more detail, before you are safe to use them against the unicorns to come. The Spirit element unlocks a hidden spirit element inside you. There are six spirits that exist and you possess the most elusive of them all, magic. When you call on your Spirit of element, it can exceed your power a limited number of times, but beware, the Spirit of magic is very powerful, trying to hold it inside your body can lead to your downfall.” “I understand. When we practiced it, I could feel it trying to force itself inside me and it kind of burned.” “Yes, you must be careful and only use it when truly needed; otherwise your Spirit element will do much more harm to you, rather than to your adversary.” “Okay.” “Now for the Friendship bomb. It is more of a spell than a technique and thanks to your unicorn abilities. It is energy that is built by the harmony of friendship around it; it feels the connections of loved ones and those who care and friendship is the strongest magic. So when the spell feels these levels of friendship and reacts to it, it will build a resonance of powerful energy. The fact that you only built a Friendship bomb with just us, it will be a lot larger when you return to whence you came. But beware, the energy will take time before you can use that you must only use it while your enemies are unaware.” “Okay, got it, I hopefully will not need it.” “Trust me, Twilight, you may very well. Although you have indeed become as strong as either of us could hope, one of the unicorns, a female like you, is still very much powerful. I can’t tell which one of you will come up top, but it will be her that will be your greatest struggle.” The halo on Twilight’s head then vanished. “Woah? My halo?” “You have been revived, Twilight, you must leave now to fight the unicorns.” “Wait? So why don’t I feel like I’m going back down?” “I do not mean to burst your bubbles, when I tell you that you don’t just return, you must run back down Snake way to go to the coming battle.” “What! But the battle’s tomorrow! Am I really going to get there in a day?” “With the progress you’ve made, yes, leave now, so you can be there in time.” “Alright, thanks Zecora! Thanks for everything, I won’t let you or anyone down, I promise!” Twilight then burst from the planet’s atmosphere and rocketed back to Snake way. “And farewell to you as well!” responded Zecora and the three waved behind her. Twilight had landed back onto her path and raced along it to return. * “Alright, maggot!” shouted Rainbow Dash at Spike, who was at attention. “The day you’ve been training for has finally arrived. We failed to unlock that potential, but it wasn’t a total loss, you’ve become stronger and hopefully enough to help make a difference in the fight against the unicorns, we’ll see if-.” The pegasus halted, her eyes were now popped open, her jaw dropped and her body trembled. “Rainbow Dash, is something wrong?” asked Spike concern. The pegasus got a hold of herself and gritted intensely. “They’ve arrived.”